Seniors!

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In mid-April I was really excited about how my next two months were looking. The school year was wrapping up at Boston University where I work full time as a photographer, and with that end of year comes lots of fun events and festivities to photograph.

For Cydney Scott Photography, I had booked more senior portrait sessions than any past seasons and I was so excited because I love them so much!

Around this same time, I was walking around the BU campus and turned my ankle off a step I didn’t see, spraining my foot and chipping a bone on the top of my foot as well. I was out of commission and I didn’t know for how long.

To say I was crushed would be a gross understatement. I contacted all my seniors, some of whom I was supposed to work with within the next two weeks. I updated them, offering later dates and other photographers to consider if they couldn’t reschedule. Predictable, many cancelled and went with someone else. ‘Makes sense as most students leave the area after graduating!

The next month was a study in patience for me. I do not sit still well. Not being able to work and being very limited in my mobility was a big bummer, and a lesson in the importance of simply sitting still and healing.

After an orthopedist gave me a “you’ll be better by then” date, and by the luck of Jada being too busy to respond to me and cancel like my other clients had (understandably) done, Jada was one of my later sessions and I was able to keep in the books. Hurrah!

So in mid-May with very mild soreness (which I didn’t even notice because I was enjoying myself so much!), I had the great pleasure of photographing Jada, who was vivacious, friendly and so fun to work with!

Congratulations to Jada and thanks for being a kind client to dip my toe back into the job with!

Olivia's Senior Portrait Shoot

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Olivia decided on Boston Common and the surrounding area for her session. I had a great time wandering on a beautiful Sunday (along with, apparently, everyone else in Boston!) with her and her mom. We explored into Beacon Hill as well, and finished our session back in the garden.

Olivia is smart, chill, and flexible with all our wandering.

An as you can see, she did a great job during her session. And shout out to all the parents, Olivia’s included, who help with my shoots. In this case, leaf sprinkling!

Click HERE to learn more about senior sessions!

Aidan's Senior Session

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Lately I’ve been introduced to some new locations to shoot and it’s been so fun! Aidan’s mom Julie recommended downtown Arlington and it was a great suggestion with a variety of spots - big rocks, architectural features to play with. Fun!

And because the world is so small, while Julie and I were chatting we discovered her brother graduation from Ohio U one year before I started there.

Here are some of my favorites from my time with Aidan;

Fiona's Senior Session

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Working with Fiona, a tall, sharp, easy-going senior from Arlington, was a delight. Her mom suggested we check out Arlington Reservoir and I’m so glad we did!

As you can see, it made a lovely backdrop for a session with variety!

Senior Grad Session Round-Up!

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It’s still summer, right? So this counts? Here are some shots from a few June senior grad sessions I had the pleasure of shooting. Click on the images to enlarge.

Ugo graduated from MIT:

Julia wrapped up her career at Tufts;

And Nameka ended her high school career and is heading to Clark University!

Ashley's Graduating!

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Ashley’s mom Kristen brought confetti. I mean, what more do you need than a pumped graduate-to-be and some confetti? Nothing, I say!

So much fun!

Congratulations, Ashley!

Molly's Senior Session

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When Molly’s mom got in touch to schedule her daughter’s senior session, I learned that Molly was the drum major in her high school marching band, and I knew we were kindred spirits.

Photographing Molly was so easy and fun. She’s super comfortable in front of the camera, and was up for any location. We started in downtown Stoneham, then shifted over to a nearby beach.

When I asked her if she found the session tolerable she said something to the effect of “What’s not to like? I got to pose for photos for an hour or two while someone complimented me!”

Sounds good to me, too!

Angeles' Senior Session

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Well it was hot-as-a-griddle outside during high school graduate Angeles’ senior session on Boston Common, but you wouldn’t know that from the photos. She did an awesome job keeping a breezy manner for her shoot!


Phebean's Senior Session

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A short time ago I met up with two Boston University alums for a photo shoot for BU Today. They chose the location, which was a bridge in South Boston. They called it “Southie Bridge” but as far as I can figure, it doesn’t actually have a name. It leads to a very cool underpass with gorgeous murals, concrete walkways and lovely tree-lined trails.

I knew when I saw it that this is where I needed to meet Phebean for her senior session. Phebean arrived with a few outfit changes, ending her session proudly wearing the shirt of the school she’ll be attending in the fall - Brandeis.

We brain-stormed before meeting in person and Phebe told me about her pride for Nigeria where her family is from. It was luck that when she brought her flag out to be photographed with it, the sun came out and the skies opened up all at once!

Phebe is also an activist and has organized some BLM marches, so I we incorporated that too.

She was so much fun to work with, and didn’t bat an eye when I suggested “how about climbing over on those rocks (in your lovely non-hiking sandals)?”

Eagles Senior Photos

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I work for Boston University, so don’t tell them I recently photographed some of their rivals from Boston College!

I really love doing these group shoots. I welcome the challenge of coming-up with a variety of ways to photograph all the friends together, as well as get some nice portraits of the graduates on their own too. I think it’s a really fun thing for the friends to do too; have a special photo shoot to finish off their college career and record the friendship forged during their time together in higher education.

Sending all the best for lots of success in the world to Annalei, Claire, Olivia, Alex, and Courtney!

Hailey's Senior Session

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I first met Hailey when I photographed her for a BU Today video about the F*ck It Won’t Cut it campaign which she was part of. I was excited to meet her and Hanna, and was especially psyched at the traction the campaign received. I knew finding jobs would be easier for them than most newly-graduated college student after such a successful campaign, an that made me really happy for them!

Hailey got in touch because she wanted senior photos and thinking on it realized Hey, I do know a photographer in Boston! I photographed Hailey in downtown Boston a day before her graduation on campus. She had come to town from her new job in DC for the big day. We had a blast shooting around on Newbury Street, Copley Square and in the Boston Public Garden.

Here are some of my favorites (click to enlarge)!

Cristel's Senior Session

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Cristel is a senior at Brighton High and was a blast to work with! She is senior class president, co-captain of her soccer team, captain of the debate team, a player of chess, lover of butterflies, and a fan of some good old movie-watching.

We hit up Fan Pier Park for her session, and since she didn’t get a prom this year thanks to the Virus-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named, she arrived dressed in the prom gown she didn’t get to wear, complete with a corsage from her mom.

Good luck on your next adventure, Cristel!

Riley's Senior Session

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When I connected with Riley for his senior session we knew we wanted to stop by Questrom School of Business for a photo or two, and maybe some locations where he lived during his time here in Boston, but Riley is also a runner!

So with that in mind, we headed to Nickerson Field where there is a nice running track. A lacrosse game was taking place and we weren’t there long before someone came along and told us we had to be on the list to be on the field. Seeing as I am a photographer for BU and have needed to “be on the list” to shoot an occasional game, I’m not sure why this didn’t occur to me. Fortunately, we got a few track shots in before we skeedadled out of there.

Riley is heading off into the world of finances after he graduates from Boston University in May.

Michaela's Senior Session

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As graduation season approaches, I am so excited to have some new clients! I love my family sessions, portraits and events, and working with high school and college seniors only adds to the fun and variety of my work.

When I met Michaela in Marsh Plaza at Boston University for our session, she was wearing her master’s robe. I asked her if she wanted a combination of robe shots and non-robe shots, and she told me that she’d worked too hard to not wear her robes for all the photos. I love this. She HAS worked hard!

We wandered campus, and went into the School of Law as well, which is where she is graduation from. I mentioned the space with lockers, which law students use to store their items during their long days of studying how to do lawyer-y things. I was so glad that space had relevance to her because the light was so beautiful, and it added an extra, interesting location to her collection.

I was honored that she shared with me a bit about her late-mother who was a teacher, is greatly missed, and who we incorporated into some of her shots as well. Her mom would be so proud of her!

(click to enlarge)

And They're Off! {boston graduation photographer}

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Last year I had the great pleasure of following the Boston University Dance Team through their competition season for picture story for BU Today. You can see the story here. I was in my happiest place when I was a fly on the wall documenting their hard work, their camaraderie, their challenges and triumphs. It was one of my favorite work things to happen last year.

Since then, I occasionally see some of the dancers on campus. I would give them a big hug and enjoy a quick chat before they rushed to their next class on campus.

When Nina contacted me at the end of this year asking if I would photograph some of dancers from last year who are now seniors, I was so excited to see them again and photograph them! This time was a bit different since they were not pushing their bodies to the limit perfecting dance routines (it was a bit more chill this time around), but I really loved being able to chat with them and hear about where they are headed next. We wandered campus photographing each grad in front of her college, did various group and single shots, and of course, got them stepping on the crest (which i recently learned we’ve been incorrectly referring to as a “seal” for many many years) - a BU superstition.

Congratulations, Terriers!