Senior photos should feel like more than just a collection of pretty pictures. They should capture who you are in this season of life—the things you love, the activities that have shaped you, and the personality that makes you, you.
That was exactly what we wanted to do for Riley’s senior session.
As a Tulsa senior photographer, one of my favorite parts of senior sessions is getting to know each senior and finding ways to incorporate the things that make their story unique. Riley’s session was the perfect example of that. We planned a two-location session that gave us plenty of variety while still keeping everything completely centered around her.
A Two-Location Senior Session in Tulsa
For Riley’s senior photos, we started at the beautiful Philbrook Museum of Art. Philbrook is one of my favorite places in Tulsa for portraits because it offers such a beautiful mix of architecture, gardens, and timeless backdrops.
For the first half of her session, Riley wore a gorgeous dress that fit perfectly with the feel of the Philbrook. These images have that classic, polished senior portrait look while still feeling natural and true to her.
But one of my favorite things about planning a senior session is that we don't have to stick with just one look.
After finishing at Philbrook, we headed to Woodward Park for the second half of Riley's session. The change in location gave us a completely different backdrop and allowed us to shift the overall feel of the images.
Riley changed into jeans, giving us a more relaxed and casual look. It was such a fun contrast to the dress from the beginning of her session and gave her gallery a lot of variety.
Making Senior Photos Personal
Riley is an only child, so this season of life is especially meaningful for her family. Senior year is such a big transition, and these photos aren't just about documenting what she looks like before graduation. They're about documenting who she is right now.
We incorporated several things that are an important part of Riley's life, including her clarinet, her band letter jacket, and her painting supplies.
I absolutely love when seniors bring personal items into their sessions.
Your senior photos don't have to look like everyone else's. If you're involved in band, bring your instrument. If you love painting, bring your supplies. If you're an athlete, bring the things that represent your sport. If you have a favorite hobby, activity, or even a sentimental item, let's find a way to incorporate it.
Those little details are what turn a beautiful senior gallery into a gallery that actually tells your story.
From Band to Art
One of the things that made Riley's session so much fun was getting to incorporate the different sides of her personality.
Her clarinet and band letter jacket documented the time and energy she's poured into music and band throughout high school. Then we incorporated her painting supplies to highlight another creative side of who she is.
I love that her gallery isn't just one version of Riley. It's all of these different pieces of her coming together.
And that's exactly what I want senior sessions to feel like.
You don't have to choose between dressed-up portraits and fun, casual photos. You don't have to choose between beautiful portraits and photos that show off your personality. We can create both.
Tulsa Senior Photos That Feel Like You
When you book a senior session with me, my goal isn't to simply put you in front of a pretty background and tell you where to stand. I want to create a session that feels like you.
That might mean starting somewhere elegant like Philbrook Museum and ending somewhere more relaxed like Woodward Park. It might mean bringing your instrument, your sports equipment, your art supplies, or something sentimental to you. It might mean wearing a dress for part of your session and jeans for another.
There really isn't a single formula for the perfect senior session.
The best senior photos are the ones where you can look back years from now and immediately recognize yourself.
Riley's session was such a beautiful representation of that. From her elegant portraits at Philbrook to her relaxed images at Woodward Park, her clarinet and band jacket to her painting supplies, every part of the session was intentional and personal to her.
And that's what makes senior photography so special to me.
If you're looking for a Tulsa senior photographer for your upcoming senior portraits, I'd love to create a session that feels just as personal to you. Whether you already know exactly what you want or you need help planning every detail, we can build a session around your personality, your interests, and this unique season of your life.
Your senior photos should look like you—not just like a senior photo session.