Senior Photos in Kansas City: Emily October 26, 2009

Emily came all the way from Claflin, Kansas, for her senior session! I love getting to meet seniors from all over — or in this case, re-meet! Emily was a student who attended the Kansas HOBY Leadership seminar that Jeff and I volunteer with, and I was so excited when she contacted me to take her senior photos! 

Emily is very involved in her school and has big plans for college. Emily is super sweet, really comfortable in front of the camera, and had some adorable outfits for her shoot! Here are a few of my favorites from our session!

We met at Kauffman Memorial Garden for her session (and finished up just before it started raining!).

This cute dress is from Kieu’s in Lawrence (and there’s also a location in Manhattan now!).

Another super cute dress on this super cute girl. :)

Emily is a cheerleader at her school, too.

And she’s on the women’s tennis team — she’s been playing since elementary school!

Emily, I hope you have an awesome senior year! Good luck with the college decisions, and enjoy every minute of your last year of high school! Thanks so much for driving all the way to Kansas City for your senior photos! :)

Shawnee Mission Senior Photos: Ian September 28, 2009

One of the best parts about my job is getting to meet really awesome people. I had such a great time hanging out with and getting to know Ian during our senior session — what an awesome senior! He is on the yearbook staff at his high school, which was one of my favorite things during my high school years. It’s fun to hear about what seniors are doing and what types of activities they’re involved in. Ian’s high school year book is nationally acclaimed — how sweet is that?! 

We visited the park, his high school, and his home for the session, which gave us a great variety of backgrounds and styles in places that mean something to Ian! Here are some of my favorites from his session.

Ian had a genius idea for the session — he wore layers of clothes, so all he had to do for a new look was take off one layer, and then the next… So simple! I guess that probably only works for the guys. Anyway, other guys — take a hint from Ian. :)

I took a break from shooting for the past few weeks to work on a BIG project (coming soon), so it was fun to get back into the swing of things tonight — and I realized that while I was “away” fall came!! I love the fall colors and light, so I’m really looking forward to this season of shooting. Ian’s autumn-themed shots:

I love patterns, and the cool backgrounds we can get with just a simple brick wall. These next few were at Ian’s high school.

And, finally, we wrapped up the session at Ian’s home, where they have recently added a beautiful deck onto the back! Ian spends a lot of time out there in the evenings, so it was the perfect way to end our session.

Ian, thanks for a fun session! I hope your senior year is wonderful… good luck with all of the yearbook deadlines and the hard work you’ll put in to the book this year! :)

Kansas City Senior Photos: Marissa at the Nelson-Atkins September 17, 2009

I love getting to meet seniors as they start (or finish) their senior year of high school. It’s such an exciting time for them, as they begin to explore what they can do after this school year. It’s so much fun to hear about plans and dreams and what they’re looking forward to this year.

Marissa wanted a fun senior session that had some different styles and combined all of her loves — including soccer, her dog, and clothes! We met up at the Nelson-Atkins museum for the different styles that the one location offers — old and new, classic and modern.

Here are some of the shots from her session this week:

Marissa and her soccer uniform!

She brought along her golden retriever, who was SO sweet (and who wore a K-State bandana — Go Cats!).

These are some of my favorites. I love this color on Marissa. Note to seniors — wear colors that complement your eyes. Marissa has such pretty eyes!

We stayed later so it was dusk and the Bloch Building would start glowing — I love it at night! It made for a fun change in the middle of Marissa’s senior photos!

A few black and whites:

And… one more in front of the old (and awesome) part of the museum. 

Marissa, have an awesome senior year! And I hope K-State ends up at the top of your list. :)

Kansas City Senior Photos: Matt in the Crossroads District September 13, 2009

I love doing senior sessions in fun urban locations, so I was so excited when Matt agreed to do his senior session in the Crossroads District of Kansas City. It’s really a photographer’s dream location, with all sorts of textures, colors, patterns and lines to work with. Add in a senior guy who is extremely comfortable in front of the camera, and we have a fun session on our hands. :) I had some trouble narrowing down my favorites for this post!

I love the old signs and writing that used to be painted on the sides of brick buildings, like this:

2010 is Matt’s graduating year, and also the address on this fun red door. :)

Great eyes and a great smile! He made my job super easy.

I loved the shadows and the patterns they produced:

I love the lines in the next three images.

More fun writing on the old warehouse buildings, which are now mostly converted into lofts.

We were walking around looking for great locations, when a man told us about an abandoned building on a corner that he thought photographers would love. I wouldn’t normally just head into an abandoned building, but we had a little entourage along for the photo shoot, and the spot looked too cool to pass up. :) Here are the photos we took in the building, which will be converted into something new and usable soon, I’m sure. I’m glad we got a chance to use it!

Matt is a basketball player, and has plans to play in college after this year. It’s great getting to meet seniors with awesome talents, and of course, we have to incorporate those interests into their photo shoot! 

Matt, have an awesome senior year, and good luck with basketball season!

Kansas City Senior Photos: Gianna August 16, 2009

Tonight, we witnessed nothing short of a miracle. Thunderstorms were in the Kansas City area all day long, but we didn’t let that stop us — I met up with Gianna and her parents for her senior portrait session despite the looming clouds and thunder in the distance. Just moments after we arrived at Antioch Park, the rain let up and we went ahead with the session despite the thick heat. Gianna did an amazing job under extreme circumstances! :) She is absolutely gorgeous.

I loved this dress, pearls, and heels outfit she picked out:

She is too cute. Other ladies can take note from Gianna’s session — she did a really great job using accessories (and cute shoes!) and choosing a variety of outfits and styles for her photos. I loved it!

Green is a great color. :) 

Gianna is an amazing golfer. She spent a lot of her summer (and a lot of her school year) on the golf course or playing in tournaments. So, of course, we had to take some of her senior photos on the golf course. We visited Milburn Country Club for the photos, and it was beautiful. What you can’t see in these photos are the building clouds, and what you can’t hear are the claps of thunder. :) 

Personalized golf shoes!

Besides the poses with her gear, we had to grab a few shots of Gianna in her normal golf pose — carrying her bag!

About a minute we jumped in the golf course to head back, the rain came down! What perfect timing! :) We’ll end with one cute shot of our fearless golf cart driver… and beautiful senior! :)

Gianna, congratulations on your senior year. I hope golf season goes so well this year, and that you don’t get asked too many times what your college plans are. :) I hope the search goes great, though!

Senior Photos at Kansas City’s Union Station: John August 15, 2009

I have the extreme privilege of meeting some of the best and brightest high schoolers — through senior photography and my volunteer involvement with HOBY, I get to know the people who are students now, and who will be leaders in our nation in the future. And it makes me excited. Because let me tell you, for those of you who don’t already know, we have some of the best young talent right here in the midwest.

John is one of those people. When I met him — just before his session — I knew right away that he was going to impress me. He was polite, engaging, smart, and I had a great time taking his senior photos. John is in the middle of his college search right now, with plans to go to law school in the future. Last year, he qualified for Nationals with Debate, and I could tell why. He was well-spoken and thoughtful, and a senior who has obviously developed his skills as an effective communicator.

Anyway, John is the kind of young leader that makes me excited for our country’s future. But, as I told him during the session, if he decides law school isn’t for him, he could always have a career in modeling. :)

We took John’s photos in front of (and inside of ) Union Station in downtown Kansas City. It was perfect for the style of his senior photos.

One of my favorites:

Inside Union Station, we did photos of John in what he spends most Saturdays wearing — a suit and tie at debate tournaments!

And then, John put on his glasses, which he wears during tournaments. I love the next three.

And I’ll leave you with what I’m calling the “Undercover Superhero Shot” — this reminds me of Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent. :)

John, have a great senior year, and I know you have a very bright future ahead of you!

Kansas City Senior Photos: Kyle August 13, 2009

I was the kid in elementary school (who I am kidding… in HIGH SCHOOL, too) who begged my mom to pleeeease take me to the store as soon as the school supplies came out so I could get the good stuff before it was all gone. I was the girl who revised her teacher’s school supply list and added just a few extra college-ruled (psh, don’t give me any of that wide-ruled stuff!) notebooks, and a teal and purple Trapper-Keeper just for fun. Who’s with me?! :) I was devastated the year they told us we weren’t allowed to have those. 

Anyway, I loved school. So every August, I would get very excited to label my things (with my initials… “EMM” back then), pack my bag a million times, and decide which Mickey Mouse stretch pant outfit I would debut on the first day of school. You know you wish you were my friend back then… :)

Now, when August rolls around, I get that nervous-excited feeling again when I see the aisles lined with school supplies in all of those bright primary colors. But, alas, I’m a grown up now. And the best part is, I now get to photograph students who are entering their SENIOR YEAR of high school. What a fun time. So August has a new excitement now — meeting and capturing photos of soon-to-be high school graduates, eager to start their last year of high school. It’s so much fun to be  a part of that.

Where is this going, you ask? :) Well, I’m excited to share with you our first senior in the Class of 2010! Kyle kicked off our senior photos for the year, and he did an awesome job.

Kyle might very well have been the easiest guy EVER to photograph. He told me at the beginning that he’s not really into having his photo taken… but I’m not buying it. :) 

What a great smile!

We took the first part of Kyle’s photos at Antioch Park. It’s a neat location for diverse backgrounds.

After the park, we headed to his high school for more photos!

Kyle is a soccer player, so we were even able to access the field for photos in his soccer uniform. I think one of the best things a senior can do during their photos is incorporate things that make them who they are!

I love this one! What a handsome guy (watch out, K-State!).

Kyle, thanks so much for having me take your senior photos. I hope your senior year is awesome, and that you enjoy your time at K-State next fall — it’s a great place to be! :)

Kansas City Senior Photos on the Plaza: Sara, Liberty High School April 30, 2009

I don’t even know where to begin talking about Miss Sara. In the short amount of time I got to spend with her, I discovered that she’s not only beautiful, but fun, smart, kind and into photography… how much better can she get? :) She was absolutely a joy to photograph, and we had a lot of fun hanging out on the Plaza for her senior portrait session.

Doesn’t she take the most beautiful headshots?

Sara brought a few really fun outfits for her session. The best part about senior sessions is that they’re a great time to really showcase your personality — so wear fun colors, patterns, accessorize with things that show off who you are at this fun stage in life! Sara’s three outfits were all super cute:

I love these shots in front of a store window — the pattern looks so cute with her white sundress:

Beautiful black and whites… just stunning!

Another fun store window, this time in front of Anthropologie. It took all the willpower I could muster to not sneak in there for a little intermission. :)

Some more super cute shots (seriously, can she get any cuter?):

I love how Sara can totally handle the “serious” stare and a fun laughing expression:

Sara had one request — a photo laying down with her hair all spread out. This is my fun and carefree take on that shot:

And, one more to leave you with — this may be my favorite… I don’t know… she’s so pretty in all of them!

Sara, big congratulations on your graduation. I was definitely serious when I said we should get together before you head off to college to talk about photography and learn how to use the manual settings on your camera. Call me! :)

For Sara’s family and friends, click here to sign her online guestbook. You’ll automatically be notified when all of the photos are ready to be viewed!

Senior Portraits: Aaron, Kearney High School April 26, 2009

I met Aaron for his senior photos, just two weeks before his graduation day! Aaron is headed off to K-State next year (smart guy!), and we met up at his home in Kearney, Missouri, and then off to Hodge Park in Liberty for the session. Taking senior portraits of guys is always fun, and luckily the strong winds didn’t mess up Aaron’s hair one little bit. :)

Check out a few of my favorites:

I love how we captured all of the sides of Aaron’s personality and interests — with his letter jacket (he’s a swimmer!), casual shots, his hunting gear and dog, and a professional look. Senior photos are perfect for bringing a variety of outfits and things that tell the story of a high school career and look forward to what’s in store in the future.

Aaron, congratulations on your graduation, and have an awesome time at K-State next year.

Senior Session: Mason November 24, 2008

Mason drove all the way from Dodge City to Kansas City (almost 6 hours!) for his senior photo session! I was really excited when his sister contacted me about scheduling a session — if there’s one thing I love to do, it’s to give people creative and unique photos that are unlike everyone else’s. :) Mason wanted something different than “the usual.” I think we succeeded. :)

We headed to the Crossroads District of Kansas City, which is an awesome location that always provides new backgrounds. Walking in any direction will give great backgrounds, and unique colors, textures and patterns. I love it!

And how about this guy? :)

Mason, don’t be surprised if American Eagle calls you for their next ad… forget baseball – hello, modeling career. :)

I have to say that Mason is probably the easiest guy I’ve ever photographed — he didn’t need much direction at all. According to his two sisters who came along for the fun, it’s driven by the fact that he’s used to doing silly poses for them growing up… :) Well, it definitely came in handy! Mason was a pro.

This one reminds me of weathered wood you’d find on a coast. I love it!

And now, my absolute favorite of the session… check out those eyes!

Mason, you did so great! Thanks for driving all the way here for a session with ericamay photography, and for exploring downtown Kansas City with me! And a big thanks goes out to your sisters for carrying the wardrobe all over! :)

Friends and family, click here to sign the guest book for the online album, and receive an e-mail when all of the images are available! :)