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Welcome to this week’s edition of the SeniorInspire Newsletter!

This week we’re talking about something every photographer needs but way too many are still “working on”… 👀 your website.

That’s right — this issue is all about why your online home matters, what it should include, and how to finally move it from “under construction” to “book me now.” Spoiler: if your Instagram bio still says “DM me for pricing,” this one’s for you.

We’re also featuring an incredibly fun, over-the-top image from Ohio’s own Holly Omlor, who proves that senior photos can be equal parts edgy and hilarious.

And don’t miss our Mentor of the Week feature with Leslie Gilbert, where you’ll get to know more about her journey, her approach to mentoring, and what kind of photographers she’s best equipped to help. If you’ve been thinking about finding a mentor who really gets your vibe, Leslie might be just the person you’re looking for.

Let’s get into it — your website (and your next client) will thank you.

This week we're looking at the necessity of having a website. Here's the question...

I'm trying to get my marketing in order. I've been spending a lot of time working Instagram and TikTok with mixed results... but I still don’t have a website. Are they still important in 2025? And if so, what should I include on mine?

Short answer: Yes. 100 times yes.

Even in 2025, with all the short-form content, DMs, and emoji-filled call-to-actions, a website is still one of the most powerful marketing tools you can have.

Think of it this way: Instagram is a handshake. Your website? That’s the meeting where they decide if they trust you enough to hire you, hand over their money, and send you their teenager.

Here’s why having a website still matters — and what it absolutely needs to include:

🌐 It adds instant professionalism
You can be the most talented photographer on TikTok, but if your only web presence is @seniors_by_kelly97, it’s hard for people to take your business seriously. A clean, branded domain (like yournamephotography.com) makes you look professional. And let’s be honest — people expect it.

🚪 It’s your front door — not just a feed
When someone clicks from social media to your site, they’ve raised their hand and you've won your first battle. They're interested. That’s your chance to control the narrative — to guide them toward the info you want them to see, not just the algorithm’s favorite Reel from three months ago.

📞 You need a clear, can’t-miss contact button
Right on the homepage. Make it obvious — not buried in a menu. Not hiding in your footer. Big, bold, and connected to an inquiry form that actually works. Or, if you’re fancy, a booking system that lets them choose a session and drop a deposit right there in their pajamas.

🖼 Show only your best work — not just a lot of work
This isn’t a scrapbook. It’s a curated experience. Only show images that make potential clients say, “That’s what I want for my senior.” Too few images is always better than even a single mediocre one.

If you're not sure what's portfolio-worthy, ask a fellow photographer you trust.

👤 Include an About page that sells without rambling
Please, for the love of all that is good, don’t waste this space telling people you love coffee, dogs, and chocolate. So does everyone!

Use your About page to answer these questions: Why should someone book with you instead of someone else? What’s your client experience like? What makes you different? Why should they trust you with their once-in-a-lifetime photos?

🎯 Bonus tip: make it mobile-friendly
Most people will check out your site from their phone. Make sure your fonts are readable, your galleries load quickly, and your contact button isn’t so small they need tiny fingers to tap it.

Bottom line? Social media is where people discover you. Your website is where they decide on you.

In a world full of noise, having your own little piece of the internet — that you control — is still one of the smartest things you can do for your business.

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.” 

I'm not really sure when this image from Ohio's Holly Omlor was featured on the SeniorInspire Instagram page — it was at least 5 years go — but I do know I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

There are images that make you stop and think. And then there are images that make you stop, laugh, stare, and want to know everything about what’s going on. This is one of those.

Holly isn’t just creating portraits here — she’s creating moments. And this one? This is pure, unfiltered joy. A golden-haired subject, wearing a golden dress, dumping a cascade of cheese balls on her own head like it’s just another Tuesday.

It’s weird. It’s whimsical. It’s just flat out fun.

Let’s talk about the color. The harmony here is next level. The background, the cheese balls, the subject's hair, even the tinted shades — everything is tuned into the same playful frequency. There’s not a single element that feels out of place.

The orange tones are loud but not overpowering, and the slight metallic sheen of the dress adds just enough contrast to keep it all interesting. It’s like someone gave Andy Warhol a tub of snacks and a beauty light and said, “Go.”

The pose is beautifully simple — arms stretched above, frozen mid-pour, the subject completely unbothered by the cheesy chaos raining down.

Her expression says it all: “Yeah, I’m wearing a gold dress and being pelted by cheese balls. What of it?”

There’s a dry humor to that face that makes the whole thing even better. The image doesn’t need to explain itself. That’s part of the magic.

Of course, the lighting is spot on — as always with Holly’s work. Even with all the visual noise happening, the subject is perfectly lit, with smooth skin tones and no harsh shadows.

The bounce and texture in the dress, the hair, and yes, the cheese balls — it’s all crisp and intentional. That’s no accident. That’s great photography with a wink.

And let’s not overlook the concept here. It’s bold. It’s playful. It doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

It reminds us that portrait photography doesn’t always have to be dramatic or glamorous or moody. Sometimes, it can just be fun. Wild, colorful, unapologetic fun.

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

We touched on your website's "About Me" page earlier, but let's expand on that a bit...

Here’s the truth: your “About Me” page is not really about you. It’s about what you can do for your client.

No one cares what kind of camera you shoot or if your dream is to take a bath in chocolate (though, points for creating an image I won't be able to get out of my head).

What people do care about is how you can make their senior session amazing. So here are five things your About Me page should absolutely include:

1. A warm welcome.
Start with a friendly, approachable intro. Something like, “Hey, I’m Nick, and my favorite part of senior photography is helping you feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera.” Right away, they know they’re in the right place.

2. The value you bring.
Instead of rattling off gear lists or awards, focus on what they get. For example: “I’ll guide you through every pose, location, and outfit so you never have to wonder what to do with your hands.” That’s value they can picture benefiting them.

3. A glimpse of your personality.
Clients want to know you’re relatable. A fun quirk like, “I’m the type of photographer who will lay in the grass, climb a park bench, or dodge traffic—anything to get the perfect shot of you,” shows your humor and commitment to them.

4. A clear call to action.
Don’t let your About Me page be a dead end. End with something like, “Ready to start planning your senior session? Click here to schedule a consultation.” Simple, clear, and client-focused.

5. A great photo of you.
Not a stiff headshot—pick a genuine photo where you look approachable. Imagine your About Me page saying, “Yes, this is who will be making you feel comfortable during your session.” That builds trust before they ever reach out.

Remember, your About Me page is less “this is my life story” and more “here’s why I’m the right photographer for you.” Keep the spotlight on their needs, their experience, and the amazing photos you’ll create together.

This week, we’re thrilled to highlight Leslie Gilbert, a passionate and skilled senior photographer based in Austin, Texas. Leslie brings a beautiful balance of technical precision and emotional storytelling to every session—and that same energy carries into her mentoring.

Whether you're struggling with lighting, wanting to refine your editing, or just trying to build more confidence, Leslie’s customized approach meets you exactly where you are.

Her goal? Help you create portraits that are both technically strong and emotionally authentic.

Leslie Gilbert
Austin, TX

What type of mentoring do you offer?

I offer tailored photography mentoring through both one-on-one in-person and virtual sessions, completely customized based on what each photographer needs most help with.

The Full Experience:
I walk photographers through my entire process from start to finish:

• Consultation phase – connecting with seniors, helping them choose locations that reflect their personality, guiding outfit selection, and understanding their vibe before we pick up a camera
• Shoot process – my approach to lighting (both natural and off-camera flash), directing seniors for authentic expressions, and maintaining connection throughout the session
• Post-production – editing workflow and techniques to achieve both polished cinematic looks and soft natural aesthetics

In-Person Mentoring:
We take it further with actual shoots using a model, so mentees can see everything in action and practice techniques with real-time feedback.

Focused Sessions:
We can tackle specific challenges like off-camera flash, generating genuine smiles, or any other area until it's mastered.

Every photographer has different strengths and goals, so I tailor each session to meet them where they are.

Who is your ideal mentee?
I love mentoring beginners and intermediate photographers who are excited to grow in the high school senior portrait niche. I want to guide them as they build skills, find their style and confidence, and learn to create memorable experiences for their clients.

Did you have mentors starting out?
I didn't have one set mentor, but I have a great photographer friend I met at a conference early on who has been the closest thing. She's always cheering me on, reminding me to stay confident and passionate, while keeping me accountable on the business side. Blanca Parciak, you're the best!

The best piece of advice I've received: “Don’t just take their picture—tell their story!”

How would you describe your shooting style?
My style combines vibrant yet warm classic images with an editorial/lifestyle approach. I capture authentic portraits that show who these seniors truly are—which parents love—while also creating images that perform well on social media, which is what the seniors want. Both my seniors and their parents love having this variety, and these are portraits that families will treasure hanging on their walls for years to come.

What topics do you most enjoy mentoring on?
I'm most passionate about three key areas: mastering lighting (both natural light and off-camera flash), creating genuine connections with senior clients, and developing strong editing workflows. These three skills work together—when you can light beautifully, connect authentically, and polish your images with confident editing, that’s when you create work that’s both technically solid and emotionally compelling.

What's one "rookie mistake" you see photographers make?
Something I often see is photographers focusing on just one aspect—either the technical side or the connection side—without realizing how important all aspects are.

Some photographers will get so focused on adjusting settings and lighting that the senior ends up standing there feeling awkward and nervous. Others are naturally great at connecting with teens but struggle with lighting techniques or don’t know how to enhance their images in post-production, so their final work is lacking that polished look they’re going for.

I want to show them how working on all three areas really makes a difference. When you can confidently handle your lighting, genuinely connect with your seniors, and skillfully edit your images, your sessions start flowing beautifully and you create final images that are both technically strong and emotionally authentic.

What's one piece of advice for photographers struggling to stand out?
Stop trying to shoot like everyone else and develop your own authentic style.

I see some new photographers scrolling Instagram, copying trends, trying to recreate someone else’s style for less money. Figure out what you genuinely love about photographing seniors and lean into that.

Quality and unique style over quantity, always. Build a reputation for being exceptional at what YOU do, and the right clients will seek you out.

How should potential mentees contact you?
Email me at: leslie@lesliegilbertphoto.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 more than a third 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. Thanks and have a great weekend. 

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter!

Before we close things out, it’s time for our Tune of the Week.

This summer I caught an incredible live show from Hurray for the Riff Raff, and they’ve been in heavy rotation ever since. One track that’s really stuck with me is “Alibi” from their album "The Past is Still Alive" — it’s a slice of alt-country goodness, and impossible to ignore (kind of like a really good senior portrait).

Give it a listen when you’ve got a moment — or better yet, while you’re working on your new About Me page.

🎧 Alibi - Hurray for the Riff Raff

See you next week. No excuses. No alibis. 🎤

Nick
SeniorInspire

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