Many of you may not know that I have an option to book an extra long OU senior session! While my typical shoots are 45 minutes to 1 hour in length, some seniors desire a little extra time. This means a more laid back, slower paced shoot with added bonuses!

Helen booked her 2023 senior photos with me early enough that we had the option to do an extended session. (Since I only take 2 – 4 girls each spring, timing and availability is tight!) She was on the OU track and field team through her time in school and wanted to commemorate that! The track is a bit of a walk from main campus. Definitely doable, but it would have cut in to about half (or more) of a traditional session. We opted for an extended OU senior photo session instead and made the most of our 1.5 hours together!

Here are a few of the perks of booking extra time for your senior shoot!

What an Extended (1.5 Hour) OU Senior Session Can Look Like: 

1. An extra outfit

One of the most exciting parts of an extended OU senior session is adding a third outfit to the mix! This means more variety, more photos, and more fun! My seniors receive a complete outfit guide upon booking (including photo inspiration, expert tips, and hair and makeup recommendations). A typical session allows time for 1 outfit change, or 2 outfits total. With the additional 30 minutes of an extended session, we have time for an extra outfit change or a more niche look – like a student athlete uniform! Other ways seniors have taken advantage of the third option include scrubs, a football jersey + cowboy boots, or a more professional dress for headshots!

 

2. Special Locations

After 10+ years of photographing OU seniors, I’ve developed a few routes to hit the most photogenic spots on campus. This is for two reasons:

1. I prioritize good, flattering light in photogenic locations. And I want to do it efficiently so as to not waste time or light!
2. It is important to me that each senior has personalized locations and variety.

A typical 1 hour session typically lends to around 4-5 “spots” or “locations”. Within these locations we achieve a variety of angles, composition, and backgrounds. What you end up with in your gallery looks like more than 4-5, but with the extra time of an extended session, it’ll be even more!

With an extended session, maybe it’s photos in front of your college’s building or south of the stadium. We can even stop by your sorority house! For this gorgeous student athlete, it was the OU track! Special locations add an extra personal touch to your photo gallery. Take it from another OU grad – there may not be many opportunities to return to these special spots in the years to come!

3. More time to enjoy the experience.

I always encourage seniors to bring their mom, significant other, or a best friend to their session. It is SO helpful to have an extra set of hands to help carry your belongings. But consider that this person knows you best and will help you look and feel your best, too!

Helen had her mom and two friends join her for her shoot. They helped make the experience that much more fun! They also helped keep an eye on anything they knew she wouldn’t love and took tons of behind-the-scenes photos for her to celebrate the experience! She had her own personal cheerleaders every step of the way! We even had her mom jump in at the end for a few photos of the two of them.

If you’re interested in booking an extended OU senior session, get in touch! Space is limited.

Find More MFP OU Senior Sessions On the Blog!