This beautiful family was one of my very first supporters in my foray into photography. They were my subjects when I had zero idea what I was doing, but just knew that I enjoyed capturing families in photos and wanted to learn more.
I found this photo from 11 years ago. It was taken when I was the MOMS club amateur photographer and we used to joke about how I would someday shoot senior photos for these kids…and that felt like a million years away.
But that million years went by SO QUICKLY. And now here we are. I have to figure out when to shoot photos of my own senior.
I had been eyeing South 40 Farm for quite some time as a location for sessions but had never been. But when I found out what this Senior was looking for in her photos, I knew it would be a great fit. Plus, it’s so much better for me to shoot at a brand new location with a family I’ve known forever, and who trusts me to recommend a session without having seen photos of other sessions there.
Now I wish I had gone earlier, because I’m in love with this location. I didn’t even get to all the spots I wanted to shoot.
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.
Once in a while, everything just comes together for a portrait session, and I know it’s going to be one of my favorites before I even get home. That’s the way I felt about this Senior Portrait Session in Franklin.
Everything was perfect. The senior guy was easy to work with. I LOVED his clothes – both the teal hoodie (one of my favorite portrait clothing colors) and the awesome suit and tennis shoes. The location was beautiful, and will definitely become one of my regular spots. The lighting was spectacular. And it wasn’t even hot, a bonus for Middle Tennessee in September.
AND there was a sweet dog. Need I say more?
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.
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 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.
It is always such a joy to spend time with these seniors and get to know them at their portrait sessions. It’s such a special (though stressful) time in their lives. To me, a Senior Portrait session is a time to take a moment to a deep breath and appreciate this time.
This young woman was a joy to photograph. And I just love the variety this location provided us. (Note: In case you recognize this location, it is not available for portrait sessions normally but is the property of family members of this client.)
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’m pretty sure this is my favorite senior portrait session ever, but I might be biased.
Before anyone asks, I’m not in the habit of driving all the way to Fall Creek Falls for photo sessions. This was the “been friends with your mom for almost 30 years and you call me ‘Aunt Crystal'” package. But I certainly wish it were closer. I don’t think I have done a session with waterfalls before.
And that’s why I might possibly be biased towards these photos.
How absolutely amazing is it to be able to watch babies grow up and come into their own? I look at these photos and still see the little girl who liked to fix her “cousin’s” hair and put makeup on them. Now she’s a fierce young woman making plans for her future. I can’t wait to see what adventures await her.
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.
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.
