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The Senior Experience Team has quickly become the best program I offer high school seniors. Over the course of their senior year students are invited to attend 4 group photoshoots – each with a different theme/style. These shoots are very simple but so much fun both for me and for the seniors!

When Inspiration Hits in the Middle of an Instagram Reel

You know that feeling when it’s August in Savannah, the air is sticky, your iced latte is already sweated through the cup… and despite the heat, you feel this little creative spark flicker back to life after a break? That was me recently.

After spending most of the summer in Europe (and shockingly not touching my camera the entire time), I came home with an itch to shoot something light, fun, and summery before we launched into full fall senior session mode. I had a loose idea, I had my senior team, and I knew I didn’t want to go back to the beach just yet.

Then it happened.

I was scrolling through Instagram, saw a reel featuring this quirky, lesser-known spot tucked in downtown Savannah, and instantly felt my brain go: “THAT’S IT!” I drove straight there, walked around, and by the end of the visit I was texting my senior team with the plan.

Choosing the Right Vibe (and Letting Go of Too Much Structure)

Planning senior photo sessions is usually my happy place. I love helping my clients choose outfits, setting the vibe, scouting locations… all of it. But this time, I tried something different.

For our end-of-summer creative shoot with my senior experience team, I handed over a little creative freedom.

Normally, I send over a Canva style guide to steer the group toward a specific color palette or theme. But this time, I said: “Here’s the location. It’s colorful and bright. You all decide what you want to wear.”

And they nailed it.

They coordinated on their own and landed on classic denim shorts with white tops – simple, summery, and perfect with the playful backdrop. It let their personalities (and friendship) shine and made my job behind the camera even more fun.

What I Learned From This Session (and What Seniors & Moms Can Steal From It)

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Choose Unexpected Locations

Not every senior photo shoot needs to happen at Forsyth Park or the beach.

• That hidden Savannah backdrop you saw on social media? Might be gold.
• A colorful wall, quirky props (hello fake lifeguard station), or even hula hoops can make your session one of a kind.
• Exploring unexpected locations brings a fresh energy to your portraits. It feels spontaneous – because it was.

Tip: If you find a location you’re curious about, drive by it like I did. Get out, walk around, see how it feels. If your first thought is “this could be fun,” it probably will be.

2. Keep Things Comfortable But Stylish

Letting my team choose their own coordinated outfits was a win.

When you’re shooting in Savannah heat (and I mean HEAT…), comfort matters just as much as style.

• Jean shorts and white tops were breathable, timeless, and easy to move in.
• Letting your group collaborate on outfits builds excitement and ownership in the session.
• It also solves that constant “what should I wear?” anxiety without losing cohesion in the photos.

For more tailored sessions, I still help each senior pick the right outfit through style guides and guidance based on their vibe. But sometimes it’s fun to loosen the reins a little.

3. Prep for Imperfection – and Laugh When It Happens

Let’s talk about the picnic table.

We were knee-deep in the middle of shooting – popsicles in hand – when one of the benches decided to quit the scene entirely. It broke mid-shoot.

No big deal… unless you’re sitting on it. Which one of the girls was (don’t worry, she was fine).

It turned into one of those laugh-so-hard-you-can’t-breathe moments. That’s the stuff you remember.

• Senior portraits don’t need to be picture perfect.
• Sometimes the table breaks. Sometimes wind catches your hair.
• Those moments? We roll with them. Usually, they turn out to be the photos everyone remembers (and secretly loves most).

Why This Kind of Session Matters – Especially for Seniors

This wasn’t just a “fun photo day” with my team. It reminded me exactly why I do this.

Senior year flies. Fast. So carving out space to goof off a bit, take dreamy photos with your circle, and capture who you are in this season? That’s magic.

And while yes, I offer professionally styled, hyper-personalized sessions (with full outfit help, location guides, all of it), there’s something powerful about also capturing these laid-back, spirited moments that feel like your weekends, your group chats, your memories.

Whether it’s a themed shoot or your full senior gallery year, I’m here for both the polished moments and the pool float energy.

Want Something That Feels Just as You?

If you’re looking for a senior photo experience that captures your whole vibe – from dreamy poses under Spanish moss to blowing bubbles at a colorful picnic table – I’ve got you covered.

Let’s talk about what kind of session fits your personality (and let’s skip anything that feels too stiff or forced). Check out my senior portrait experience to see how we can create a stress-free, super memorable shoot together.

And if bubbles or hula hoops are involved… so be it.