Maddi | 2018 Senior

Fall Sunrise Session in Dublin, OH

Oh my goodness, I just LOVE photographing seniors!!! Every senior session reminds me of my own senior portraits, and how excited I was for them. I'm also always reminded of how gorgeous and grown-up today's seniors seem to be... I was definitely still in my awkward phase until about age twenty. Anybody with me?!

I digress, because this post is all about Maddi! I had the opportunity to shoot her older sister Claire's senior portraits two years ago, and I was so excited when Maddi reached out to me about taking her senior pictures too! We met in downtown Dublin early in the morning and had so much fun together. Every outfit this girl put on was stunning, and her fiery red hair and glowing personality were a match made in heaven! It was so hard to pick favorites for this post because every single shot was just beautiful.

Srinija | 2017 Senior

Franklin Park, Columbus

Friends, this senior session was such a treat! Srinija is a proud member of the class of 2017 with sparkling eyes and a killer sense of fashion. We visited Franklin Park in the early morning and were greeted with some chilly weather, but a warm sun and gorgeous blooms that ushered in that springtime feeling! This high achieving lady has plans to attend college this coming fall, and between her sweet demeanor, kind heart, and sparkling smile, there's no doubt she'll succeed wherever her ambitions take her. Enjoy these favorites from her senior session!

Best of 2016 | Seniors

The year 2016 has been such an incredible time of growth when it comes to seniors! I launched my very first senior spokesmodel program and ended up with three of the most amazing girls, photographed not one, but two pairs of twin seniors, and so much more. Every time I head to a senior session, it's like I'm transported back in time to when I was a senior in high school, so excited about senior pictures, life after high school, and growing up to finally become a young lady instead of a kid. Every senior I photograph has a unique story and ambitious dreams, and I just love hearing them! The images in this post are some of my favorites from this year (obviously), and I had so much fun looking back and choosing them. I'm currently booking senior sessions for this spring, so fill out the contact form on my website if you're interested! For 2018 seniors, you're welcome to inquire, and I'll also be releasing information on my 2018 senior spokesmodel program soon! Happy New Year!!! :)

2017 Seniors Spokesmodels | All Cozied Up

Fall Styled Shoot | Jeffrey Mansion, Bexley

Aren't these girls gorgeous?!?? I absolutely loved being able to photograph these amazing ladies. If you haven't already seen part one of this shoot, click here! If you have, or if you just love cozy sweaters and all things fall, keep scrolling! We styled this cozy autumn shoot with scarves, leggings, vests, and all manner of warm snuggly things. A huge thank you to Natalie for doing makeup for my three spokesmodels who participated in this shoot! As fall departs and transitions into cold days marked by frosty windows and crisp sunlight, here's one final tribute to fall. Enjoy my favorite shots of these beautiful members of the class of 2017!

2017 Senior Spokesmodels | "Belle of the Ball"

Fall Styled Shoot | Jeffrey Mansion, Bexley

I've shot at Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley quite a bit this year, and it's easily become one of my favorite locations! Not only is the mansion itself gorgeous, but the grounds are filled with hedges, brick and stone walls, gorgeous trees and flowers, and even an beautiful open field. It was the perfect setting for a two-part styled shoot with my beautiful senior spokesmodels and a few of their best friends!

Emily | 2017 Senior

Creekside Gahanna

Emily is just the sweetest! I probably said those words (combined with cutest, stunning, and beautiful) about a hundred times during her senior session. She's just so darn fun to photograph! The fall weather still had a warm edge, which was perfect with her plaid button down and adorable dress and boots. Emily has such a sweet disposition and a smile that will knock your socks off! She's been participating in Irish dance since she was a little girl, so that's what you see in her second outfit! Love! No matter how many times I shoot at Creekside, it always seems like we find new locations, and each senior's personality shines so brightly that their session becomes their own. Emily, you were no exception! Congratulations on reaching senior year!!

Lisa + Dan | 2017 Seniors

Inniswood Metro Gardens

Can you believe that I've had the opportunity to photography TWO sets of twin seniors this year? (Check out Torres & Dylan's session here!) I absolutely love photographing seniors, so if there's anything better than one senior, it's two! Lisa and Dan graduate this year from Thomas Worthington, and they are both multi-talented and all-around fantastic young adults. Dan loves to run, and frequently participates in 5Ks and other races. Lisa plays french horn and loves to write her own music! My favorite part of senior sessions is hearing about their passions and the huge dreams they have for the future. You can't beat it!

Hope Taylor Workshop Experience

October #HTPworkshop Recap

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that my feed was flooded last Monday with images tagged with #htpworkshop! If you don't follow Hope Taylor Photography, stop what you're doing and go follow her right now!! Hope is an incredible photographer with not only amazing talent, but a passionate and bubbly spirit to match. She runs a thriving business that she started only about three years ago in high school, and has already catapulted to be a leader in the industry! It's incredible!

Ian | 2017 Senior

Old Downtown Worthington

For Ian's senior session, we were joined by mom, grandma, and little sister. I love it when the family comes out for sessions! It shows how much they love their kids and how excited they are to watch them move from high school into the next chapter of life. Ian's family was no exception! I had so much fun getting to know all of them even in the little time we spent together. Ian is a bright guy who loves his family and I can already tell he'll make a great leader of his own family in the future! He wants to go to college and study chemistry and other research topics, a career that takes a special kind of person to excel at. But I may be getting ahead of myself.

Tim | 2017 Senior

My favorite part of every senior session is meeting them in person and learning about their passions. Some love sports, some love video games, others love music and theater. Some seniors spend a lot of time doing charitable work or supporting social justice causes. Other seniors are involved in their youth groups, school clubs, after-school jobs, and more. There is so much diversity out there! I love hearing what excites every individual, because it’s always something different. Even at such a young age, every senior has a story!

Mikayla | 2017 Senior Spokesmodel

Summer Ballerina + Senior Spokesmodel Shoot at Creekside Gahanna

Every once in a while, I'll have a session where I just laugh and stop giving posing direction, because the model is just killing it even when I don't say a word. Don't get me wrong, the method I use to pose my clients is a huge part of my strategy to achieve natural, genuine-looking portraits and I actually love doing it! But sometimes, my clients are so excited and have such a vision for their shoot that they can take over a little bit- and I let them! Mikayla and I traded off picking locations and poses, and I absolutely love the way her senior portraits turned out!

Cassady | 2017 Senior Spokesmodel

Creekside Gahanna

Meet Cassady, my next 2017 senior spokesmodel! We had such a great time exploring Creekside Gahanna for her senior session and I can't even believe I'd never been there before! We happened to be there right before the start of the blues and jazz festival, and the sunset was absolutely beautiful that day! The magic of the fountains, the bustle and smells from the restaurants, and the families feeding ducks down by the creek all highlighted the perfect evening.

Katie | 2017 Senior Spokesmodel

Inniswood Metro Gardens

Meet Katie!!!

Katie is the first member of the class of 2017 that I've photographed and she also happens to be one of my senior spokesmodels! She is a ball of energy and all smiles, and I absolutely loved hanging out with her. Her mom accompanied us at her senior session and we had so much fun exploring Inniswood together! Katie is so full of life and loves so many things that I'm sure you can relate to... Netflix, frappuccinos, volleyball, and yoga pants. But more than that, what shines the most from Katie is her soul. She's full of love, joy, and is so sensitive to those around her. You'll see more of Katie throughout the summer since she's one a spokesmodel this year-- but for now, enjoy these favorites from her session!!!

Torres & Dylan | 2016 Seniors

Dylan and Torres are twin brother and sister both graduating from Dublin Scioto high school this year. They were my first ever *twin* seniors to photograph, and they made the session so much fun! We were able to take the majority of their images in and around their neighborhood, which made it easy for one to run back to the house and change clothes while I photographed the other! Some of their neighbors have the more picturesque backyards I've ever seen, which made it extra fun to explore- with their permission, of course ;).

Eighin | 2016 Senior

Inniswood Metro Gardens

One of my favorite things about senior sessions is meeting passionate teenagers who are about to enter into adulthood, and hear all about their dreams for the future! Remember how excited I was at that age, how many opportunities I couldn't wait to explore, adventures I couldn't wait to embark on. I photographed Eighin's best friend Archanaa earlier this spring, and hearing them talk so excitedly about their future was so fun!

Eighin has the whole package- brilliant, dedicated, and drop-dead gorgeous! She's been accepted to Kent State's neomed program and plans to become a doctor (how awesome is that!?), but I jokingly asked her during her session if she wanted to be a model instead because she was KILLING it! She's sweet and smart with a gorgeous smile and I absolutely loved exploring Inniswood with her and her sweet mom. Enjoy some favorites from her senior session!

Brittany | 2016 Senior

A Golden Hour Senior Session at Rising Park in Lancaster

Brittany and I have been trying to schedule her senior photos for months now, and they finally happened! She goes to my church so we see each other all the time, but between basketball, softball, marching band, work, and church activities, we never had an evening free. That all changed last Sunday! We drove to Rising Park in Lancaster, one of Brittany's favorite places to come to hang out with friends and (maybe) climb some rocks. If you've never been to Rising Park, it's worth the drive! There is a playground and a pond like most parks, but what makes it special is the ten minute intense hike up a mountain that puts you out on a cliff overlooking all of Lancaster. You'll see some pictures of the view down below! We also used Rising Park as one of our filming locations for our music video earlier this year (you'll see Brittany in the video playing cajon!). The hike up the mountain will probably leave you a bit winded, but the view is spectacular. Brittany's mom came along with us, and the two of them climbed down to a spot for some photos- of course I have to tell you not to try this at home- but it was so worth it!

Archanaa | 2016 Senior

A stunning senior session at Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville Ohio

I say this every time, but I really do get to work with the most incredible seniors! Archanaa's senior session was my first of 2016 and it got me so excited for the rest of the season! She loves Chipotle and java chip frappucinos (also my husband's favorites-- twins?!), and has an edgy yet classy style that I totally adored. She rocked a deep berry lip for her senior session and I think it suited her so well! (Makeup is by @chrissyymakeup -- give her a follow on Instagram!! She's amazing!!)

Archanaa graduates from Dublin Scioto High School this year and was just accepted to USC for the fall! You read that right, this girl is headed to University of Southern California and is going to take that state by storm!!! Even though she's still in high school, she is heavily involved in the support for human rights and serving underprivileged children overseas. She has such a passion for people and longs to see the world become a better place, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will accomplish big things that will really make a difference in the world! Archanaa is soft spoken yet confident, with a huge radiant smile that blows you away. She's incredible and I had such an amazing time photographing her! Enjoy some of my favorites from her senior session!

Seniors | Outfit Inspiration + What To Wear

Hello Class of 2016, Class of 2017, moms, siblings, and friends alike! Welcome to Day Two of Senior Week! If you missed Day One, go back and read that post first! It's all about the Michelle Joy Senior Experience, my personal experience with my own senior portraits, and what you can expect when you choose me as your senior photographer. I've worked hard on crafting an amazing experience for every senior who works with me, and I can't wait to share it with you!

On to the focus of today's post: Outfit Inspiration!!! I'll share some outfitting tips and show you some of my favorite senior outfits to date. Most of these tips can apply to anyone, not just seniors!

The Senior Experience

It's the first day of Senior Week!!! YAY!!! If this is your first time here, welcome to my blog! Today's post will describe in full the Michelle Joy Senior Experience, from start to finish. I absolutely LOVE photographing high school seniors, and have been working hard to craft an amazing senior portrait experience that will make you look and feel like a million bucks.

When I was a senior in high school, senior portraits were a big deal. But like many of my friends, I didn't choose a photographer and have a dream photo shoot... I went to JC Penney. And then I didn't really like some of those, so I went to Portrait Innovations. And in between, my best friend Kristina and I took "senior pictures" of each other outside in her backyard. And you know what?

Mack [Senior | Highbanks Metro Park, Westerville]

The morning of Mack's senior portraits, it was foggy. Realllyyyy foggy. I thought it would clear up as the morning continued, but when we wrapped up over an hour later, the fog was just as dense as ever. BUT, I ended up absolutely loving the way the fog cascaded through the background! The fog acted as a natural reflector and made it feel like we were in some kind of story book or fairy tale. I may have to bring along a fog machine for my next shoot! OK, not really, but I did end up really happy with the ethereal look of these images. And Mack was absolutely awesome. He took to poses naturally, was fun to talk to, and even carried my stepstool around for me. What a gentleman! He's graduating from Worthington Kilbourne High School this coming year and has plans to become a detective. Go get 'em, Mack! Thanks for an awesome session!