Hello!


In this series of reflecting on past senior sessions, I bring you Savannah, a radiant senior from Jackson, MI, with a bright smile and beautiful golden-brown locks. I’ve known Savannah for a few years now, since we're basically family! So when she and her mom reached out about doing her senior portraits, I was thrilled.


As someone who’s only been doing photography for a couple of years, they’ve seen it all—the good, the learning curves, and everything in between. Still, they chose me because they wanted someone they already knew. Savannah wasn’t too fond of the idea of making her senior session a big fuss, but if you’ve ever met me, you know I make every photo session a big fuss. So she had no choice but to let this be all about her!


She came into the session a little nervous, unsure of what to expect and not feeling super confident. But little did she know—she was going to love it.


A woman in a blue and white floral dress poses against a stone archway background at sunset.
Person in blue top and jeans poses gracefully on rustic metal staircase against dark background.
Someone wearing a white dress poses from different angles while sitting in a serene lake surrounded by trees for portraits.
A summer portrait with a blue and white patterned dress against blooming white hydrangea flowers in a garden setting.
A figure in blue jeans and dark top stands against a brick wall and red garage door showing dynamic dance movements.
A dreamy sunset portrait in a white summer dress laying on grass with golden light filtering through the trees.
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July 5th


We picked the beautiful day of July 5th in Hastings, MI. We were there with family, so we thought—what better time to do it! We got together and looked for multiple locations that Savannah and her mom liked. After finding a few great spots, we got ready and then started the shoot.


One thing that made this senior session stand out was the incredible support system surrounding Savannah. Several of her aunts and a cousin came out to help with her hair, outfits, poses, and everything in between. Savannah mentioned how comforting it was to have people helping her from all sides and cheering her on throughout the session. Even from the photographer’s perspective, having that kind of support system makes a big difference.


First Location


Our first location was right in downtown Hastings, Michigan. Savannah started in a beautiful blue dress that perfectly complemented her eyes. We began by taking photos in front of a large, historic building—possibly an old town hall or house. The vibrant florals around the property added so much brightness to the scene, and the building itself was stunning. Savannah was a little nervous at first, which is completely normal. But once I showed her the first few photos, she began to relax and gain confidence. We continued shooting around the property, stopping by a Michigan classic—hydrangeas—and capturing more beautiful moments.

A person in a blue and white floral dress walks along a stone pathway near a brick building on a sunny summer day.
Four sequential photos show a person in a blue and white patterned dress posing on stone steps near arched architectural details.
Portrait photo in a garden with blooming white hydrangea flowers and a blue floral print dress in soft natural lighting.


Once we felt ready, we switched outfits and continued exploring the downtown area with its rustic buildings. We found a beautiful brick wall adjacent to some red paneling, which balanced the photos amazingly. Savannah decided to get into something that felt more like her: jeans, a cute top, and her favorite Converse. At this moment I could see Savannah feeling very comfortable with posing and being in front of the camera! She even let out a huge simile and laugh!


The big winner spot was this rustic staircase or old fire escape! It was a perfect little area and I think these have to be some of my favorite photos!

A sequence of dance steps showing leg movements against a rustic brick wall and red paneled door background.
Someone sits on outdoor metal stairs against a brick wall wearing jeans and a black tank top in a casual pose.
A person wearing classic black Converse sneakers and blue jeans sits casually next to green foliage outdoors.

Last Location


We ended the night in a long, white dress at a park with a river flowing through it. By this point, we were definitely feeling the heat—it was one of the hottest days that weekend, and we felt like we were melting. But the show had to go on. Thankfully, one of Savannah’s aunts had a small fan that plugged into her phone, which gave her a quick chance to cool off.


We started by using the golden hour light for some dreamy, sun-kissed photos—and wow, did she glow! The light felt straight out of a coming-of-age movie and captured Savannah’s bright and cheerful personality perfectly. When I showed her a few RAW images, her face lit up with a huge smile—she loved them!


Next, we moved into the river. Luckily, it was calm and very shallow, which allowed us to get creative without getting completely soaked. I had her try a variety of poses, and she looked like she was walking on water—poised, graceful, and absolutely stunning.

A person in a flowing white sundress twirls playfully in a sunlit garden near a wooden footbridge.
A person in a flowing white summer dress stands ankle-deep in a calm river surrounded by lush green trees.
A white sundress-clad person relaxes on grass during golden hour sunset in a serene outdoor setting.

Reflect


One thing that makes me smile every time I look through a gallery like this is seeing the person they are—and the person they’re becoming. Every senior has a unique personality, different goals in life, a one-of-a-kind smile, and their own level of confidence. I love watching how people evolve through photos, and senior portraits capture that transformation so beautifully. They mark a powerful moment in life—the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.


This session will always hold a special place in my heart—not just because of my connection with Savannah, but because I had the chance to see a new side of her. A more confident, radiant side. She absolutely glowed through the lens, and her beauty truly shined.


My goal with every session is to help my clients feel comfortable and confident, because I believe everyone deserves to feel that way—especially high school seniors stepping into such an important chapter of their lives.


I honestly can’t put it into words... all I can say is, I love my job!