Tag: Class of 2025

Senior Guy Session at McEwan Northside | Franklin TN Senior Photographer

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Senior Guy Session at McEwan Northside Jenis Ice Cream

I absolutely love when seniors choose locations that actually mean something to them, and this session at McEwan Northside in Franklin was exactly that. When I learned this was where he and his friends hang out after school – especially at Jeni’s Ice Cream – I knew we’d capture something authentic.

I’d never shot at McEwan Northside before, but I knew it would work beautifully. I’m always up for considering a new location when clients suggest it, but I do sometimes worry if the lighting will be OK. But I knew this location had lots of taller buildings, creating open shade and opportunities for the sun to peek around corners or reflect off windows. I could already envision the variety of lighting we’d get to play with.

This place is a photographer’s playground – modern architecture with clean lines, vibrant murals that add instant personality to any shot, and thoughtful landscaping that softens all those urban edges. The only real challenge was trying to focus while the smell of North Italia’s kitchen kept wafting over. I’m definitely planning a dinner date there soon because those aromas were torture!

We centered several shots around Jeni’s since that’s where he spends the most time, and I couldn’t help but get excited at how perfectly his Tennessee orange coordinated with their branding. The murals were another unexpected bonus – that vibrant artwork gave us such dynamic backgrounds to work with.

There’s something about photographing someone in their element that just works. The modern vibe of McEwan Northside paired with the golden hour light created exactly the look we were going for. Between the architecture, the murals, and that perfect afternoon light, these images were so much fun to create.

I’m already excited to come back to McEwan Northside with future clients. It’s got everything I look for in an urban session spot, plus that bonus of actually meaning something to the local seniors who spend time there.

Ready to book your senior session at a location that’s meaningful to you? I’d love to capture your story! Contact me to get started.

Downtown Columbia Senior Session | Class of 2025

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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.

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

Winstead Hill Senior Session & Best Timing for Senior Pictures

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Senior portraits at Winstead Hill park in Franklin TN

Well it’s been a crazy weather week in Middle Tennessee. This was actually the second session in just a few days where we had to navigate around rain clouds, but I’m so glad we persisted. One of the things I enjoy most about photographing seniors is getting to know these teens as individuals. This particular session was special because we incorporated this senior’s love of reading and the outdoors. Including his favorite book in the photos added a personal touch, and as a book lover myself, it’s one of my favorite props to include in sessions. Despite the weather challenges, we found breaks in the rain to create some great shots in the natural setting he was hoping for.

Timing Options for Senior Portraits

As the Class of 2025 begins their last few weeks of school, this seems like a good time to address questions about senior portrait timing. There’s no single “best” season—each time of year offers different advantages depending on your senior’s schedule and preferences.

Summer

Summer sessions offer a wonderfully low-stress option before the whirlwind of senior year activities begins. With more flexible schedules, we can easily work around family vacations and summer jobs. Plus, that summer glow can make for radiant portraits! Don’t let concerns about heat deter you—early mornings or evenings provide beautiful light and comfortable temperatures.

Fall

The rich colors of autumn create a stunning backdrop, which is why fall becomes my busiest season. If you’re dreaming of those golden-hour portraits with colorful leaves, book well in advance! These slots fill quickly every year, sometimes months ahead.

Winter

Winter sessions yield some of my most unique and striking senior portraits. The dramatic bare trees and soft, diffused winter light can create distinctive, striking images. Success with winter sessions comes down to flexibility—we may need to reschedule if temperatures drop too low, but the results are worth the extra coordination.

Spring

There’s something poetic about spring sessions that capture seniors right on the cusp of graduation. The blooming flowers and fresh greenery symbolize new beginnings perfectly. However, this time of year often coincides with the peak of senior activities, sports competitions, and academic commitments, which can make scheduling and potential reschedules more challenging. That said, for athletes with fall or winter seasons or students with particularly demanding extracurricular schedules, spring might be the only practical option.

Consider All Options

Many people rule out winter and summer because of weather concerns, but I encourage you to consider these seasons as they might be less stressful and perfect for your senior’s schedule. Any time can work great depending on your specific situation.

What matters most is capturing this milestone authentically, regardless of the season. Sometimes the less obvious choice ends up being the best fit for your senior’s schedule and personality.

Just like this week’s session that worked out despite weather challenges, flexibility often leads to great results.

Chasing Light at a Senior Portrait Session in Franklin TN

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I just love how this senior session turned out! We started at the creek, where the weather was absolutely perfect for August—breezy and not too hot. Later, we headed over to Eastern Flank Battlefield in Franklin, which offered a stunning backdrop as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

One of the things I love most about being a photographer is how it pushes you to truly appreciate light. We, natural light photographers, often refer to ourselves as light chasers. But no matter how carefully we plan our sessions around the magic hour, we’re still at the mercy of what nature gives us. When the sun plays along just right, it’s such an exciting experience!

And speaking of perfect light, this senior absolutely nailed her session. It was such a joy getting to know her and capturing these beautiful moments.

Ready to Capture Your Senior Moments?

If you’re looking to create your own unforgettable senior session, I’d love to work with you!

Click here to view my calendar and book your session. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more of my latest work and updates.

Let’s create something beautiful together!

Senior Session in Downtown Franklin: Perfect Summer Memories

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I recently had the pleasure of photographing a senior session for the son of an old friend from college. It was great to catch up and create these special memories. Since he attends Franklin High School, downtown Franklin, his stomping grounds, was the perfect backdrop for his senior photos. Summer is an ideal time for senior sessions, offering a relaxed setting before the whirlwind of senior year begins.

Are you 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.

Senior Guy Session at Pinkerton Park – Session Locations through the eyes of a photographer

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Senior Guy Session at Pinkerton Park by Crystal Freemon Photography

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a senior guy session at Pinkerton Park, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. This location was a fantastic choice for senior photos. For me, the most important elements of a photo session location are good lighting and variety, and this location has both. Plus, it’s great to have some updated examples of this location for future clients to reference.

I think what a photographer sees when considering a portrait session location is different from what other people see, so I thought I would outline what I like about this location and the kind of things I’m looking for in great portrait spots.

Simple Greenery with Sun Coming Through The Trees

Lighting is one of my favorite elements in a session location, and I’m always looking for places where the sun is shining through the trees. There are several of these spots at Pinkerton. The first is just the entrance to a trail. It’s simple and probably nothing you would think of as particularly interesting, but I love the way the light comes through at this time of day. A little ways up the trail is another area with tall weeds that are fun to shoot through, creating texture and variety, again with lovely light coming through the trees. This area is pretty shaded, which is important for the early part of a session while the sun is still higher in the sky. We don’t want harsh lighting for the portraits, so I look for shaded areas in the beginning.

Graffiti Overpass by the Creek

One of my favorite spots at Pinkerton Park is the area near the creek, where the overpass is covered in vibrant graffiti. This setting is particularly fun for senior sessions, adding a touch of grunge to the photos. Standing just at the edge of the overpass gives some really nice lighting. Inside the underpass, the lighting is more challenging, but it’s worth it to capture some of the graffiti and the structure itself. Again, this is not a place you’d consider beautiful by any means. And I will also admit that I have to edit out some less-than-desirable graffiti. Down by the creek, the lighting is better and there is more fun graffiti. I also like the texture the rocks add in that spot.

Senior Guy Session at Pinkerton Park by Crystal Freemon Photography

Natural Beauty in the Trees

For these first photos, I just had my senior sit on a stool off the path because I liked the lighting. These are super simple with just greenery for the backdrop, but it makes the senior the focus, which is really what I like. There is another shaded area at the back of the park with some nice trees, and an area where the light coming through the trees makes a kind of arch for a little bit of natural framing.

Perfect Lighting on the Bridge

The bridge at Pinkerton Park is another fantastic spot, especially as the sun begins to set. I like to end sessions on the bridge as the sun is going down. Earlier, the lighting would have been too harsh here, but by the end of the session, it’s perfect. I also like to get shots on the ground with the bridge in the background, as well as a few fun shots shooting down at my subject while I’m up on the bridge.

Final Thoughts

Pinkerton Park proved to be an excellent choice for this senior guy session, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty with some fun structures. From the graffiti-covered overpass to the sunlit trees and beautiful bridge, each setting provided a unique backdrop that highlighted different aspects of the senior’s personality. I’m thrilled with how the photos turned out and excited to share them with him and his family.

If you’re looking for a versatile location for your senior photos, Pinkerton Park is definitely worth considering. I hope you enjoy these highlights from our session as much as I enjoyed capturing them!