"I don't like to smile with my teeth showing..."


Did you know this is the #1 thing that senior guys want to tell me? Not all of them. But a very big majority of them. Other things I hear:

1) I feel awkward

2) I don't like to make eye contact.

3) I trust you, but this feels silly.

4) You can take care of that in photoshop, right?


I GET IT. To me, a senior portrait session for a guy has a much different feel than it does for my senior girls. About 75% of my senior guys are just doing the session to keep their mommas happy, and I LOVE that for their mommas. :) I try to be respectful and aware of what the vibe is so that we can work efficiently and quickly. Sometimes I will remind them, "Mom will love this one; give me your best smile."


Posing as a guy likely feels a little silly, especially when I make them walk or mess with their hair. I try to point out that, yes, it is silly, but those awkward moments make for great portraits. I do a lot of "looking away" photos with everyone, but especially guys. I personally love those images the best. They don't want to show their teeth? That's fine, but let's get just a couple for Mom.


Things I take care of in the editing process (for everyone):

1) Wrinkles in clothing

2) Acne touch up

3) Even skin tones

4) A slight teeth whitening

5) Smoothing out hair


Honestly, senior guys who are a little more shy, awkward, quiet, or introverted, tend to be my favorite to work with and I think it is because they remind me so much of my own son (now almost 25). Making them feel safe, comfortable and seen is my top priority, followed closely by my efforts to make them laugh. (usually at me, and that's FINE!! :))


When a parent books a senior session, they fill out a questionnaire so that I can know about their senior's personality as well as things I can talk about to make them feel more comfortable. I highly encourage moms to go all out in their descriptions. Those help me (AND your senior) so very much.

Here are some recent favorites of my senior guys killing it!

A young person in a suit and tie sits casually on stone steps in an urban park setting at dusk.
A person in glasses and a dark quarter-zip pullover stands with hands in pockets in front of a glass building exterior.
A rider in cowboy attire sits atop a horse in an autumn field during golden hour with trees in the background.
A well-dressed individual sits casually on ornate stone steps against a brick building background.
A figure in cowboy boots and brown hat lounges against metal fence rails at sunset wearing olive shirt and jeans.
A person in a dark suit and tie leans against a storefront window while posing on an urban sidewalk.
Someone in a varsity letterman jacket and ripped jeans sits casually on a stone ledge outside a brick building.
A person in a plaid flannel shirt and jeans crouches on a wooden boardwalk on a sunny day.
A person crouches between stacks of tires in an auto shop while holding a mobile device.
A person in a light casual shirt and jeans sits casually on a window ledge along a city street.
Young professional in black suit with striped green tie touching their neck while looking at camera in soft lighting.
Professional portrait of student in gray dress shirt and green striped tie standing outside ornate university building entrance.
Professional portrait photo taken outdoors with a blue button-down shirt against a reflective glass window exterior.
Stylish person wearing varsity jacket and sunglasses poses against red brick wall on urban street corner.
Black and white casual portrait of someone wearing a sweater and shorts standing on a sidewalk by shop windows.
A student in a vintage t-shirt and dark pants stands in front of Vanderbilt Fieldhouse on a sunny day.
A person in a dark suit and green tie stands in front of stone steps of a grand building with ornate windows.
A person in an olive green shirt holds drumsticks against a sunset backdrop in a rural setting.
A soccer player in jersey number 14 smiles while holding onto goal net strings during a photo session.
A person in a black tank top and light pants poses against a white wall in a black and white photograph.