Brody didn’t show up trying to impress anyone. He showed up with a stack of outfits, his car, and his German Shepherd, Flash, ready to hang out and see what we got. We ended up shooting his senior photos in two rounds. Fall back home in Burlington, then spring over in Lawrence.

If you know Brody, you know it starts with baseball.

That’s where we started too, out at the Burlington High School field in November. He threw on his jersey and jeans, grabbed a bat, and settled in faster than most seniors do. He’d told me ahead of time that his big fear was looking dumb in photos. Ten minutes in, he was leaning on the fence like he’d been doing it for years.

Then he changed into a red suit. White shirt, black tie, black and white Nikes, because of course. A suit on a baseball diamond shouldn’t work as well as it did. It’s the set I keep going back to. Very Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, which he’ll be glad to hear, since that’s who he named as his style guy.

We closed out the Burlington day at the lake right as the sun dropped. Blue hoodie, his everyday Nikes, nothing fancy. He’d picked “As Time Passes” by Sam Barber for his session playlist, and that one landed differently sitting by the water in November.

Round two was Lawrence in the spring, and this time he wanted a mix. Some outdoors, some city.

Baker Wetlands first. Camo shirt, gray shorts, white Nikes, probably the most him outfit of the whole thing. Then downtown for the brick-wall stuff and a couple of easy looks, a black tee and a gray one. He’d said he wanted candid and posed mixed together, and downtown was mostly that.

The parking garage is where it got fun. His car came out, the multicolor Nikes came out, and so did he. Hood up, hood down, leaning on the car, walking the ramps. Gray shirt, then a tan one to finish. That’s the stretch where I mostly stopped directing and let him go.

And yeah, Flash made it into a few. Obviously.

When I asked Brody how he wants to remember this year, he said he wants to look back and see an active, good person. Someone who was a good teammate. His friends’ three words for him were “cool, awesome, and the best,” which, fair. He wanted photos of where he’s been and where he’s headed, and I think that’s what he walked away with.

Brody, congrats, and thanks for bringing the car and the dog. We’ll get you to the Golden Gate Bridge one of these days.

Booking Class of 2027

If you’re a junior or senior around Lawrence or Burlington and you want senior photos that actually look like you, I’d love to talk. I only take a limited number of seniors a year and the good dates go early.

Quick facts

• Senior: Brody, Class of 2026
• School: Burlington High School, Burlington, Kansas
• Session one: November 2025, Burlington (high school baseball field and Burlington Lake)
• Session two: April 2026, Lawrence (Baker Wetlands, Downtown Lawrence, downtown parking garage)
• Props: his car, baseball gear, and Flash the German Shepherd
• Soundtrack: “As Time Passes” by Sam Barber

Senior session FAQ

Where are the best places for senior pictures in Lawrence, Kansas? A few favorites: the Baker Wetlands for natural, open-sky portraits, Downtown Lawrence for brick walls and street backdrops, and parking garages for modern shots with a car. Nearby Burlington adds ball fields and lake sunsets, which works well if you want a two-part session like Brody’s.

What should guys wear for senior portraits? Bring a mix. Brody’s session is a good formula. One dressed-up look like a suit or blazer, one activity outfit like his baseball jersey, and a few casual everyday looks like hoodies, tees, and shorts. And don’t skip good sneakers. They show up in more photos than you think.

Can I bring my car or my dog to my senior session? Absolutely. Props that scream you are the whole point. Cars, sports gear, and well-behaved dogs (hi, Flash) all make for personal, memorable photos.

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Megan Bowers is a senior portrait photographer based in Lawrence, Kansas. Her goal is to bring out every senior’s personality in their images and to make sure no two senior sessions look alike. From wardrobe to posing to the final gallery, she guides you through the whole experience start to finish. Megan is now booking the Class of 2027. To learn more about being an MBP senior, click here.