There’s something pretty darn cool about having a senior travel from another state because she wants you to photograph this chapter of her life. Abby made the trip from Virginia to Blairsville, Pennsylvania for her senior photos with Jen McKen Photography, and I knew before she even stepped in front of my camera that this session was going to be a good one. She’s outgoing. Athletic. Funny. The kind of girl who loves country music, sunshine, animals, the beach, a good book, being outside—and apparently laughing so hard she cries and occasionally pees her pants. Listen, SHE put that on the questionnaire. I’m simply reporting the facts. 😂 But underneath all of that fun is a young woman who seems to have a pretty solid understanding of who she is and where she’s headed. And she’s headed somewhere pretty exciting.
Meet Abby
Abby is a rising senior at Battlefield High School in Virginia, where saying she’s “involved” feels like a bit of an understatement. She plays softball and swims, manages both football and volleyball, and participates in athletic student leadership. Oh and after graduation? She’s headed to Amherst College, where she’ll continue playing softball at the collegiate level. No big deal. Just casually balancing approximately 47 activities while the rest of us are proud of ourselves for remembering to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer.
Twelve Years of Softball…and She’s Just Getting Started
Softball isn’t something Abby picked up recently. She’s been playing for 12 years. That’s a huge part of her story, which made incorporating softball into her senior portraits feel less like bringing a “prop” and more like documenting something that has helped shape who she is. And the story doesn’t end with high school. Abby will be attending Amherst College and playing collegiate softball, so she brought along her Amherst flag to celebrate what comes next. Senior photos should do both. They should preserve the person you are right now while leaving a little room for the person you’re becoming.
A Future Psychiatric Nurse With a Big Reason Why
One of my favorite things about photographing seniors is hearing them talk about their future. When I asked Abby what she wants to do someday, she told me she hopes to become a psychiatric nurse. Her reason? She wants to help people who may not be able to help themselves or who have somehow become lost in the process. That’s a pretty meaningful answer from someone who hasn’t even graduated from high school yet. There is so much emphasis during senior year on what comes next…college, majors, careers, sports, plans. But sometimes the more interesting question is why. Abby already seems to know hers.
The Senior Photo Vision: Greenery, Water + a Long Dress
Abby had a very specific vision when we started talking about her senior session. She wanted greenery. She wanted water. She wanted something that felt outdoorsy and natural…somewhere with a river, creek or lake where she could actually step into the water wearing a long dress. Ummmm…YES. This is exactly why I love planning senior sessions around the person I’m photographing rather than recreating the same poses in the same places over and over again. Her session wasn’t about following whatever senior-photo trend is popular this year. It was about creating something that felt like Abby. Natural. Outdoorsy. Laid-back. A little adventurous. And beautiful without feeling overly staged.
From Virginia to Western Pennsylvania for Senior Photos
Having Abby and her family travel from Virginia to Western Pennsylvania for her senior portrait experience is something I don’t take lightly. There are photographers everywhere. So when someone gets in the car, crosses state lines and comes to Indiana County specifically because they connect with the way I photograph people and tell their stories, that means something to me. After all these years behind the camera, that’s still one of the biggest compliments someone can give me.
Abby, thank you for trusting me with yours. I have a feeling this next chapter is going to be a pretty darn good one. And wherever it takes you… be where your feet are.
Want Senior Photos That Actually Feel Like You?
Your senior session doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. Bring the softball. Bring the guitar. Bring the truck. Bring the dog. Bring the baby blanket you’ve had since birth. Get in the creek. Wear the dress. Tell me the weird idea you’ve been saving on Pinterest. We’ll figure out how to make it yours.
Jen McKen Photography creates personalized, storytelling-focused senior photography in Blairsville, Indiana County and throughout Western Pennsylvania and yes, apparently Virginia seniors are welcome to cross state lines and come play, too. Ready to create senior photos that tell your story? Reach out to Jen McKen Photography to start planning your session.
Five Random Things You Should Know About Abby
Because every good magazine profile needs the important investigative journalism:
- She loves to read.
- She has played softball for 12 years.
- She cries when she laughs really hard.
- She loves naps.
- She says she loves getting sunburned.
Abby, I support four out of five of these choices.
Please wear sunscreen. 😂
Abby, At a Glance
Three words she’d use to describe herself:
Outgoing. Funny. Athletic.
Current soundtrack:
Country—with Ella Langley, Jason Aldean, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen making regular appearances.
Perfect day off:
Working out, hanging with friends or her boyfriend, taking a walk, watching a movie or going shopping.
Things she loves:
Animals, kids, reading, traveling, the beach, the lake, being outside…and naps.
Honestly, Abby. Same.
FAQ: Senior Photos with Jen McKen Photography
Do you photograph seniors who live outside Pennsylvania?
Absolutely. Abby traveled from Virginia for her senior session, and I’m always happy to work with seniors traveling into Western Pennsylvania. We can plan the session ahead of time so your locations, outfits and overall feel make the trip worthwhile.
Can I incorporate sports into my senior photos?
YES. If you’ve spent years playing a sport, it’s part of your story. We can incorporate uniforms, equipment, fields or other meaningful details without making your entire gallery feel like traditional sports portraits.
Can I bring sentimental items to my senior session?
Please do. Sometimes the smallest object carries the biggest story. Abby brought the baby blanket she’s had since birth, along with pieces representing softball and her future at Amherst. Those details make your photos personal instead of generic.
Can my senior session include multiple locations or different looks?
Depending on your session, absolutely. I love creating variety and choosing locations around Western Pennsylvania that complement your personality, clothing and interests rather than forcing every senior into the same setting.
What if I have a weird idea for my senior photos?
Even better. Tell me. Some of my favorite photographs begin with, “Okay, this might sound weird, but…”
