Is it Too Late to get Senior Pictures? - Yes and No by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

Lillian's mom called me in the busiest month I think I've ever had. I only schedule two photoshoots a week because I spend time planning, preparing, talking to clients, culling and editing photos, doing Viewing and Ordering sessions, designing albums, ordering product, etc. etc. In April of this year, more than twice the number of high school seniors and their moms contacted me to do photos than I had space for.

One mom asked me to put her on a cancellation list and I did. When I had a client who accidentally booked two dates, I gave her a call, hoping she hadn't booked somewhere else yet because I like the girls and moms who had recommended me to her, and I've learned that's a good sign!

We did her photos and it was just such a fun, sunny session. I loved their adventurous attitude.

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Here is the "YES" and the "NO" to that question.

YES-

When you're 40 years old, I can't get good Senior pics of you, no matter what shape you're in and how much you've stayed out of the sun. I can get great "Rocking Life at 40" photos, and that is truly what you want and need at that point. But the ship has sailed on senior photos.

Also, if you book the following Summer or even during college, you obviously won't be using those pictures on your Announcements or Thank you cards, if that's all you wanted them for. My kids' senior albums and canvas wraps will be on my walls and coffee table for as long as I can picture because it's so much more than that.

NO-

So what if you missed the 3 week deadline for ordering announcements before graduation. In this age of the internet, the timing doesn't matter as much as getting it done! Having said that... Why Are You Booking So Late? Please book your photos in the Summer or Fall before your senior year. You aren't going to look that different, and you won't be any less busy in a few months. If you book early enough you'll be able to use some professional photos in your yearbook ad before the deadline, and you'll have the whole thing crossed off your To-Do list.

Powderpuff Football Shoot - Dallas area by Flower Mound Photographer Lisa McNiel

Powderpuff football

A group of juniors and seniors from various Dallas area schools gathered in the brutal heat to play a little powder puff football and let me take their pictures!

Schools represented are Flower Mound Marcus, Grapevine Faith, and Denton Guyer high. These girls play soccer, cheer, do drill team, run track and sing in choir, so some of their moves are pretty funny, but man were they good sports!

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Shout out to the Marcus high, my kids alma mater! District Champs for Marcus football, the 100 win for Coach Atkinson.....And a Big cheer win for the first competition of the season!! Marcus Cheer won 1st place in the UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) competition!!

Audrey can run the ball, but a little pre-touchdown celebration makes it hilarious!

Our quarterback's brother, John, is winning games for Baylor University as the kicker! You can see his senior pictures here!

Sydney looks great in Dallas Cowboy blue!

Flower Mound High School Rosette Senior Pictures by Dallas Photographer Lisa McNiel

As you can imagine, being on a dance team for a 5A high school in Texas is a huge commitment! Riley has spent her entire high school career on the Flower Mound High School Rosettes performing for games and shows. 

When she decides to listen to music she chooses anything by Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Lumineers, or Mt. Joy.

Her favorite memory was going to New York City with the rest of the Rosettes, but when we did her session she was getting ready to go to Europe, so she may have a new favorite. 

Like most kids her age, she likes to spend her free time hanging out with friends and watching Netflix, and her favorite quote is, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths smooth and straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

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"Riley is the baby of the family and the only girl. She was a very shy little girl until we put her in dance at the age of 2 1/2. Dance has been her life and we are sad to see it come to an end. She has loved being on drill team the past four years and serving as an officer and 1st Lieutenant. She is the best daughter and friends to other. We are a huge family of Aggies so she is excited to be attending Texas A&M in the fall. " - Dana McBee

Valedictorian with Style - Senior Pictures by Flower Mound Photographer Lisa McNiel

Kiely is not only Valedictorian for her class, she completed an Associates Degree while in high school at the STEM Academy! 

I like to find out a little about my seniors when I photograph them and Kiely is an absolute delight. When asked about her favorite music, this was her answer, "Ooof, so many its hard to chose. I have about a million in every genre, but all time probably Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (really anything John Mayer), Georgia by Vance Joy, and like all worship music!" 

Her favorite personality trait is her compassion for other people.

So after 10 years, I gave up volleyball for singing. It was a super tough decision, but now I have been leading worship at my church for two years and cannot get enough! In addition to leading worship, I am super involved with school and am my Student Body President. Lastly, I love running, spring time in Texas is kind of my favorite!

I wanted to know what she enjoys doing in her free time: "What is free time? Kidding, but seriously I stay so busy! Usually if I have free time I take a nap because I'm so worn out."

As far as favorite quotes go, she couldn't narrow it down to one:  "Quote: The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.- Eleanor Roosevelt

Bible Verse: Romans 5:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Kiely's favorite memory: "I don't know that I can pick just one, but every year growing up my family and I visited my grandparents lake house in Northern Minnesota and I don't know that there is anywhere that will ever feel more like home."

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I am SO blessed to be Kiely's Mom! She has been such a joy her whole life! She was a whopping 10# when she was born and grew and grew into her athletic 5' 10 inch frame! That height allowed for some fabulously fun volleyball years! She is a follower of Christ and has grown up in the church and now enjoys singing with the worship team most Sundays at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle. Kiely sets the bar super high for herself and works very hard towards her academic goals. Her family could not be more proud of her accomplishments in life! She has set the stage for her success beyond her high school years. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she has been accepted into the Moody School of Communications and the Honors College. She will top off her high school career as her school's valedictorian. Kiely has a strong sense of compassion for others and a service-oriented heart, both driven by her Christian values and upbringing. She is an independent-minded young woman, a loyal friend and devoted sister, daughter, granddaughter and niece. Chocolate is her favorite food group! And finally, she has a fantastic sense of humor, always smiling and making others smile!

Senior Pictures of a Marcus Dancer - by Flower Mound Photographer Lisa McNiel

Emily is a stand-out on stage! I noticed her in all of the Marcus Marquettes dances she was in.  

In addition to Marquettes (dance team) she's in Diversity Dance Studio and plays the Ukulele. Her humor and observations made the group shoots more fun and interesting and I know she'll bring fun and adventure to Oklahoma University in Norman next year!

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