Fashion can play a huge part in senior photo shoots.  What a senior wears can inspire a mood or a location that helps the photographer visualize the images she will take.

In this senior session below, photographer Shannon Speer of Shannon Speer Photography said she was inspired by both her senior model and fashion.

“We both LOVE fashion so of course that’s what inspired our shoot but more specifically, NastyGal. NastyGal has such bold, feminine pieces that we both drool over, not to mention their shoots are amazing!” said Shannen.

Check out this awesome shoot below and read what else Shannen had to say about it.  Thanks for sharing your work with Seniorologie Shannen!

Website:  www.shannenspeer.com

Blog:  www.shannenspeer.com/blog

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
My senior model, Olivia, is constantly my inspiration whenever we shoot together! Just her as an individual is a statement. We both LOVE fashion so of course that’s what inspired our shoot but more specifically, NastyGal. NastyGal has such bold, feminine pieces that we both drool over, not to mention their shoots are amazing!

Where did this photo shoot take place?
First we headed to rustic downtown Wilson, then made our way to the tennis courts, and finally to our last stop – the laundromat.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
Of course! Olivia and I have such similar creative minds and deep loves for fashion, so we are constantly collaborating with each other whenever we do a shoot. We both loved the feminine and edgy style of NastyGal, which influenced the outfits for this session.

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
Canon 6D, Sigma Art 50mm, Canon 85mm 1.8.

What time of day were these taken?
2pm-6pm

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
I naturally gravitate towards slightly overexposed images with a lot of warmth, so that’s how I edited this session. The 85mm lens also created the most beautiful sun flares, so I really wanted to highlight that in my post processing. I bumped up the contrast and vibrancy once applying my VSCO preset. Olivia also already has amazing skin and contouring, but retouching in Photoshop really helped take it to the next level.

What is your favorite thing about this session?
The styles and locations would have to be my favorite part from this session. I’m proud of what we created. It’s so easy to overdo a fashion shoot with a million accessories and various statement pieces, but I feel like our looks conveyed the style perfectly without trying too hard. Also, this specific shoot was just a ton of fun because it was for creativity purposes and for enjoyment. These personal shoots are my absolute favorite because they give me a break from my regular workload and allow me to create artwork in whichever direction I would like!

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
Olivia is a diamond in the rough and a true individual. She is daringly confident and unapologetically herself. I think these photos embody her perfectly. My style of senior photography is bold and inspired by fashion. I love making a statement and uplifting young women to be the best version of themselves.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
Don’t just be a photographer; be their friend. Create a bond with each and every one of your clients. They will cherish the experience they shared with you and pass it on to their friends and family!