Question 3: What Does "Natural Posing" Actually Mean in Your Work? Here's a phrase that gets used a lot without much meaning behind it. "Natural posing" isn't the absence of direction. It's skilled direction that doesn't look like direction. There's a real difference between a photographer who just points a camera and hopes for the best, and one who has the knowledge and experience to guide a teen into poses that look authentic, not model-perfect. I've spent over 30 years learning how to do exactly that. The goal has never been to make seniors look like they belong on a magazine cover. The goal is to make them look like themselves, just on their best day. When you're asking this question, look for:
 Question 4: How Do You Edit Your Images and How Much Retouching Do You Do? This question tells you a lot about a photographer's philosophy. I believe in clean, minimal editing. Images should be correctly lit, thoughtfully composed, and reflect real life. I don't rely on trendy presets, heavy retouching, or digital tricks to get a result. If something needs to be "fixed" in editing, that usually means something wasn't right during the session. Your teen deserves to see themselves in their photos, not an over-smoothed, filtered version of themselves that they won't even recognize in ten years. Ask specifically:
 Question 5: What's Your Experience With Teens Specifically? Senior photography is its own world. It requires a photographer who genuinely connects with teenagers, not just someone who shoots portraits in general. I coach high school track, cross country and I taught high school so I have spent a lot of time with teens outside of photography. That connection matters. Teens can tell when an adult is being genuine with them, and when someone is just going through the motions. Beyond personality, experience matters technically, too. Knowing how to read a teen's energy, knowing when to push and when to give space, knowing how to bring out a genuine smile without asking for one - these things come from years of doing this work, not from a preset pack or a posing guide. Ask your photographer:
 The Right Questions Lead to the Right Experience Senior portraits are not just pictures. They're a record of who your teenager is right now, at this exact moment in their life. The awkward stage is behind them. College is ahead. This is the in-between and it goes fast. Asking the right questions before you book means you'll walk into that session with confidence. Your teen will feel comfortable because the photographer has already shown you, through their answers, that they know how to create that environment. And when the session is relaxed, when your teen forgets the camera is even there - that's when you get the images you actually hoped for.  Let's Create Something Real Together
If you're searching for a senior photographer in Waterford, Burlington, Racine, or anywhere in Southeastern Wisconsin, I'd love to connect. My sessions are built around your teen's personality, interests, and the moments that make them who they are. No forced smiles. No cookie-cutter poses. Just authentic, timeless portraits your whole family will cherish. Reach out through my website to learn more about booking a session or to ask any of the questions above. I'm happy to answer every single one.
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10/17/2025 0 Comments What Won't I Edit From Your Photos?If you are of a certain age, you may remember Glamour Shots, the mall studio that shot very soft, highly stylized and edited portraits of many ladies of a certain age (not judging--did them myself!) They were fun but we definitely did not look like our authentic selves--not that we were looking to look like our authentic selves either. It was a bit of fun fantasy but were not photos that stood the test of time. When I am photographing my clients, I want you to look at your images and see YOU! So, here is a brief list of what I will and won't edit in your portraits!  Things I WON’T edit out:
 Things I WILL edit out:
 You are YOU and your portraits should reflect that: your authentic expressions & gestures–the things that make you who YOU are.
Thirty years, thousands of portraits, and one lesson I’ve learned: experience shows.When my daughter recently said to me, “Mom, this is your niche,” it really made me pause. She’s right. In a world where many photographers are just starting their businesses, what sets me apart is my experience.
For over 30 years, I’ve been photographing everything from equine shows across the Midwest to high school seniors here at home. Alongside that, I’ve spent decades coaching and teaching, which has taught me how to connect with teens, ease nerves, and build real relationships. This unique combination has shaped my photography into more than just pictures—it’s become a style. One built on:
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