Downtown Columbia Senior Session | Spring Hill, TN Senior Photographer

Senior girl photos in Downtown Franklin

Downtown Columbia never gets old for senior sessions. The textures, the brick, the way late afternoon light hits those old walls โ€” it works every single time, and this session was no exception.

This senior was a dream to photograph. She came ready to just go with it, and that kind of energy makes everything easier. We wandered, we played with light, and found some genuinely fun spots โ€” including a peeling concrete wall that I almost walked past and am so glad I didn’t.

My favorite moments were the ones where she stopped thinking about the camera. The laugh against the texture wall, the eyes-closed shot with the sun on her face, the shadow playing off the concrete behind her โ€” those felt real, and that’s always what I’m going for.

Ready to book your senior session? I’d love to work with you. [Book here] or reach out through the contact page.

A Downtown Columbia Senior Session | Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

Downtown Columbia Senior Portrait Session with an edgier vibe.

I’ll be honestโ€”when I heard about the construction happening in downtown Columbia, I was a little bummed. Some of my favorite go-to spots were temporarily off-limits while the city works on enhancing 16 historic downtown buildings with their improvement grant. I might be the only person who actually loves those abandoned buildings exactly as they are, but I’m hoping they’ll preserve that unique character that makes Columbia so special for portraits.

As it turns out, being forced to explore beyond my usual spots led to something pretty amazing. While wandering around looking for alternatives, I discovered what might actually be my new favorite locationโ€”this incredible old brick wall with ivy cascading down it, and the best part? The sun was positioned perfectly behind it, creating the most gorgeous backlight.

This senior session was the perfect opportunity to test out this new find, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. Columbia has always been one of my favorite portrait locations because it offers something different from downtown Franklin. There’s this edgier, more urban vibe with so many fun textures that come with old buildings.

It was a perfect pick for this senior session, and I absolutely love how it turned out. It was SOOOOO hot outside, but she braved it like a champ, and it’s turned out to be one of my favorite sessions. I hope she loves them as much as I do.

This session was a great reminder that while it’s wonderful to have those tried-and-true favorite spots, there’s so much value in continuing to look around and discover new locations. Even when construI’ll be honestโ€”when I heard about the construction happening in downtown Columbia, I was a little bummed. Some of my favorite go-to spots were temporarily off-limits while the city works on enhancing 16 historic downtown buildings with their improvement grant. I might be the only person who actually loves those abandoned buildings exactly as they are, but I’m hoping they’ll preserve that unique character that makes Columbia so special for portraits.

As it turns out, being forced to explore beyond my usual spots led to something pretty amazing. While wandering around looking for alternatives, I discovered what might actually be my new favorite locationโ€”this incredible old brick wall with ivy cascading down it, and the best part? The sun was positioned perfectly behind it, creating the most gorgeous backlight.

Columbia has always been one of my favorite portrait locations because it offers something different from downtown Franklin. There’s this edgier, more urban vibe with so many fun textures that come with old buildings.

It was a perfect pick for this senior session, and I absolutely love how it turned out. It was SOOOOO hot outside, but she braved it like a champ, and it’s turned out to be one of my favorite sessions. I hope she loves them as much as I do.

This session was a great reminder that while it’s wonderful to have those tried-and-true favorite spots, there’s so much value in continuing to look around and discover new locations. Even when construction temporarily changes your plans, it might just lead you to something even better than what you had before.


Ready to capture your senior year with portraits that reflect your unique personality? I’d love to help you create images you’ll treasure forever. Let’s find the perfect location that speaks to who you are and tells your story.

Downtown Columbia Senior Session | Class of 2025

Downtown Columbia TN Senior Pics - Senior girl browsing records at Variety Record Shop

With graduation parties filling up my calendar these next few weeks, I’ve been thinking about all the parents of this year’s seniors. Last year, I was in your place with my oldest graduating, and I’ll be there again next year with my youngest. It’s definitely an emotional time.

I miss my oldest, but seeing her grow and experience new adventures during her first year of college has been one of the great joys of my life. The next stage is different, but it has its own kind of awesome too.

I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many seniors from the Class of 2025 this year. Each one has their own unique personality and interests, which makes every session different.

This session downtown was particularly fun. When she mentioned wanting photos at Duck River Books and Variety Record Shop, I was immediately on board. Her mom contacted both businesses ahead of time for permission (which I always require when shooting in local businesses), and I’m glad they said yes.

I love how each location showed a different side of her personality. The bookstore had a quieter vibe while the record store brought out more energy. She brought along a favorite book and record to include in her portraits, which I loved. I’m not into elaborate props, but meaningful personal items that tell something about who someone is? Those always make for better photos.

After our indoor locations, we moved outside to capture some portraits at a few of my favorite downtown Columbia spots. The light was perfect, and she moved easily between poses and genuine smiles.

What I appreciated most was how her personality came through in every photo. Whether she was surrounded by books, looking through records, or standing on the downtown streets, she was just being herself.

If you have a senior heading into their final year of high school, I’d love to create a session that captures who they really are at this point in their lives.

Why Downtown Columbia Never Gets Old for Senior Sessions

Senior girl in beautiful flowing pink dress in front of an old white building in Downtown Columbia TN

Iโ€™ve lost count of how many times Iโ€™ve photographed senior sessions in Downtown Columbia, but no matter how many times I return, it never feels the same twice. Thereโ€™s something special about this little downtownโ€”its mix of historic charm, worn brick, and urban textures creates the perfect canvas for any seniorโ€™s personality.

This session was a perfect example of that. As I was shooting, I realized I had placed this senior in some of the same spots Iโ€™ve used beforeโ€”leaning against the same old brick, walking past the same weathered doors, standing in the same golden light. But the vibe? Completely different.

Thatโ€™s what I love about senior photography. The location stays the same, but the energy, the personality, and the story are unique every time. This senior brought her own style, her own confidence, and her own presence, making familiar backdrops feel brand new. One moment, she looked effortlessly elegant in a soft pink dress, the next, she exuded bold confidence in a sleek black outfit. The contrast of styles against Downtown Columbiaโ€™s timeless textures made for such a stunning variety of images.

One of my favorite surprises from this session happened near the green table. Iโ€™ve shot in that exact spot so many times before, but it had never really stood out to me. Then I noticed her fabulous pink shoes and suddenly knewโ€”the colors would be fantastic together. That pop of pink against the bright green brought a whole new life to the space, turning it into one of my favorite shots of the day.

This session also had a special layer of nostalgia for me. Iโ€™ve known this seniorโ€™s mom since my momsโ€™ club days, and she has always been such a kind supporter of my work. As I was preparing this blog post, I realized that I featured a photo of this seniorโ€”when she was just a little girl hugging her brotherโ€”in my 10-year anniversary video. Where does the time go? Itโ€™s such a surreal feeling to look back at that sweet moment from years ago and now see her all grown up, stepping into this exciting new stage of life.

Itโ€™s proof that a great location isnโ€™t just about the buildings or the sceneryโ€”itโ€™s about how a senior makes it their own.

Are you a senior looking for the perfect spot to showcase your personality? Downtown Columbia is always one of my top recommendations. Whether you want something soft and dreamy, bold and confident, or a mix of both, itโ€™s the kind of place that adapts to YOU.

And for a fun throw-back, here is the photo I mentioned from my Anniversary Slideshow, taken in 2016.

A Perfect Senior Session in Downtown Columbia

I am absolutely in love with this senior session! I loved her style and her clothing choices were just fantastic for the location. Her pup was such a trooper and so well-behavedโ€”itโ€™s always a treat to include pets in senior photos, and he was an especially cooperative dog for the entire photo session.

Downtown Columbia is one of my favorite spots to shoot, and this session reminded me why. I just love all the different buildings and textures. I know many of my seniors love Downtown Franklin, and it’s always a great choice, but I personally prefer the slightly edgier look of Columbia.

She wanted photos with her car and had liked the ones I recently took at Columbia Motor Alley. These were probably my favorites of the session, particularly the ones of her just standing in front of the wall of the Motor Alley with the orange light in the background.

Her mom booked a last-minute spot in what I think is the best month of the year for photos. Since she was able to take a weekday slot, we had a prime session during the gorgeous fall light. Weekday sessions after the time change are often a hidden gem for seniorsโ€”especially those who get out early for online classes or study hall. The earlier sunset can be tricky for some, but for those who can make it work, weekday sessions offer beautiful golden-hour light and a little more availability during the busy fall season.

If youโ€™re looking to book a photo session before the end of the year, there are still a few spots left. I’m also offering $50 off sessions in January and February if that works better for you. Just use coupon code “WINTER2025” when booking on my website, or just shoot me an email at crystalfreemonphotography@gmail.com.

If you want to see more sessions and keep up with my latest work, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Senior Guy Session in Downtown Columbia

I had an absolute blast during this senior guy session in downtown Columbia! The historic buildings and unique textures always make it a fun location, but this time, the highlight was definitely the car photos at the end at Columbia Motor Alley. Iโ€™ll admit, I didnโ€™t even know exactly what Columbia Motor Alley was before the shoot, but I had passed by it a few times and thought it was a stunning building. When this senior told me he wanted shots with his car, I knew it would be the perfect backdrop.

We ended up parking in front of the building, as it was closed, and made sure not to touch anythingโ€”just a few photos with the car against this cool backdrop. I had hoped this wasn’t a problem for them, but no one was there to ask to make sure. Later, I found their Instagram and was relieved to see they encourage people to tag them in photos.

After doing some more research, I discovered that Columbia Motor Alley is a passion project by Mike Wolfe from American Pickers. The building was originally a 1947 Chevrolet dealership, and now itโ€™s part of a historic preservation project. On their website, I found this amazing statement that really resonated with me: “Mike’s love of transportation history and historic preservation comes together in Columbia Motor Alley… We hope this passion project inspires others to look at these forgotten places and imagine what they could be again.”

I’ve always been fascinated by forgotten places as well, so I just love that.

If youโ€™re into vintage photos and historical preservation, I highly recommend checking them out. I know Iโ€™ll be going back to Columbia Motor Alley againโ€”hopefully during the daytime!

Thanks for checking out this awesome senior session in downtown Columbia! If you’re interested in booking your own unique session, I’d love to chat with you about capturing your story. You can find more of my work and get in touch through my Instagram and Facebook. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Family of Five Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful family of five in Downtown Columbia. Having done more nature-themed locations in the past, they were excited to try something new, and Downtown Columbiaโ€™s charming textures and old buildings provided the perfect backdrop.

We had rescheduled the session once due to rain, and even though it sprinkled a little on the day of the shoot, we went ahead and made it work. I always offer flexibility with rescheduling for my clients, as weather in Tennessee can be unpredictable. Some prefer to wait until the last minute to decide, while others like to plan in advanceโ€”both approaches work for me! I also leave it up to my clients to decide how comfortable they are with the weather. Some are ready to grab clear umbrellas and embrace the moment, while others would rather wait for a clear day, and thatโ€™s completely understandable.

This session turned out beautifully, and I love how their choice of location brought something new and fresh to their family photos.

If you’re interested in booking a session with me, you can reach out here. Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook for more family sessions and updates!

A Downtown Columbia Senior Girl Portrait Session

Senior girl portrait session in downtown Columbia with Crystal Freemon Photography

In the heart of downtown Columbia, I recently had the pleasure of photographing a senior girl whom I’ve known since she was about three years old. When I look at her now, it’s hard not to picture that sweet preschooler on the soccer field. It’s truly a joy to be able to capture this time for her and her family.

One aspect I’ve always cherished about senior sessions is the chance to connect with these young minds, full of dreams and aspirations. It used to be my routine to ask about their plans for the future, a conversation starter that often led to exciting discussions about college, careers, and the adventures awaiting them.

However, life has a way of shifting perspectives, and as a senior parent myself now, I’ve come to realize the immense pressure our youth face in making these decisions. The stress of choosing the right path can be overwhelming, and it’s something I no longer casually inquire about.

Navigating the future can be daunting. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer or perfect path. To the seniors I once asked about future plans, I now understand the immense pressure and apologize for being yet another adult expecting you to have all the answers.

Standing on the brink of a new chapter, I hope they are able to take a moment, breathe, and appreciate the journey. That is easier said than done, I know. I wish I could ease the stress and assure them they’ll be alright. There’s no single best path, college, or career choice. It’s essential to keep in mind that the journey may not be linear, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out.

As the holiday season approaches, I want to let you know that I still have ONE MORE opening for my Santa Mini Sessions on November 19th. Itโ€™s the perfect opportunity to capture some magical moments with Nashville Santa, and the photos are perfect for Holiday Cards.

Senior Session in Downtown Columbia – Puppy Included!

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Senior Photos in Downtown Columbia TN

Senior guy photos in Downtown Columbia Tennessee

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Downtown Columbia Family Photo Session

Family of 4 portrait session with Crystal Freemon Photography in Downtown Columbia

I just love this family portrait session in Downtown Columbia with one of my oldest and dearest clients. That’s not a surprise though because this family is always without fail one of my favorite sessions of the year. These kiddos bring an energy that I just adore, and we always have fun.

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Family of Four Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

Downtown Columbia Photo Session with Crystal Freemon Photography

It was so good to see this family again, after our last family photo session four or five years ago. These twin sisters were so easy to photograph. The family wanted a more urban setting for their session, so we chose to meet in Downtown Columbia.

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Fun Family Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

Sweet portrait of brother and sister at family photo session in Downtown Columbia TN

I’m so in love with this family portrait session in downtown Columbia, and it makes me feel like I’ve made a horrible mistake. You see, I love taking pictures around the square in Columbia. It’s never crowded and it has some of the best old abandoned buildings that have beautiful texture and great light.

But I’ve only ever recommended it for Senior sessions. I’ve hesitated to use a downtown setting for my littlest clients because of the streets and traffic. I love to capture children running and playing. So I usually suggest the parks for them so that they have more space to run free.

But when I was chatting with this client about choosing a location, she said that “outdoorsy” settings didn’t feel like a great fit for their family. And above everything else, I want a client’s session to feel authentic to who they are and reflect their personalities. She also said the kids were likely to want to stay pretty close to mom and dad at a session. So I suggested we give downtown Columbia a try.

And I am SOOOOOO glad. I love them, and I hope she does too. These two sweet kids were FANTASTIC. The family was the kind that I immediately felt connected to and loved photographing.

When dad asked if I would take photographs of them getting ice cream at Hattie Jane’s Creamery at the end of the photo session, I thought that was a fantastic idea! Who doesn’t love photos of adorable kids eating delicious ice cream?

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or toย book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Senior Pics in Downtown Columbia

Downtown Columbia Senior Pics for Summit High School Student

I so enjoyed getting to know Kate and her mom during this downtown Columbia Senior Portrait Session on Sunday. I feel like her mom and I should have known each other already as it seems we have been on the edge of each other’s circles for years.

Downtown Columbia has become one of my favorite spots for Senior Pictures. There are just so many fun walls and textures, which is what Kate was looking for in her photos. Downtown Franklin is another fun spot for a downtown look but is often more crowded.

If you need me, I’ll be editing. It’s the busy season. โค

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or toย book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Fun Teen Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

Teen Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

OK I know I’ve chosen too many preview pictures for this fun teen photo session in Downtown Columbia. Narrowing down my selection is never something I excel at and it’s even worse when it’s for the child of one of my best friends who I’ve known for most of their life.

I’ve found that parents typically have a big gap in photos of their kids when it comes to the teen years. We take lots of photos of our little ones, but it gets so much harder as they age. For one thing, teens can be very reluctant to let their parents take everyday pictures of them. But here is a secret: getting dressed up and having a professional photographer take photos of you and your friends is much more enticing than letting mom and dad do it.

(Full disclosure: My own teens usually do NOT want me to take their photos, but I’ve never had any trouble with other people’s teens. Go figure.)

I am so pleased with how these turned out. Michelle suggested the session as a way to celebrate Sam’s 15th birthday. Sam was given the freedom to decide what to wear and what friends to include in the session. I love photographing friendships at any age and loved watching the group interact with each other. We really had a great time roaming around Downtown Columbia. I hope Sam loves the photos as much as I do.

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. See my website for more information or to book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Behind-the-Scenes: Senior Pics in Downtown Columbia

Behind the Scenes Senior Pictures in Downtown Columbia TN

It’s always a special treat to photograph Senior Pictures for a family I’ve known forever. So I was really excited when my old friend Ellen booked me for her son Will’s Senior Portrait Session. She wasn’t sure where they wanted to take the pictures but said they loved textures and cool walls. After some discussion, we settled on Downtown Columbia, which is one of my favorites that few people ever pick.

While I was shooting, I didn’t realize that Ellen was taking a few photos of me. She shared them with me, so I thought it might be fun to show you a behind-the-scenes view of a portrait session by sharing her pics side by side with the ones I was taking when she captured me.

I discovered the backside of this strip of buildings the last time I shot in Columbia & wanted to shoot there again. The sky was pretty cool so I got some close-up shots and some wide-angle views. This is not an angle I would use for a grown person, but these young kids can handle it.
I love this big textured wall in Downtown Columbia but wish there weren’t parking spaces right in front of it. It’s a really cool spot to capture a lot of different angles.
I once took photos of a guitar player in front of Variety Record Shop. Since Will plays the Trumpet, I thought it would be fun to photograph him there too.
I just loved how the brown door, trim, and bricks worked with what Will was wearing, and his red hair. The colors were fantastic. Also, you’ll notice I did not include any black & white images in this blog preview. I just couldn’t do it. The colors were too perfect.
This photo, in particular, did a great job of showing how the beauty of a session location really is in the eye of the photographer. This was literally some back alley construction site with garbage all around. But the texture of the stack of bricks, the stone and brick walls, and the ivy growing in the background got my attention. And I thought the colors worked great.
I’m a little obsessed with chasing the sun.
Here we were joking about all the positions photographers find themselves in and how I’m often literally rolling around in the mud. Anything for the shot. It’s a lot more tiring with little kids I’m trying to chase and then diving to the ground. At least the teens follow directions.

I made Will play for me while taking these because authenticity is key. It felt like we were on Bourbon Street. I got a sneak peek of the theme for the Summit High School Marching Band show for this year. I’m not going to give it away, but I am STOKED. I can’t wait to see them perform.

And then here are a few more I don’t have behind-the-scenes shots of, because I am horrible at narrowing down my favorites from a session. Especially one I really enjoyed, like this one.

Thanks so much to Ellen for sharing these pictures with me so I could share a behind-the-scenes perspective of a photo session.

Looking for a photographer in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee? I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or toย book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Senior Pictures in Downtown Columbia

Senior Pictures in Downtown Columbia

๐ŸŽ“ I can’t believe I’m already shooting Hadley’s senior pictures. I became friends with Hadley’s mom, Shannon, back in my years in the Spring Hill MOMS Club when Hadley was just a little girl. I later went on to serve on the Elementary School PTO with Shannon. All of those things seem very recent, so it doesn’t seem feasible that Hadley will graduate from Summit High School this weekend and will be off to Sewanee this fall. I can’t wait to hear about her adventures there and where life will take her.

Hadley wasn’t sure where she wanted her Senior Pictures taken, so I suggested Downtown Columbia. I think Downtown Columbia is often overlooked as a photo location, in favor of Franklin. But both towns have a ton of great brickwork and architecture that I love for Senior Photos. The advantage of Columbia is that it’s often less crowded.

To Hadley & all of the Class of 2021 – congratulations to you all. May your week be filled with wonderful celebrations and memories that will last a lifetime.

I am a photographer serving families in Spring Hill, Franklin, and Columbia in Middle Tennessee. I photograph families at all stages, from newborns to seniors. Seeย my websiteย for more information or toย book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you would consider following me onย Facebookย and/orย Instagram.

Downtown columbia tn senior guy portrait session

I can’t believe that once upon a time, I thought I would hate senior sessions. When I first started in photography, families and young children were definitely my comfort zone. But with some encouragement from friends, I gave senior sessions a try and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed them.  It’s so fun to get to know these young people, and also to try to capture their personalities and passions in photographs.  I just love that Dylan brought his guitar to this session, and my favorite photos from it are ones where he is playing. 

I also love the ability to get creative with backgrounds and lighting. I can do that to some extent with younger kids, but they just don’t stand in one place for long.  I love the look and variety of downtown sessions, but don’t recommend them for my young clients because it’s not a safe space for them to roam and explore freely. But with seniors, it’s just perfect. Downtown Franklin is great, but I also have grown to love shooting in downtown Columbia.  It was just the perfect weather and perfect location to commemorate Dylan’s senior year.