The Photo That Started It All: My Accidental First Red Truck Session

It wasn’t a session.

It wasn’t styled.

It wasn’t even planned.

It was just a hot afternoon in our neighborhood cul de sac. The kids were little, covered in popsicle juice and sidewalk chalk, and one of our neighbors had pulled their red truck—cherry red, sun-faded in all the right places, with that “I’ve seen some things” look that only trucks seem to have.

Naturally, the kids climbed right in. Shoes off, giggles flying, someone probably yelling about splinters. I grabbed my camera (as I always do) and snapped a photo—no posing, no pressure. Just a quick click before someone inevitably fell out or demanded snacks.

I forgot about it.

For years.

Then the other day, while digging through old photos, I found it. And I stopped.

There it was. The pose.

That now-signature Red Truck pose I’ve used in almost every fall session since.

All these years later, it still holds up. The joy. The mischief. The magic of a kid in a truck bed with no plans and no shoes.

It got me thinking: this was my first red truck photo. Not the first I advertised. Not the first I styled or booked. But the first that mattered. The one that sparked something.

From Cul de Sac to Calendar Staple

Now? Red Truck Minis are one of my most-requested sessions of the year.

They sell out faster than Target’s Halloween mugs. I plan them months in advance. I’ve got props, playlists, posing guides, you name it. But it all started with a spontaneous moment and a little red truck.

And because I’m me—and can’t help but turn every little experiment into a full-blown toolkit—I decided to take all my hard-earned know-how and put it into one place.

Introducing: The Red Truck Sessions Toolkit

If you’re a photographer who’s ever thought:

• “That red truck trend is adorable… but where do I even start?”
  
• “Do I rent a truck? Buy one? Build one out of cardboard??”
  
• “How do I pose families in such a small space without it looking like a game of Twister?”
  

Then I made this Toolkit for you.

It’s packed with:

• Where and how to find a truck (without selling your soul or your gear)
  
• Session planning timelines
  
• Prop lists and posing guides
  
• Marketing materials
  
• And yes… the original photo that started it all
  

Stay Tuned

I’m putting the finishing touches on it now (with snacks in hand, of course), and I’ll be sharing sneak peeks soon. 

And if you’re a photographer with a red truck story—or dreaming of starting one—I’d love to hear about it. Let’s be nostalgic (and profitable) together.

Because sometimes, the best ideas start in the cul de sac.

Sign Up Here!!

https://www.michellenicholsonphotography.com/email-list

Get first notice when the Red Truck Sessions Toolkit becomes available!

Tips for Future Graduating Seniors

The grades have posted. The confetti is cleaned up. The graduation anthems have all been played. Graduation is over. What a whirlwind it was.

This post is a reflection on my daughter’s senior year—because wow, did it fly by.

As a senior photographer, I thought I was ready for my own daughter’s final year. We had taken a road trip, visited a few colleges, and even started her senior photos. We were ahead of schedule. I had this.And yet… here we are, graduation behind us, and I STILL haven’t ordered her senior photo prints or the album I made for her. What happened?

Let me tell you—by the end of the year, your calendar will be stuffed with last-minute details, events, dinners, and celebrations. It’s beautiful and chaotic, and it sneaks up fast.So now, looking back as a senior mom, here’s why I believe starting senior photos early is one of the smartest moves you can make:

1. Your Child’s Schedule Will Be Packed

And I’m not even talking about parties or social stuff. Just the standard senior-year events can leave you feeling like you live out of your car. If your child is involved in band, sports, theater, art, or any extracurricular, spring will be a blur of performances, banquets, award nights, and team celebrations.

2. You’ll Need Photos Sooner Than You Think

That sweet baby photo and current photo for the yearbook dedication? The school will ask for it around October—when you’re barely done labeling school supplies and haven’t even touched your fall décor. Trust me, you’ll want those senior portraits ready to go.

3. Senior Parade Banners Require Photo Approval

If your school does a senior parade, you’ll need to submit a photo for the banner. But be warned: your child will definitely want to approve the image. Mine vetoed no less than five of my favorites.

4. May 1: College Decision Day

Whether they’re headed to college, the trades, military, or taking a gap year—this is a day to celebrate. You’ll want a great photo for your announcement post. Something that feels like them—but maybe not the one with the duck lips and sunglasses.

5. Graduation Announcements

Yup, more photos! Whether you’re mailing cards or posting on social media, friends and family love seeing these. Having a variety of high-quality images ready to go makes it easy.

6. Scholarship Announcements

If your senior earns a scholarship, many organizations ask for a headshot to include in a newsletter or on their website. A polished, professional image is always a good thing to have in your back pocket.

7. A Well-Rounded Gallery is Gold

Let them pick outfits and locations they love—it helps them feel seen and confident. But also sneak in a few timeless, classic shots. You’ll want a few that Grandma can frame and the school can use for formal needs.

8. Graduation Party Invites

Yup, more photo needs! From digital invites to printed displays, senior session photos are perfect for capturing who your child is at this milestone moment.

Now that I’m on the other side of it, my best advice? Plan senior photos early. Not just for the portraits—but for the moments. The ones that pop up when you least expect them. Because before you know it, they’re tossing that cap into the air… and you’re wondering how it all went by so fast.

To the parents of the Class of 2025: savor the ride, prep ahead, and trust me—you’ll thank yourself later when you’re not tearing through your phone at midnight trying to find “that one photo where she’s not making a weird face.”

Cheers to the Class of 2026. You’re next.

Michelle

Photo Shoot Genre: High School Senior

Locations: El Dorado Hills Library & Brown’s Ravine, El Dorado Hills

Specific to shoot: Photos with her dogs, a bunch of flowers, and her best friend, Bella.

On the day prior to our photo shoot, Sarah was involved in a pretty bad car accident while in her vehicle.  She was shaken up pretty badly.  She still wanted to go ahead with the photo shoot as she had been really looking forward to it.  Upon arrival, it was clear that Sarah was still affected by what had happened to her the previous day.

I went ahead with the shoot but promised her that if I felt her images looked too sad, I was going to reschedule.  Can’t have sad senior photos.

Well, I am happy to report that I was able to capture some beautiful images of Sarah. We even caught some final moments with a golden sunset.

Well, you tell me. What do you think? All I see is beautiful girl!