I always love the challenge of the teen who’s not really into photos. It probably won’t surprise you that this senior guy was really only here at his mom’s request. 

Drew was a great sport, but he wasn’t very excited to have his senior portraits taken. He also didn’t love being at his high school on a weekend! But in the end, we got some really great images. 

A few days after I delivered this gallery, Drew’s mom emailed me to tell me he had given me the ultimate compliment. After looking through his photos, he said, “Actually, these are fire.” If you’re unfamiliar with this phrase, it’s Gen Z speak for, “These are awesome!” The message made me laugh and made my entire week! I love winning over unenthusiastic teens like this! 

This session was an architectural treat. The high school looks a bit like Hogwarts from certain angles, so it was fun to be in that environment and experience the amazing structure. The school actually has a really interesting history, starting as a rail passenger station in the early 1900s. Then, it was renovated for the 1982 World’s Fair, and, finally, was transformed into a high school, which opened in 2011. 

The railroad that runs just behind the school is still active, although not for passengers. This is all very fitting since railroad engineering is one of Drew’s interests, at least at the time of his session. I always ask about seniors’ post-graduation plans. It takes me back to that time of excitement and pure possibility. What a great memory of that weight of high school being lifted off your shoulders!

Drew and I also had a good laugh over some quotes from the movie Stepbrothers. I’ll have to remember this for my next senior guy session! Apparently, Will Ferrell still is a cross-generational interest.

Congratulations to you, Drew! There’s a very bright future ahead of you!