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Welcome to this week’s SeniorInspire Newsletter where we’re ringing in the new year with contests, model teams, and enough inspiration to keep you out of your editing backlog (for at least a few minutes).

First up, it’s officially PILF season and our annual Photographers I’d Love to Follow contest is now open!

Submissions started this past Thursday, and you’ve got until Sunday, February 8th to enter your best work. If you’ve got images that deserve the spotlight (especially the ones those other contests overlooked), now’s the time.

This week we’re also talking about what you should be doing right now in January to prep for your Class of 2027 Model Team. Because let’s face it, they’ll be sliding into your DMs before you even finish this newsletter.

Our Mentor of the Week is the always-inspiring Shannon Sewell, and in Why I Love This Image, we’re featuring a bold, beautiful portrait from Leslie Gilbert that had us instantly stopping the scroll.

Let’s get into it!

—Nick

This Week’s Question:
This year’s Photographers I’d Like to Follow contest kicked off a couple days ago. What are the details and how do I submit?

If you’ve been around SeniorInspire for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard me mention the Photographers I’d Like to Follow contest. Around here it’s usually shortened to PILF, which, yes, is not what you think. It’s Photographers I’d Like to Follow. Please don’t Google it at work.

The contest officially opened this past Thursday, and it’s one of my favorite things to do all year because it gives us a chance to shine a spotlight on photographers doing consistently strong senior work right now.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who can submit?

Anyone. If you’ve been selected in previous years, you’re absolutely welcome to submit again.

What can you submit?

• Color images only.
• Individual seniors only.
• Images photographed during 2025 or 2026.

What can't you submit?
No black and white images, no group photos, no studio branding, and no workshop images unless you were the instructor. Submissions should generally be from paying clients only, though I know some people submit their own senior kids, and that's totally understandable and perfectly fine.

How many images can I submit?

You can submit as many great images as you’d like.

What are the file requirements?

Images should be high-resolution JPG files, sized at at least 3000 pixels on the long edge, so they reproduce well in print.

File naming is intentionally simple... Your studio name followed by a number. For example:

     - ABC Photos 001.jpg
     - ABC Photos 002.jpg

That’s it. Please don’t overthink this. I promise we won’t judge you on your numbering system.

Do I need to submit model releases with my images?

No, you do not need to submit a release with your entries.

If you’re selected, you’ll receive instructions for our online digital release process. It's super simple and straightforward.

Your client will have 10 days to complete the form. And don't worry, I'll work with you to make sure you have every chance to get those releases done. I've never had a photographer not be included in the magazine because they couldn't get their client to submit a release.

Is there a print magazine?

You know it! All photographers selected will have one or more images published in the Spring issue of SeniorInspire the Magazine. Yes, a real print magazine. It’s still a pretty great feeling.

What's the Newcomers Award?

If you started your photography business in 2024 or 2025, you’re also eligible for our Newcomer category. Just make sure to check the box on the entry form.

Depending on entries, we typically recognize 3 to 7 newcomers for standout work.

What is a Boss Photographer?

This is something we’ve done in past years, and it’s back again. If you submit at least 10 images and are selected as one of the photographers featured, we also look at your entire submission as a portfolio. From there, we choose at least 20 SeniorInspire Boss Photographers.

Boss Photographers receive:

  - A special Boss Photographer badge

  - A two-page spread in the Spring issue of the magazine

It’s our way of recognizing photographers who consistently submit a deep, strong body of work.

Important dates

Submissions are open through midnight CST on Sunday, February 8th.
Winners will be announced in late February or early March.

OK, ok. How do I submit already?

All entries must be submitted through the official form at www.seniorinspire.com/2026contest

Final thought

This contest isn’t about chasing trends or guessing what we want to see. It’s about submitting the work that best represents you right now.

If you’ve got images you’re proud of, we’d love to see them.

Have a burning question you want answered in a future column? Head over to www.seniorinspire.com/asknick. I’ll be there manning the phones and waiting for your questions...

Each week, I’m spotlighting one standout image from the thousands of senior photos we’ve featured over the years — in the magazine, on Instagram, and beyond. Whether it’s the light, the vibe, or just that unexplainable something, these are the images that made me stop and say, “Wow.” 

This week’s featured image comes from Austin, Texas photographer Leslie Gilbert and originally appeared on our Instagram page back in October 2020. And let me tell you, it’s the kind of image that immediately makes you stop scrolling. The colors, the styling, the light... it all comes together in a way that just works.

Let’s start with those colors. The burnt orange of the senior’s dress against the warm golden glow of the background? Chef’s kiss. It captures the essence of fall without going over the top. There’s richness and depth here, and the way that golden light wraps around the scene gives everything a soft, almost painterly finish. Nothing feels overly processed. It’s just good, intentional color harmony.

The styling deserves a moment of appreciation. That dress with its flared sleeves and off-the-shoulder neckline brings a beautiful mix of elegance and drama. It adds movement and fashion-forward detail that pushes the image beyond the usual senior portrait look. And when you pair it with her gold statement earrings and necklace, it takes the sophistication up a notch without feeling too formal.

And then there’s the pose. This is the kind of pose that requires confidence to pull off. One hand in the hair, head tilted back, eyes gently closed. In lesser hands it might look forced, but here it feels effortless. You get the sense that this senior is completely in her element. She’s relaxed, but powerful. That kind of connection between subject and photographer doesn’t happen by accident. It’s clear Leslie gave her the space to fully step into the moment.

Hair and makeup are done to perfection. The curls falling over her shoulder mirror the flowing lines of her dress, and her makeup strikes just the right balance... polished and refined without overpowering her natural features. The lighting adds to the effect, softly sculpting her face and keeping the mood warm and inviting. There’s no harshness here. Just a quiet confidence that shines through.

If I had to offer one small, small critique, it would be the slight bunching of fabric under her arm. It’s barely noticeable but it’s the kind of thing that could be cleaned up in post to bring an already-stunning image to perfection.

In the end, the composition ties it all together and the blurred background adds texture without distracting from the subject. Every choice feels thoughtful, from the angle to the colors to the lighting. It’s a portrait that’s equally strong as a piece of art and a personal keepsake.

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

January is a weird month for senior photographers. The Class of 2027 feels far away, but also close enough that you’re starting to wonder if you should already be doing something about it.

This article is not here to make you feel behind. It’s here to help you sanity-check where you are right now, and make sure you’re moving forward with intention instead of urgency.

What Senior Model Teams Actually Are

At their core, senior model teams are a way to build relationships with juniors early. They help you create visibility inside schools, generate content months before senior season, and encourage early commitment to your studio.

They are not popularity contests. They are not unpaid influencer armies. They are simply one marketing tool that works well when it aligns with how you like to work.

And it’s worth saying out loud, model teams are optional. Plenty of photographers run great businesses without them. The goal is not to have a team. The goal is to fill your calendar in a way that feels sustainable.

Why January Matters for the Class of 2027

January of junior year is when things start to shift. Some juniors are starting to think about senior photos, even if they haven’t said it out loud yet. Parents start mentally bookmarking the idea, even if budgeting comes later.

That makes January a really good time to start paying attention to juniors. For many photographers, it’s also a great time to start taking applications, especially to reel in the Juniors who are already thinking about senior photos and obviously the most excited.

Ideally, by January you should already be looking for juniors or getting ready to look for them. That might mean opening applications, talking about your team publicly, or simply engaging more intentionally with potential candidates.

But if you haven’t started yet, it’s not the end of the world. It’s far better to clarify your plan first than to rush into recruiting without knowing what you’re offering.

Decide What Kind of Program You’re Running

Before you recruit anyone, you need to decide what kind of team you want.

Some photographers love running smaller, experience-focused teams. These tend to revolve around themed group shoots, community, and a more curated feel.

Others are great at managing larger groups. The advantage there is simple, you’re much closer to filling your busy season calendar early. That approach works well if your main goal is securing commitments and building momentum fast.

Neither approach is better. It comes down to what you enjoy managing and what you want the team to accomplish.

Get Clear on the Value Exchange

This is where most model teams succeed or fail.

Be very clear about what models receive. Shoots, images, experiences, discounts, or early booking perks all need to be spelled out.

Equally important is what you expect in return. Participation, social sharing, attendance, and communication expectations should not be vague.

Most issues with model teams are not about teens being unreliable. They come from unclear (and sometimes unrealistic) expectations.

Rough Out the Experience

You do not need a perfect calendar yet. You do need a rough plan.

Think about how many group shoots you want to offer, whether there are any seasonal or themed sessions, and if there will be optional events or meetups. This gives your program structure and gives parents confidence.

Clarity beats perfection every time.

Start Recruiting Thoughtfully

Once your plan is clear, January is an excellent time to start accepting applications.

This does not mean panic posting. It means talking about your team, sharing past images, answering questions, and inviting interest.

You’re warming the room, not closing the deal overnight.

A Few January Mistakes to Avoid

Try not to compare your behind-the-scenes planning to someone else’s highlight reel. Avoid overpromising before your structure is set. And don’t wait so long that you end up rushing everything in the spring.

None of those lead to better teams.

Final Thought

If you’re thinking about juniors, clarifying your program, and preparing to recruit right now, you’re in a good place.

Model teams should make senior season easier, not more stressful. January is about setting yourself up to make better decisions later, whether that’s with five models or fifty.

And that’s exactly where you should be right now.

This week’s Mentor of the Week is Shannon Sewell, a longtime creative force based in Portland, Oregon. Known for her editorial flair and highly stylized portraiture, Shannon brings two decades of experience, thoughtfulness, and a deep love for the creative process to every shoot and every mentorship. Whether she's helping photographers strengthen their fundamentals or guiding them in developing a signature style, Shannon is passionate about helping others find their voice. If you’ve ever struggled to turn inspiration into impact, she’s the kind of mentor who’ll help you unlock what makes your work truly your own.

Shannon Sewell

Portland, Oregon

What type of mentoring do you offer?
I like focusing in on each person’s unique style, so I do 1:1 and small group mentoring sessions, both in person and virtually.

Who is your ideal mentee?
I love working with all abilities. While I do place a heavy emphasis on getting to a place with your skill that you can consistently provide solid photography (focus, exposure, framing, etc.), for me, photography is truly a creative outlet. I love helping people find their voice and style in their work.

One of the highest compliments I receive is: “I knew it was your photo before I even saw the credit.”

I think our work should be as unique as we are!

Did you have any mentors starting out? What’s one thing they told you that really stuck with you?
I did. I started out in photography by hanging out with other local photographers. I had one in particular who saw something in me that she thought had potential. From there, we kind of teamed up and found other locals that we could do shoots with, hang out and talk about process with, bounce ideas off of.

I don’t think I would have made a career if it hadn’t been for those relationships. We encouraged each other and critiqued each other. It made me better so much faster and pushed me when it may have been easier to quit.

Those relationships showed me how important it is to have real people alongside you in your photography journey. Having someone that will be honest with you and be your cheerleader at the same time is truly a magic recipe.

It’s a big reason I love mentoring — being a part of someone’s creative journey is such a gift.

How would you describe your own shooting style?
My work is very stylized and thought out — wardrobe, backdrop (whether that’s on location or in studio), posing, colors — it’s all thought out well before I even pick up my camera.

It’s like an outline that I write the story from, and it gives my work a very editorial/commercial feel.

My work is very influenced by the coffee table books and magazines I grew up with — Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, Tim Walker, Herb Ritts. They all have such unique but timeless portfolios.

What topics do you most enjoy mentoring on?
The creative process — what inspires people, what excites them, and how to turn that into motivation and photos.

Photography is such an amazing way to give people a glimpse into the unique ways we each see the world and how we capture our favorite parts.

What’s one “rookie mistake” you see a lot of photographers make that you try to help them avoid?
Being afraid of going their own way. There’s a lot of pressure to provide work that is trendy or popular (it’s all about the algorithm, right?). I think people forget that someone has to start those trends — it might as well be you!

And even if it’s solely for yourself, I think leaning into those sparks fulfills us in ways that online popularity could never compete with.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m an over-thinker. It’s probably my greatest asset and biggest hurdle in my photography journey. I’ve spent many years (over 20 now!) figuring out ways to keep showing up and producing new work even when my thinking gets me running in circles or in creative ruts.

Luckily, it’s been a fruitful journey. The amount of photographers I’ve worked with where this becomes one of our main focus points lets me know it was a good lesson to learn.

How should potential mentees contact you?
All my links are at: 🌐 shannonsewell.com

Are you teaching a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers across the country, and nearly half of them actually open it (the rest are slackers who probably don't go to workshops either).

Anyway, just reply to this email with the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might just want in.

Simple as that.

If you made it this far and have any opinions or ideas I'd love to hear it. Good, bad, whatever. Just hit reply or send me an email and let me know what you think. I love the feedback!

Have I mentioned submissions are now open for this year’s Photographers I’d Like to Follow contest? It’s your chance to be featured in our Spring magazine, and more importantly, to put your best work out there for the community to see.

Before we go, this week’s Tune of the Week is “Box of Rain” by the Grateful Dead, in honor of the recent passing of longtime guitarist Bob Weir. It’s a song about change, about loss, and about finding your way even when everything feels a little out of focus.

There’s a line that feels especially right for this moment: “Believe it if you need it, or leave it if you dare.”

That about sums up the spirit of entering any photo contest, really. You never know what’s around the corner until you step into the light and share what you’ve created.

🎧 Box of Rain – Grateful Dead

See you next week and until then, submit boldly.

Nick
SeniorInspire

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