Senior photos are a milestone for high school students, marking the end of one chapter and the start of another. Each student approaches the session differently, choosing locations, outfits, and styles that reflect their personality. Two seniors at Fishers High School took different approaches, showing how every senior photo session can be unique.
Nicholas Riley took his senior photos in Foxburg, Pennsylvania while traveling to New York for a taekwondo competition. He chose this town because he had seen pictures of the area and thought it was beautiful. One major prop he used was his grandpa’s 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT. “It’s my favorite car of all time,” Riley said.
Riley said he felt confident during the shoot and wanted the photos to show his love of nature.
“I really like nature, so I took many of my pictures with it,” Riley said.
His mother, Heather Riley, a professional photographer, took his photos. His favorite shots are the ones with the car because of his memories tied to it growing up. The setting and props he chose, from the small town in Pennsylvania to the bright yellow Challenger, show the things he cares about and the side of his personality he wanted to capture.
“I find them important because they show me and everyone how much I’ve grown up,” Riley said.
While Riley captured his senior year on the road, another student took a different approach closer to home.
Kaya Shine chose Flat Fork Creek Park to be her senior photo location because she had many childhood memories there.
“Growing up, my mom and I would always walk her dog there,” Shine said. “A friend who was a senior last year took her photos there, and I absolutely loved hers.”
Shine wore four different outfits for her session, including two dresses, a skirt, and a pair of jeans.
“I wanted something more formal and others the way I dress one day to day,” Shine said. “I hoped that the pictures to capture my personality, so I tried to pick outfits I thought reflected me.”
At first, Shine said the shoot was a little stressful, but with the help of her photographer, counselor Kelly Applegate, she quickly warmed up in front of the camera.
“I was thinking about just being myself because I wanted the pictures to be as natural as possible and to feel authentic,” Shine said. “It ended up being really fun doing all the poses and changing outfits and locations.”
She said her favorite part of the process was getting ready and picking out her outfits. Shine said her senior photos are a personal celebration.
“Senior photos represent a celebration of who you are in this moment,” Shine said. “They capture the transition between high school memories and the future ahead.”
Both Riley and Shine show that while senior photos are a common tradition, each student can make them their own. From locations to outfits to personal touches, the sessions reflect the individual behind the camera, capturing a moment in time that is unique to each senior.
