I am thrilled that my Class of TWENTY FIFTEEN season is underway, and I couldn’t be more excited to meet some some pretty rocking’ seniors this year! One of the biggest questions that I get (right after oh my gosh what do I wear??) is where to shoot and needing help finding a location or locations for your shoot. Usually in the spring, I’ll start location scouting for this year’s seniors. Sometimes, I’ll head back to my favorites, but many times the location is new and has been on my radar for quite some time.
As soon as you’re booked and have filled out your questionnaire, we’ll get to work choosing a perfect location for you. We’ll talk though what you have in mind and your vision and pull all the little details together. Every senior is different from the next, and I love exploring new and exciting locations. Sometimes, we don’t even need to go far to find one that’s perfect.
Ciera mentioned to me that there was an amazing willow tree in her back yard that she always wanted to get pictures underneath, as well as a farm next door with horses and open fields. After asking her neighbor’s permission, she gave us free reign to explore the old barn & grounds and we stumbled upon this amazing old truck and incorporated it into a few shots.
Same thing for Jake’s shoot last fall. We didn’t have to venture too far from home to find exactly what we had in mind. He even took me to the “secret spot” where all of his friends like to hang out and it made for some incredible shooting. No worries, we only almost got arrested for trespassing. Nothing like adding a little excitement to a shoot.
For Megan, we decided to shoot early in the morning on one of those gorgeous fall mornings. You know the ones where the fog tumbles over open fields in an eerie beautiful kind of way? Yeah, one of those. And no too far from home, yet off the beaten path. Megan called me after she had already had her pics done in studio, and was unhappy with every single one because she was forced to smile with her teeth showing. Nothing like making someone look like someone that they’re not… personally, I think Megan could’ve put on a pair of swim fins and done jumping jacks for her shoot and still looked beautiful (oh wait, we did those shots, too) but a little bit of smog, a daring location and her amazing eyes was all I needed to feel inspired.
For Jacob’s shoot, he mentioned that he wanted a mix of traditional and fun. A classic stone building on the grounds of The Henry Ford proved to be a great location for this fun and budding photographer.
Alecia wanted “a little bit of glam in a big open field. Lot’s of sunshine Mishelle!” So I waived my magic weather wand the day of her shoot and we hit one of my favorite spots where the sun literally rains down on you at sunset.
And then there’s my edgy seniors. The ones who love the city, and the hard lines & edginess of Detroit. Downtown truly is one of my favorite places to shoot. I get so inspired by the alleys, the architecture and just the pure elements of the great city of Detroit. Jessica & Derek both wanted their shoots to be a little edgier so I took them to a few of my favorite locations.
Trust me when I say I have a list a mile long of some of my favorite alleys, doors and hidden gems in Downtown Detroit!
Even in the heart of the city, I always strive to capture who each senior is, and the location is just an added bonus that helps take their shoot from average to giving it the wow factor that he or she is looking for.
Royal Oak is another favorite city to shoot in & gives us that splash of color some of my seniors crave and that’s what we did. When we are planning wardrobe, I’ll often try to pick locations based on the colors you’re wearing to really add that extra pop like we see here in Mandy’s shoot. And behind a building in Royal Oak works perfectly!
Speaking of cities, sometimes the little ones have a beauty all of their own. I love shooting in Downtown Northville and even traveled up to Port Huron one summer day to capture that good ‘ol fashioned hometown feel. You don’t have to travel very far for your shoot sometimes, and I’m here to guide you to find the location that is perfect for what you have in mind.
And then there’s Ann Arbor. Probably tops my list and I’d have to say that I shoot there most often. Of course, there are so many talented photographers in that area, and oodles of great locations so I always try to hit spots that still feel unique on their own. I’m very open about my shooting style and will let my clients know if I think a location will be too busy or will look like everyone else’s senior pics. Remember, each senior is unique so his or her shoots should be too!
There’s just so many great locations in Ann Arbor and surrounding, some of my favorites have a simplicity that really helps you shine in your senior shoot. Wow, say that fast five times.
Location is just one piece of the pie when it comes to planning our time together, and I’m always up for new & editing locations as well as some of my favorite ones. Remember, you are really the most important part of your shoot. Your personality, the location and personal style are simply icing on the cake. I can’t wait to share ideas with the seniors I have booked so far this season and I even have a few new ideas that I can’t wait to share!
Now booking Class of TWENTY FIFTEEN Senior girls & guys. To book our shoot or get more info, visit www.mishellelamarand.com, this link or contact me at info@Mishellelamarand.com. Thanks!
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