Chicago Senior Photos

How to Add Personality to Your Senior Photos

August 19, 2026

Hi, I'm Shalimar.
Chicago Senior Photography available in the city of Chicago, Evanston, Wilmette, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, Winnetka, Lake Forest, Northfield, Kenilworth
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The best senior photos don’t just look pretty. They feel like YOU.

That’s always my goal as a Chicago senior photographer. Not creating photos that look exactly like everyone else’s. That’s right – we’re not recreating Pinterest trends or forcing awkward poses that don’t fit your personality.

I want your senior photos to actually reflect who you are during this season of life.

So how do you add personality to your senior photos? Here are a few of my favorite ways:

Choose Outfits That Feel Authentic

Your outfits set the tone for your session. And honestly? The best outfits are usually the ones that feel the most natural to you.

If you never wear dresses, you do not need to suddenly show up in five of them. Maybe you love streetwear. Lean into it! If your style is minimal and neutral, let’s embrace that. Your photos should feel like the best version of YOU – not like you dressed up as somebody else for the day.

How to add personality to your Chicago senior photos with award-winning Chicago senior photographer Shalimar B. Photography.

Bring Meaningful Props

Props can be such a fun way to personalize your session when they actually mean something to you.

Sports equipment, instruments, books, your car, dance shoes, records, your dog… If it’s part of your everyday life, it can absolutely be part of your senior session. The key is making it personal, not trendy.

How to add personality to your Chicago senior photos with award-winning Chicago senior photographer Shalimar B. Photography.

Pick Locations That Match Your Vibe

Your locations matter so much when it comes to creating photos that feel personal. Some seniors want city energy and skyline views for their Chicago senior portraits. Others want parks, nature, and quieter locations. Some want both. The best part? There are endless Chicago photo locations to choose from.

That’s why I always collaborate with my seniors before the session so we can create a session that actually feels like them.

How to add personality to your Chicago senior photos with award-winning Chicago senior photographer Shalimar B. Photography.

Don’t Overthink It 

This one’s important.

The moments that usually end up being favorites are never the perfectly posed ones. It’s the laughing in-between moments. The movement. The personality. The real reactions.

You do not need to perform for the camera. You just need to show up. I’ll handle the rest!

How to add personality to your Chicago senior photos with award-winning Chicago senior photographer Shalimar B. Photography.

One of my favorite things about senior photography is creating photos that feel timeless because they’re rooted in personality, not trends. Trends fade. Your personality doesn’t. And years from now, that’s what’s going to matter most.

Ready to plan senior photos that actually feel like YOU? Let’s create your dream senior session in Chicago with Shalimar B. Photography.

Talk soon,

Shalimar B Photography is a Senior Photographer in Chicago, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Evanston, Wilmette, Oak Park, Glenview, Park Ridge, Winnetka, Lake Forest, Northfield, Kenilwort

Ready to plan your Chicago senior photos with Shalimar B. Photography? Get all the details and take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes.

Chicago High School Senior Photographer | How to Add Personality to Your Senior Photos | Chicago Senior Photography | Shalimar B. Photography Chicago

let's tell your story

I've photographed every personality type — the shy ones, the hams, the "I hate photos" crowd, all of them.

I know how to find what makes someone tick and pull it right into the frame. The goal is never a perfect pose.

It's a photo that looks so undeniably like you that you can't stop staring at it.

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