Creative Senior Photo Ideas Around Minneapolis/St. Paul

If you’re looking for senior photo ideas, you must be getting close to your (or your teen’s) high school graduation. Congrats! You’ve just accomplished something ridiculously big and it’s time to commemorate the moment and celebrate your hard work.

But maybe you’re not a “typical” kind of senior, and you want unique senior photo ideas rather than your run-of-the-mill session where you’re posing in a flower field or against a brick wall. There’s nothing wrong with those types of senior photos (in fact, they can be really beautiful!), but you want something a little more creative or unique.

Well, you’re in the right place, because creative senior photo sessions are my absolute favorite ones to plan, shoot, and edit. And I have ideas for you!

Ideas for Unique and Creative Senior Photos in the Twin Cities

Let’s dive into these ideas. I divided them into sections so you can find the ones that interest you the most!

Get creative with your location

You’ve seen all the senior photos in flower fields, against brick walls, sitting on steps, and hanging out in pretty parks. Those are great, but you want something a little more unique.

Here are a few ideas for unique senior photo locations around the Minneapolis/St. Paul area:

• Want to show off your playful side? Try a playground.
• Love the water? Find a cool fountain or body of water and plan to get wet…fully clothed!
• Have you always been a city kid? Try a spot with a cool city overlook like St Anthony Main.
• If you’re a hiker and nature lover, get lost in the woods! Westwood Hills Nature Center is perfect for this, or Fort Snelling State Park, or Wood Lake Nature Center.
• Are you a gamer? Try hanging out outside your favorite arcade. They’re typically pretty dark inside so it can be hard to take photos in them, but we can chat about it when you message me!
• Love animals? Let’s go to a zoo or shelter with an outside area. Or, bring your pet to your session!

Try unique outfits

This one is a little tricky because you don’t want your outfit to take over your session. We’re showcasing you, not your clothing. That said, you want your session to be uniquely you, so add some outfit elements that you love!

A few outfit ideas:

• Have a pair of favorite shoes? Whether they’re high-tops or platforms or anything in between, let’s work them into a few shots.
• Swear by a pair of lucky socks or that well-loved hoodie you’ve had since the 9th grade? Let’s commemorate that!
• Love acting? Maybe you want a few shots in your costume from your most recent or upcoming show.
• Go all-out for cosplay or the Renaissance Fair? We could get some shots of you in your element.
• The hat you reach for every time you go out.

Get creative with props

Props are really a fantastic way to make your photos unique and showcase your personality. Here are a few prop ideas:

• Your musical instrument
• Your beloved pet
• The car you think is *so cool*
• Sports equipment
• Your favorite records and your turntable
• The art supplies you use constantly
• A stack of your favorite books
• Dance shoes
• Your skateboard
• Your bike
• Something from your childhood, like a well-loved stuffy or jewelry box

Do a unique activity or action

Now THIS is where we can really zhuzh up your session. Action shots of you doing your thing are so cool!

Activity or action ideas:

• Playing your sport
• Doing tricks on your skateboard or skis
• Creating art
• Fishing
• Singing into a microphone
• Biking on a mountain bike trail
• Walking your dog
• Jumping off a dock

A Real-Life Unique Senior Photo Session Example

Recently, I worked with JP on his vision for creative senior photos. We ended up splitting his session into three—one quick cap and gown session, a more traditional session, and one session that could really showcase his passion: skiing.

Here are a few shots from all three of JP’s sessions:

Ready to schedule your own creative senior photography session? Let’s chat!