“Working with Lizzy at Lizzy Ann Photography was an absolute pleasure for the entire process of taking my daughter’s senior photos. She made the day fun and memorable. Lizzy had such creative ideas and made Emersyn feel at ease throughout the whole session. The photos turned out stunning. The full experience was exceptional!” -Emersyn’s mom

Let’s just get this out of the way— I hated my senior photo experience. No, really. I hated it.

It felt like I was playing dress up in someone else’s idea of “cute.” (Spoiler: it was not cute.) The poses were stiff, my smiles were fake, and the whole thing felt like a performance that I never actually signed up for. I didn’t feel even a little bit like myself, and you better believe those photos are staying right where they are, in some photo album somewhere in my parents’ basement.

That (minorly traumatic) experience is exactly why I care so much about making my senior sessions feel like the exact opposite of that— confident, comfortable, and FUN.

Senior photos shouldn’t feel like School Picture Day 13.0. They should feel exactly like who you’ve become— on the edge of something big, with stories to tell and more than you can even imagine still to live.

Whether you’re flipping through outfit ideas or location scouting with your mom, let’s make this easy. Here’s how to prep for senior photos in Minneapolis that feel relaxed, natural, and most importantly— like something you’ll actually want to remember.

(In other words? How to make this experience feel like you… not like me at seventeen.)

Choosing a Senior Photos Location in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has no shortage of stunning spots, but I love finding places that we get to explore together.

St. Anthony Main is a personal favorite, with the prettiest cobblestone streets and brick backdrops that feel classic without being cliché. For Emersyn’s senior photos shoot in Minneapolis, we also hit a nearby rooftop parking ramp that showed off her slightly more edgy and modern side and gave us those skyline views.

Emersyn’s boyfriend even tagged along and joined a few shots, which leads me to this: Bring someone who makes you feel like yourself, whoever helps you loosen up and laugh between clicks of the shutter.

Urban settings for senior photos are my favorite for a reason— a few steps down the block and the backdrop changes. They’re dynamic, versatile, give us clean lines, and feel like your own mini editorial shoot.

What to Wear For Your Senior Photos

The best outfits for your senior photos? The ones you feel good in. Full stop.

Emersyn’s look was on point: darling, stylish, so her. From a ruffled coral sundress to a babydoll beige top with soft texture, her choices added interest without overpowering her.

Here’s a little cheat sheet to help you achieve that same vibe:

• Can you move in it? If yes, you’re golden. The magic lives in the movement. 

• Avoid patterns that distract or clash. Solids let your features shine and give us more freedom with location.
• Texture is everything. Think layers, knits, flowy fabrics. They add movement and dimension to your photos.
• Comfort is non-negotiable. If you can’t sit, twirl, or laugh freely in it, it’s a no. (Pro tip: Aritzia, Abercrombie, and Altar’d State have amazing options.)
• Keep your hair and makeup more natural. No need for a transformation; you’re already beautiful as you are!
• Easy on the spray tans, ladies. I promise, it’s not worth the color correction.

Keeping the Vibe Candid and Confident

I pride myself in making senior sessions feel relaxed, like you’re just hanging out with someone who gets you. (And who has already lived through high school once herself.) 

Whatever energy a person gives off, I can easily give back. If you’re nervous or unsure, I’ll match that with calm direction. If you’re energetic and silly, you best believe I’m going to match that energy. 

We’ll get a mix of posed and candid shots—some for the yearbook, some for your parents’ fridge, and some that just capture this time in your life where you’re coming more fully into yourself and about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Senior year is a lot. You’re growing into yourself. You’re making big decisions. You’re trying to remember to do your homework and get enough sleep. These photos are a chance to pause and celebrate exactly who you are right now, before everything shifts again.

So let’s make them fun. Let’s make them you. Let’s create something you’ll actually want to look back on, a time capsule of this wonderful, in-between moment in your life.

I’ve got the camera. You bring the style, the smile, and yourself—exactly as you are.