Aquinas High School Senior Pictures: Rochester NY

When I think about perfect senior portrait sessions, they don’t get much better than Kylie’s! Kylie is a Class of 2022 senior at Aquinas High School.

The Webster Arboretum was the perfect backdrop for her senior pictures, and…oh look, how nice that there is a softball field next door!

Kylie is a three sport athlete, so we had a lot of fun incorporating her passions into her senior pictures. I love a mixture of posed and action shots, and so did Kylie!

And can you believe that sunset? Love it! Stay tuned for more of Kylie for part 2, when she was joined by her family for family pictures at Hamlin Beach!

3 Common Questions about Booking Senior Portraits

When should I book my senior pictures?

We typically start booking senior portrait sessions in April and shoot throughout the Summer and Fall. We highly suggest that you book your senior pictures early to reserve your date in your favorite season! Click here to start the process, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.

Where should I take my senior portraits?

Short answer: Where in the Rochester (or Finger Lakes) area do you want to go?

From backyards to parks, ballparks to city streets, the world is ours to enjoy! Think about your style, and who you are. Do you picture a sports field? A stage? Gardens? What fits you best?

We’ll work together to find the best location, and if you want it, click here for inspiration!

What should I look for in a senior portrait photographer?

Honestly, first you should like their work. Check out their portfolio and see if it matches the look you want.

Second, you should like the senior portrait photographer as a person. We offer a free consultation to every potential client to be sure we’re a good personality fit!

Finally, what is the photographer’s packages like? And what do you want these pictures for? Do you want to hang some in your home? Or do you want social media files? Or do you want both? Knowing what you’re looking for from your senior pictures is important.

So what questions do you have? Get in touch and ask them!

Four Tips for Great Senior Pictures in Rochester NY

Since our high school senior portraits are coming up quick, we thought it might help if we offered up a few tips for some great senior pictures. After all, these photos will live on the pages of the high school yearbook and on your walls for years to come. The experience you have should be fun, memorable and unique!

So here's a few tips to get you thinking...

1) Clothing - Do your best to avoid clothing with words, stripes and plaids. Solid colors tend to photograph much better, especially in a busy background like a park or among colorful flowers. Make sure you're comfortable in your choices, and that they are flattering to you. If there's a part of you that you're self-conscious about, like your arms - simple solution, wear sleeves! Be comfortable in your clothes, so that it shows in your photographs! Also, keep your jewelry simple so it doesn't distract from what we're really capturing - you!

If you have questions on what to wear, bring a variety of options - from dressy to casual! We can help you pick the right outfit for the right setting.

2) Makeup - Ladies, don't feel like this is an opportunity to layer on the makeup. We want the natural you, not someone that no one will recognize! Your makeup should only be slightly heavier than usual. And please...don't use sparkles, they only make you look shiny in all the wrong places. Don't worry too much about blemishes either, we have ways to help diminish those!

3) Shaving - Guys, unless you're into the bearded look, shave prior to the session to avoid unwanted stubble. If you're face gets irritated easily, leave enough time for it to return to normal. Plan ahead!

4) Props, pets and activities - Here's the fun part. What is it that makes you, you? Do you have a cat, dog or pet iguana to include? We're game, just make sure you bring treats for motivation, and someone to keep watch over Fluffy the Lizard while he's not in the photographs.

We encourage you to bring items that reveal your personality and hobbies. For example, an instrument, sporting equipment, vehicle, collectible, or whatever it is you enjoy.

Most important of all - this should be a memorable experience, so have fun!

Senior Portraits, Pittsford Mendon, Rochester NY: James

I had the pleasure of meeting James last year when he came along to his brother’s senior portrait session as comic relief.

This time around, it was his turn in front of the camera. He rocked it with his Led Zeppelin t-shirt. He also donned a sport coat and a sweater which fit his dreamy, reflective personality - the way his mom describes him.

It was a great day for high school senior portraits in Highland Park, and I’m sure there are many more great days ahead for this bright soul. Thanks James, I can’t wait to see where life takes you next!

-Lori

Pittsford Mendon Senior Portraits: Hudson

It was one of those days with a summer storm moving through. I had my fingers crossed that the clouds would stick around, but not the rain. We were in luck. The timing worked out perfectly and who doesn't love the reflection you get in a puddle? 

We got exactly what we needed to make Hudson's senior portraits epic, both at his Pittsford Mendon High School, and the Rochester Public Market. Then we capped it off with some downtown Rochester, rooftop pictures at dusk.

Looking for something different? Perhaps, some night shots for your senior pictures? Look no further, we've got you covered.

For now, enjoy Hudson's Rochester senior portrait session: baseball, graffiti and city skylines!
-Lori

Rochester NY Senior Portraits: Christopher in the City

Christopher is the kind of person with a plan. Currently a member of DECA, he plans to study marketing at RIT and eventually get into politics. He'll start local, but hopes to work up to senator or maybe even a cabinet position someday. I love his ambition and easy going nature. And also, look at that perfect smile!

Rochester City Hall set the perfect background for his session. The marble columns, the flag, and he looked so comfortable in that board room. We also headed outside to enjoy the architecture of the city, and ended up over at the Memorial Art Gallery.

Christopher definitely projects a strong, confident personality, and you'll see that in his senior portraits. Best of luck, Christopher, in all your endeavors!

Cheers,
Lori

PS: Stick around, his twin sister Elizabeth is next up on the blog!

Pittsford Mendon High School Senior: Evan

Kind, observant, steadfast. This is Evan, a senior at Pittsford Mendon High School.

He is part of the Brighton Police Explorers, guitar player and batman fan, among other things. His session was an adventure off the beaten path near Shoen Place.

Evan is the middle of 5 kids, and the second one I have had the pleasure of photographing. Meet his older brother, George, here. Younger brother, James, came along to provide the laughs and keep him from stiffening up in front of the lens.

Without further ado, here are a few faves from the session! Enjoy!
-Lori

Senior Portraits at Village Gate, Rochester NY

For Michele's senior pictures, there was no lack of ideas. We started at Corbett's Glen in Penfield with her dog and the waterfalls. The natural setting is always so nice, and we had the place practically to ourselves – which is pretty rare for Corbett's Glen! 

Stop number two was at the Village Gate where, where we used the color and textures to our advantage. Michele is a competitive cheerleader, and made some ridiculous poses look easy. All in all, this was a really fun session with lots of variety!

Check them out and leave some love and congrats for Michele and her senior year of high school! 

Enjoy,
Lori

Penfield High School Senior Portraits: Shannon

Shannon is smart and sweet. She enjoys time with friends on adventures all around town and drawing. The crazy part, is that she and her siblings were some of my very first clients over 5 years ago. Now she's part of the Class of 2018, considering going into the field of nursing – and I'm totally aging myself.

We met up with her this month to create some amazing senior pictures for her. We had a lot of fun finding beautiful light and great locations at the George Eastman Museum.

As you can see, we had no trouble with either. It helps that Shannon's awesome smile lights up her portraits and everyone around her.

Thanks, Shannon for a great evening of portraits, and best wishes for a great senior year!

~ Erin

Rush Henrietta High School Senior Portrait: Jimmy

It's always a special honor to photograph siblings. It's also a fun challenge. We photographed Rebecca's senior portraits two years ago, so it was great to hear about what she is up to now.

But on to her younger brother Jimmy, who is now a senior. Both Rebecca and Jimmy are runners, so of course we wanted to make sure their two sessions were a little different.

Jimmy's favorite place to run is Mendon Ponds, so we spent a nice Fall afternoon there. He has such a natural, easy going smile. I also really love that red hair!

Enjoy, and good luck in your next race Jimmy!

-Lori