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Welcome! 

Let’s start today with a quick magazine update. Things are coming together right on schedule and the magazine should be available sometime this week. Be watching the SeniorInspire Facebook group for previews of the front and back covers, along with purchase information as soon as everything goes live. I’m excited for you to see this one.

Now, onto this week’s issue.

We’re talking about a situation every senior photographer runs into sooner or later: the senior who clearly does not want to be there. We’ll look at a few ways to handle those sessions without losing your patience or your creativity.

We’re also playing out a slightly unhinged what-if scenario about the demise of Instagram. It’s a little humorous, a little thought provoking, and maybe not as far-fetched as we’d like to think.

In Why I Love This Image, we’re featuring a standout portrait from Misty Malterud that checks all the boxes.

And our Photographer of the Week is Eric Marr, whose work and personality make him one of the good guys in this industry.

Alright, let’s dive in.

—Nick

This Week’s Question:
How can I turn around a senior session when the senior clearly isn’t excited about being photographed?

Every senior photographer has had this session.

The crossed arms. The tight smile. The “my mom made me do this” energy radiating from every pore. You start shooting and immediately realize this isn’t going to be one of those laugh-filled, music-blasting, “this is my new best friend” afternoons.

Let me start by saying this: it’s rarely about you.

When a senior shows up unenthused, it’s usually one of three things. They feel awkward. They feel self-conscious. Or they feel like they have no control in the situation. Very rarely is it, “I hate this photographer in particular.”

That distinction matters.

Now, the biggest mistake photographers make in this moment is trying to overpower the mood. We talk louder. We hype harder. We fire off frames faster. We think enthusiasm will solve it.

Sometimes it does. Often it doesn’t.

Slowing down usually works better than speeding up. Ask questions that aren’t about photography. Remove the camera from your face for a minute. Let the silence sit without trying to fill it. Sometimes the wall cracks simply because you stopped trying to bulldoze it.

Giving them ownership helps too. Let them choose the spot. Let them decide jacket on or off. Ask which side they prefer. Even small decisions shift the dynamic. When someone feels like they have control, resistance softens.

And yes, getting a small win early matters. If you can capture one solid frame and show it to them on the back of the camera, sometimes you’ll see their posture change just slightly. That tiny shift can be enough.

But now let me tell you a story.

I once photographed a girl who was one of my all-time favorites. Enthusiastic, fun, totally bought into the process. A year later, her mom brought me her son.

Complete opposite.

From the moment he stepped out of the car, it was clear he did not want to be there. He made that known without ever having to say it out loud. Even my assistant at the time, who was about his age and pretty good at breaking the ice, couldn’t get him to budge.

I tried all the things your supposed to do. Asked what he was into. Gave him space. Showed him images on the back of the camera. Shifted locations. Adjusted tone.

Nothing worked! This kid literally snarled through the entire session.

And if you're waiting for the inspirational, happy ending, there isn't one. He did not suddenly lighten up and say, “Wow, this is actually fun.” He did not hug me at the end. He did not become my next brand ambassador.

At some point, I just said to myself, it is what it is.

His mom knew exactly who he was. She was apologetic the entire time. We got what we needed. The images were solid. She placed a nice order. I moved on to the next shoot.

That’s the part people don’t talk about enough. Not every session turns into a breakthrough moment. Not every senior transforms into a bubbly extrovert. And that’s okay.

Our job is not to change someone’s personality. It’s to photograph it well.

If they’re serious, lean into serious. If they’re reserved, lean into reserved. If the best you’re going to get is subtle confidence instead of big smiles, that’s still a win. Not every senior photo needs to look like a toothpaste commercial.

And sometimes, despite your best efforts, the energy just stays flat. When that happens, professionalism is the win. You stay calm. You do your job. You deliver strong images. You don’t take it personally.

Because here’s the truth: the snarly senior usually isn’t mad at you. They’re uncomfortable. They’re being pushed outside their routine. They’re at an age where feeling exposed can feel dangerous.

If you approach that with respect instead of ego, you’ll win more often than not.

And on the rare occasion you don’t, you still walk away having handled it like a pro. Sometimes that’s the real success story.

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...

This week’s Photographer of the Week is Eric Marr of Kansas.

If you’ve ever been to SYNC, you have no doubt run into Eric, one of the friendliest photographers in the biz and someone who always seems genuinely happy to talk shop with fellow photographers. He’s one of those people who makes the community feel a little smaller in the best possible way.

I’ve been an admirer of Eric’s work for quite a while, so I’m excited to feature him this week. Take a look at the images we’re sharing here and learn a little more about Eric in his bio below.

Hi, this is Eric Marr, a portrait photographer based in Southeast Kansas. I'm known for my relaxed, storytelling approach. I specialize in senior portraits and focus on capturing each senior’s individuality, making sure their personality shines through. My sessions feel personal, comfortable, and authentic.

With over a decade in the business, I have photographed countless seniors, families, and children. My aim is to provide more than a photo, a portrait that reflects not just what someone looks like, but who they are at this moment in time.

I am deeply involved in the photography community, serving on the board of the Kansas Professional Photographers Association, as a member of PPA, and as a longtime SYNC attendee. My commitment to ongoing education and connection with peers keeps my work fresh and inspired, benefiting every client.

Hey! Want to be considered for our Photographer of the Week feature? Head to www.seniorinspire.com/potw and submit your work.

Remember, you don’t have to be the loudest. You don’t have to have the biggest following. You just have to be doing good work and willing to share it.

Let’s play a little game.

You wake up tomorrow morning, grab your phone, and tap on Instagram. Except this time… it’s gone. Not down. Not glitchy. Not one of those “try again later” mornings.

Gone.

No grid. No reels. No stories. No mysterious algorithm deciding whether your latest senior session gets shown to six people or six thousand.

Just a message that says: “This platform no longer exists.”

At that moment, senior photographers everywhere would go through the classic stages of Instagram grief.

First comes denial: This has to be a glitch. I just posted a reel last night. Then anger: But I finally figured out reels! Then panic: Wait… how will people know I’m a photographer?

Eventually acceptance sets in, and it usually sounds something like this: Well… I guess I better update my website.

What We’d Probably Tell Our Clients

After the initial shock wore off, we’d all have to explain things to our clients. The conversation would probably go something like this:

“Good news! I’m still a photographer.”

Just because Instagram disappeared doesn’t mean your camera vanished into the void. Your website still exists. Your past clients still exist. Referrals still exist. In fact, word-of-mouth marketing somehow managed to survive the entire social media era.

In fact, some long-forgotten marketing tools might suddenly make a dramatic comeback.

• Long-neglected websites and blogs would get dusted off for the first time since 2017. Someone would log in and say, “Hey… this still works!”

• Even things like printed senior rep cards could rise from the ashes. Photographers everywhere would start digging through desk drawers saying, “Didn’t I used to order these things?”

• And a lot of photographers would rediscover the simple magic of asking happy clients to tell their friends.

The funny part is that most of these things actually worked long before Instagram ever existed.

The Marketing Lesson Hidden in the Joke

Here’s where this silly little scenario starts to get real.

For many photographers, Instagram feels like the entire business. It’s where you show your work, where seniors find you, and where conversations begin. But Instagram is not your business. It’s a distribution channel.

A powerful one, yes. But still just a channel.

Your actual business is built on things that Instagram can’t take away from you:

• Your reputation
• Your client experience
• Your referral network
• Your website
• Your relationships with past clients

And one more thing that a surprising number of photographers still ignore…

Your Email List 📧

If Instagram disappeared tomorrow, the photographers who would recover the fastest are the ones who can still reach their audience directly.

That means having an email list.

When you post on Instagram, you’re essentially renting someone else’s audience. The algorithm decides how many people actually see your work. Some days it’s thousands. Other days it’s your mom and two photographers from Ohio.

When you send an email, you own that connection.

If something were to happen to your favorite social media channel and you don’t have an email list, you’re going to be behind. Not doomed. Not out of business. But behind.

An email list is one of the few marketing tools you truly control.

Instagram can disappear. Algorithms can change. Platforms can rise and fall. Your email list stays with you.

The Photographers Who Would Be Just Fine

If Instagram vanished tomorrow, some photographers would panic. Others would shrug and keep going. The ones who would be just fine are the ones who built their businesses on a strong foundation.

Things like:

• Happy clients who refer their friends
• A website that actually works for them
• A recognizable brand
• Consistent communication with past clients
• And yes… an email list

Social media is fantastic for exposure. But it shouldn’t be the foundation your entire business rests on.

The Bottom Line 🥂

If Instagram disappeared tomorrow, photographers everywhere would panic for about twelve hours. And then we’d adapt.

We’d reconnect with past clients. We’d lean on referrals. We’d finally update our websites. Some of us might even start blogging again.

And somewhere in a photographer’s office, a dusty box of senior rep cards would quietly come back to life.

Because at the end of the day, Instagram isn’t the business. It’s just the loudest room in the building.

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 2021 image comes from Minnesota photographer Misty Malterud, and it’s a portrait that wastes absolutely no time telling you who this senior is. From the first glance, the message is clear: strength, grit, and confidence. It feels less like a typical senior portrait and more like the cover of a sports magazine. That’s exactly why it works so well.

The first thing that jumps out is the sheer presence of the subject. She’s not smiling at the camera or striking a traditionally soft pose. Instead, she stands in full hockey gear, gripping her stick with a quiet intensity that says everything you need to know about her personality. The pose is relaxed but powerful. Her gaze is directed downward toward the stick, almost contemplative, as if she’s mentally preparing for the next shift on the ice. It’s subtle storytelling, and it immediately pulls you into the frame.

Styling plays a huge role here, and Misty absolutely nails it. This senior is presented exactly as she is: a hockey player. There’s no attempt to glamorize or soften the moment with elaborate hair or over-the-top wardrobe choices. The shoulder pads, elbow guards, and chest protector become the outfit. The slightly messy ponytail is perfect. It feels authentic, and authenticity always wins in portraits like this.

Compositionally, the image is rock solid. The subject sits beautifully along the rule of thirds, which creates balance while still leaving breathing room around her. The hockey stick is positioned brilliantly, acting as a leading line that guides the viewer’s eye directly toward her face. It’s a small compositional decision, but it does a lot of heavy lifting. Our eyes naturally follow the curve of the stick upward until we land on her expression, which becomes the emotional anchor of the photograph.

Then there’s the lighting, which is where this image really starts to elevate itself. The light is dramatic but controlled, wrapping softly across her face and shoulders while still maintaining the darker, moody atmosphere around her. It highlights the texture of the equipment and the strength in her posture without overpowering the scene. The background remains dark and unobtrusive, allowing the subject to stand out without distraction.

One of my favorite details is the subtle puff of smoke drifting behind her. It’s not loud or gimmicky. It’s just enough to add atmosphere and depth to the background. That little touch creates separation and gives the image a cinematic quality. It feels like she’s stepping out of a locker room tunnel moments before hitting the ice.

And of course, there’s the expression. It’s confident without being forced, calm without being passive. You get the sense that this senior is both competitive and composed. That balance is hard to capture, but when it works, it creates portraits that feel timeless.

At its core, this image succeeds because it understands what senior photography is really about. It’s not just about making someone look good. It’s about capturing who they are right now. In this case, that means strength, dedication, and a little bit of hockey toughness.

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

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!

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. I know these newsletters can get a little long sometimes, so if you’re still here, I appreciate you hanging in there with me.

This week’s Tune of the Week is “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones. If you’ve ever hit that point in your business where the to-do list is longer than your patience and you’re staring at your calendar thinking “just get me on a plane before I go insane,” you probably understand the vibe.

Most of the chaos in our business comes from not having a clear system when you start out. And since you brought up systems (okay… I brought them up), I’m getting closer to releasing my upcoming book Start Smart: The Senior Photography Business Guide I Wish I’d Had When I Started. Think of it as the antidote to the “I wanna be sedated” phase of running a photography business. More on that soon.

🎧 Tune of the Week: I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones

See you next week. And until then… Gabba Gabba Hey.

Nick
SeniorInspire

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