Are Simple Senior Portraits Still A Thing?

Have you searched “ideas for high school senior pictures”? It’s an entertaining few hours!

I thought I was being creative, 24 years ago, when I insisted my brother take me to Patoka Lake and set a kitchen dining chair in the water why I posed in a blue floral maxi dress and looked off into the sunset. Everyone else was doing white backgrounds with a big block “99” on the floor. (Clean white was the response to paint-splattered canvas backdrops a decade earlier- usually with a stepladder in the scene).

Then came photoshop, and people seemed to think it was a fine idea to put “fire” on baseball bats and random sports equipment…ah, fun times.

I do love to be creative. But I’m not a shock-and-awe type creative. I love classic, timeless styles. I’m so happy to see a return for classic, nicely-lit senior portraits in the last few years. I think some teens are tired of the same brick walls and same outdoor locations, and they are leaning into more subtle, timeless looks.

If that’s your preference, I invite you to come view the studio and see if something here works for you. I also shoot on location- but I bring lights, so we still have a polished, professional look. Call me- let’s chat. Even if you decide not to book, you may get some ideas!

The classic white wall- it’s back!

Close up senior pictures of girls are timeless.

A simple, real pose- made interesting by different textures, warm skin tones and a smile.

Outside in the studio courtyard. Classic black and white- and what really makes this photo is all the texture. There may be no color, but see the concrete wall, the denim/lace shirt, the plants in the background, the ringlets, the hat…? All contribute.

Another classic close-up. Nothing is overly loud. It’s sweet and simple.

Senior Boy Photoshoot: Class of 2022

Why should you have senior pictures taken?

  1. You deserve it!

  2. It’s fun!

  3. You will use these pictures more than you think. Announcements, grad slideshows, social media, applications, resumes, even LinkedIn. Calotype will make sure to cover all the requirements so you get the most use from these senior photos.

  4. You are interesting- whether you think it or not. Getting your face, your bone structure, your eyes, etc. into the right lighting can make a world of difference in how you see yourself.

Look over these senior pictures in Springfield. (I can shoot in any location, not everything needs to be in our studio). These were taken on a fall afternoon, just walking around downtown. What would you like to do for your senior photoshoot?

senior boy leaning on his car for senior pictures
black and white trendy picture of senior boy pushing the hair back from his eyes
high school senior boy photoshoot, leaning against his car
high school senior boy photoshoot, leaning against his car and looking directly at camera
black and white photo of a high school senior guy leaning on his car
trendy photo of a high school senior boy in his car for senior pictures
senior boy walking up stairs in downtown Springfield for a senior photoshoot
black and white photo of a senior boy, centered, leaning on a bike rack in downtown Springfield MO for senior photos
smiling senior boy leaning against wall for senior pictures
horizontal pictures of serious hs school senior boy sitting on a fountain, looking directly at camera

Girl Dancer in Costume

Dancers put so much time and work into what they do- why not have professional photos taken to celebrate? This young lady dances at Solomon’s Dance Studio in Neosho. Can you guess some of the dances these costumes belong to?

Photographed in the studio.

Family of Six In the Studio: Winter/Dressy

This family has waited a long time for family portraits. Why do you think they waited?

  1. Couldn’t find coordinating outfits in everyone’s sizes…

  2. Dad works every evening and kids have school in the daytime so there was no time for an appointment…

  3. The youngest cut her bangs down to the root and unless she wore a sock hat, there were NO FAMILY PICTURES taking place until the hair grew out…

Of course, it’s number three!!

The hair is growing out, and this family went with dressy clothes for portraits. Scroll down close to the end- NOBODY was as proud to wear his suit as child #3… can you tell by looking??

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Doesn’t every man feel like this when he knows he’s looking fine? :)

Doesn’t every man feel like this when he knows he’s looking fine? :)

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Dancing to a tune only she can hear…  (This pose is her idea, FYI)

Dancing to a tune only she can hear… (This pose is her idea, FYI)

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You can watch this Portrait Session on IGTV on Instagram. This is my sister-in-law’s family and they graciously allowed me to film the whole session, unedited and as-is, so others can get an idea what a Family Portrait Session in the studio might be like. Enjoy!

Extended Family In The Park/Late Fall, Early Stages of Winter

Are you wanting to get the family together for outdoor portraits, but concerned how it will look now that leaves are off the trees?

This family was photographed on November 16th. The previous weekend, Neosho experienced a cold, heavy rain storm that stripped the final fall leaves from trees. No matter- there’s a beautiful bluff in Big Spring Park that never changes. Its deep gray/brown colors look great with skin tones and clothing. Plus- when the finished pieces of wall art hang on the client’s walls, the natural gray backdrop will blend well with most current home color schemes.

At Big Spring, there’s frequently an occasional duck that wanders by. Can you find it?

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