It was a gorgeous evening in downtown Franklin for this senior portrait session. This really is my favorite time of the year and I love spending it getting to know new clients. My only complaint is that because editing takes so long, I can’t schedule as many clients as I would like.
I do have a few mini-session spots open if you are looking for a fall session. There are also a few spots left for Santa photos.
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 book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.
Sometimes I have moms who are booking senior photo sessions for their teens who ask if I could also get photographs of the entire family. It’s often the case that we schedule lots of photo sessions when our kids are little, but that gets harder to do as they get older. I am absolutely happy to combine a senior and family session.
My portrait sessions are about an hour long, and we can focus that hour on whatever best fits your needs. Some parents just want a quick family shot with the majority of the session focused on the senior. Others prefer a more even split between a family session and a senior session.
I find that particularly when all the subjects are older, with no very young children to manage, a one-hour session gives plenty of time to get a wide variety of shots. A combination session works particularly well when perhaps your senior isn’t super excited about photos and is willing to share the time.
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 book a session from my online calendar. I would love it if you considered following me on Facebook and/or Instagram.
I really love photographing senior portrait sessions in downtown Columbia. There are so many fun buildings and textures, and it’s generally less crowded than downtown Franklin. It was thankfully much warmer than my maternity photo session on Friday. It was a beautiful afternoon getting to know Ethan and his mom.
While we were walking around taking photos, I was saying that I really need to explore more of the fun restaurants in Columbia. What are some of your favorites?
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.
This was a really fun senior photo session in Downtown Franklin. I wasn’t sure if we were going to get rained out. But by afternoon, the clouds cleared out and the weather was pretty near perfect.
Hi! It’s me. Your local Spring Hill photographer. I’m still editing. Check out this fun Senior Portrait Session in Downtown Franklin, TN. If you need me, I’m still editing. Or maybe shooting.
I would love it if you could follow me on Instagram. That’s a great place to keep up to date on future openings. Also, you can book a session directly from my online booking calendar, or contact me if you have questions.
Makayla and her family were visiting family from Michigan and wanted to have senior portraits made while they were in town. Makayla couldn’t decide if she preferred having her pictures taken in downtown Franklin or at the Park of Harlinsdale Farms, so we made both happen!
I have always been sure that the most important subjects in my photos are the people. That is why I don’t tend to use a lot of props with my photography (unless they have some kind of emotional connection). However, I also strongly feel that place is important too. I love including places that have special meaning to a family. Kaelan’s family owns the Franklin Mercantile Deli so she has spent her entire life in the area. She went to preschool at the church down the street, worked at the family restaurant, and even attended music classes in the area.
I love shooting senior portrait sessions in Downtown Franklin generally, but having such a personal connection to the location makes it even more beautiful to me. I loved getting to know Kaelan and her family. She was so photogenic and a joy to be around, not to mention gorgeous.
Kaelan attended Independence High School. I understand that they are attempting to have a graduation ceremony at the end of June. I really hope that these kids are able to safely celebrate their achievements.
I really can’t imagine what it must be like to be a senior during this pandemic. My heart breaks for them and all the experiences they have missed out on. Those lost memories are not trivial things. My sincere hope for the class of 2020 is that they are able to find some happiness in their day to day lives while maintaining hope for the future. I am confident that these young men and women will become the most resilient and resourceful generation yet. I have great confidence in them and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.
There are sooooo many things that go into creating photos at a portrait session. Equipment is just a very small part of that. I always hesitate a little to share too much about what equipment I use, but beginning photographers can put too much stock into that, thinking if they go out and buy the right thing, that their photos will look like they want, which is not at all the case.
With that being said, what equipment a photographer uses, and in particular what kind of lenses, does really contribute to her overall style. So I thought I’d take a moment to tell you about my favorite lens.
There are two main types of lenses: zoom lenses and prime lenses. If you have a entry level DSLR, then the lens that came with it (which we often refer to as the “kit lens”) is probably a zoom lens.
Zoom lenses provide ease in mobility…you can zoom in and out from where you stand. Prime lenses do not zoom to move in and out – you have to move your feet. However, the benefit in using this type of lens is that a detailed and sharper image is produced. The focus is quicker with this type of lens and will allow more light in your camera.
Why I love my 85 mm 1.8
I absolutely love the creamy backgrounds I can get with this lens. It’s super sharp, fast, and the 85 mm focal length is perfect for flattering portraits.
Why it doesn’t stay on my lens all the time
If you’ve had a portrait session with me, you’ll notice that I switch lenses A LOT. That’s because I do generally only photograph with prime lenses. If I’m shooting with my 85 mm, and your toddler comes to close to me, then I’ll be photographing their nose hairs and not much else. I can’t zoom out with my lens, since it’s not a zoom lens. So I either have to back up, or switch lenses. Also, I want to give you a variety of images for your gallery so I don’t always use the same lens. For example, if I want a wide photograph that takes in the entire scene, I’ll switch to my 20 mm lens that will include a lot more of the background in the photo than my 85 mm would. Here is are two photos taken from relatively the same spot.
The first is with my 85 mm and the second is with my 20 mm. You can clearly see the difference. Notice how with the 20 mm, you can see a wide view of the town in the background that you can’t see with the 85mm. I also stepped a lot closer to Gabe to get the second shot with the 20 mm lens.
85 mm Lens20 mm Lens
A suggestion for new photographers:
My 85 mm is by far not the most expensive lens out there, but it isn’t the cheapest either, and not what I recommend (yet) for those trying to learn photographer. But I DO usually recommend that new photographers consider a prime lens. But instead of an 85 mm, i recommend the much less expensive, 50 mm (sometimes called a “nifty 50” or a 35 mm. Either of these will be a good overall lens that will perform way better in lower light than your kit lens. Are you into photography? What’s your favorite lens? If you are interested in learning more about photography, ask me about my photography workshop for moms.
Gabe’s Senior Portrait Session
One thing I love about shooting Senior Portrait sessions, is that I am able to use my favorite 85 mm lens a lot more than I can at a family session with little kids, because I have more control over my subjects, who generally stand where I tell them to (unlike an energetic two year old.) I also love that Senior Sessions allow me to play with creative backgrounds and framing more than I typically can with younger kids.
I have to brag a little on the guys I’ve photographed lately for Senior photos. They’ve done an amazing job, Gabe included. It’s no secret that the guys are normally having these photos done just because mama wants them, but that hasn’t stopped the guys I’ve photographed lately from doing a fabulous job. Their mama’s should be very happy & proud of their young men.
