Emily | High School Senior Photography | LCHS Class of 2017

This week we had our High School Senior Photography session with Emily, LCHS Class of 2017!  Emily is one of our High School Senior Model team members, a self-described “Witty, Ambitious, and Spirited” person and we had a great time with her.  It was definitely a toasty night, with the heat and humidity on high!  We ended up spending a fair amount of time at Heritage Gardens and we even witnessed a guy catch a HUGE pike in the large pond in front of the gardens. Turns out it is a Pokemon Go, Poke-stop, FYI, so we had to shoot around some people that were there as well, but, as always, it worked out great.

Emily is a trombone player in the LCHS marching band as well as section leader and horn sergeant, because, according to Emily, “I’m about as “band” as it gets.” In addition to marching band, she is a member of the LCHS jazz band and wind symphony.  She is also involved in Winterguard and, “I love, love, love, to read books (dystopian science-fiction is my favorite), I also like to bake, and I love my dogs!”  Emily is a well-rounded and active student with a willing smile from ear to ear.  After High School, Emily hopes to attend the Michigan State University premedical program before going to medical school to focus on dermatology. Sounds like some great plans Emily, Go Green!

Emily picked this location because she really likes the bright and colorful look but didn’t want it to be over the top.  She was felt that lots of flowers, grass and outside scenes were the best things for the look she was hoping to accomplish with her High School Senior images. She chose the location because she “liked the flowers! I really did like the location, lots of fun little spots to go around to!” She was also super glad that we went to the docks in New Baltimore afterwards. The timing was perfect to see the “cotton-candy sky” reflect off the water even though she readily admitted that all things Cotton Candy were gross. Lol!

We had a great time with Emily and she seemed to enjoy herself as well.  Emily felt her overall session experience was “Fantastic! While it was warm for a little bit of it, it was a lot of fun! It really helped that I knew you two beforehand, no need to feel awkward with Ang wiping away my sweat! The location was awesome, with the exact low-maintenance outdoorsy-yet-clean vibe I was looking for!”  This type of feedback is definitely what we like to hear.  Happy Senior = Happy Photographers!

Emily’s advice for other seniors getting their session done is to “definitely plan for weather, of course. Bring a few changes of clothes, and plan ahead for any “sweaty situations.” So really, bring a towel with you just in case.”  Lately, we have had a lot of sweaty sessions due to our very warm and humid Michigan summer. So no worries Emily, we don’t mind helping you out to get the shot!  But a towel is definitely a great idea with the temperatures and humidity as of late.  Your outfit choices should also take in consideration of the weather, Emily brought 3 and she felt like that was the perfect number for her.  “Nothing too out of control, although wearing jeans was definitely risky in 80+ degree weather.”  Three outfits seems to be the magic number for most of our seniors.  Jeans was definitely a risk with the heat, but the outfit was perfect, so we left the jeans for last at the Gardens, and then she had time to cool down and change before heading to Walter Mary Burke Park for some by the water shots at this beautiful park near the studio! 

As far as Props for the shoot and accessories for each outfit, Emily went minimal.  She wore very minimal jewelry, “two pieces max”.  Her goal was to not be excessive.  She did, however, bring a very special prop with her!  She brought her dog Daphne.  “I brought her because she’s my little lovebug, and I know that she will always be something that I want to stick with me. I did bring my trombone with me, but I think my band pictures need their own mini-shoot to do it justice (as well as me being so flighty and excited to do things that I totally forgot I had it).” It was fun getting a chance to take pictures with Emily’s little Daphne.  We did have to do a little research ahead of time to make sure Daphne was allowed at the Gardens.  There were some areas that all pets were off limits.  Thankfully mom was more than willing to hang out in the car with Daphne and keep them both super cool.  We did end up forgetting to use her trombone, I think we were all a little overheated.  Fortunately, we can always do another session devoted to Emily and her trombone and all things band!

As with all sessions, planning is a big part of a successful session.  Emily’s advice is to ‘”just be sure to plan ahead. If you know you sweat alot (like me), be prepared to change up your hair or dab off sweat on the spot. Bring clothes you can be comfortable in (and sit down in). Definitely keep it minimal, YOU are the focus, not your clothes.” All great advice.  You want to be comfortable and look great.  Be sure to try your outfits on ahead of time, sit on a chair, sit on the ground, be prepared to know how that outfit will look in any of the positions we put you in during your shoot.  Her tips for hair and make-up are helpful to others as well.  Her approach and opinion on hair and make-up was “Nothing too flashy! Don’t go for a risky haircut the week before pictures! Stay with what you are comfortable with. I went a tad bit more blonde than I already was (shout out to Claire at Elementz Salon), and kept my makeup simple. No need to worry about hating everything the day before. Remember, this is something fun to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished! Be sure to enjoy yourself!” It is also a good idea to make sure you have your hair cut/colored, etc., done a few days for short hair and even longer for long hair, before your session.  A hair color change or a cut can change your outfits, your make-up, your approach, depending on the change.  So make sure you are conservative in your choices to ensure that the end result is something you LOVE! We also suggest bringing your make-up with you for fixing any melting or dabbing and covering sweaty faves and red skin from the heat. If you struggle with application on the spot, ask us to help. Ang is a bit make-up crazy and certainly doesn’t mind assisting with touch-ups. These hot, humid days can wreak havoc on hair and make-up!

It is great to get a chance to hear from our Seniors after a session. The more feedback, the better.  It is the way we learn to grow, to change, to improve and find new ways to make the sessions more fun and more reflective of our High School Seniors and their vast personalities and individual beauty. So it was AWESOME to hear back from Emily and know she had fun while having her picture taken by Capture A Moment Photography!

If you are graduating this coming year, Spring of 2017, and you were wondering when it is time for senior pictures, well, it is now!  Call us today at 586-646-8189 to set up your senior session or feel free to go online to book your session!