Every senior session has its own personality, and from about 30 seconds into Hadley’s session, I knew this one was going to be fun.
As one of my Class of 2027 Senior Icons, Hadley showed up ready to jump right in. There wasn’t a single awkward moment or a need to “warm up” in front of the camera. She’s outgoing, unapologetically goofy, and completely comfortable being herself, which meant we spent most of the evening laughing our way through the session. Those are always my favorite kinds of sessions because the smiles aren’t forced, the moments aren’t manufactured, and the photos end up feeling exactly like the person standing in front of the camera.
One Location Doesn’t Mean One Look
We spent the entire evening at one of my favorite Southwest Michigan wildflower fields, and Hadley’s gallery is another great reminder that you don’t have to drive from place to place to create a gallery with incredible variety.
By changing outfits, following the light, and using different areas of the property, we created images that all have their own feel without ever leaving the field. Hadley brought three different looks, including a fun blue dress and a relaxed linen outfit that fit the location perfectly. Every time we turned around, there seemed to be another spot that caught my eye.
When clients ask if they should choose one location or several, sessions like this are exactly why I tell them not to worry about the number of stops. One thoughtfully chosen location often gives us everything we need.
An Unexpectedly Beautiful Sunset
Earlier in the week, I had to reschedule another senior session because of the wildfire smoke drifting into Southwest Michigan. Going into Hadley’s session, I was hopeful we’d at least be able to photograph safely and make the most of the evening.
As the sun began to set, the haze created one of the most incredible orange skies I’ve seen this summer. It was absolutely beautiful, but it also served as a reminder that the glow we were seeing was the result of devastating wildfires affecting so many communities. My thoughts are with everyone whose lives have been impacted by those fires.
Every Great Session Needs a Surprise Guest
One thing I definitely wasn’t expecting?
Marie.
Marie is the resident cat at the wildflower field, and she apparently takes her job as official greeter very seriously. She wandered over to investigate what we were doing, decided we were interesting enough to stick around, and happily posed for a few photos before continuing on with her evening.
It wasn’t part of the plan, but it ended up being one of my favorite little moments from the session and one more reason this evening will be one I won’t forget.
Lawton High School Senior Pictures
Hadley, thank you for trusting me with your senior pictures and for making the evening so much fun. Your personality made this session what it was, and I couldn’t be happier with how your gallery came together.
If you’re looking for Lawton High School senior pictures or are planning your own Southwest Michigan senior pictures, I’d love to help create a session that feels like you. Whether your style is wildflowers, downtown streets, the beach, or somewhere that’s meaningful to your story, we’ll create a session that’s every bit as unique as your senior year.
Leave a comment