Unique Ideas for Your Senior Portraits

It’s senior portrait season, and we look forward to this every year! We love hanging out with the coolest students around, and celebrating as they embark on a new adventure in life. It’s such an amazing time! We wholeheartedly believe that this time deserves some special portraits that are as unique as each senior themselves. That’s always a challenge, though, right? Finding the perfect location or selecting the best outfits to really show off who you are, so your photos don’t just look like everyone else’s, can become overwhelming if you don’t know where to look.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered (did you ever have any doubt?) with this amazing list of out-of-the-box ideas for killer senior portraits. Ready to dive in? Here we go…

Location Ideas for Senior Portraits

Urban Jungle

Take photos in a graffiti-filled alley, parking garage, or abandoned building. This could create a fun and striking contrast between natural and more urban scenarios. Plus, it’s super fun and unexpected!

Girl stands next to graffiti walk during Erie senior portraits

Music Venue

If you’re passionate about music or dance, consider taking your session to a local music venue, concert or dance hall, or on a stage. What a great way to pay homage to your interests and long hours of hard work during high school!

A stage's spotlight highlights a dancer in a full split with head tilted back

Bookstore or Library

Love to read? Consider taking your portraits in a library or bookstore surrounded by stacks of books. It is cozy, a little moody, and definitely highlights your love of reading.

Vintage or Thrift Store

You can go for a funky retro look by taking your senior portraits at a vintage or thrift store. It’s a perfect way to go if your favorite pastime is scrounging for one-of-a-kind deals!

Skatepark or BMX Track 

Love to skate? Let’s capture that! If you’re into extreme sports, consider a skatepark or BMX track to highlight your skills.

Art Gallery

Using beautiful and unique artwork as a backdrop is a perfect way to show off your love of art, and to have stunning portraits that none of your friends will have.

Forest, Vineyard, or Orchard 

Want a more natural look? You can choose a vineyard or orchard for your senior portrait to have more of a rustic, outdoorsy feel.

Girl standing at overlook surrounded by autumn leaves in Wintergreen Gorge

Sports Field/Arena

For the athlete, we love heading to your sports field of choice for some fun shots on the field, in the bleachers, and maybe even in front of the scoreboard.

Senior photo of boy in hockey gear on the ice

Rustic Barn

A rustic barn can create a beautiful backdrop for your portraits, especially if you prefer a country feel.

Girl smiles and in the window of farmhouse for rustic senior portraits

Beach or Lake

We’re lucky here in Erie to have access to beautiful beaches, especially when the weather is warmer. Consider heading to the beach for a beautiful, coastal, natural look.

Senior girl wades in Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park

 

Some Ideas for Outfits

 

Once you’ve chosen the perfect location, it’s time to choose your outfits and if you’d like to bring any props along. Typically, we prefer simple or no props, so we can highlight your own beautiful (or handsome) face, but we’ve come up with a couple of options that can help enhance your photos, if that’s what you’re into.

As far as clothing, we recommend a few different options for your session. Typically, seniors choose a more formal outfit, and then a casual outfit, in order to create some variety. If you’re stumped when coming up with clothing options, you might consider:

  • Vintage clothing or clothing from a different era, if that speaks to you
  • A unique hat or headpiece
  • Scarf or shawl
  • Sunglasses or a unique piece of jewelry
  • Uniform or jersey
  • Letterman jacket
  • Your cap & gown to put over your other clothes for a couple of shotsErie,PA Senior portrait of young man wearing baseball uniform and balancing a bat across his shoulders

Senior Portrait Props

 

If you’d like to select a prop or two, here are some fun options we love:

  • Sports equipment, such as a baseball bat or football helmet
  • A musical instrument
  • A favorite book
  • A bouquet of flowers
  • Balloons
  • Your pet
  • Your beloved car, bike, or other vehicle (but let’s plan ahead for that one!)Young man sitting on the ground next to his car at Presque Isle state Park in Erie PA

 

As you can see, there are loads of options to help create some fun and unique senior portraits – photos that you’ll love looking back on for years to come! If you’d like to create your own unique senior portrait session with some of these (or other) options, let’s chat! Contact us now to get your date set for the spring!