Why We Love Rustic Senior Pictures
When it comes to senior portrait sessions, we can’t help ourselves. Whenever we get the chance to do some rustic senior pictures for a soon-to-be graduate, all the better. A country or antique setting works great because there are so many different angles to approach your senior photoshoot. Whether you’re a legit cowboy or cowgirl, or just love all things western, you’re sure to have a blast!
Senior portrait photography is a must have because it puts the spotlight on the graduate in a fun and creative way. Especially in large families, it becomes easy for one person to get lost in the mix. We love senior sessions because the focus is on one person and one person only. It’s your time to shine and we let you take center stage.
Choosing the Location for the Perfect Rustic Senior Pictures
One thing you find right away is how down-to-earth this graduate really is. Makayla loves the rustic vibes that come from any country setting. So in our search for a unique location, we knew we struck gold (or rather black gold) in the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. The exhibits showcasing the history of the oilfield in the Permian Basin provide lots of opportunities to find that rustic look that brings our graduate’s images to life. Wagons, old trucks, and old oil derricks set the stage for a nostalgic return to days gone by.
Details about Makayla’s Rustic Senior Photoshoot
We first began with shots of Makayla in a more casual setting with her letterman jacket. We love the classic look of any letterman jacket, which can be paired with just about any outfit. A benefit to wearing your letterman jacket during your senior photoshoot is the ability to highlight some of your high school sports or activities by the patches that are sewn on.
Casual outfits are also a great way to warm up during a senior photoshoot. Think of how you would exercise. You wouldn’t jump into some hardcore cardio or weight lifting without some stretching first would you? We like to start slow with any shoot to help our seniors loosen up and get comfortable in front of the camera.
A comfortable senior = great looking senior pics.
One thing we recommend to all our seniors is to bring one or two outfits to change into during a session. This helps keep things fresh and gives you some different and creative images. Don’t worry about where to change into your next outfit. If there are no restrooms nearby to change, we always bring a handy pop-up tent that will give you some privacy.
Changing from the casual jeans and t-shirt look to a more country western outfit, we switch gears and transition to the historic oilfield equipment on display. Makayla’s personality comes alive as we move in between rusted trucks and derelict drilling equipment. Having some historical oilfield equipment serves as the background not only makes for stellar county-themed images, it pays homage
Lastly, we move onto the shots of Makayla with her cap and gown. This part is a crowd pleaser because it marks the culmination of all the senior’s hard work to get him or her to graduation. Cap and gown sessions work great because you can go as dressy or as casual as you like.
Aside from posed images, we also like to capture those small, quiet moments in between shots such as a parent helping his or her senior adjust an article of clothing. These little moments demonstrate that a senior’s journey is not done alone, and requires lots of love and help from others.
One of our favorite shots is the tossing of the cap. This involves a fun game of catch between the senior and our assistant or a family member that is also attending the shoot. Don’t worry if you have no ambitions of joining the Olympic baseball or softball team, we’ll do it as many times as needed to get those amazing shots!
A Brief Bio of The Grad
Makayla is one of those seniors we had a blast hanging out with during her senior photoshoot. Graduating in the Class of 2021 from Permian High School, she combines a love of the creative and scientific. Makayla is a dancer with Panther Paws varsity team, loves country music, working out, and the sound of bones cracking? One day she hopes to become a chiropractor.
Makayla gives a great answer to what her idea of happiness is: being surrounded with family and friends. We also love that her role models are her parents. One of Alexandra’s childhood dreams was to be a princess.
Makayla’s one piece of advice to others: “…just live live your life the way you want to live it and do what makes you happy.”
Congratulations Makayla and a job well done!
Interested in capturing your senior’s best moments in life? We’d love to hear from you!
Visit our Contact Page to begin the process.