Senior Session Welcome Guide
Welcome!
For most of you, this is my second introduction. It has been a long time since 8th grade. I'm still teaching in the middle school, but my second passion is photography. I've been photographing high school students for their senior portraits for quite some time now, And you wanna know what? I absolutely love every second of it! I love the process from start to finish. From meeting new students to reconnecting with my former students. I love learning about your passions and interests -- and hearing about your future plans and aspirations.
My goal is to photograph you as you are. It is important to me for you to feel fabulous and comfortable, because that is when your true self with show. I look forward to working with you!
Brandy Keleher
My Story
Hi, I’m Brandy — a natural light portrait photographer based in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley, serving families from Aspen to Glenwood Springs and beyond. I specialize in capturing genuine, joy-filled moments through family, maternity, newborn, and child photography.
In addition to photography, I’m also an 8th grade science teacher at Aspen Middle School, a wife, and a mom of two — roles that keep me grounded, inspired, and always smiling.
I can’t wait to meet you and create timeless images that reflect you just as they you in this special season.
Brandy Keleher
Your Senior Session
from start to finish.
Booking Process
Let’s get you scheduled! During our initial communications, we will set a date and time for the shoot. Shortly after, an online booking link will be sent your way, and from this link you will view and sign the contract. Payment in full is required up front to secure your date and time. As your session date approaches you will be sent more information via email on how to prepare for your session, along with other tips and tricks. In the case of inclement weather, we will reschedule.
Before Your Session
Prior to your session, we will go over details that are important to you and what you’d like your senior photos to highlight. This may include focusing on your personality, hobbies, style, or incorporating a few classic portraits alongside more relaxed, candid moments. My senior sessions are interactive and full of movement to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera. While much of the session focuses on capturing genuine expressions and natural moments, we will always make time for those timeless, traditional senior portraits as well.
Finishing Touches
Your session images will be ready within two weeks of the session. You will receive an email that holds the gallery link along with detailed instructions on how to place any orders and how to redeem the digital files that come with your session.
Session Tips and Tricks
Starting Off on the right foot
Let me get my calendar
Senior sessions are best scheduled on a day and time when you’ll feel rested, confident, and at your best. I recommend avoiding sessions after a long school day or an intense sports practice—being well-rested helps you feel more relaxed and allows your personality to shine through in your photos.
My Style
It is true that a photograph remembers everything. The emotions and the nuances of the moment that it captured. Things that our busy minds often forget as time goes on. Photography should be a reflection of all of the little details that make up your existence. A real moment in your life. The images we capture will garner an incredible sense of variety and beauty that perfectly portrays you. My style of photography is symbolic of the authenticity found when you are casually laughing, playing and having fun. I want to capture your story with truth and make it come alive, complete with all of the emotions and details as they really happened. At this special time in your journey into adulthood, I am honored to have a place in documenting the story of your life.
Expect the Unexpected
This is my number one tip for you. I’ll have you do several poses in various forms- sitting, standing, squatting, lying down, leaning, running, skipping, twirling, etc. I may have you do these poses multiple times. This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong, it’s just to ensure that I get the perfect shot and that it looks how I envision it in my head. If there is a pose you are uncomfortable in or it doesn’t feel like you, let me know and we can switch it up.
Customizing Your senior Session
Wardrobe Selection
One of the most important things you can do for your senior session is secure a great wardrobe. It can mean the difference between a good portrait of you and an amazing portrait of you. A great wardrobe can be integrated in many different ways, but what they all have in common is that they leave you feeling comfortable, which
will enhance your pictures.
So, where do you even start when planning your wardrobe? Your senior portraits should reflect who you are, right here, right now. Each piece of your wardrobe should help to tell the story of who you are. I like to have my seniors put together one to three completely different outfits.
One outfit should be one that you feel extremely comfortable in and would be seen in most days at school (on the casual side), another outfit that would be considered appropriate for current trends (can be more dressy or “outside the box”), and a final outfit that would be considered classic or timeless. We all have different sides that we show the world at different times. It is also perfectly fine if you just want one great outfit! Don’t feel like you have to bring your whole closet.
Whatever you choose to wear during your session, lay the outfit/s out so they are ready to go. Make sure they are clean and wrinkle-free. Don’t forget to pack any accessories you’ll want for each outfit – jewelry, scarves, headbands, etc. Accessories can change the way outfits look without changing the actual outfit.
Choosing Your Location
Part of the planning process for your session includes choosing a great location. Your senior portrait session revolves around you and how you dream of being photographed. Do you look at our beautiful surroundings and want to incorporate nature? Were you so involved in sports during high school that you couldn’t image a session without incorporating your home turf? i am willing to head to any location that holds a special place in your heart.
There are so many possibilities when it comes to choosing a great location, we just need to narrow it down to the perfect one for you and your unique style and personality. Don’t know where you want to go? I can help with that too. My favorite places in the valley include John Denver Park, The Meadows, Anderson Arts Center, Difficult Campground, Herron Park, Snyder Park, the Maroon Bells, and the Marolt Barn. Check out examples of my favorite locations here.
Props and Accessories
If you have anything in particular that you would like to bring with you for your session, please do! It’s the little touches like these that make your portraits just as unique as you. If you plan on bringing any props go ahead and lay those out before your session so you don’t forget it.
Really?!!? Today??!!!?
If you wake up the morning of, and acne has appeared on your face – don’t pick at it and make it worse while trying to get rid of it. Apply some makeup over the area (not too heavy) and leave it at that. Or leave your face as it. I will fix it all in photoshop.
be yourself
My main goal is to capture you authentically. Kick back, relax and have FUN! Interaction is the core of a successful session.
Trust the process & have fun
It's okay to feel a little awkward at first. Everyone does! That feeling fades quickly, and before you know it, you’ll forget the camera is even there. You don’t need to know how to pose—that’s my job! Come ready to laugh, move, and be yourself, and I’ll take care of the rest.
Your personality leads the session.
Think less, feel more and Don’t overthink what your face or body is doing—just focus on the moment. Embrace the laughs. Giggles, big laughs, and even goofy moments often turn into favorite images. Whether you’re outgoing, laid-back, or quiet, your session will reflect you. Just remember, There’s no “right” way to do this. You don’t need to act a certain way—authentic always wins.
Enjoy the Experience
Rest assured that we will get a great set of images for you and your family! My style thrives on being authentic and real. Leave your stress at the door and concentrate on having fun!
The End Result
There are so many different ways that you can display and share images from your session. You can hang canvasses in an arrangement in your family room or hallway, create an album, or make prints to send to extended family, just to name a few. If you have a certain goal in mind, please let me know. Additionally, if you’d like to see the majority of your images in black and white or in color, this kind of information can help me plan our session to ensure that you are thrilled with the end result.
Next Steps
After your session, I’ll carefully hand-edit your images to bring out their full beauty and emotion. Within two weeks, you’ll receive a private online gallery with 50+ fully edited, high-resolution digital images — ready for you to download, share, and treasure. From there, you’ll also have access to heirloom-quality prints, albums, and keepsakes to turn your memories into lasting art.
My belief is that every person should be framed in the moments they’ve felt the most loved and cared for.
FAQ
What is included with the session fee?
Your session fee includes our time together capturing beautiful moments, professional editing and retouching, and a private online gallery featuring 50+ fully edited, high-resolution digital images — all available for instant download. Looking to turn your memories into tangible keepsakes? A curated selection of prints, albums, and custom products will be available for purchase directly through your gallery.
Where does the session take place?
As a natural light photographer, my favorite studio to use is the outdoors. The Roaring Fork Valley offers so many beautiful locations that it can be hard to choose just one for your photo shoot. My studio is any location that is special to you. Don’t know where you want to go? I have suggestions for that, too. Check out examples from my favorite locations.
How long does a session take?
My photography sessions vary and really depend on the goal of the session. Average sessions run about an hour. I allot time for wardrobe changes and location changes. Please do not feel rushed. As a professional, I will give you my honest opinion as to how much time we are going to need and I will schedule accordingly. I ask that you also schedule accordingly and not allow our session to be rushed. Our ultimate goal is to capture amazing images for you and your family.
AM I ALLOWED TO TAKE MY OWN PHOTOS DURING THE SESSION?
Out of respect for me, as a professional artist, I ask that you refrain from taking any pictures during our session. After all, you are hiring me to be the photographer and I need to have complete focus for myself and the subject I am photographing.
What if the weather is bad for our session?
Weather is hard to predict and if necessary, we will reschedule for another day. Keep in mind that just because it isn’t sunny doesn’t mean you will not end up with amazing pictures. Clouds and storms add depth and emotion to the sky and make for beautiful sunsets.
We have some ideas of our own. Can we try them?
Of course! I love having a client’s style show through in my images. Feel free to create a Pinterest board or email over any ideas that you would like to incorporate into our session and I will do my best to make sure those images are included in your gallery.
CAN I SHARE IMAGES FROM THE ONLINE GALLERY?
The password protected online gallery can be shared with your friends and family simply by providing them the information that I give you to access the gallery. However, please do not download or screenshot any images without my permission or without purchasing digital images through your session fee. I will gladly allow you to tag yourself and use the image(s) (complete with my logo and/or watermark) on your social media accounts. Any alteration of the images from your gallery is considered to be in violation of copyright laws.
