Behind the Scenes: Our 4th of July Styled Shoot
- SG Photography
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Small-town pride, dirt roads, and the last real summer before adulthood.
I wanted this to be more than just a 4th of July senior rep styled shoot. I wanted this shoot to capture small-town American pride — the kind that feels harder to find these days, like something we’re losing in today’s world .With technology, hustle culture, and the growth of cities, that slower, simpler way of life is slipping away. People don’t sit on their porches like they used to. We’re always rushing, always chasing, everything’s go, go, go and I just wanted to pause and find a moment that felt......honest. Real.
This shoot wasn’t just about red, white, and blue. It was about capturing my upcoming seniors in their last true summer of being kids before life gets faster. Before they head off to bigger places, leaving behind their dirt roads and small towns.
The Plan + The Prep
This styled shoot came together with intention. The location? A simple dirt road here in Lufkin —because that’s what felt right. No fancy sets, no overthinking. Just boots on gravel, open skies, and small-town energy.
My mood board centered around red, white, and blue. I encouraged my SG Senior Rep Team 2026 to show up as the patriotic version of themselves — high school letterman jackets, favorite country music band tees, cowboy boots, whatever felt authentic to them.
Props stayed true to the theme: American flags, sparklers, a light blue Bronco that fit the look perfectly, and a little bit of that All-American attitude.
Shoot Day Vibes
This behind the scenes styled shoot featured a smaller group, which made the experience even more meaningful. The reps — Rebekah Sapp, Taelor Riley, and Holly Polk — were all from Huntington High School. With fewer people to juggle, I could slow down and really focus on capturing those genuine moments of joy.
A standout moment? At the end of the session, I invited them (only if they wanted) to share on video why they’re proud to be an American. Every single one of them said yes. There was no hesitation, no shame in their pride — and that felt incredibly special.
Why Styled Shoots Matter to Me
Styled shoots are different from regular sessions because I get to lead the creative vision — I choose the look, the vibe, the location, the posing. It’s where I get to bring to life the art that lives in my head and my heart. It’s why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
If you’re dreaming of planning your own styled shoot? Do the creative work first. Make a mood board. Plan your looks. Jot down the specific shots you see in your head — the ones that inspired the concept in the first place. Keep that list with you on shoot day. And try to get video during the session — it helps promote the shoot and build excitement around it.
What This Shoot Gave Me
At the end of the day, this wasn’t about props or poses. It was about pausing to capture a piece of small-town America that feels like it's fading. .About showing my seniors — before the next chapter — living their last simple summer. And about reminding myself why I do this: to create art. To tell stories. To hold space for what matters.
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