In-Studio Aesthetic Photoshoot
Disco Ball Photoshoot
Before the details for the disco ball photoshoot were set in stone, I was in Hobby Lobby. Among the abundance of textures and that very specific craft store smell, that I had my aha moment.
I mentioned on my Instagram stories once that I was ITCHING to play with doing a senior photoshoot in the studio and Malaina hopped in my DMs just as excited as I was. She had done a senior session with me before (the most stunning golden hour flower field senior pictures), so we truly got to use this session to have fun and get creative. We planned all along for this shoot to be fun and unique—totally different than your typical senior pictures.
My original idea was to use black seamless paper but inside of that Hobby Lobby these packs of black scrapbook paper sparked the idea. Checkerboard. It would be so simple to create since I already had the white. All I had to do was tape up the black squares and match up the corners. I immediately it would pair perfectly with the disco balls and sequins. I HAD to do it.
So I did.
The disco ball photoshoot aspect is the most iconic. We really leaned into the disco ball feel with the checkered backdrop (that I MADE with PAPER!!) and Malaina’s sequin fit! When we talked about her outfit I suggested converse to bring the look to an edgier, more outgoing place (and because they are classic).
We played a lot with light and the disco ball reflections and bringing in some of that vintage film mood. We made USE of those disco balls. I tried out loads of different techniques—holding a disco ball in front of the camera, creating reflections with the light, all the fun things.
Unique Senior Picture Ideas
This photoshoot really ended up being an extension of Malaina’s senior photos. Since I had full creative control, I set up 3 different setups. These have been my most unique senior picture ideas to date!
I haven’t had as many senior sessions in the studio, but it is such a great option to get senior portraits in - no matter the season or weather. Creative senior photography like this is SO fun and I think there is so much potential to make your senior session even more personalized—down to your aesthetic.
Grandma Aesthetic Photoshoot
This aesthetic was WAY out of my comfort zone. I obviously LOVE pink, but other than that color tends to be out of zone of genius. Even so, I put together this colorful scrapbook paper wall, grabbed some flowers from Le Fleur, and went all in with the vibes. I thrifted this old telephone which made this set up really feel like we were at a grandma’s house. It feels springy and vintage and fun. Exploring the vibe and letting it unfold with all of the details made this shoot so unique.
This outfit wasn’t even originally what Malaina had planned for, but I think it turned out so cute. The white pants mesh so well with all of the colors!
This session sparked so many amazing ideas for future shoots. I felt creatively ignited. I had all the creative willpower to do anything weird, outside the norm, and accidentally iconic. The ability to do that means SO much to me! Clients that have that amount of trust in me have my whole heart.
I realized that I needed what this session gave me. I needed this to creatively kick off the year as my slow season ends, to create for Malaina, and to create for myself. Adding in fun props and creating interesting backdrops was a way to create an even deeper experience with Always Flourishing and pave the way for new innovation.
Illinois Photographer & Photography Mentoring
I just KNEW I had to share this shoot with the world. Especially for my other photographer friends! It can be so refreshing to create with the intention to create. To try new things and explore your style is to strengthen your business.
I want to push you to add your special touch. It can be easy with trendy ideas like a disco ball photoshoot to take inspiration and do what has been done. But you have so many cool ideas inside that creative brain and that makes you special and brings so much value to the world. Add whatever your equivalent of the checker backdrop or playing with techniques looks like.
Over the years I have learned so much about the photography industry and creating a business that I love. Investing in education has always taken me so much farther than I ever could have imagined. So, now I am empowering you to build business that they love with photography mentoring built around your needs and Lightroom workflow saves you time and melts your stress. Explore those photography mentoring details!
Hey Senior Photographer!
Give your clients an experience they will look back on fondly (and tell their friends of) AND photos they will undoubtedly love.
Grab your posing guide and look back on your galleries with kindness (instead of bullying yourself)
