4 Ways to Make Your Senior Photos Different From Everyone Else's

Do you ever feel like all of the graduation announcements you’re seeing in the mail and on Facebook look eerily similar? Same location, similar posing, similar lighting, similar outfits? If you’re looking to make your senior session unique, here are some of my top tips for you!

1.  Choose a location that reflects your personality.

Are you a history buff who’s in love with old architecture (Hartwood Acres might be perfect for you!)? Or maybe a sports fanatic who never misses a Pittsburgh sports event (the North Shore could be a great fit!)? Or maybe you love studying with friends in quaint coffee shops in small towns (have you heard of Wunderbar Café?!). The possibilities for a unique location are endless, and really (as cliché as it might sound) can only be limited by your imagination! I’ve had seniors choose…

…a coffee shop they’ve visited every day after school during their senior year.

…a family friend’s farm they grew up visiting on the weekend.

 …a bright and colorful garden to match their joyful personality!

2.   Find a location that’s off-limits to most people – but maybe not to you!

This tip might take a bit of extra thought, but every person has their own personal connections that can open up a completely different option for photos! Do you have a family friend who owns a farm with an old barn? Or a parent who works for a sweet looking country club (like Sara’s mom?)? Or maybe your best friend has a super cool backyard. The takeaway from this point is: you never know what location you might be able to use until you ask!

3.   Choose outfits, colors, and/or accessories that reflect YOU!

Are you obsessed with hats? Do you love keeping up with the latest fashion trends? Thinking about incorporating pieces unique to you is a great way to set yourself apart in your senior photos! For example…

Angelica wanted to incorporate her love of fashion into her senior photos, so she brought maroon hat and some chic outfits to match her chosen session location of downtown Pittsburgh!

Sharon brought an authentic Indian dress along with her for her senior session and it was the perfect way to incorporate her heritage!

For one of her outfits, Caileigh chose navy and yellow colors to reflect her school’s colors (navy and yellow)!

Sara wore CROCS to her senior session, just because she loves them. And I love her!

4.   Bring a prop or two!

Have you been dancing since you could walk? Did you make your varsity volleyball team? Are you obsessed with Disney (let’s be friends!!)? Is your dog your best friend? These are ALL things that can potentially be incorporated into your senior photos! For a few examples, I’ve had seniors bring…

… a whole backpack full of dance shoes. (As a nod to their background in dance!)

 …a violin. (But any instrument will do!)

…sports equipment. (Field hockey sticks, volleyballs, ice skates, oh my!)

 …their favorite books. (Book worms are always welcome!)

 …sheet music. (Love to sing? Have an instrument that’s too big to bring to your session? This could be a great option for you!)

And there you have it – four tips for making your senior session unique to YOU! For more tips, tricks, and advice be sure to check out the JHP insta page here! 

Mason H: McConnell's Mill Senior Photos

Mason is an Eden Christian Academy senior who had the perfect foggy morning for his senior photos! Congratulations on your last year of school, Mason! You're going to do great things!

Best of Senior Photos, 2017 Edition

This was by far my busiest year for senior photos yet, with over 50% of my total number of senior sessions taking place at Hartwood Acres Mansion - by far my most popular location of the year! Thank you to all of the seniors who trusted me with their photos - you all are rockstars and I know you're going to do awesome things after high school!

Angelica M: Chic Downtown Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Don't get me wrong - I love Hartwood Acres, but when Angelica decided on downtown Pittsburgh for her senior session I was PUMPED. There's something about shooting in a different location that always gets my creative juices flowing! And, having photographed quite a few weddings and couple sessions in this same downtown area, I was so excited to see how I could work the space with a senior!

Angelica came SO prepared with beautiful outfits to match the surrounding area (plus a wine-colored hat, which complimented the city surroundings so stinking well!). What you decide to wear and how it compliments your backdrop can make a huge difference in the final images from a session! We were all over the place - from the Omni William Penn, to the downtown Embassy Suites, to Strawberry Way and much more! Angelica even brought a friend with her, and we were able to get a few photos of the two of them together near the end of her session!

Congratulations on your last year of school, Angelica! I am so excited for you! :)

The Illingworth Triplets: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

I have to say, this was a first for me!! I've never photographed more than one senior at a time, so when Sarah, Dan, and Ashley's mom contacted me about senior photos for her TRIPLETS I was SO excited for the challenge! And let me say, I don't think I could've asked for a better trio to photograph. All three of these Seneca Valley seniors were SUPER easy to work with and were totally meant to be in front of the camera! We even had an unseasonable warm day for their Historic Harmony session, which made things all the better. Congratulations on your last year of school, you three! Thank you for an awesome time!

Morgan A: Historic Harmony Senior Photos

Morgan is one of the sweetest seniors I've had the privilege to photograph, and as a more personal touch, she lives with her family in the neighborhood I grew up in! We absolutely loved hanging out with her and her mom for her Historic Harmony senior session - congratulations on your last year of school, Morgan! You are the sweetest!

Morgan H: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

I have to give Morgan MAJOR props. The morning of her session, it was just about 16 degrees outside. To be honest, if it was me, I probably wouldn't have been able to be out in the cold that long, but Morgan was such a trooper!! Not only did she rock her chilly session, but she did so with a smile the entire time! Lucky for us, the restrooms at Hartwood were toasty during her session - so we took a couple of close up headshot style photos in there while Morgan was warming up - haha!! That is definitely one of my all-time favorite senior photo memories! (Also, the last photo in this blog post is from our bathroom break! ;) ) Thank you so much for being such a trooper, Morgan! You are a champ - congratulations on your last year of school!

Sharon J: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Sharon was a champ at her senior session in the cold! This girl brought her A-game (and the most beautifully colored outfits) to her session just a few weeks ago! We were even able to catch some gorgeous golden light right near the end of her session. This girl was an absolute blast to work with, and I'm so excited to share some of my favorites from her session with you today!

Sara L: Pittsburgh Field Club Senior Photos

Sara's senior session took place on one of the most beautiful fall days we had this year! And, lucky for us, the view at the Pittsburgh Field Club highlighted all of those changing fall colors PERFECTLY! I photographed one of Sara's best friends, Conner, earlier this year at Hartwood Acres and was honored when she asked me to take her senior photos, too! We had so much fun checking out all of the beautiful little spots for photos at the Field Club, and let me say - this girl's style is on point! Congratulations on your last year of school, Sara!! :)