Tag: Columbia TN photographer

Why Rush? The Benefits of Booking Your Senior Session Early

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Senior Guy Photos on a road at Yahnali Park in Columbia TN

I spent yesterday evening with this amazing senior guy at Yahanali Park in Columbia – one of my absolute favorite natural spots for senior pictures. The park put on quite a show for us with these gorgeous patches of yellow and red wildflowers (weeds? I don’t know, but I love them anyway) creating the perfect natural backdrop. And that newly paved road? What used to be a quiet gravel drive has transformed into what looks like a major highway with fresh paint and all. It made for some surprisingly cool and unique backdrops that really pop in his images!

This session was extra special because we also captured a few shots of his little sister during our time together. This is something I’m always happy to accommodate! Sometimes I even combine senior sessions with full family sessions – it’s really up to you how you want to use your session time. These moments of siblings together during such a milestone year are often some of the most treasured images from the session.

This past week has been filled with senior sessions, and my calendar for next week is just as packed, even though we’re already into May and just weeks away from graduation day. All these families had perfectly good reasons for scheduling their sessions this late in the year, and the photos are turning out beautifully, but I’m noticing something too – there’s definitely an added layer of stress when we’re working this close to the wire.

The biggest challenge? Weather. Since my sessions are exclusively outdoors, we sometimes need to reschedule for rain or storms. This is normally no big deal, but when you’re already down to your last few weeks before announcement orders need to go in, having to reschedule can create some serious stress. Plus, these seniors have so much happening right now – prom, awards banquets, final exams, graduation preparations – finding another time slot that works can be like solving a complex puzzle!

While spring senior sessions are absolutely beautiful and I’m happy to accommodate them, I want to make a gentle case to those of you with rising seniors (yes, parents of juniors, I’m talking to you!): Summer is actually the perfect low-stress time for senior portraits.

I know what you’re thinking – “But Crystal, it’s so hot in Tennessee summers!” And you’re absolutely right. But here’s my promise: I’m completely open to rescheduling for extreme heat within reason. We won’t be shooting on those 100-degree days, and we schedule for evenings when the light is magical and the temperatures are more bearable.

Booking your senior’s session in the summer means:

  • No competition with busy school schedules
  • Plenty of time for any weather reschedules
  • Zero stress about meeting announcement deadlines
  • More flexibility with dates and times
  • A relaxed experience rather than one more thing on an already-packed senior year to-do list

When your teen comes back from their summer session with me, they’ll have their entire senior year to enjoy their images, share them with friends, and you’ll have all the time you need to thoughtfully select announcement photos without rushing.

While I’m absolutely loving these May sessions (those spring blooms are worth it!), I just want to plant that seed for those of you with juniors at home. Let’s make your senior’s portrait experience as stress-free as possible by planning ahead!

And now, I can’t wait to share some of my favorite images from this recent Yahanali Park session.

Why Downtown Columbia Never Gets Old for Senior Sessions

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

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve photographed senior sessions in Downtown Columbia, but no matter how many times I return, it never feels the same twice. There’s something special about this little downtown—its mix of historic charm, worn brick, and urban textures creates the perfect canvas for any senior’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 I’ve used before—leaning against the same old brick, walking past the same weathered doors, standing in the same golden light. But the vibe? Completely different.

That’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 Columbia’s timeless textures made for such a stunning variety of images.

One of my favorite surprises from this session happened near the green table. I’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 knew—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. I’ve known this senior’s mom since my moms’ 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 senior—when she was just a little girl hugging her brother—in my 10-year anniversary video. Where does the time go? It’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.

It’s proof that a great location isn’t just about the buildings or the scenery—it’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, it’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.

Senior Guy Session in Downtown Columbia

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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. I’ll admit, I didn’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 anything—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 it’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 you’re into vintage photos and historical preservation, I highly recommend checking them out. I know I’ll be going back to Columbia Motor Alley again—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!

Blog Post: Senior Session at Henry Horton State Park

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This session was extra special because it was for the niece of one of my best friends from college! I’ve been fortunate enough to capture the senior sessions of all three of her older siblings at Henry Horton State Park, so I was excited to continue the tradition with her.

Although the session didn’t start out quite as planned, it turned into a memorable day. Both her mother and I had checked the weather several times leading up to the session, and it looked like we’d be fine. I even showed up early and was greeted by a beautiful rainbow. But, as luck would have it, about five minutes before they arrived, the sky opened up, and it started pouring rain.

Given that they had driven quite a distance, we decided to make the most of it. We started in a picnic pavilion, capturing some great moments against the rustic stone wall. From there, we got creative with my clear umbrella for some fun shots as the rain eased up.

The weather turned to light sprinkles, and by the end of the session, we were blessed with a few moments of sunshine peeking through the clouds. This lovely senior is a swimmer and had hoped to recreate some river photos we had taken for her older brother years ago. I wasn’t sure we’d be able to, but thankfully, the rain let up, and we ended the session in the river.

Despite the unpredictable weather, I’m so glad everything worked out. This was such a fun session, and I’m thrilled to have captured these memories for this amazing family!

Book your senior session today and create beautiful memories, rain or shine! Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram to see more of my work, or click here to book your session.

Family of Five Photo Session in Downtown Columbia

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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 Columbia’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 advance—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 that’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!