I don't do many siblings together for their senior sessions mainly because it can be stressful to make sure I am giving them best shots and a variety of poses in the same amount of time that I would normally photograph one senior. Most of the time, each senior would like their own session and one will tag along for the others session so we can get a few pics together. However, I will do it and have a hand full of times. Some siblings that I have photographed in the same session have wanted most all of their photos to be with each other and just a few shots alone. Katie and Adam did have a few pics together, but the majority of their session they had individual poses. To make the time work, we would try to stagger clothing changes so that one of them would be changing clothes while I photographed the other. It was a HOT August evening and changing clothes in the Old Market can sometimes be problematic, but we made it work.
Our first location was at their home in Gretna which had some great trees, stone and a perfect place for Katie to strut her stuff down the street for a few pics. Now when I say strut her stuff, if we had video of her all you would have heard is her awesome laugh and her saying "I don't know what I'm doing!" Yep, Katie, those were exactly the shots I wanted - fun and unposed. I do think I made Adam do a little walking too. Sometimes these may not make the final cut when clients choose their faves, but I like to make my seniors move. I don't want them to feel stiff and unnatural. Most of us don't just stand in front of a person not moving, right?
Our next stop was the Old Market in Omaha, Nebraska. This is a VERY popular spot to have any kind of photography session and honestly, I usually try to steer clear so that we are not having to wait in line for a certain spot to shoot at. But, Adam and Katie really liked this area so we braved the crowds of the people just enjoying the market and seemed to only encounter a couple photogs (that I noticed) that we needed to wait for. I think because we literally chose one of the hottest days last summer we lucked out a bit!
I absolutely loved what Adam and Katie wore for their more urban look in the Old Market. The jacket that Adam wore layered perfectly with his vintage Nike t-shirt and that orange sweater that Katie paired with the vines and dark wood made it look like we had a fall session.
I know I was a little harsh on doing photography sessions in the Old Market, don't get me wrong I LOVE to visit it. One of the other positives when shooting in a place that has such history that we don't have to go very far. For most of this session, we only used one block of the market. Shooting there often, you do find where the best spots are and also where the public restroom is for changing. Now, I know if you follow me, you do know that I have used sheets, a changing tent I always have in the car and even the car can become a changing area. But, in such a populated area, the bathroom is a nice option if you can. Also, since it was over 100 degrees that day with crazy humidity. Getting to go inside to cool off was a must during a 3 hour session.
There is another area not far from the Old Market that we walked too so that Katie and Adam could get a little nature in their images. It is another popular spot with boat rides and feeding the ducks. So we did have to dodge some crowds and hurry to get a quick shot in, but I feel like it may have been a smidge cooler in that area which was helpful.
This area Katie wore more of a summer look and Adam's look could actually go both ways. Since we didn't have a lot of areas to sit while we were shooting in the Old Market, I found a few spots were we could do a little sitting for variety and just to give my seniors a break. I don't think people realize how exhausting a shoot can actually be. Don't get me wrong, shooting high school seniors is an absolute blast for me and I hope for them too! I always want the experience to be something they look back on as one of their highlights of their senior year. But, a 3 hour session in the middle of July in Nebraska can also be crazy and exhausting too. I actually remember after this shoot, I walked to my car and I was parked by the ice cream shop. I walked in and clearly they were about to close. All I wanted was a drink. Something cold and wet. I think they were happy that I didn't order something that would then make them turn around and have to clean a machine afterwards!
While we were working on Katie and Adam's clothing options they both came up with awesome looks. For Katie, mainly I had to help her pair down a couple of her outfits as I knew I wouldn't be able to get them all in. That red jumper though...I had to shoot her in it! It was an extra outfit as I always encourage seniors to bring along extras as you just never know! We were able to become human shields for her to change quickly so I could photograph her in it by the water. I just felt this look was so much different that her others that it would be a nice change up for her session. After we were all done shooting and heading back towards our cars, we walked past a little walkway that caught my eye. Now, by this time it was pretty dark, but there were twinkle lights and well everything was red. It was a perfect spot for Katie and that jumpsuit to be photographed in. At that moment, I couldn't have been more relieved that I had packed my bag with a portable light. Mom became my light holder and we were able to get the shot. If I wouldn't have had that, the shot would just have been a cool idea.
This session was the perfect example of how a summer session can give you the illusion of a fall look along with getting in some summer looks too. I am all about giving my seniors variety and clothing is a huge part of it.
Katie and Adam, All the best for the rest of your senior years at Wahoo High School and Tea Area High School. Can't believe it has been almost a full year since we shot this session. It feel just like yesterday...minus the heat. :)
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