Why Parents and Teens Don’t Like the Same Senior Photos

There’s always a moment during gallery reveals when I can feel it coming… the quiet pause while a parent lingers on the classic smiling portrait,
and their teen lights up at a completely different photo.

Same gallery. Totally different favorites. And… that’s completely normal and to be expected! It’s because you’re seeing two versions of the same person.

What Parents See

You see the kid you’ve raised… the baby face that’s fading, the grin you’ve known for years, the look that says that is my child. You want a photo that feels timeless. Something you’ll still love when the trends fade.

What Teens See

They see who they’re becoming. The confidence they’ve worked hard to build. The expression that feels the most like them right now. They don’t care if Grandma thinks it’s “frame-worthy” they want it to feel real and authentic to who they are becoming.

Why Both Matter

The best senior photos are a mix of both: the image that belongs on your living room wall and the one that makes them feel like it is an authentic representation of their current self. Because these sessions aren’t just about senior year… they’re also about transition. About honoring who they’ve been and who they’re becoming.

So when you look through your senior gallery, don’t stress if your favorites don’t match. That just means I did it right! But come prepared to your gallery reveal with the mindset of compromise on both sides.

Want senior photos that make both you and your teen happy? Learn more about Austin senior sessions here.