7 Tips for How and Where to take Prom Pictures - Styles - Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Senior Models Prom Class of 2019

The dress, the flowers, the hair and makeup, and shoes and jewelry, the dinner and the actual prom is an expense in almost every tax bracket! You want to make sure you capture your junior or senior in high school at their very best and preserve some of those memories of them with their friends and dates. Here are some tips to help you do that even if you aren't a professional.

Shout out to my wonderful Senior Models from the class of 2019 in their Junior Prom dresses from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Guyer High School in Denton, and Grapevine Faith High School also serving Dallas and Southlake. 

You can reach me for Senior Pictures here: Dallas Photographer

1. Find even light.

This is going to be tricky for group photos because the real estate they take up is just so much, and if they decide they want photos at 4:30 before they go to dinner, the sun is just too high in the sky to get nice even light on their faces all at once. If they are running the show and you have no say on what time the photos are, try to find a building tall enough to block the sun so they are all in the same light. If you can't, then turn their backs to the light so it's on their hair and not unevenly on their faces.

2. Variety of Shots:

Be sure to get individual photos of them, not only with each of their close friends, but by themselves, in closeups, three-quarters length and full length so you get the train and shoes.

3. Turn Around: 

If the back of her prom dress has detail, get a photo of her looking over her shoulder as you see in the top green one above. The bottom photo of the girl in green is shot through a crystal and the bevels are repeating her image and reflecting light. This might be impossible on automatic settings and smart phones.

4. Props: 

Think ahead and bring a prop. My full time job is as a boutique senior photographer, so I have props like a vintage love seat I can drag outside, but I bet you have something you can use to make it more interesting!

5. Candid: 

It shouldn't be hard to capture the emotion if your son or daughter is with their friends. Hopefully, they will be excited and laughing and so you need to keep that camera clicking.

6. Posing: 

Have you ever had someone take your picture and you just thought, "What do I do with my hands?" Find things to lean on, hold onto, or feature their wrist corsage, or bouquet. These were taken the day after prom so they no longer had those things.

7. Backgrounds:

It's not the most important thing, but it IS a thing! Look at the surroundings and try out different backgrounds.

Shout out to my wonderful Senior Models from the class of 2019 in their Junior Prom dresses from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Guyer High School in Denton, and Grapevine Faith High School also serving Dallas and Southlake. I am now accepting applications for my 2020 Senior models so if you are or you know a junior have them fill out an application here: http://www.lisa-marie-photography.com/be-a-model

Five things to let go of your Senior Year - Dallas Area Photographer Lisa McNiel

My mom has a saying, "This is free advice. Take it or leave it."That's how I feel about this blog. I should tell you it's filled with four very pretty girls, some of my senior models, wearing all white boho style. The rest of it is just advice we can all use, whether or not we're in high school. It has nothing to do with these girls, just things I've observed.

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.

1. Walk away from drama.  

Seriously, it may give you an adrenaline rush, a tasty tidbit of gossip, something to text your friends about, but it's exhausting and unnecessary. The sooner you learn to avoid drama, and people who thrive on drama, the sooner you will be able to accomplish your goals, enjoy your family and friends, cease stewing about silly nonsense, and halt the emotional dragons that would love to fire you up and get you on their "side." 

2. Avoid people who steal your joy - fake friends or "frienamies."

According to Heart-support, there are 5 types of fake friends:
1. - the one who talks bad about you behind your back
2. - friends who won't apologize, but rather makes excuses
3. - those who suck the emotional energy out of you
4. - friends who make you feel guilty for not interacting on their terms
5. - people who have to be the center of attention or in control of everyone in the group

We all have moments of weakness in any of these areas, and growing up and hormones and the changing social dynamics of high school don't help, but if you find yourself consistently putting up with, or even being the friend who shows one or more of these traits - check yourself and/or tell your friend you can't handle it, and/or limit how much you'll put up with. Be a good friend without enabling someone else to bully, manipulate, malign, drain, or control you, and please take a minute and see if this might even be a blind spot in your own life.

3. Wave goodbye to artificial expectations...

that you can only be happy if such and such happens, if you get into a certain college or university, if your crush likes you back, if you weigh a certain amount or have reached a grade point average. Goals are important, but they can't be accompanied with a voice in your head that rejects you if you don't check a certain box.

According to PathwaytoHappiness.com, "Studies show that people who are happy are spending time... with people they love, and working on things they are passionate about. The common element is not the things they achieve, or what they are doing. The common element that creates happiness is that they are expressing love in all those instances. They are expressing love to who they are with or for what they are doing."

4.  Relinquish activities that bring no joy or growth.

I'm not talking about cleaning your room, your job, or homework, I'm talking about questioning priorities to make the most of your days, your heart and your mind. But first, count the cost! Everything is a tradeoff. Sometimes you need to power through the pain and frustration, but sometimes it's OK to quit, especially if you are doing so to follow another passion, or just rest a while.

5. Please give up this delusion - if perchance you suffer from it: A belief that you are better or worse than other people because of your grades, political leanings,  friends, abilities, looks, race, coolness, clothes, athleticism, or finances.

If you put into practice what most of us learn so late in life, empathy, the ability to imagine you are in the circumstances of someone else, it will help you to stop judging, and lend them your heart.

If you just read that and thought that someone else needs to do that, but not you, you missed the point.

Senior Pictures in a TV Friends theme - "I'll Be There For You" - by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

I'll Be There for You

The Rembrandts

So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke
Your love life's D.O.A
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month
Or even your year, but

I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)

You're still in bed at ten 
And work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far 
Things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought 
You down to your knees and

I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're…

Be honest... you sang that!

Five of my Senior Models this year decided on my "Friends" TV show themed shoot. They chose their own outfits and an updated version of the classic 90s black and white outfits Ross Gellar, Rachel Green, Phoebe Buffay, Joey Tribbiani, Chandler Bing, and Monica Gellar wore as the characters we've been quoting for years thanks to reruns! 

Our version of Central Perk where Rachel worked and they gathered was a wonderful spot my husband found in old town Lewisville you have to visit called "The Perc." Then we headed over to my secret location with the perfect fountain for the famous red, blue and yellow umbrellas, couch and lamp for the opening dancing scene we'll always remember.

To see more of my work or contact me for senior pictures, click here: DFW Senior Photographer

Claire started out in a darling watermelon pink and green sundress and then changed to a white knit wrap top and black skirt.

Maren Wisener started in a super cute pink and white striped romper with tie front and changed into a black and white diagonal striped top with black jeans.

Grace Cox wore a yellow and white striped off-the-shoulder knit top for the coffee shop shoot and a black sleeveless top with white shorts for the fountain. 

Meaghan Topelsohn rocked black and white for the full shoot. Her white knit top with a "V" detail paired well with dressy black shorts and black pumps.

Kara Pletcher chose a gray and white striped cotton romper for inside and black ripped jeans and a cute white top with a straight neckline for outside.

7 Tips on How to Raise Your Festival Fashion Game - Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Coachella and other music festivals have become almost more famous for the outfits emerging from them as they are for the bands. In Austin, Texas the ACL Festival has grown to two weekends, 8 stages and over 130 bands. 

I did a Festival Style shoot with five of my Senior Models and I'm including tips on how to turn up your Festival Fashion!  My darling models for this shoot are Ashley Carter, Bentley Camp, Grace Goodwin, Julia O'Connell, and Graycen Bezney!

1. You do you. Your style augmented, taken up a notch. You don't need to copy a look you see on Pinterest or in a magazine. You can take your own look and add elements, colors, accessories to make it your own. Maybe you can imagine how you would have dressed in the 1960s and blend that idea into your own closet.

2. Pick one piece that makes a statement and build your look around it. Maybe it's a lace or patterned kimono, split palazzo pants, or a patchwork jumpsuit that you begin with and then add elements to. 

3. Boho and Rock and Roll are the two looks you tend to see the most, but don't stop there. Add or take away something from what you've seen to make your own statement. This is a fun area of self expression.

4. You can layer on the headpieces, necklaces, and bracelets.

5. Find some fringe! Scarves, kimonos, bags, boots, jackets, fringe is all over and fun to swing around.

6. Footwear - ditch the flip flops. They're great for the beach, but boots and sandals are the way to go -as long as they're comfortable and weather appropriate.

7. Your mom said to tell you to bring a jacket. It gets cold at night!

Applications for 2020 Senior Models will be opening in December of 2018.

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.

Seniors Model Runway 7 Fashion in Deep Ellum - by Photographer Lisa McNiel

These crazies are in Deep Ellum, a super cool area of Dallas with roots in Jazz.

Deep Ellum was originally Deep Elm for Elm street. It was formed after the Civil War, and established in 1873 East of Downtown Dallas by freedmen, former slaves, as an area to live and have commerce. It's filled with culture, vibrant colors, Art, music, night life, and great restaurants and a great place to visit if you're near Dallas!

Runway 7 Boutique provided Erika, Gabi, Bella, Alexis, Zeni and Emily with stylish outfits to model on our group shoot, and the girls had fun and did a great job showing off the fashion.  These are from last Spring, but Runway 7 is constantly getting new hot outfits in to keep you looking sharp.

After Deep Ellum, we had time to head over to Klyde Warren Park, and took advantage the green space and watched the kids play in the fountains and play with the mirrors and chrome on the stage.



Applications for 2020 Senior Models will be opening in December of 2018.

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.

Alexis chose a cold shoulder jumpsuit with thin navy and white stripes and bright flowers scattered all over. I love that the pants tie in at the ankle and the flounce transitions into the sleeves.

Bella's jumpsuit has wide legs with slits up the side which is a super cute surprise  when she walks and sits, but still remains modest with built in shorts. It's great with her coloring and a floppy hat.

Emily's blond hair and tan are set off by a yellow romper with pink and white flowers and a ruffled edge on the shorts.

 

Erika's coloring was set off by the warm colors in the flowers in her two-piece Palazzo and Crop set. It's a comfy and cute way to hit the town, especially with a straw hat.

Gabi modeled a cream romper with tiny covered buttons down the front. The rust bralette she chose and paired with matching earrings and a black floppy hat make for a bold, simple look that's a classic.

Zeni is modeling something I would have chosen. I love red, and especially this romper scattered with white flowers, chunky heels, statement earrings and cool sunnies.