Books and a Dark Academia Senior Session

Books make an awesome prop. AWESOME. Anna’s first location was amazing for the look she had going on. For her second location, she chose the Grace A. Dow library and brought along dozens of books from home. You guys, it was epic! But before we hauled the books out, we took a few extra pictures of her in her beautiful and stunning green dress. Can you believe these were taken at the library? True story. There’s a patch of grass and some trees right in front of the parking lot. That’s where we took these.

Isn’t she beautiful?

A senior glances oer her shoulder while wearing a green prom dress outside in the grass | Senior Photography in Michigan

Her eyes simply light up with the color of her dress. I love it so much.

A beautiful teenager lies down in the grass with her dress underneath her | H.H. Dow High School Photographer in Midland, MI

This one got printed on a large canvas. Dreamy.

Senior girl sits in the grass while wearing a green ballgown | Midland, MI senior photographer

And these two are a couple of my faves!

A lovely senior girl stands on the grass while wearing a green prom dress | Senior Photo shoot in Midland, Michigan

Books

Anna wanted a dark academia vibe for her senior pictures, therefore we thought it was best to take them at the library. She and her mom stuffed several suitcases full of books for these next pictures. Yes, give me all the books!!! My favorite classic portrait perhaps EVER is the one on the right.

A beautiful young woman balances a pile of books on her head outside of Grace A. Dow Library | Midland, Michigan Senior Portraits

Anyone else want to plop down beside her and start reading?

A senior girl reads outside on the grass surrounded by piles of books | Midland, MI senior photographer

I love the mystery and emotion conveyed in this one.

A beautiful young woman peeks above a book | Midland, Michigan Senior Session

And we couldn’t resist stacking them and having her sit on a pile. The one on the right was her idea, and I love how it came together.

A young woman sits on top of a pile of books in front of the library | Senior Photographers near me

We took a few more in her last outfit. Those boots brought so much character!

A teen girl sits in the grass and laughs at the library | Grace A Dow Senior Photographer in MidlandA beautiful senior girl walks toward the camera in her dark academia vibed photo shoot | Senior Photographers in Midland, Michigan

Here’s what Anna said about her session with me:

“When working with Eve, you’re sure to have an incredible experience, and even more incredible photos. Her photography is truly stunning, as is the warm, welcoming environment she creates.”

Thank you so much, Anna, for the amazing session we did together. I had a blast and loved getting to know you. Best wishes for your last couple months of high school!

A Green Dress at a Dream Location

This green dress and this senior and this location are a match made in photography heaven. When Anna contacted me about her shoot, she had a specific vision. She wanted her senior pictures taken at this church in Midland, and she wanted to wear a prom dress. Anna had seen this post from a couple years ago with Saige and wanted something similar. I love that! Anna bought a dress specifically for her photo shoot, and it took a little time, but this green dress was worth it. I mean. !!! All the heart eyes for this.

We met up at Memorial Presbyterian Church on Ashman near downtown and began taking pictures right away. It’s weird when I can start taking pictures as soon as I get to a location. Normally, we will walk a ways like at Dow Gardens or the CNC before we start shooting. Anna was a natural at posing in front of the camera and therefore needed little to no direction.

I love taking pictures at locations I’ve gone to before and seeing it in a new way with a new senior. Although I had shot here before, I wanted to give Anna something different than what I gave Saige. I pulled it off. 😉

A girl in a green dress leans against a pillar ourtide at a church | Midland, MI senior photographer

Anna was a rock star and was willing to run in her heels! You guys, I can’t even walk in heels!

A senior girl guns down the steps of a church in a ball gown | Michigan's Premier Senior Photographer

Cathy Augustin did her gorgeous hair and makeup.

A senior girl looks over her shoulder while sitting on church steps outside in her prom dress | Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer

Anna wanted her photos to portray strength. She brought it all to the table.

A beautiful teenager sits outside a church in her green prom dress | Midland, MI senior photographerA teen girl sits on steps outside a church with pillars in the background | Midland's best senior photographerA beautiful senior girl poses outside of a church in Midland, MI in a gorgeous dress | Senior Photographer in Midland, Michigan

The green dress complimented her coloring so well and brought out her eyes in such a gorgeous way.

A teenager brushes her hair behind her ear in a green dress | Senior Photographers near me in Michigan

Stay tuned for our second location! Oh, and the props you’ll see next time are the best EVER and match the location so well. I can’t wait to show you! xoxo

Fields and Fences at the Chippewa Nature Center

Fields are such a great location for senior pictures, and the Chippewa Nature Center has a few good ones. Last time I blogged, I showed you the first half of Breanna’s session at Dow Gardens. We lucked out with the rain, and the weather afterwards was gorgeous.

For her second location, Breanna didn’t know exactly where she wanted to go. After giving her a few options, she chose the Chippewa Nature Center even though she had never been there before. Thankfully, she ended up loving it as her second location. I’m so glad! This place is my favorite location for senior photo sessions. The barns, flowers, and fields offer such a beautiful variety for senior shots. It seems like there are always flowers in bloom there no matter what time of year.

And here’s Breanna, bringing all her personality to the front. LOVE it.

Senior girl stands near flowers for her senior session | Photographers near me

Side note: Cathy did her makeup and hair. I’m always glad when my seniors get their hair and makeup professionally done.

A senior girl looks off to the side in front of a fence in Midland, MI

At her pre-session consultation, Breanna said she was worried about doing any sort of backlight pictures since her hair is such a vibrant color. But would you look at that. Gorgeous and backlit all at the same time.

A senior girl leans against a fence outside in some fields | Michigan senior photographer

I love that smirk of hers.

Headshot of a beautiful senior girl in a field outside at the Chippewa Nature center | Senior Photographer in Midland, MI

This is one of my personal favorites from her session.

A senior girl sits against a fence at the Chippewa Nature Center in the grass | Michigan Senior PhotographerFields

As we were taking her pictures, she spotted these fields off to the side and asked if we could shoot in them. My response? HECK YES. It seriously ended up being the best spot for her and her outfit.

A teenage girl walks in fields at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, MI | Senior Photographer in Michigan

This next one though is my absolute favorite. This just screams Breanna, and I love to see her personality shining through so well. They ended up getting this one printed on metal. Yass!

A beautiful teenager squats in fields at CNC in Midland, MI | Senior Photographer

Thanks for such an awesome time, Breanna! Good luck for your senior year!

Dow Gardens After the Rain

Rain is the best. Being from a city from the desert (St. George, Utah), I never take rain for granted. Even now, 15 years after moving away from St. George, I still get giddy when I see a rainstorm. However, now that I am a senior photographer in a place that gets more than five inches of rain a year, ( 😉 ) it’s not always welcomed. Eep! When Breanna’s session arrived, we had rain in the forecast on that day. But my weather app said it would be a quick storm. Sometimes I don’t trust those apps. 🙂 However, the rain came, it poured, and then it left. And when the sun came out again, it made for a gorgeous senior session.

Breanna knew exactly what she wanted for her session. Actually, I think she knew more of what she DIDN’T want, and I love that about her. She picked Dow Gardens as a must location, and she knew she wanted some shots with flowers. She brought along her dad and her boyfriend. Breanna, Sam is a keeper!

We started out on these steps just inside the entrance to Dow Gardens. Her hair and makeup were done by Cathy, my go-to MUA. Doesn’t Breanna look beautiful??

A senior girl sits on stairs outside Dow Gardens after the rain | Michigan Senior Photograpger

Here she is by those flowers she wanted. Dow Gardens, you never disappoint, even after some rain.

A senior stands in front of flowers after the rain in Dow Gardens | Midland, MI senior photographers

Her smile here is so her.

A senior girl with glasses poses in front of purple flowers in Midland, Michigan | Dow Gardens Senior Photographer

After a quick outfit change, we found beautiful locations in Dow Gardens for Breanna.

A senior stands on a pathway at Dow Gardens for her senior session | Midland Senior Photographer

A beautiful senior stands in front of flowers while crossing her arms after the rain | Dow Gardens Photo shoot

My favorite thing about this session is that Breanna showed up and brought herself. Her style, clothes, mannerisms, etc. are all so her, and it was amazing to capture that for her.

A senior girl stands in front of flowers at Dow Gardens | Senior Photographers near me

Next week, I’ll share the second half of her session where we went to the Chippewa Nature Center. Stay tuned!

 

Urban Alley Senior Session in Downtown Midland, Michigan

Urban senior sessions are becoming a favorite of mine. When I first started this business, shooting downtown intimidated me a bit. All those people! And the traffic! How was I supposed to get the focus on my senior and maneuver around everyone and everything else around me? Now that I have a little more experience under my belt, I feel more confident and even enjoy the busyness of Downtown Midland.

Urban

I blogged the first half of Jada’s session last time. Once we were done at Dow Gardens, we moved to this more urban location. I love it when my seniors choose two completely different locations for their session. Here are a few in her first urban outfit.

A senior girl crouches down in an alleyway in an urban location | Senior Photographer in Midland, MIA senior girl poses on a sidewalk downtown in an urban location | Midland, MI senior photographer

Jada’s dad was kind enough to bring her little fur baby for a few of the shots. Sooo cute! This is near the Tridge.

A beautiful teenager holds her dog near the Tridge in Midland, MI | Senior Photographers near me

Jada dressed in another outfit, and we found some great spots for more pictures.

A senior girl leans up against a cement wall outside in Downtown Midland, MI

These two are some of my faves from the entire session.

A beautiful senior girl gets her pictures taken downtown in an urban location in Michigan | Midland Senior Photographer

When we were taking this next shot, someone asked Jada if she was a model. True story!

A senior girl poses outside on the grass in front of a building downtown in Midland, MI | Senior Photographer

For the last part of this session, Jada changed into her basketball uniform. I LOVE these shots. We found this awesome alleyway that was perfect for these.

A teenaged girl sits down in an alley with her basketball in her lap | Senior Portraits in Midland, MichiganA senior from H. H. Dow High School poses with her basketball on her shoulder at an urban location | Midland teen Photographer

All the heart eyes for this next one.

A close up shot of a senior girl with her basketball in Downtown Midland, Michigan | Senior PortraitsA senior girl dribbles a basketball in her uniform for H. H. Dow High School | Urban location in Midland, MI Photographer

Reviews

Here’s what Jada’s mom said of their experience:

“Eve is an excellent photographer. She pays attention to detail. She made the process easy and not stressful. It was a fun experience for my daughter. All of the pictures were beautiful! I would highly recommend Eve as a professional photographer for any occasion. She will not disappoint!!”

And here’s what Jada said:

“My senior session with Eve was such a fun and enjoyable experience and all my pictures turned out wonderful. She made everything go by smoothly and knew exactly what she was doing! I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for senior pictures or anyone needing professional photography done!”

Thank you, Jada and Jodie, for such a fun experience. Best of luck for your senior year and beyond, Jada!

Eve Tuft is a Senior Portrait Photographer based in Midland, Michigan and surrounding areas. 

Questions? Send me an email, or go ahead and book your session!