Ten Reasons to Get High School Senior Portraits Taken at a Record Store

Incorporate "A Bit of Vinyl" into Your Senior Photoshoot

High school senior portraits are more than just a rite of passage—they celebrate who you are at this pivotal moment in your life. While some seniors love classic outdoor locations like parks or cityscapes, others want something a bit less conventional. If that's you, consider stepping outside the norm and taking your senior portraits at a record store.

If you love music, vintage posters, and a setting with tons of personality and color, one of the record stores in the Kansas City area could be the perfect spot to capture your unique style.

Here are 10 reasons to choose a record store to make your senior photos unforgettable.

1. It's a Unique Setting that Matches YOUR Personality

Your senior portraits should reflect you—your interests, your passions, and your aesthetic during your senior year. If music is a massive part of your life, what better way to showcase that than by surrounding yourself with vinyl records, classic album covers, and the rich, nostalgic atmosphere of a record store? Unlike a more traditional location, a record store provides a highly personalized backdrop that speaks to your individuality. Imagine flipping through vinyl while your photographer captures candid moments or posing in front of a wall covered in colorful album art. Whether you're into rock, jazz, hip-hop, or indie artists, your photos can showcase your musical taste creatively.

2. The Vibes are Unmatched

Kansas City has some incredible record stores, each with its personality and aesthetic. Places like Mills Record Company, Josey Records, and GotWhatULikeRecords offer shelves stacked with records, cozy listening stations, and an incredible mix of vintage and modern decor. Photographers, you should expect a mixed-lighting scenario. Natural light pours in from the windows, but fluorescent lights warm up the color of the skin and the store's classic wooden shelves. The store's owners have covered the walls with eye-catching posters and artwork, making it a harmonious blend of seemingly discordant colors and textures. A record store is perfect for the artistic photos of music lover's dreams.

3. It's a Perfect Place to Get Natural Reactions

Unlike a typical studio setting where posing can feel stiff or overly structured, a record store allows you to move and interact with the environment, making it easier to feel comfortable in front of the camera. As you flip through records or hold up an album with your favorite artist, your photographer can capture those in-between moments that feel genuine and unposed. Candid shots often become the most cherished because they reflect your true personality.

4. Location Perfect for Both Bold and Colorful and Moody Aesthetics

A record store's diverse decor can lend to a bright, colorful look or a more moody, dramatic vibe. If you're drawn to bold colors, you can pose in front of the vibrant album covers that line the walls. But if you want something edgier, a black-and-white theme with vintage records and soft lighting can create a striking cinematic effect. With specific editing techniques, your portraits can feel like they belong on a retro album cover! [Please note: Photo editing is part of a photographer's craft, so if you're looking for a style different than their usual aesthetic, communicate your desire before the shoot.]

5. A Nostalgic Yet Timeless Atmosphere

Records never go out of style. Even in the age of streaming, vinyl has made a huge comeback, and for good reason—it's classic, rich in history, and has unmatched nostalgic charm. A senior photoshoot in a record store is the perfect metaphor for this phase of your life. Your senior year is a time of transition, looking back while stepping forward. A record store setting reflects that beautifully, making your photos meaningful beyond aesthetics.

6. Incorporating Props is Easy and Fun

One of the most significant advantages of taking your portraits in a record store is the built-in props! Holding up an album cover that represents your favorite band or artist adds a layer of storytelling to your photos. Imagine holding a vinyl from an artist who inspires you—whether it's Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan, or a jazz great like Charlie Parker (a Kansas City legend!). You can also incorporate headphones or turntables for a few photos or wear a vintage band tee to your session for an added personal touch to your outfit.

[Please note: Record stores are filled with patterns and colors. If you're not planning to wear a band tee, consider wearing something in a solid color rather than a print so you don't visually compete with the store's interior.]

7. Support Local Businesses

Choosing a record store for your senior photos benefits you and supports small businesses in Kansas City. Many record stores are independently owned, so pick up some new vinyl while you're there!

8. Indoor Location = Weatherproof Session

Kansas City weather can be unpredictable—one minute it's sunny, the next it's storming. An indoor location like a record store eliminates the stress of rescheduling due to rain, extreme heat, or freezing temperatures. Whether you're planning a fall, winter, or summer shoot, a record store provides a reliable and comfortable setting year-round.

9. Works for Solo and Group Sessions

If you want to include your best friend, sibling, or even a tiny friend group in your senior session, a record store is an ideal spot. You can take solo portraits that highlight your personality, then capture fun group shots of you and your friends flipping through vinyl or playfully debating over music. It's a dynamic setting that works well for individual and group photography. [Please note: Whether you're there solo or with a buddy, you must respect the staff, clientele, and merchandise.]

10. Your Photos Will Stand Out

Senior portraits are everywhere, and it's easy for them to start looking the same. A record store shoot gives you something fresh, eye-catching, and genuinely you. When you post your photos on Instagram or print them for a graduation announcement, they'll stand out in the best way. Friends and family will immediately recognize your personality shining through, making your photos even more special.

Make Your Senior Portraits an Experience

Your senior portrait session should be more than just a photoshoot—it should be an experience that you'll remember fondly. Choosing a record store as your location transforms the process into a fun, immersive, and meaningful event with a ton of memories rather than just another item on your to-do list. Instead of run-of-the-mill senior portraits, you'll leave with stunning photographs and a memorable experience that reflects your love for music and self-expression.

Let's chat if you're looking for a professional photographer in Kansas City who can bring your vision to life. I specialize in creative, authentic, storytelling-driven senior pictures that capture your personality artistically. Let's turn your love for music into a senior portrait session you'll never forget!

Shots taken at GotWhatULikeRecords and Josey Records in Kansas City, Mo.

Liz Davenport of Sunshine and Shadows Photography is a high school senior photographer based in Kansas City, MO. She offers senior portrait sessions throughout the Kansas City-metro, including Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Mission, Belton, and Raymore. Her sessions are fun and relaxed, using primarily natural light and a lot of movement. She loves to work in both rural and urban environments and definitely looks to her seniors for location inspiration, which means that she wants to hear your crazy ideas.