If you’re looking for fun senior picture ideas, you’ve come to the right place! In the blog, I’ll share six of my most viral senior picture sessions to give you some inspo for your photoshoot.
As a high school senior portrait photographer in Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, I’ve worked with many high school seniors like you (or your child).
To make sure everyone has a good time during the shoot and is over the moon about the pictures we capture together, I always emphasize that my clients:
- Understand and show off their individual style
- Highlight their uniqueness
Nailing these two things can, without a doubt, guarantee that you’ll cherish the pictures for life.
And how do we make sure that happens? Don’t worry, I’ll get to that!
Looking at my past clients that went viral on social media makes it easy to see why those two aspects I mentioned are so important. They fully embodied who they are; we have amazing photos to prove that.
Keep reading to learn how to gain inspiration and ideas for your high school senior session and to meet six of my clients whose senior sessions went viral.
Inspiration for Fun Senior Picture Ideas
Before your high school senior session photoshoot, there’s some prep work (or homework) to make sure it turns out as best as possible! Unlike how your school work can be daunting and not as fun, you’ll enjoy these tasks.
As much as being spontaneous can be thrilling, this is a time to plan and be organized. Sure, there are some naturals who can just wing it. But most of us need some space to get comfortable and feel like we have a sense of the terrain.
Trust me, I know you’ve got a lot on your plate as a high school student. So, I’ve put together a checklist of 10 key items to sort out before your senior session, making it as easy peasy lemon squeezy for you.
I recommend that every single one of my clients review these top 10 things before we meet to capture some incredible senior session memories.
- Understand Your Style
Open your closet and your drawers. Look at your past social media posts. If there are people you follow on social media for their fashion sense, check out their pages!
What stands out to you?
What do you typically reach for?
What are most comfortable in?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Your style includes more than the clothes and accessories you wear. It’s the vibe you want to feel and show the world. Understanding this will help you pick your photoshoot outfits, location, props, and more! - Partner With the Best Senior Photographer
Hi, hello!
Okay, in all seriousness, you need to pick a high school senior photographer you feel comfortable with and who aligns with your style. Someone who really gets you.
If that’s me, then call me incredibly grateful and honored. But you can also call me Stacy. - Pick the Best Outfits and Accessories
Remember how I said you should zero in on your personal style? This is the next level of that!
Considering your individual style is one part, but knowing what photographs well is something else. Fabrics, fits, colors, and patterns that look incredible in person might not look as good through the lens.
Before deciding what outfits you’ll wear, check out my blog post, which discusses what to consider and what to avoid. - Choose the Perfect Location
Long gone are the days when high school senior sessions could only happen in a studio. Thankfully, we aren’t restricted to that anymore!
Now, there are plenty of options to choose from. It’s also a great opportunity to highlight your style and unique personality.
But having too many choices can be overwhelming. Don’t fear; I’ve already thought of some wicked locations in Fargo, ND, to consider. - Master the Art of the Pose
Getting comfy in front of the camera before your shoot saves time the day of.
Practice with friends or family and have them take pictures on their phones. Even strike some poses in front of the mirror to see what you like best!
My sweet spot is grabbing candid and more posed shots during senior sessions.
Posing doesn’t mean you have to feel (and look) stiff and unnatural.
And capturing candid shots in your element and feeling your best makes for some unexpected favorites.
Somewhere in the middle creates a really nice balance, and it also gives you plenty of options at the end. - Bring and Incorporate Props
Love reading? Bring your favorite book.
On the football team? Wear your jersey and hold a football.
Passionate about painting? Let’s capture you with your brush and easel.
Remember: It’s all about feeling comfortable. And what’s more comfortable than doing something you love and that you’re naturally talented at?
Not to get ahead of things, but there are many life changes, and you’ll grow into so many different and interesting versions of yourself. Capturing who you are now at this very moment is not something to miss out on. - Factor in the Season and Time of Day
These are key when choosing outfits and scheduling your senior session.
Also think about what season you love and try to book your session during it! It’ll make it that much more special.
I’m here to help you determine the best times of day to shoot and how we can work with unpredictable weather. So, lean on me for details like that. - Find Inspo Content
From wherever you find your inspo!
Out and about in your community.
From friends.
On Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest.
Seeing my six most viral clients’ shoots.
Inspiration is all around us if we’re open to seeing it. - Organize Your Fun Senior Picture Ideas
How good are ideas if you haven’t arranged and organized them? Not good at all, if you ask me.
Create a vision board (digital or physical) to get a sense of the recurring themes. It’ll also give you a nice overview of everything, and you’ll be able to pick out your favorites more easily.
Don’t know where to start? This blog will help you get organized. - Prep for Your Photoshoot Day
The secret to looking good? Feeling good.
But let’s be honest—it’s easier said than done, right? Still, I have no doubt you’ll rock that confidence, not just for your senior pictures but every day!
My Top Six Viral High School Senior Sessions
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for.
Introducing my six most viral senior sessions:
Trae
Shoot Locations: Kroll’s Diner, Horace High School Theatre, and Original Homestead Park
Themes: Retro diner vibes, cozy atmosphere, theatre and the arts, love of music and violin, and showcasing the great outdoors.
Why It Was Successful: If you follow me on Instagram (if not, go ahead and do that now!), you’ve seen Trae multiple times! This kid slays each shoot we do together. He always brings an incredible attitude with his unique personality and style. I’m so grateful to have captured senior pictures for him as much as I have!
Alyssa
Shoot Location: Sheyenne High School
Themes: Pure athleticism, team spirit, and her passion for cheerleading.
Why It Was Successful: Alyssa’s talent at cheer allowed her to execute every move effortlessly. She’s truly a force to be reckoned with! Her pride and joy for her sport shone through every shot we took. And you truly can’t beat her infectious smile.
Abby
Shoot Locations: Glyndon, MN
Themes: Rustic charm, lived-in aesthetic, and country girl vibes.
Why It Was Successful: Abby was truly in her element and remained cool, calm, and collected throughout the entire shoot. She clearly felt confident in her outfits (that perfectly matched her locations) and her own skin.
Autumn
Shoot Locations: Mickelson FIeld
Themes: Sporty, athletic, baseball, country field, and out in nature.
Why It Was Successful: Every shared moment was filled with laughter and fun! And you can see that it was captured beautifully in her pictures. This is another shoot that highlights when you’re in your element (like Autumn on the baseball field), you can’t go wrong!
Anna
Shoot Locations: BDS Books and outside the Fargo Theatre
Themes: Love of books, library, movie theatre, and passion for the arts.
Why It Was Successful: Anna showed up as her most authentic self and kept bringing it as the shoot continued! I could feel her sense of joy and creativity overflow all day. We spent an awesome day together full of laughter, spontaneity, and lots of fun—all captured through my lens.
Ethan
Shoot Locations: Discovery Middle School Tennis Court
Themes: Athletic, tennis, outdoors, and action.
Why It Was Successful: I had a blast with Ethan—shooting his senior session and seeing him in his element on the tennis court was nothing short of inspiring. Because of the location and choice to showcase Ethan’s passion for tennis, we captured some incredible, dynamic shots that are SO uniquely him.
Inspire Your Own Fun Senior Picture Ideas
This blog leaves you feeling inspired and excited to put together your fun senior picture ideas.
Overall theme: Showcase what makes you YOU. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is not when you should copy someone or follow a trend. We want to capture a special moment in your life and highlight who you are.
My top six clients did that, and their content blew up! Coincidence? I think not.
It is not that going viral should be the goal, but their photos resonate with people for a reason. Being true to who you are is so incredibly genuine and special—whether you’re showing up digitally or in person.
I would love to help bring your photoshoot vision to life, and have a great time along the way!
Want to make senior session memories with me and shoot incredible high school senior grad photos? If you’re keen, book a session with me for you or your teen’s senior portraits.
Also, feel free to check out my portfolio so that girls and guys can understand my style.
I can’t wait to connect with you!
