Recently, we took our exchange student to the Mall of America—a must-see Midwest landmark that’s more than just a shopping mall. While most visitors come for the sheer size, the roller coasters, and the endless shopping, I see it as something else—a massive research lab for high school senior photography trends and client experience strategies.

Everywhere I look, there’s inspiration. Marketing firms pour millions into understanding what Gen Z wants, and lucky for us, they do all the heavy lifting. I just take notes.

People Will Travel for a Great Experience

We drove four hours and spent the entire weekend at the Mall of America—not because they have stores we can’t find closer to home, but because the experience is different. The Mall of America isn’t just a place to shop—it’s a destination. It makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger.

Lesson for Us as Photographers? If you create a powerful experience, people will travel for it and invest in it. Seniors (and their parents) don’t just want photos—they want a memorable experience that feels exclusive, exciting, and different from what everyone else is doing. What are you doing to make your sessions stand out?

Genius Marketing: The LEGO Bag 

The Lego Store at the Mall of America is always impressive, with massive Lego sculptures that stop people in their tracks. But what really caught my attention was something deceptively simple: the bright yellow Lego shopping bag.

When you make a purchase, you walk out with a bold, can’t-miss-it bag that instantly stands out in the sea of visuals at the mall. The first time someone approached us and asked, “Hey, where’s the Lego Store?” I was confused—until I realized I was carrying the walking advertisement in my hand.

Lesson for Us as Photographers? Branding matters. The way we package our products, from the way albums are delivered to the way we showcase our work online, should make people stop and ask, ‘Where did you get that?’ Free advertising is powerful when done right.

Multi-Floor M&M Madness 

The three-story M&M Store didn’t disappoint either. It’s wild to think that a single candy brand could command that much attention—but they do, because they’ve created a full-blown brand experience.

Inside, you can fill a bag with any color M&Ms you want, buying them by the pound, plus browse M&M-branded everything—from clothing to kitchen accessories. It’s not just a store; it’s a destination that attracts people purely because of its branding and immersive experience.

Lesson for Us as Photographers? What are we doing to create an immersive brand experience? Are we giving clients something unique they can’t wait to share? Whether it’s the way we deliver prints, the presentation of a gallery reveal, or how we make clients feel during a session, we should aim to create an experience people can’t stop talking about.

Photography Trends 

I always check out the store marketing images. What styles are Free People and Hollister using? What are Sephora and MAC pushing in makeup trends? What colors and textures are popping up in spring fashion? All of this translates into what seniors will be drawn to for their sessions—posing, styling, editing trends, and even how I design templates and graphics.

The Full Experience – It’s not just the visuals. I take in the music playing, the scents pumped into the air, and how brands create an immersive experience. Walking into Abercrombie feels different than stepping into Lululemon or Urban Outfitters. Even their packaging choices are strategic. The way employees greet customers, the perks they offer, the psychology behind sales and promotions—it’s all data we can use in our own businesses to attract the same target market.

I had a big smile on my face when I saw this image on display, as I've done similar poses with my seniors.

My senior poses that are similar to the display image...

Remember that your clients are constantly exposed to high-end imagery from major brands, shaping their perception of what looks good—even if they don’t realize it. When you use strong lighting and dynamic posing techniques, your work will naturally resonate with them, making your images feel polished and professional. If you ever struggle with posing or want to level up your skills, check out my Ultimate Posing Pack—it’s designed to help you create confident, natural, and on-trend poses that clients will love! Plus, it includes a posing app with over 350 poses, so you will always have endless poses in your pocket!

Exclusivity Sells 

At Lindt Chocolate, we stopped for a free sample—something I always appreciate—but what really hooked us? They had exclusive flavors you could only get at that store. The second I heard “only available here,” my brain flipped into must-buy mode, and $40 later, we walked out with a bag full of chocolates we never planned to buy. We obsessed over the tiramisu flavor and wish we had gotten more! 

Lesson for Us as Photographers? People crave exclusivity. They want something they can’t get anywhere else. That’s why I offer Limited Edition sessions—unique themes, locations, or styling that are available for a short time only. And that’s also why I’ve developed a photography style that’s uniquely mine—if clients want my signature look, they have to book with me. Just like Lindt’s exclusive flavors, creating something rare or one-of-a-kind drives demand.

Listen to Sell

I had been looking for new hiking shoes and stopped into a couple of stores. In the first store, the salesperson barely acknowledged me, didn’t ask any questions, and just let me wander. I walked out without buying anything.

Then I went to another store, and the experience was completely different. A friendly salesperson greeted me, listened to my needs, asked what I was looking for, how I’d be using the shoes, and then guided me through the process. Because she helped me make an informed decision, I bought the shoes right then and there.

Lesson for Us as Photographers? Clients don’t always know what they need—they just know they want something special. It’s our job to ask the right questions and guide them to the best products for them—whether that’s a statement piece of wall art, a custom album, or gift prints for family. If we just sit back and let them wander through pricing lists with no direction, they’ll leave feeling overwhelmed (and might not buy at all). But when we listen, educate, and offer solutions, we help them walk away with something they truly love.

Small Details Make a Huge Impact

We ended the day with a meal at Crave, where they brought out warm lavender towels shortly after seating. I’ve experienced this high-end treatment at resorts in Mexico or on a plane, but here? Unexpected, memorable, and so refreshing after a day of shopping. A small, thoughtful touch that elevated the entire dining experience. A great reminder: Little details make a lasting impression. What’s the warm lavender towel moment in your client experience?

The Mall of America is more than just a shopping center—it’s a blueprint for how to engage, attract, and convert a Gen Z audience while also mastering the art of client service. And the best part? We get to borrow from their billion-dollar playbook for free.

So, ask yourself:

Are you creating an experience worth traveling for?

Are you making your brand stand out like a bright yellow Lego bag?

Are you creating images that align with what your clients are seeing from leading brands?

If not, I encourage you to research the brands and influencers that align with those your clients are purchasing from to stay on top of your game. You don't need to visit a mega mall; just explore the brands online and their social media accounts for a wealth of information.

Until next time, keep your eyes open—there’s marketing inspiration everywhere.

Create-Smile-Repeat,

Dan Frievalt M.Photog, M.Artist, Cr.