Colorado Senior Pictures At Multiple Locations
Kyle’s senior photo session (or should I say sessions) last year was a great example of what your Colorado Senior Pictures might look like if you go to multiple locations. We started off in the spring in Fort Collins, when he and his friend, Cowyn, took photos together in Old Town. We walked around with their moms, taking photos wherever inspiration struck, as I tried to come up with lots of jokes to help them feel comfortable. As someone who feels awkward having photos taken of just them, I try to do my best to help seniors not feel the same way. Going to take your photos with a friend can be a great way to help if you are nervous or if you just want to make it even more fun! You can help each other laugh, hype each other up, and even get photos together.
This photoshoot ended up being on my birthday, and I didn’t mind one bit, as portrait sessions are one of my favorite things to do!
Summer Photoshoot in Colorado Springs
Fast forward a few months, and Kyle had finished up his junior year. While there are some people who wait until their senior year starts to take senior photos, I always recommend taking them in the summer between your junior and senior year. Why? You are less busy when you are on break, if you want photos taken at a popular location you can go during a weekday when it is less crowded, the weather is typically great, and the summer lighting is so much more vibrant than it is in the fall and you’ll see the difference in your photos.
Kyle and his mom drove to Colorado Springs to take advantage of some of the incredible locations it has to offer. Unlike some other photographers, I do not charge an additional fee to go to more than one location – it’s already included in my price. I want you to have a diverse and beautiful gallery, and to not have to pay extra for it.
We started at this unique location, that makes you feel like you are in a Star Wars movie. Kyle did amazing, and you’d never guess from his smile that it was in the 90s:
Waterfalls Make Amazing Backdrops
Next we drove and met up with his friend Cowyn and his mom again, and chose another one of my favorite spots – a beautiful waterfall. This location can be tricky. If it hasn’t rained or snowed much (I’m a bit nervous for this summer since there hasn’t been much snow), then not much water will be flowing. If it’s a nice day and on the weekend, you’ll find yourself taking turns with all the other visitors there, and there tend to be a lot. Thankfully I’ve never had any issues with getting the shots we need at this waterfall, and if anyone were to walk into the side of a photo you loved, chances are I can edit them out 🙂
Nothing Like the Mountains
You may have seen this location in multiple of my photos. While I have lots of favorite places I take seniors for photos, this one is my favorite of all. Mountains? Check. Fields with flowers on occasion? Check. Sun behind the subject in the afternoon? Check. Typically have the place completely to ourselves minus the occasional hiker? Check. Also, if you care to walk a little more at this location, there are spots with trees, a stream, and bridges.Â
“Can I Bring Outfit Changes or Props?”
Yes and please! While other photographers can limit your outfit changes, I always say to bring what you want! I even have a blog with ideas for outfit changes. Just like having multiple locations will create a beautiful and diverse gallery for you to choose from, so will outfit changes!
I also encourage my senior clients to bring props, such as sports equipment (Kyle brought a basketball and a golf club to his session to reflect his high school sports), instruments, books, hats, flowers, etc. I always love it when people bring their pets along for some photos! All these things help the photos reflect who you are, what you do, and what you love, at this amazing time of your life. Â
Last Stop – Garden of the Gods
I know I have barely scratched the surface of what Garden of the Gods has to offer – There’s a reason it is so popular. The fences, stairs, red rocks, tan rocks, fields, overlooks, moss, alcoves, trees, and trails make it and incredible choice for senior photoshoots, especially if you only want to go to one location (while I am more than happy to go to multiple locations, there are some seniors who only want to go to one, and that is fine too!).
Since we had gone to so many other locations already this day, we did catch the lighting a little late here. However, shooting in RAW allowed me to bring up the lighting quite a bit in photoshop, and I love how the photos turned out!Â
One of Kyle’s mom’s traditions that she started with his older brother and will continue with his younger brother, is to take their photos with Woody and Buzz, with the current senior walking away with their backpack. I think traditions like this are so much fun and if you have multiple kids, I highly encourage you to think of any possible traditions with senior photos you may like to start!Â
Between the two different session days, all the various locations in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, outfit changes, and multiple props, I believe that Kyle’s senior session is one of the most varied and unique galleries I have delivered, and I had so much fun taking his pictures. If you would like to start planning a senior photo session, with or without a friend, I would love to hear from you!!
