You don’t have to be loud with big cheesy grins and crazy movement to absolutely slay your senior photos! You don’t even have to like the idea of it.

Parker’s senior photos were a great reminder of how some of the best sessions come from those quiet reserved kids with big personalities underneath minus the bold and flashy. We did some of her photos in Sewickley near the bridge, at a favorite park and then headed to Pittsburgh & Color Park! We finished out our time at sunset on the stunning Smithfield Street Bridge.

Parker is a senior at Quaker Valley High School, and from the moment we started planning her session, I knew she wanted bold photos but she is reserved and doesn’t love smiling with her teeth… she “hates having her photo taken”.. Guess what?! We had an amazing time!

My Fav, a soft Cloudy Day..

First of all Parker had perfect weather. The thick gray clouds suited her vibes and made her images absolutely amazing!

No harsh sunlight.
No distractions.
Just calm, even light that wrapped around Parker perfectly. I love cloudy days yall!

Parker has this amazing golden hair. I’m pretty sure it’s her favorite thing about herself she also loves to have photos taken from the back of her I think capturing that flawless hair was important to her we have lots of opportunities to play! We have similar senses of humor and would laugh and laugh but I’d have to make sure that I took the photos when Parker wasn’t laughing because she loves a soft smile.. This is one of the reasons I think having a zoom with every student is so important!

(Even the ones who loath the camera can have an enjoyable time if we make this session about them and the things that they love!) I rise up to the “my student hates having their photo taken…” challenge hard! And I win 99% of the time!

We will have fun.

Did I mention this gorgeous senior loves black and white images?!

this was something she pointed out during our zoom as well. She likes more artistic style images with movement she wants people to feel things from her photos. Many of the black and white images in her gallery were some of my favorite that I captured all season.

Color Park & The Highline

One of my favorite places to shoot in all of Pittsburgh is the highline. This bright urban graffiti location is located on carson Street on Pittsburgh southside. Against the river there is a beautiful bridge view. And they have a rotating graffiti that is happening all throughout the year by all the local graffiti artist!

If you love artsy urban setting this might be the perfect place.

Fern Hollow Park & the Bridge dock are Iconic Sewickley Locations!

Surrounded grasses and soft hillside, Parker started to relax. Her momma even needed an “iconic leaning on a tree photo! The movement photos we took here are my favorites!

As for the docks near Walnut St. The water was super still and it was so peaceful. We even got to see a huge barge go by- which made for some crazy wave.. wink wink to mom! The Sewickley Bridges in the back of your senior photos captures the heart of where you’re from! If you grew up in this community these two locations are super meaningful to add to your senior photos.

A perfect underrated Sunset spot | Smithfield Street Bridge

You all already know I love Smithfield St., Bridge! You know I love it the most at sunset I think it’s one of the best places in all of Pittsburgh to have your portraits taken as the sun is setting. The iconic spires the top of the bridge and the beautiful view of downtown over the river just does not compare.

One of the things Parker and I discussed was that she didn’t want her photos to look like everyone else’s. She told me she did not want any “bridges downtown”… I get this comment a lot and I often educate my clients that there are a lot more than just the typical roberto Clemente etc. sister Bridges on the North Shore. The Smithfield Street bridge and the hot bridge are both locations for senior photos!

Your kid doesn’t have to love the idea.. For you to book your senior photo session in Pittsburgh now!

part of my job that I take very very seriously is getting camera shy students to relax with me during their shoot. I also will not shoot a senior unless we can have a face-to-face zoom in order that I figure out what they value in their final photographs. It is of upmost importance to me that I capture them the way that they want to be captured.

Momma, I know it’s daunting especially when you have a student that you don’t feel like once to participate, but I am up to the challenge and I actually can’t wait to work with your senior during their epic year!