If you are searching for a senior photographer in Lawrence KS, you probably have questions about what a session actually looks like. Most seniors have a general idea: show up, take some photos, go home. A session with Megan Bowers Photography looks a lot different than that. Here is a full, honest walkthrough of exactly what your session day looks like from start to finish.

It starts before we ever pick up a camera

By the time your session day arrives, we have already done a lot of the work together. You have your outfits planned, your locations chosen, and your prep guide reviewed. You know where to go and what time to arrive. The day itself is not the planning phase. That is already done. Session day is just about showing up and enjoying it.

Sessions typically begin about an hour before the shoot at the salon for hair and makeup. You will arrive fresh-faced and ready to hand the prep work over to the professionals. You do not need to do your hair or makeup before you come. That is the whole point.

Hair and makeup: the hour that changes everything

Every MBP senior session includes professional hair and makeup. This is not a bonus or an add-on. It is part of the experience, and it is one of the things that makes the biggest difference in how the photos actually turn out.

You will spend about an hour in the chair. This is honestly one of the best parts of the day. It is calm, it is fun, and by the time the stylist is done you will look in the mirror and feel completely different than when you walked in. Not different as in unrecognizable. Different as in the best version of yourself.

That shift in how you feel matters more than most people expect. Confidence is not something you can fake in photos. But when you genuinely feel good, it shows up in every single frame.

Parents, this hour is also a great time to relax, grab a coffee, and let your senior have a moment. She is in good hands.

Lawrence KS Senior Photographer tip: how we use locations

Once hair and makeup is done, we head out. As your senior photographer in Lawrence KS, I plan every session around two to three location changes so you get real variety without the chaos. Downtown texture, KU campus classics, wide open natural spaces, all within a short drive of each other.

If you want to see some of the specific spots I love most in Lawrence, I have a full guide on the blog.

You will be with me the whole time. We move together, I carry the gear, and you just follow my lead. It is not stressful. It honestly feels more like a fun afternoon out than a photoshoot.

What the shooting portion actually feels like

Every senior photographer in Lawrence KS does things a little differently. At MBP, you will never be standing there wondering what to do with your hands or whether you are standing right. I tell you exactly where to put your weight, how to angle your shoulders, where to look, and when to move. The direction is simple and it works: no modeling experience required.

I will direct you for every single moment. You will never be standing there wondering what to do with your hands or whether you are standing right. I will tell you exactly where to put your weight, how to angle your shoulders, where to look, and when to move. My direction is simple and it works. You do not need to be a model or have any experience in front of a camera.

We will move through your outfits at each location, and I will keep things moving at a pace that feels easy. Most seniors hit a point about halfway through where they completely forget the camera is there. Those are usually the best shots of the day.

Laughing is allowed. Feeling a little awkward for the first few minutes is completely normal. Having a real personality is actually the whole point. That is what I am here to bring out of you, not pose out of you.

Wrapping up and what comes next

When we finish shooting, that is not the end of your MBP experience. It is really just the beginning of the next phase.

I will go into editing: culling through hundreds of images and carefully editing my favorites with my signature warm, true-to-life style. This process takes time because I take it seriously. Every image that makes it into your gallery has been worked on intentionally.

Once your gallery is ready, you will come into the studio for your ordering appointment. This is a 60-minute in-person session where we watch your slideshow together, choose your favorites, and decide what to do with your images: wall art, albums, prints, or digital files. I walk you through the whole thing. No pressure, no guesswork, and no digital gallery that disappears into a folder you never open.

If you want to know more about what the ordering appointment looks like, I have a full post on that too.

Frequently asked questions about MBP session day

How long does a session take?

Most full sessions run about three hours from the time you arrive for hair and makeup to the time we wrap shooting. It goes fast.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your outfits steamed and on hangers, any accessories you want to use, and a bottle of water. Everything else is taken care of.

What if I am nervous?

Almost every senior is nervous walking in. By the time hair and makeup is done and we take the first few shots, it is gone. I promise you will forget to be nervous.

Can my mom come?

Yes. Parents are welcome to come for hair and makeup and stay for part or all of the session. Many parents love being there for the experience. Your senior’s comfort is the priority. Whatever makes the day feel best for both of you works for me.

What happens if it rains?

Kansas weather is unpredictable. If the weather does not cooperate, we will reschedule for the next clear day. I want your photos to look their absolute best, and that means waiting for good light when we need to.

How do I book?

Head to the contact page on my website and fill out the inquiry form. I will reach out with everything you need to get on the calendar.