Senior Portraits That Don't Look Like Senior Portraits

Graduation portraits can be glamorous, colorful, and personal without falling into a familiar formula. I give them the same attention to lighting, composition, and setting that I bring to any studio or location portrait.

A lot of senior portraits follow the same format: the same poses, the same soft background, the same smile in every frame. Sometimes there is very little to distinguish them from a photograph a friend might take with a phone. There is nothing wrong with a casual picture, but a portrait marking the end of high school or college deserves some thought. It can have polish, color, and a point of view without making you look like someone else.

I treat senior portraits the same way I treat my other studio and location portraits. I start with a vision, then work with lighting, angles, and composition to make you look your best. If you want something glamorous, we can lean into that. If you feel more comfortable with a quieter, less dressed-up look, that deserves just as much care. The goal is not to fit you into a graduation template. It is to make a photograph that feels like you, made deliberately.

New Orleans gives us plenty to work with, but choosing a location means more than finding a pretty wall. The architecture around the Warehouse District can provide clean lines and texture. City Park offers open space, old oaks, and room to move. A French Quarter street can bring color and character, though crowds, traffic, and changing light all need consideration. After more than 30 years photographing here, I know that the best background is not necessarily the most recognizable one. It is the one that supports the person in front of it.

Light matters just as much as the address. A beautiful location in harsh midday sun can be harder to work with than an ordinary corner with good light. Depending on the setting and the look we want, I may use available light, add lighting, or combine the two. That control lets me give a portrait shape and depth rather than simply recording whoever happens to be standing there. I also pay attention to what sits behind your head, where your hands fall, and how the angle changes the photograph.

Bring something that says a little about your life. A musical instrument, a piece of sports equipment, or a beloved pet can give us a starting point that is more personal than a borrowed prop. Those things do not have to appear in every frame. We can make some portraits with them and some without. If you are bringing a pet, arrange for someone to help when the animal is not being photographed, and bring water and a leash. A little planning keeps the session comfortable for everyone.

Clothing should feel intentional, but it should still feel like yours. Try everything on beforehand, including shoes, and check that you can sit and move comfortably. Bring a second option if you want a different mood. A cap and gown can be part of the session without defining the whole thing. For an outdoor session here, allow for humidity and heat, and give yourself time to arrive without rushing. We should also discuss any location rules or permissions before settling on a plan.

You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose. That is part of my job. I give direction, watch how you naturally stand and move, and adjust as we go. These sessions should be fun, never stiff or boring, but always focused. Whether you are finishing high school or college, I want you to leave with portraits that recognize this moment without reducing you to it. Graduation is the reason for the photograph. You are the subject.