My Senior picture 10 years later

Summer is coming to an end and school is back in full swing for most.  I remember those days well – the excitement of starting a new year of high school, going back-t0-school shopping for a fresh new wardrobe and getting new school supplies for classes.  It’s hard to believe that’s been 10 years ago.  When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to get to high school and “grow up”.  I loved my Senior year and was excited to start applying to colleges.  Now I’d give anything to slow down time.

Thinking back to my school days also triggers flashbacks to picture day.  My mom has every school picture from pre-K all the way through high school.  Out of all of them, I’ve only really loved one, my 8th grade year.  Mom has them all tucked away in a box at her house with the exception of my Senior year picture.  She proudly displays this one on the mantel next to my little brother’s for everyone to see as they walk in the door.  My parents were always proud of the things I accomplished in High School.  I made good grades, graduated with honors, stayed out of trouble for the most part, worked part time and received scholarships to go to college so I know that picture on the mantel means something to them.

See I’ve always loved pictures.  We have many developed rolls of film from growing up that really capture our family’s personalities, milestones and story.  Those are my favorites – my brother playing baseball, my family on vacation, opening presents at Christmas, acting silly for no apparent reason.  Those are the images you see the real me.  That is what I really treasure.  On the other hand, the 4 Senior pictures of the same pose we have, not so much.  Looking at my senior picture, you would never know that I’m an outgoing, fun-loving person.  I didn’t have much style back then but it was at least better than a black drape.  I don’t even own a black dress that looks like that.  I’d also like to clarify, there is NOTHING wrong with my Senior picture.  I simply would have adored having another session that really represented me.

Now that I’m a photographer, it makes me more nostalgic about the pictures I have of myself, family and friends.  Selfishly, I wish the kind of Senior photography I do now was around in my town when I graduated.  We didn’t have much but I know my parents would have sacrificed to give me a Senior photo shoot that highlighted and celebrated me and my accomplishments.  I worked hard, really hard and would have absolutely loved to have had a session that I can look back on now that really did celebrate that.  I still cherish the Senior picture we do have for what it stands for but I would love to see a photograph of the real me when I come in the door.  One of my giggling 17 year old face in a cute outfit probably in a big wide open field with the sun setting or an album of my whole session I can show my kids one day.

This is probably one of the many reasons I love photographing Seniors so much now and have dedicated a great deal of time to perfecting the Senior photography experience.  I know how important this year is and the hard work that it takes to get there.  It deserves to be celebrated in a big way and give you something to look back on for many years to come.  That’s exactly why we plan your session from top to bottom.  Everything from locations to styling your outfits to hair and makeup and we have LOTS of fun!  You deserve the star treatment.  I get to know you, what you like to do, who you are and how you got there then we design a unique session around that.  Your session won’t be like anyone else’s.  It’s all about you and what you’ve accomplished.  Just like getting married, you only graduate from High School once so you should make it memorable.  If you can dream it up, I can help you bring it to life.  So let’s start planning!

My Senior picture from 2004

Some of the awesome Senior products you can look back on 10, 20, 30 years from now.

Visit our website here to view more of our senior photography. To schedule and design your perfect senior photography experience, email us at brittany@brittanylaurenphotography.org. Limited sessions are available each month.  Located in Charlotte, North Carolina serving surrounding areas in North and South Carolina.