Three Reasons to Do Senior Pictures In Studio and Out - by DFW photographer Lisa McNiel

Do you want to do your senior pics inside or do you want more nature or urban photos... or do you want both?

Here are three reasons why you might consider doing a combination session like Sophie did!

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Variety

My goal is to tell your story in these photos. That means highlighting your different angles, emotions, and style. You haven't lived your life all inside or all outside, so by doing both, you have an opportunity to bring a little range to the album you'll end up wanting at the end, not just the wall portrait for mom.

I can do bright pictures with a white background like you see in online clothing ads, or a white sofa, or dark backgrounds where we can play with shadow a bit more.

Weather

Sometimes the weather doesn't play nice. I literally just returned from a photography workshop where we were supposed to take pictures in the second largest canyon in the United States. But it was 36 degrees and raining in May in Texas!!! So we had to do all of our shooting in studio.

You can minimize your time in inclement weather by doing a combination session. If it's too hot and humid, or too cold and windy, do some inside first when you have more control over how your hair looks, then go outside to get some images in nature.

Light

Portrait Photographers constantly talk about light, the quality of it, the softness and hardness, specularity, strength, direction, and flattering and non-flattering aspects of it. You may not think that is important if you are the subject, but it is because it affects how you look and the feel or emotion of the image. Having window light, off camera lighting through flash or constant light, golden hour light, back light and reflected light gives you a photographic story that is more rounded and flattering than just having one or two options.

What Should I Bring To My Senior Picture Session? -by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

I'm always surprised when seniors are nervous about their photo session, but it makes sense if you don't know how to prepare!

1. Bring more outfits than you think you need, with accessories, shoes, and the right bra. Make sure they are wrinkle-free. Lay this all out the night before so that you have time to remember things in that margin of the next day. If you want to look long and lean, one color all of the way down like Ashley's blue romper (at the end) is ideal.

2. Bring comfortable shoes to walk in between locations. Personally, I walk fast between locations and if you're in heels it might rub a blister. 

3. A hydro flask or water bottles to stay hydrated! The process can dehydrate you more quickly than you might think. Also, a small snack will keep your blood sugar up and tie you over until the session is over and you can go enjoy a meal with your mom.

4. Letter jacket, musical instrument, any props that you feel tell your story.

5. A college shirt if you know where you'll be going, but most importantly a genuine smile and a great attitude. If you're booking with me, you're welcome to bring a friend if they make it more fun!

Here's Ashley's mom, Kara's perspective on her baby girl...

Since a young age, Ashley has always been a leader! Raising a strong-willed daughter has always had it's challenges but I always knew that one day, that unwavering confidence and determination would take her far in life. She is loyal, trustworthy, funny, sarcastic, and she will always speak her mind. I wish everyone could see how big her heart is but she saves that side for only those close to her. My one on one time with her is my favorite! She has the most beautiful voice and we spend many car rides singing along to the Mama Mia or Greatest Showman Soundtrack. She dreams to one day visit Greece (where Mama Mia was filmed). Dancing Queen makes her tear up every time she hears it. She has dreams of being a Physical Therapist and is ready to take on this next chapter. I'm the one that's not!

Her favorite songs are anything by Vance Joy, and her favorite personality trait is her sense of humor. Her contribution to Guyer High School Soccer team helped them become bi-district champions and when we were talking at Christmas, she had just been in a soccer product commercial.

Her favorite quote is "Work Smarter, not harder" and her favorite memory is with her childhood friend, Loren.

Senior Pictures for Athletes with Style - Flower Mound Marcus by Lisa McNiel

Insta is @LisaMcNielPhoto and I post almost every day.

Matthew loves, loves, loves sports. If he is holding a ball or kicking one he is happy. His favorite places to be are on a court or a field.  When his Flower Mound mom went looking for Senior Pictures, I'm so glad she contacted me! 

He was wise to wear a suit and crisp white collared shirt, red tie, nice shoes, and dress socks. He also brought his school jersey and soccer ball. If you're an athlete, you should get a few photos to remember your sport and time on your team.

I've noticed that he excelled at football and soccer this year at Marcus High School. He has stunning blue eyes and a quiet, calm demeanor.  They were smart to schedule senior portraits early so that they weren't scrambling at the last minute.

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To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow 

DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook or Senior Pictures on Instagram.

Senior Pictures for Flower Mound Dancer by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

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I first got to know Julia through her older sister Caroline and Ultimate Frisbee at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. They'll be together again next year at University of Texas in Austin. Julia is a Marquette, which is the school's Drill Team. She's a lifeguard and has worked at various locations watching kids in the pool.

A class leader, she went to Girls State last Summer. 

You can also see Julia in 7 Tips on How and Where to take Prom Pictures, 7 Tips on How to Raise Your Festival Fashion Game,  and from that last shoot she was in a group image that made it into  Senior Year Magazine's Premier Top 200 Senior Photographers and also top 10% of Shoot&Share's Senior Portrait category worldwide.

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To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow 

DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook or Senior Pictures on Instagram.

As a long time dancer, she's got some moves. She was one of the captains and had a solo at the recent show. I happened to be there and snapped one of her crazy moves.

For her Senior Session, she chose a blush dress with V-neck for the studio, it was perfect with her coloring and the white backdrop.

For the outdoor portion of the photoshoot, Julia went with a striped, cotton, cold-shoulder top and ripped jeans, a bright coral sleeveless top with a floral lace pattern, and strap sandals, a multi-colored striped wrap dress with tan wedge sandals, and an elegant black banquet dress with bright berries and florals in red and pink at the bottom and a sheer black chiffon overlay.

PS. If you have naturally curly hair, rock it natural. It's beautiful!

If you're in the Dallas Fort Worth area and a 2020 senior, please contact me early for Senior Photos.

Senior Portrait Locations Around Dallas - Grapevine by Photographer Lisa McNiel

Insta @LisaMcNielPhoto every day

Oh my, what to say about Erika and her wonderful botanical garden and historic old town senior session... 

First of all, Erika is a delight; happy, encouraging, open to making new friends, confident but humble. I would happily clone her. She is on my Senior Model Team and you can see her in the Runway 7 Boutique Group Shoot in Deep Ellum, Dallas ,  7 Tips on How to Take Prom Photos,  Santa Paws with Your Dog, and College Shirt Shoots (coming soon).

She is part of the Varsity Cross Country Team at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas. You can see the polite and dedicated bunch of girls and guys out in the mornings in packs running in the wee hours of the pre-dawn. 

Erika's also in National Honors Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta - a mathematics honor society, and is headed to the University of Texas in Austin this Fall. For those of you not in Texas, you have to be in the top 7% of your class for admission there, so suffice to say, Erika has a big brain!

All that running gives her mega stamina. In her free time, she likes to play soccer, take hikes with friends, ride bikes, and go adventuring for coffee shops both near and far. As if she has that much free time... when she's not in class, studying, volunteering or getting in her miles for Cross Country, she works for Palio Pizza in Highland Village.

Erika would like to major in pre-law so that she can one day become an Immigration Attorney.

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To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow 

DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook or Senior Pictures on Instagram.

That top photo was an entire page in Rame' Magazine Senior Portrait edition.

Crumpled cowboy hat, shorts and boots for the win! We started Erika's session at the botanical gardens, that were partly under construction, but we moved in and around it.

Then she donned this darling black and rose long romper for a city look.

Erika's photos made it in to Rame' Magazine - Senior Portrait Edition, and Senior Year Magazine this year!

This yellow top popped against the green in the garden. She brought a book and glasses to highlight her love of reading.

I wish I had pictures of my mom and me like this. I do have some with my daughter like this at her wedding, but I love the interaction between the two of them.

She has so many "looks" and this casual outfit with the Texas ball cap shows just one more side of her warm personality.

Don't try to come between a girl and her Daisy covered spare jeep! Best wishes, Erika. And as they say in Pixar land... Adventure Awaits!

Green-Eyed Beauty - Flower Mound Marcus Senior Pictures by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

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"I like drawing, hanging out with friends, going on adventures, and going on hikes for fun, My after school activities consist of Going to youth group and tumbling." She is part of a Cheer team that took number two in the nation, baby!!!

Alexis works at Texas Roadhouse (where they have the delicious rolls and honey butter and you eat peanuts in the shell).

She was a great senior model this year because she enjoyed the process of the group shoots, making new friends and trying new things. She's quick with a laugh and happy when others are happy.

You can also see Alexis in the Powder Puff Football Shoot, Seven Tips on How and Where to take Prom Pictures, and Runway 7 Fashion in Deep Ellum Dallas. She also did the College Shirt Shoot (coming soon). Alexis plans to go to Brigham Young University Idaho.

Follow me on Pinterest here: DallasPhotographer 

To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow 

DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook or Senior Pictures on Instagram.

Handsome Paul Newman Doppelgänger Senior Portraits by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

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Let's just go ahead and get this out there... Walker Cain looks like a young Paul Newman.

Youngest of three brothers, Walker has always been competitive and up for any sport or challenge that came his way! Growing up, he played everything from soccer, golf, hockey and baseball, but ultimately landed with football and lacrosse as his primary sports. 

He plays Varsity Football as a Wide Receiver for Coppell High School. His mom describes him as extremely funny, easy going, and always surrounded by friends.

Walker is a Varsity Football and Lacrosse player and Eagle Scout. He is a member of Young Mens Service League and was selected for Coppell Teen Leadership.

He's following in one of his older brothers' footsteps to University of Texas in Austin next year to major in Sports Business.

Follow me on pinterest here: DallasPhotographer 

To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow 

DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook or Senior Pictures on Instagram.

Remember that when your son is preparing for senior pictures, it's a great idea to invest in a suit. Be sure you pay attention to the shoes and SOCKS! They have become a signature piece for guys and can show personality. The stylist where you buy the suit should be able to help you.

Don't be afraid to ask for a few serious shots on your son. He might even prefer those, and you'll be able to see his eyes better when he's not smiling.

But then again, there's nothing quite like a natural smile if you can get one!

I love to get a series of different expressions as my seniors interact with a parent or friend.

If you do a shoot with me, I'll want you to wear flats (because we walk a LOT), but also bring your lipstick so I can get a photo of your baby and you together.