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 — 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 — 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 — 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.

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.

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-behaved—it’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 seniors—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 you’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.

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. It’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. 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 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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Senior Guy Session in Downtown Columbia

Senior Guy Session in Downtown Columbia

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.

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. ❤

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.

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. 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.

Senior Pictures in Downtown Columbia

Senior Pictures in Downtown Columbia

🎓 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. 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.