Blog Post: Senior Session at Henry Horton State Park

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.

Senior Session at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park | Franklin, TN

There’s something incredibly special about photographing the children of close friends—kids you’ve watched grow up over the years. It’s such an honor to be able to capture these big milestones in their lives. This session was particularly meaningful, as I’ve known this amazing senior for quite some time. Watching her prepare for the next chapter in life has been so exciting, and it was truly a joy to photograph her at this pivotal moment.

We chose Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin, TN for the backdrop, and it did not disappoint! The weather was perfect, and the golden light gave us the most beautiful setting. But I have to give a big shout-out to her mom, who stepped up as our very own wind machine, adding just the right amount of movement to those gorgeous shots.

I love how this session turned out. She absolutely nailed it, and I can’t wait to see what her future holds!

If you’re looking to book your senior session or family portraits, now’s the time! I have a limited number of spots left, so don’t wait—schedule today! You can book here or contact me directly to chat about your vision.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on my latest sessions and see more of my work!

A Combined Senior & Family Portrait Session at Smith Park

I occasionally get asked about combining senior and family sessions into one photoshoot, and I am always happy to accommodate these requests. Whether you want more of a family session with a few senior portraits sprinkled in or, like this family, you prefer the focus to be on your senior with a few family shots added, I’m flexible with how we structure the hour.

Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful family at Marcelle Vivrette Smith Park in Brentwood, TN. Their daughter is a senior, and with their eldest son home from college, they wanted to capture this special time together. The majority of the session was focused on their senior daughter, but we made sure to include some lovely family moments as well.

One question my husband often asks is why I arrive at photo sessions an hour early, even if it’s at a location I’ve visited many times before. The truth is, the hour before a session is one of my favorite parts of the entire process. It’s a time when I can walk around the location, soaking in the light and noticing details I might have missed before. It’s almost meditative, allowing me to truly see and appreciate the environment around me.

During that time, I often notice the way the light filters through the trees, casting beautiful, natural spotlights that are perfect for portraits. I might discover patches of wildflowers or vibrant weeds that can add a splash of color to the background. Even though I had been to Marcelle Vivrette Smith Park just last week, I still arrived early and found new elements to incorporate into the session.

This practice not only helps me ensure that I am fully prepared for the session, but it also allows me to be creative and find unique angles and settings that truly enhance the portraits.

As we move into the fall season, I only have a few spots left. Fall is a beautiful time of year for both family and senior portraits, with the changing leaves providing a stunning backdrop. If you’re interested in booking a session, I encourage you to reach out soon!

To secure your spot for a fall session, visit my website at www.crystalfreemonphotography.com. I look forward to helping you create lasting memories during this special time in your family’s life.

Senior Photo Session at Henry Horton

Middle Tennessee Senior Photographer at Henry Horton State Park

I loved shooting this Senior Portrait Session. The lovely young woman is the daughter of an old friend, and it was great to catch up with them both.

I also love that she chose Henry Horton Park for her location. I think Henry Horton is an excellent spot for photos in general. She chose the spot because she hikes here frequently. I always love it when seniors select a location that is meaningful to them.

One of the most important things to me is that my clients see themselves in their photos. From location to wardrobe, I want your portrait session to feel authentic.

I recently had a family with young children who told me that they aren’t “outdoorsy” in the least. I don’t normally do urban sessions with my littlest clients because they generally like wide-open spaces to roam around. But for this family, that didn’t feel authentic. So we did a session in downtown Columbia and it turned out great.

Sometimes I have clients who feel they need to dress a certain way because that’s what they see on Pinterest or whatever. I give clients some guidelines about choosing a wardrobe, but my number one rule is that you be yourself. If you hate dresses, why would you wear one for your photo session? But if you never get to wear dresses but they make you feel fabulous, then let’s do that.

Every one of my clients is beautiful and unique. I hope to create a space where they are able to be themselves so I can capture that.

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 Girl Photo Session | Downtown Franklin

Senior Portrait Session in Downtown Franklin

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.