Celebrating Individuality: A Nonbinary High School Senior Photoshoot in Reo Town Lansing, Michigan
Capturing the essence of a person's individuality in a photoshoot is always a challenge, but it becomes even more exciting when you have the opportunity to work with someone who embodies uniqueness in their identity. This was the case with a recent photoshoot I had with a high school senior - Jovi, who uses the pronouns they/them.
The photoshoot took place in the charming REO Town in Lansing, Michigan. REO town has some perfect backdrops for high school senior photography.
We explored three unique locations that were special to Jovi and their friends: the Blue Owl Coffee shop, the Record Lounge, and Vintage Junkies. These unconventional locations helped us create some artistic and memorable images that truly showcased the senior's personality.
Before the shoot, I worked hard to reach out to the owners of the shops to request permission to photograph there. We were grateful for their cooperation, which allowed me to create an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for my client. I feel fortunate to have been able to capture the unique essence of the senior through our images.
The Record Lounge was our next location, and it perfectly captured the senior's love for music. The colorful vinyl records and vintage posters made for a perfect backdrop for some moody shots.
Fun fact: The Record Lounge is one of Michigan's only female-owned record stores! With over 40 collective years in the business, they specialize in collectable, new, used, and rare vinyl records, covering every genre from the last 150 years of recorded sound. We hope you have the chance to visit The Record Lounge and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Our final stop was Vintage Junkies, a one-of-a-kind vintage shop in the center of Lansing that features a carefully curated selection of vintage apparel, accessories, and home goods. The store's ambiance and distinctive items drew our senior Jovi in, making it the ideal place to wrap up the photo session.
If you haven’t seen this shop yet, I definitely recommend stopping by one day. The store's commitment to providing "everyday vintage for the modern home" is evident in their collection of vintage pieces, which they carefully curate. In addition to vintage items, Vintage Junkies also offers local art, artisan-made gifts, and even provides design services like staging and custom work. The owner, Amy, is an interior design graduate and a lover of vintage who started the business as a way to supplement her income as a single mother.
Photo session was a success. I was able to capture the senior's unique personality and style in a way that was true to them. The images turned out beautiful and memorable.
It was a privilege to be able to capture these special moments in such a unique location with such a wonderful subject.