Senior portraits at Taco Bell? Si, con queso!

Brittany Creech at Taco Bell. Photo by Brendan Batchelor Photography.

As Lake Highlands High School seniors prepare for the excitement of their final year as Wildcats, one internet story has them asking, “would I do that?”

The article, in St. Louis Magazine by Missouri’s most fascinating journalist (okay, she’s my daughter, Lindsay), is about Brittany Creech, who chose to have her senior pictures taken at her local Taco Bell. No, we’re not talking about selfies with her buddies or pics of her hamming-it-up while eating a triple steak burrito. These are beautiful, professionally-taken senior portraits.

Brittany’s story and photos have been published all over the internet and in newspapers around the world.

“Yeah, I did see those pictures all over Twitter and she seems to have a big following,” says Casey Flinn, a rising senior at LHHS. “I don’t think I would take my real senior pictures at Taco Bell, but I wouldn’t mind taking them somewhere crazy like that, just to be funny, along with taking them somewhere else, too.”

Laney Norris, who’ll return to the Lady Wildcat soccer team in the fall, isn’t so sure.

“I wouldn’t want to stand out,” said Laney, “I don’t think I would want the public attention.” Laney says she’ll likely take her senior photos outdoors in the fall when background scenery is more lush and green than brown and crispy.

Carol Cabaniss, mom of senior Peyton, says students at Lake Highlands begin taking their senior pics in the summer and continue all year long.

I asked if she would allow her kids to have their pics taken at Taco Bell, or a similar high school hangout?

“I would, to a certain extent,” says Carol. “The pictures should reflect who they are and their personality. I’m sure I would ask if they could also do something traditional. Most portrait sessions utilize different locations. I love to see the funky, urban sites as much as I do the pictures of the girls in the grassy fields.”

Peyton recently had her photos done at a nature preserve area, and she took a few near some historical buildings in Frisco.

Photographer Dawn Attebery, owner of Studio You, agrees.

“Most LH seniors I’ve worked with want outdoor portraits. If the parents are OK with it, though, and there are no safety concerns, I’d certainly consider taking senior portraits at a ‘crazy’ sort of place. I’d be sure to get permission from the establishment’s owner first, since it is private property.

“These sorts of shots might be great as part of an album, but I can’t see Mom and Dad wanting a large wall portrait of their senior sitting in a Taco Bell, if you know what I mean. But I love photographing at places that are meaningful to the seniors, so I’d be totally open to it as part of the overall package.”

Wildcat cheerleader Lizzie Bonahoom says she’s not biting.

“I’d never in a million years take my own senior pictures at a Taco Bell, although I do think it’s pretty cool that the girl’s senior pics got so much attention.”

Lizzie says she did hear about a recent Conroe, Texas boy who had his photos done at his neighborhood Whataburger, but she hopes to have hers taken in Bishop Arts or Deep Ellum.

Thinking again and raising a smile, Lizzie adds, “but if taking my pictures at Chik-fil-A could get me free chicken nuggets for life, I might reconsider.”