Senior Photo Trends: How They've Evolved Over the Years

Senior photos have come a long way from the stiff poses and standard backdrops of the past. Today, they’re a vibrant, creative celebration of individuality and style. As a Pittsburgh senior photographer, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing these exciting changes firsthand. Here are some of the biggest trends we’ve seen in recent years:

1. Natural Settings Over Studio Backdrops

Gone are the days when studio portraits were the norm. Now, seniors are stepping outside and embracing natural settings. From the lush greenery of Frick Park to the industrial charm of Pittsburgh’s Strip District, outdoor shoots provide dynamic and personalized backdrops that add life and depth to photos.

2. Lifestyle Photography

Today’s senior photos feel more like lifestyle shoots. The focus is on capturing authentic moments rather than overly posed portraits. Think laughing on a park bench, walking down a city street, or even grabbing a coffee at your favorite local cafe. These candid, real-life vibes create images that truly reflect your personality.

3. Personalization is Key

Seniors want their photos to tell their unique story, and photographers are getting creative to make it happen. Whether it’s incorporating hobbies, pets, or favorite outfits, personalization has become a cornerstone of modern senior photography. Love basketball? Let’s hit the court. Passionate about music? Bring your instrument along for the session.

4. Creative Wardrobe Choices

Fashion has taken center stage in senior photo trends. Seniors are showcasing their personal style with bold outfits, statement pieces, and multiple wardrobe changes. From casual jeans and sneakers to elegant dresses or sharp suits, the options are endless. Coordinating colors and textures with the location is also a popular way to create cohesive and visually stunning shots.

5. Incorporating Urban and Industrial Backdrops

Cities like Pittsburgh offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban grit, and seniors are taking advantage. Industrial backdrops, colorful murals, and cityscapes have become increasingly popular, adding an edgy and modern twist to traditional portraits.

6. Golden Hour Magic

The golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) has become a coveted time for senior shoots. The soft, warm light during this time creates a dreamy and flattering glow that enhances every photo. It’s a simple yet powerful way to make photos stand out.

7. Themed Sessions

Themed senior sessions have been gaining popularity as well. Whether it’s a vintage vibe, a boho aesthetic, or a nod to a favorite movie or book, themes help seniors express their passions in a fun and creative way.

8. Focus on Storytelling

Perhaps the biggest shift is the emphasis on storytelling. Senior photos are no longer just about how you look but about capturing who you are. From locations that hold personal significance to props that represent your journey, every detail is carefully curated to tell your unique story.

Ready to Capture Your Style?

The evolution of senior photography is all about freedom, creativity, and individuality. If you’re ready to create a session that reflects who you are and celebrates your journey, let’s chat! Whether it’s a bold cityscape, a serene natural setting, or something entirely unique, I’m here to help bring your vision to life. Let’s make your senior photos unforgettable!

Reach out to me directly at jhidingerphotography@gmail.com to begin the conversation!

Delanie N: North Catholic High School Senior Photos

Meet Delanie!

Delanie is a North Catholic senior who wants to study neuroscience post high school! She loves science and math and had the BEST November day ever for her senior photos!

It's true, November can be a toss up for photos here in Pittsburgh... but when it's slightly warm and the sun is shining, the conditions are some of my favorite for photos. The light is just so beautiful... and we were even able to catch the tail end of some fall color for these portraits!

I am so excited to share more from this session. Congrats on your senior year, Delanie!

Favorite (Non-Cheesy) Simple Props for a Senior Session

One of the most common questions I get when it comes to senior photos is: “should I bring any props?”

Props can be a great way to add personality to your senior session and make your photos your own! Many of my seniors, when thinking about props, voice that they are afraid that their photos will appear “cheesy” if any are added in.

Truth be told – some props can be a little cheesy, but fear not! Within the world of cheesy props, there are some props that never seem to go out of style – regardless of what is currently trending! And a big part of what can make a prop look cheesy is how it is incorporated. I love using props to add personality to a client’s images in the least cliche way possible!

Today, I’d love to share a few of my favorite simple, non-cheesy (at least to me!) props, and how I love to incorporate them into my client’s images without being overly cheesy!

Instruments

If playing an instrument is a big part of your life, then it could be a fun addition to your senior photos! For the center images below, we went for a VERY subtle music themed shot by throwing some old sheets of music in the air!

Sports Equipment

Have a sport that you’ve played since middle school, or that you want to pursue professionally? Or maybe just a sport that you absolutely love? Consider incorporating one or two items from that sport into your session! You don’t necessarily have to pull out your entire uniform to add a touch of “sports” to your photos - even one football or a pair of ice skates can do the trick!

Hobbies

This might be one of my favorite categories, because the possibilities really are endless, and there are ample opportunities to get creative!

Love biking? Bring an old vintage bike with you to your session! Love Harry Potter? Bring you time turner necklace or Gryffindor scarf to add a hint to the best book series of all time 😉 Or if you want to go big, have your photos taken with the airplane you’re learning to fly on! There are soooo many possibilities when it comes to incorporating your hobbies - and it’s easy to either go with more “obvious” props (like a camera, if you love photography!) or with more subtle ones (like a backpack, if you love hiking/adventuring!).

Pets

If there’s any sure-fire way to feel comfortable in front of the camera, it’s definitely by having your furry friend present! Honestly, I wish I had gotten photos with my childhood dog for my own senior photos. It can be fun to have a few quick shots of you two interacting together!

If you are interested in bringing a fury friend to your senior session, be sure to check out this blog post (technically it’s an engagement blog post, but it is a great resource for any type of session where a dog is present!) for some of my best tips!

Accessories

Do accessories count as a prop? Absolutely! A hat, a scarf, beautiful coat, umbrella, or any particular accessory you’re currently feeling can be a great way to add a little visual interest to your images! (And don’t worry, we can do some with, and some without to get a good variety!)

Flowers

This has truly become a favorite of mine over the last couple of years! Flowers can add SO MUCH to your images, especially when you coordinate them with your outfits! They can be held, thrown, arranged on the ground, carried in a basket… and more! This is a great option for adding a softer, more feminine look to your photos.

To make this one more personal, bring your favorite type of flower to your session! Or maybe a flower that is your favorite color? You could do stemmed flowers, flowers with the heads cut off (great for those “laying in the grass” shots!), or even just petals for throwing/spreading on the ground!

A Special Outfit

This is another one of my favorites! If you have a prom or homecoming dress that you want professional photos in, or a special cultural outfit you only wear on special occasions, why not bring it with you to your senior session? It will definitely make your photos different from your friends’!

What do you think… are props for senior photos cheesy, or is there still a place for them where they can look natural?

Behind the Scenes: JHP Promo Video by Dorosh Documentaries

Curious as to what you might experience at a photo session with JHP? Look no further than the video below, expertly captured by two of my videographer friends from Dorosh Documentaries! Click the play button below to check it out!

PS - Dorosh Documentaries films weddings, so if you’re in need of a wedding videographer, look no further than these two!

Megan A: Hartwood Acres Senior Photos

Megan was such a joy to photograph for her senior photos!! She was incredibly easy to get along with and SUCH a natural in front of the camera - as a former basketball player, travel enthusiast, soon-to-be student of business, and incredibly kind person, I know Megan is going to do amazing things with her life. Thank you SO much for the honor of taking your senior portraits, Megan! So excited for you for this next adventure! 

5 Reasons to Consider a Morning Photo Session

Photographing people on location with natural light is a bit of a science. A session in the middle of the day could lead to harsh light and dark shadows under the eyes of the subject, while a session close to sunrise or sunset creates an opportunity for soft, even light that flatters any subject in front of the camera.

While about 90% of all of my sessions take place in the evening (close to sunset), one of my absolute FAVORITE times to shoot is in the morning. So, why might you want to consider scheduling a morning session timeslot opposed to an evening one? Well, for one…

1.  If you’re a morning person, a morning session might be the perfect fit for you (and possibly more enjoyable!)!

If you’re already a morning person, why not have your photo taken in the morning?! I’m a BIG fan of getting the most important things crossed off my to do list early in the day – and having your photo session done in the morning will let you have the remainder of your day to work or play! Which leads me to my next point…

2.  You’ll be all ready to go for the day – looking gorgeous from the start!

I don’t know why this bothers me so much, but I really dislike “getting ready” near the end of the day (aka doing 20 minutes of hair and makeup – ha!). I love being able to get ready in the morning and then have my hair and makeup last throughout the entirety of the day. The great thing about having your photo session in the morning? You can do just that! After your session, you’ll be looking real nice for the remainder of the day – so (unless you have work or school!) plan something fun to do afterwards so you can get a bit more longevity out of your look!

3.  You could go out to BREAKFAST afterwards!

Something fun you COULD do is go to breakfast afterwards! Going out to breakfast is literally one of my favorite things in the world, which is why I had to mention it. And really, having your photos taken in the morning means you’ll probably need a little fuel for the rest of the day – no better excuse to stop over to First Watch or Bartram House Bakery! (Or wherever your favorite breakfast place might be ;) ).

4.  You might be able to miss just the first hour or so of work or school.

Sometimes, weekday photo sessions mean you might have to miss a little bit of work at the end of the day. But depending on how early you’re willing to have your photos taken, we might be able to get your photo session in before work or school (this depends on the time of year and how early the sun rises). Whatever the case, missing just a little bit of work or school in the morning can be better than missing half a day in the afternoon!

5.  The light is killer.

Morning light might just be my favorite. Something about it is so soft and sweet – even though sunset light is always gorgeous, I’ve created some of my favorite images using morning light!

Four Ways to Add More "Umph" to Your Senior Photo Outfits!

It’s hard enough to get dressed in the morning, but getting dressed for senior photos is a whole ‘nother story - am I right?! Trying to find the perfect outfits that your mom will lovingly adorn her walls with for the rest of time - no pressure, right?!

Well, the good news is this: even though there’s no “one size fits all” formula for choosing outfits for your senior session, there are four tips I love to share with my seniors (and anyone for that matter!) who are trying to narrow down and/or decide what to wear for their senior photos. I recommend incorporating these four things:

1. Textures

I always LOVE to encourage my seniors to opt for unique textures in their clothing choices. Textures add additional dimension to photos, and all around more visual interest! They can also be a great (more subtle) alternative to a patter

Lace texture on her sleeves

A sweater pattern texture

A subtle line pattern

A subtle polka dot texture on Angelica's pants

2. Layers

Layers are anyone’s best friend during senior photos! You could: layer a skirt and a shirt, a shirt and a jacket, a jacket and a dress, a sweater and a collared shirt - the possibilities are endless! Layers, much like textures, will add more visual interest to your photos.

3. Accessories

Accessories can totally make an outfit! Hats, belts, necklaces, bracelets, rings, flower crowns, earrings, and scarves can add more visual interest to any outfit - plus, bringing a clothing accessory (like a hat or scarf) helps add some variety to your photos!

4. Subtle Patterns

A subtle pattern can take a boring outfit and make it come alive! I personally love a tasteful, subtle pattern in photographs. Try choosing a scarf, shirt, skirt, or dress (or, if you're a guy, a tie!) to add a little more interest to your outfit!

So, how do you put these four suggestions into action? For your senior photos, choose three outfits:

1. One outfit focusing on texture.

2. One outfit focusing on layers.

3. One outfit focusing on a subtle pattern.

4. *Incorporate one to three unique accessories into each outfit!

And there you have it - the formula for three unique and distinct outfits that will offer variety throughout your entire senior session! If you’re looking to add even MORE variety to your photos, choose one casual outfit (jeans and a blouse), one nicer outfit (sun dress, maxi dress, or a skirt - I’m partial to maxi dresses/skirts for the way they flow gorgeously in photos!), and one wild card outfit (Something totally unique that represents you!) - or, just repeat a casual or “nicer” outfit!

Pittsburgh Area Location Ideas for Senior Guys

When it comes to guy senior portraits, where is the best place to start looking for a location? Today I'm sharing 6 of my favorite Pittsburgh based locations for guy senior portraits, what I love about each, and sample galleries from each location! Without further ado, here are my top 6:

1. Hartwood Acres Mansion

Why: Hartwood Acres Mansion has TONS of locations within a very short walking distance. The mansion itself has endless possibilities for photo opps, and is surrounded by forest, making it a great spot to get the best of both worlds!

Best Time of Year: One of my favorite parts about shooting at Hartwood is that it looks good almost all year round! In the summer, you will get the benefit of the natural greenery surrounding the mansion, but when shooting in the wintertime only in front of the mansion, you can barely notice what time of year it is!

Sample Sessions from Hartwood:

• Jack H (Summer)

• Jacob C (Summer)

2. Historic Harmony

Why: I have a love for Historic Harmony because of its diversity - it has a HUGE variety of historic buildings with bright colored brick, doors, and windows, and even has a coffee shop (Wunderbar) right in town! There are also some options for more natural scenery that can easily be mixed in!

Best Time of Year: Historic Harmony is beautiful all year round! Of course, for more greenery, it’s best to schedule during the spring, summer, and fall months. It has a nearby field that is great year ‘round, too!

Sample Sessions from Historic Harmony:

• Ty T. (Fall)

• Sam M. (Summer)

3. The North Shore

Why: The North Shore is always a great spot for guy senior portraits! Within just a few blocks of PNC Park, the North Shore is chalked full of different types of architecture and textured backgrounds. Typically, for guy senior portraits, I like to recommend a mix of architecture and nature - architecture symbolizes strength and stability, which are the perfect qualities to showcase during senior portraits.

Best Time of Year: I love this location because it looks good year round! While in the spring, summer, and fall months I like to find little nooks and crannies of the North Shore with some greenery to incorporate, the North Shore looks just as great during the winter - because architecture looks good year round!

Sample Sessions from the North Shore:

• Quentin H (Summer)

4. McConnell’s Mill

Why: The more I shoot at McConnell’s Mill, the more I love it! There are so many different elements to work with – some within walking distance, and some within a short driving distance. In the central part of McConnell’s, there is the wood mill, river, waterfalls, rocks, and roads. Within a short driving distance, there is a field and “Cleland Rock,” which has become a personal favorite of mine for it’s West Virginia-like views!

Best Time of Year: I’ve taken photos at McConnell’s during every season and can honestly say that I love photographing clients there year ‘round! However, I do find it to be especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing.

Sample Sessions from McConnell's Mill:

• Ryan W (Summer)

• Mason H (Early Winter)

5. Moraine State Park

Why: You guessed it – there’s a great amount of variety at Moraine, especially if you are looking for more “natural” elements in your photos! At the South Shore boat launch, there are docks, fields, bridges, and forest within a very short walking distance.

Best Time of Year: Moraine is beautiful in the spring summer, and fall months (but fall is my favorite time!)

Sample Sessions from Moraine State Park:

• Clay T. (Early Fall)

• Aurelie G. (Spring)

• Sarah F. (Fall)

6. The Strip District

Why: The Strip District has TONS of unique urban elements. It would have to be my top pick if you love urban style, mixed with Pittsburgh, mixed with lots of variety!

Best Time of Year: It looks great year round, even in the wintertime!

Sample Sessions from the Strip District:

• Rylan (Summer) *Note: the locations in the first photos with spray painted walls have been demolished. Sadly!

Mikayla D: Washington, PA Portrait Photographer

Have you ever heard of horse "barrel racing?" If not, you should definitely go check it out - it's where a horse and its rider literally races around a set of barrels as fast as they can possibly go - it's mesmerizing to watch! And this lady, Mikayla, has been barrel racing for a number of years with her two horses, Sierra and Gypsy. I had the opportunity to photograph the three of them at Maple Lee Farm in Washington, PA a few short weeks ago!

I'm not sure I even told Mikayla during her session, but I've always been slightly terrified of horses. When I was eight years old, one went a little crazy and bucked me off after galloping into the woods, away from the little line we were walking so carefully and so slowly in. Even when I went to Ireland a few years ago and went horse back riding on the beach, I requested the slowest, most gentle horse - who ended up having a limp and trailing behind the line of horses by about 20 yards for the majority of the experience (ha!). Regardless, Sierra and Gypsy (Mikayla's horses) were two of the most well behaved, gentle beasts I have ever met, and I'm happy to report that this session might've helped me conquer my fear (thanks Mikayla!).

Without further ado, here are just a few of my favorite highlights from Mikayla's Maple Lee Farm session!

Ana S: The Strip District Pittsburgh Senior Photos

Ana's senior session marks my coldest session EVER in my Pittsburgh senior photography career.

The morning of Ana's senior session, I woke up, immediately pulled out my phone, and looked at the temperature. One degree. That's right folks, one degree Fahrenheit! By the time we reached our location in the Strip District, the temperature had risen to a balmy 6 degrees. But man, were we ready! We started off Ana's session at 21st Street Coffee & Tea, then moved outdoors, taking periodic breaks to warm up. I have to be honest, I'm SUPER impressed with Ana. She never complained about the cold - not once - and still managed to look amazing in these photos! With all of the textures and backdrops available in the Strip, we were able to get some urban-city photos to commemorate Ana's love of the city, and specifically the Strip District, a part of Pittsburgh she's been visiting for all of her life! And of course, we ended the shoot at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., a place I had never visited before Ana's session, but now love! Congratulations on your last year of school, Ana!