My Approach
Senior portraits as unique as you are.
Senior portraits are more than a graduation tradition — they're a document of who you are at this exact moment in your life. The version of you that exists right now, on the edge of everything that comes next, is worth capturing well. These are the images that show up on Senior Sunday, get framed for the mantle, and resurface at every reunion for the rest of your life.
That’s why your portraits should look like you — not like everyone else's.
I'm Jason Glerum, a Grand Rapids portrait photographer specializing in personalized senior portraits across West Michigan — including Grandville, East Grand Rapids, Jenison, Hudsonville, Byron Center, Caledonia, Forest Hills, and Holland, among other communities throughout the region. Don’t see your town listed? Just reach out — I’d love to hear about your session. My approach starts with a conversation — about who you are, what you love, where you want to go. From there we build a session around you: your style, your passions, the locations that mean something. Whether that's downtown Grand Rapids, the lakeshore dunes, a sunflower field, a theater stage, or somewhere only you would think of — we'll find it.
A Session Built Around You
Senior portraits aren't a one-size-fits-all experience. Athletes, musicians, artists, dancers, scholars, adventurers — I've photographed them all, and no two sessions are exactly alike. That's the point. Before we ever pick up a camera, we'll meet to talk through your vision: your outfits, your interests, your ideas. The more you bring to that conversation, the more your portraits will feel like you. Curious what this looks like in practice? Here’s an example of a session built to make your portraits yours.
Locations that Fit Your Vision
Grand Rapids and the surrounding area offer incredible variety for senior portraits. Some favorites:
Downtown Grand Rapids — urban backdrops, brick walls, industrial textures, and the energy of the city. Michigan's lakeshore — dunes, open water, and golden hour light that can't be replicated anywhere else. Parks and natural areas throughout Kent County — fields, forests, and fall color that make West Michigan one of the most beautiful places to photograph. I regularly photograph outdoor senior sessions in East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Ada as well. Your own backyard, your school, your favorite place — if it matters to you, it's worth considering.
→ See The Best Locations for Senior Portraits in West Michigan for more location suggestions and examples.
→ Not sure what to wear? See What to Wear for Your Session for ideas and inspiration.
→ For a lakeshore example, see a recent Grand Haven senior session.
Relational and Low-Pressure
Every senior session begins with a pre-session consultation so that we can get to know each other a bit. If the first time you’re meeting your photographer is the day of the session, you don’t have a sense of who they are or if you feel comfortable with them. Meeting ahead of time takes the edge off and allows for quicker relaxation on the day of the session.
On the day of your session, I'll guide you through the process in a relaxed, no-pressure environment — most seniors are nervous at first, and that's completely normal. You'll be surprised how quickly you settle in. I share images with you throughout the session so you can see how great things are looking in real time.
→ See the full What to Expect page for more detail on the process from start to finish.
See the Work
Every senior is different, and I think the galleries should reflect that. Browse below and you'll find athletes and artists, adventurers and performers, lakeshore sessions and downtown shoots — seniors from Grand Rapids, Grandville, Jenison, Hudsonville, Forest Hills, and communities across West Michigan. If you see a style or location that speaks to you, bring it to our consultation. If you have something completely different in mind, even better.
Ready to Get Started?
Senior portrait sessions book up quickly — especially late summer and fall, when the light is golden, the lakeshore is at its best, and West Michigan's fall color is at its peak. I take a limited number of senior sessions each year to make sure every senior gets my full attention and a session that's truly built around them.
Reach out today and let's start the conversation. Tell me a little about your senior — their interests, their style, the kind of session they're imagining — and we'll figure out the rest together.
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