Kevin Dockendorf describes himself as a "big-time choir nerd" which makes me smile and relate as I was always in choir and musical theatre. He also played tennis competitively until his junior year. Like most teenage boys he most enjoys hanging out with friends and video games, but ask a musician what their favorite music is and you have messed with their head. He couldn't begin to list them all, so he settled on Twenty-One Pilots... right now, but his favorite genre is alternative and he'll listen to almost anything. It seems like Kevin, like most of my favorite kids list "kindness" as their favorite personality trait. How cool is that? His favorite quote is: "Expect the unexpected," and his favorite memory is precious to all who love animals. "Losing my dog and then watching him come back down our street later that day. That was a good memory." Follow me on pinterest here: Senior Pictures To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook. Here's some perspective from his mom, Tammy: Since infancy, Kevin has always been such a sweet boy with a kind heart! One of the first activities he started (at 6 weeks old) was Kindermusik. He absolutely enjoyed the variety of music, being introduced to rhythm/tempo, and using music to relate to cultures and emotions. We would sing and dance to the fast paced music all day and rock him to sleep to the lullabies at night. I recently found his lullaby album and was shocked when Kevin said he remembered a lot of the songs. Meanwhile I am in tears as those days seem like yesterday. ;) Kevin followed the kindermusik program all the way to the end and followed it up with choir at school. Being around peers and musical role models has heightened his love for music. Even though he has done soccer, basketball, swimming, and tennis - music was always with him through it all. He currently enjoys being in the all male á Capella group at school, musicals on stage, and countless vocal competitions throughout the year. Kevin is a true friend, animal lover, environmental supporter, character builder, Christian follower, and the BEST son we could ever ask for. We can't wait to see where his collegiate future takes him. Many endless thanks to Lisa for putting on film the love we see in him everyday!

You can't find anyone to say a negative word about Zach Stancoff. He seems to be as genuinely humble and kind as he is athletic and handsome. His faith, his family and his beautiful girlfriend keep him grounded and pleasant with an easy smile, a listening ear, and an effort to make each situation a positive one. Zach was one of my senior models and part of a "Street Style" shoot and Prom shoot (blog to be posted soon). We did his Senior Session Portraits in Grapevine and on Grapevine Lake to show his love of skiing, fishing, and all things lake and water-sport related. It was the last night of Summer before his senior year at Marcus High School in Flower Mound began and it was perfect. Beautiful weather, perfect sunset, and a simultaneously exhilarating and mellow evening. Keep reading below photos to see tips on how to prepare your son for Senior Pictures with me. Follow me on pinterest here: lisalovespics To see more photos from senior photographer Lisa McNiel, click Dallas-Photographer or follow a DFW-Senior-Photographer on Facebook. How to prepare for your Senior Picture Session for Guys: 1. Bring snacks and water - but especially water - for your son. I know it's mostly moms reading this because I'm a mother of sons and my boys would never think about it until an hour before the shoot! They will not think they need it. You won't think they need it. I want them to have it. It puts them in a good mood to be hydrated and a blood sugar boost about halfway through the session. 2. Put together a really dressy outfit. Buy a suit. He will need it for so many things this year. And when you have that wedding or funeral, he will be prepared. Get help from the stylists at the store. They are up-to-date on fit and style for young men. They also know that cool, funky, socks with a suit are in style now. 3. All his other clothes should have a "slim fit" or better, "athletic cut," unless he is stockier. The clothes need to fit his body without being tight. 4. Shoes are important. They are important to the dressy AND the casual outfits. They need to not only match the style of his clothes, they need to be on the newer side. 5. Socks are also important. They will show in various poses. 6. Bring props: a framed photo of him as a little boy, a letterman's jacket, a prop from a sport he plays, sheet music, an instrument, a jersey, a helmet, a globe if he wants to travel, comic books, anything you can think of. The only exception I can think of is gaming. I haven't thought of a good prop for gamers, but if you think of one, please contact me! 7. Please ask me to send you the Questionnaire and fill it out with your son. I find out things in it that can enhance your session with different ideas, and also it gives me something to talk to him about so that he feels more comfortable and relaxed with me and I get more genuine expressions. 8. Please let me know if you have a dog that could come for a few of the shots or can stay in the car for part of the session. Though they can eat up a little time, they make for genuine smiles. This also goes for girlfriends! 9. Please make sure the haircut is not too new. A week to two weeks before the shoot should be good depending on how fast his hair grows. 10. Don't pick at your skin. I can edit blemishes. Also, be sure you do not get a sunburn before the shoot. Red skin is very difficult to edit, and peeling skin, even more so, plus the nose always takes the brunt of it, so it looks crazy.

Here at JRP, we are determined to make guy senior photos just as common as girls’! Check out how Ben got GQ-esque results from his senior photo session - and how you can, too.

Single light portrait, high school senior

Certain male poses are better to use in photography than others. Below are some ideas you can find useful when shooting your next portrait session!

Not sure when the best time to have your senior photos taken in Oregon is? This post will help you decide the perfect time!