msu senior photos Archives - Allie & Co. Photography, Lansing, Michigan Headshot and Commercial Photographers

Michigan State University senior photo ideas with roommates and cap and gown, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

These six roommates got in touch with me recently to celebrate their time at Michigan State with MSU senior photos. Their senior year was so far from what they’d all hoped for, but they had each other through it all, and I was so happy to get to take photos for them to look back on – I wish college senior photos were more of a thing when I went to MSU.

If you’re planning MSU senior photos this year, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Rain and wildly changing temperature are inevitable in the spring, so be ready to get flexible.
The last week of April and the first week of May are typically the most popular times for photos in front of Michigan State landmarks like Sparty, Beaumont, and the bridge by Spartan Stadium. I highly recommend brining along an extra friend to wait in line for you while you’re taking photos so you’re not spending half your session waiting in line.

In such a bummer year, college senior photos have been an amazing way to find a touch of normalcy and joy.

Book your MSU Senior Photo Session

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Safety first: I’m fully vaccinated.

Michigan State University senior photo ideas with white dress and head shots, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photo ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses with a magnolia tree in the background, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photo ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown over the shoulder with a magnolia tree in the background, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photo ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown with a magnolia tree in the background, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown in front of the door at Beaumont Tower, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with a couple on campus in white dresses and cap and gown in front of the door at Beaumont Tower, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown near Beaumont Tower, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown at the MSU Beal Gardens, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown on the bridge behind the library with the Spartan Stadium Sparty head in the background, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown in front of Sparty, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University senior photography ideas with roommates on campus in white dresses and cap and gown throwing caps in the air in front of Sparty, by Allie Siarto & Co, senior photographers in East Lansing, Michigan

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Michigan State senior portraits with roommates on campus in East Lansing, Michigan

I can’t believe it’s already time to start scheduling Michigan State senior portraits again.

A year ago, Jeff and I went to HopCat in downtown East Lansing to celebrate his leap year birthday. I wrote in my “One Line Every Day” Journal that week, “Watching coronavirus news.” At the time, we still hadn’t seen any cases in Michigan, and it still felt like a far off threat.

Less than two weeks later, MSU shut down, and seniors lost the rest of senior year. We all hoped that 2021 seniors would have a more normal experience, but here we are today.

Some of my Michigan State senior portraits were postponed or cancelled because of complications with traveling home, but we did still manage to make some happen – and it was so nice to be able to give seniors just a touch of normalcy in an otherwise insane year. One parent put it best in an email after the session:

“They were thrilled! … They finally felt like graduates.”

In a year that was missing a graduation ceremony and one last night out with college friends, they had something to hold onto.

Michigan State Senior Portraits Are Open to Book

If you’ve spent the year near campus, there’s a solid chance that you’ve spent more time with your roommates than anyone else. I want to offer you a way to celebrate your time together. My booking calendar is open now for Spring senior sessions. Bring your roommates, siblings, significant other, or pod along to get photos together and individually to celebrate this place that has meant so much to you all.

Is There a Per Person Cost for Sessions?

Nope! Pricing is based on session length, not the number of participants. I do, however, recommend a full or extended session if you want to get photos around campus with a bigger group. We usually get a mix of group and individual photos.