This session is special because it is a group of seniors that have all known each other since Preschool!! What a great way to capture them before they all go off to different schools!!

To show off their progression through the years, the photographer, Rosie Suerdieck of Reflections by Rosie Photography, had them bring photos of themselves when they were little! How cute!! Other props included tulle draped in the trees and a homemade “Seniors” sign!

Check out this session below and be sure to check out Rosie’s other work here. Thanks for sharing Rosie!!

What was your inspiration for the photo shoot? I had recently taken the senior pictures of one of the girls in the group pictured. Her mom had asked me to schedule a session with the senior with her friends. When I found out that the girls have known each other since PRESCHOOL (yes, preschool!), I knew that I wanted to do a session that will give the girls great memories for years to come.

Where did this photo shoot take place? At Challenger Seven Memorial Park in Webster, Texas. I love the “wild” look that this park evokes!

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?

Yes! I believe that communication is KEY for senior pictures! The senior who I had worked with previously and I shared “pinned” ideas and inspiration from Pinterest, and we talked back and forth about clothing concepts. The girls had decided to all wear dresses for half of their session, and their college tee shirts for the second half. I kept the props as simple and classic as possible, too, to keep the main focus on the relationships between the girls.

I would have to say that my favorite aspect of this shoot was the fact that the girls brought pictures of themselves when they were three- the age they all were when they met. Adorable! I have toddlers myself, and it almost made me tear up…they grow up in the blink of an eye!

What camera, lens, and equipment did you use for this shoot? I used my Nikon D700, and my 50 mm 1.8 lens. I am a prime girl for sure! I also used backlight and metered into their skin….I tried a reflector at one point, but I felt that it diminished the “dreamy” effect for this particular session.

What time of day where these taken? The golden hour- around 6:30 p.m.

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session? Honestly, these were only minimally edited. I bumped up the curves a bit, and sharpened, but these are mostly SOOC. I try to minimize my post-processing when I can (I have FOUR kids! I really don’t have a lot of time to play around in Photoshop. I also love back light and have spent a ton of time perfecting shooting in it!).

What is your favorite thing about this session? We laughed the whole time! The girls were all so sweet, and by the end, I felt like I was one of their friends, too. I love how, when culling through the images, their strong friendships shined through the photos.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style? Relationships are key. Having your clients be comfortable in front of the camera makes the world of a difference. I tried to not be a shutterbug, but rather their friend, and that helped them to relax in front of the camera (which is a very awkward place to be!). My style tends to be VERY simple- I really don’t do a lot of setups or props in general- and I enjoy incorporating the environment into the pictures, whether that environment is at Challenger Park, or at more of an urban location. Once the seniors know that I am not an intimidating person, and that my sessions are laid-back, the candid moments seem more genuine!

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?

This is a tough one because I feel like I still have so much to learn! Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is… it’s not about the gear. I have a Nikon D700, as well as a Nikon D70. I can guarantee that, if I had to shoot with the two cameras back-to-back, I could get almost the same images, even though one camera’s capabilities may surpass the other (I know…I know…crop factor, etc., etc.). It’s YOU that controls how your sessions go- the gear is secondary. Invest in mentorships, and learning as much as you can from those who are stronger in certain aspects of photography than you are. If you love what you do, and you work hard to craft your skill by allowing yourself the ability to constantly learn, you will be amazed with what you can do! If you feel confident in your work, then the seniors will 1) trust you, and 2) come to you for their portrait work!