Lisa-Marie-Photography Flower Mound Photographer serving Dallas, Fort Worth and North Texas

Senior Pictures for Guys in Track by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Friday, October 20, 2017

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Graham Santilli is a fairly quiet, not shy, but not loud. He's a thinker. He's pondering what I say to him during the photo session, and figuring out the best approach. I'm much more of a feeler, but we find a way to communicate so that he gives me killer expressions and great poses, and we capture the essence of this terrific young Allen track star. When he's not running or training, he enjoys watching TV, play computer games and hanging out with family and friends. His favorite quote is, "Every Battle is won before it is ever fought." I love that he has enough self-awareness to list his as his favorite personality trait: Heart/Quirkiness/Discipline/Odd sense of humor.

He is a 4 year member of National Honor Society, Awarded as an "Eagle Scholar", a 4 year member of Allen Young Men's Service League. 2 year member of Allen Eagle football team, 4 year track team member. 2 year Athletic Trainer.

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To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook.

As usually happens, mom had more to say about her son. This is her perspective: Graham has always been my disciplined and self motivated son. He is an introvert, but when he does have something to say, it's well thought out. If you get to know him, he is surprisingly witty and funny. Dry sense of humor. He has always led others by Example. i.e...Hardest worker, hates to miss practice, always gives 110%, listens to what the coaches say, is coachable. He's always been the kid the coaches use as a good example.

He has always loved to run. It energizes him. If he isn't running, he looks like an amped up race horse who needs to run... He began running track at age 10. He won various district races, but didn't see a lot of success until 2013 when at 11 years old, He advanced through District and then Regionals and moved on to the AAU Junior Olympics in the 800M.

Although he loved track, he also loved football and in our highly competitive Allen School District, he decided to focus entirely on football. He had dreamed of playing for the Allen Eagles since a player came into his kindergarten class to read to them. He always ran track for Allen, but he focused all of his attention year round on football and his football training.

He played recreational football and then moved into Select Football in the DFW area in Elementary and Middle School. Was Selected by Football University to represent Dallas Forth on Team DFW and was chosen as one of the Captains. We traveled all over the country to watch him play football. His room is plastered wall to wall with football equipment and trophies.

Graham was a great player and teammate.... But, during his Sophomore year, was advised by the team physician to quit playing football. He had too many concussions and he was getting them easier and easier. He was utterly devastated. It caused a deep sadness in him that is just now beginning to lift.

He couldn't bring himself to walk into the athletic facility to clean out his locker, and after a month, the coaches did it for him.

That event was life changing for him. The coaches begged him to stay on in any capacity: coaches helper, videographer, team manager? He turned everything down but Athletic Trainer. He hadn't a stitch of athletic trainer training..but he has had a ton of broken bones from football and he knows a thing or two about concussions...so he worked extra hard to get caught up, and has spent the past two years as an athletic trainer for the football and track program.

Running and Track has always been there for him... He won the District 6A Championship for Allen in the 800M in 2015, but following that, was plagued by a bunch of growth injuries.

He ran one race for Allen last year and right away tore an achilles. He sat out the entire track season for Allen except for District. He was so disappointed in missing his track season, that on a whim I asked him if he would consider running Summer track... The rest is history. He put his nose to the grindstone and within 2 months, he had advanced through District, and then through Regionals and landed the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympics.

Graham has never had one coach (not one) that isn't amazed by his grit, determination, and heart. Every Coach he's ever had repeats the same thing to Gregg and I, He has the heart of a lion.

Homecoming Carnival Best Friends Session by Marcus Senior Photographer Lisa McNiel

Thursday, October 12, 2017

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Follow me on pinterest here: Senior Pictures To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook.

Senior Pictures for Flower Mound Marcus High School Swimmer by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Sunday, October 8, 2017

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Cameryn is one of my Senior Models this year. She has great style and has rocked everything from overalls to a prom dress in the styled shoots. You can see from the cute styles she chose here what great taste she has! The black and white striped dress was perfect for the studio portion of her "Model for a Day" shoot. It looked great on the backgrounds and popped without taking attention away from her. She also chose a white cotton macrame top with a peekaboo shoulder which was a great neutral on the white couch. Her floral off-the-shoulder top and ripped skinny jeans were perfect for the park, and she was smart to not over-tan for her session even though she's a swimmer. She had sent me some Pinterest pictures of ideas she liked and one was a shot of a girl in a simple dress holding flowers. She had a bright pink dress that looked terrific with the pink crepe myrtles you find in most neighborhoods here in Dallas. I loved how varied her expressions were in the park and the fun reactions we got when she started playing with the floppy hat. A simple green tee and shorts were great for a casual look, but some of my favorite shots were when she put on a high-fashion floral dress with sky-high pink pumps. No, wait... I like the ones in her prom dress even better with the sunset in the background and her water polo ball. Except that I just really love the ones we got in the pool at night, and especially the one in her swimsuit and letter jacket looking more intimidating than I ever thought she could!
She is described by family and friends as being very caring. She likes to watch Netflix in her free time (who doesn't?) Her favorite quote is, "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, and I'll stay there forever." - by the little known poet and philosopher Winnie the Pooh.
Follow me on pinterest here: Senior Pictures To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook.

From her mom's perspective:

She is free spirited and has a heart of gold. She has a very sweet side to her and we all know there is a little salt in her too. She loves being with her family and friends and enjoys taking island vacations. She may come across as very quiet and reserved but we all know she can talk your ear off. She has her own unique sense of fashion style.

Pets and Senior Pictures - Senior Models and Rescue Cats and Dogs by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Thursday, October 5, 2017

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pet adoption websiteGrapevineFollow me on pinterest here: Senior Pictures To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook.