Piper Morris at Buttermilk Falls, Finley Egal in front of the Foster Memorial at the Cathedral of Learning, and Jackson Fehr on the Roberto Clemente Bridge in Pittsburgh
As graduation emerges, the search for the perfect senior picture begins, marking the end of one chapter and the exciting start of another.
Forget the standard studio backdrops, seniors this past summer and upcoming fall are heading outdoors, downtown to Pittsburgh, and sometimes even out-of-state for their photos. Golden-hour fields, sandy beach dunes, farms, parks such as Schenley and Mellon Park, and street pictures on the Roberto Clemente Bridge have all become trending backdrops in Pittsburgh. Seniors are choosing locations that reflect their personalities and match their “aesthetic.”
Finding the right photographer for senior pictures is the most crucial part of achieving your desired photographs. It’s a quest to dive into portfolios, seek out your editing and filter style, and ask endless questions until you find the right person. Some photographers do photoshoots on the side, and others work full-time in the fall, taking and editing senior photographs. Besides professionally taken pictures, many seniors ask their friends or parents to use a digital or high-quality camera to get the same effect for a fraction of the price. With the Pittsburgh weather, all photographs are edited differently, since some photographers filter in the warm and natural vibe, while others prefer high-contrast and bold pictures to capture all the physical details of the high school seniors.
Navigating the world of senior picture outfits can feel like walking into a room where everyone is wearing the same dress. There’s the classic baggy jeans and tee combo, the flowy white or colorful sundress against an outdoor setting, or the varsity letterman jacket held behind the back. These staples are timeless, but seniors have started the trend of adding their own twist. Some seniors will pair cowboy boots with a jean-fabricated top, or a long stylish skirt. Others will bring props like flowers, a bible, medals, or a cowboy hat to show some of their passions and achievements.
Where will seniors use and display all these portraits? Usually, seniors print out pictures for their high school graduation party at the end of the year, or they can post them digitally. Many seniors have hopped on the “Senior Sunday” trend of posting a couple pictures with a cute caption on Instagram, so other people can see the hard-work put into the photographs. Happy grad year!
Remember to submit your senior pictures via email to [email protected] by December 31st!