The Stephanie Newman Photography Journal

As a high school junior, you’re probably juggling a lot as you prepare for graduation. But there’s one important task that shouldn’t be overlooked—your senior pictures! Spring offers the perfect setting for capturing the essence of this exciting time in your life. With the gorgeous weather, stunning locations, and ideal timing, spring is the season you’ll want to schedule your senior photoshoot. Here are five reasons why spring is the best time for your senior pictures!

As a high school senior, there’s a lot to look forward to—graduation, parties, and all the moments that lead up to it. One of the most exciting milestones, though, is your senior photoshoot. Those pictures will be a lasting memory of this special time in your life, and you want to make sure they turn out exactly how you envision them. So, when is the best time to book your senior pictures? While it might feel like there’s plenty of time, booking your session early is the key to a stress-free and successful photoshoot. Here’s everything you need to know about the ideal timing for your senior pictures.

There’s something extra special about capturing moments for families who are not only wonderful clients but also dear friends. That’s exactly how I felt during my recent fall mini session with the Moe family—Jason, Melissa, Grayson, Elijah, Rowan, and the ever-adorable Joah (affectionately known as “Joah Moah”). This sweet, fun-loving crew has been part of our church family for a couple of years, and getting to photograph them is always a treat.

  A Fall Family Session at Schaar’s Bluff with the Blackwell Family As a photographer, there are few things more rewarding than working with a new family and capturing the beauty of their unique dynamics. The Blackwell family was one of those wonderful sessions that I will remember for a long time. They were such […]

Emily H.’s senior session was one for the books! I’ve had the privilege of photographing several members of her friend group this year, and when it was her turn, I knew we were going to have an amazing time. From her involvement in high school theater, choir, and mock trial, to her love for baseball and dream of becoming a sports agent, Emily is the kind of person who brings passion and energy to everything she does. Her senior session had all the right vibes—fun, unique, and full of personality.

I had the pleasure of photographing Parker, a senior from Farmington High School, during her September senior session in the charming town of Northfield. Parker is hoping to pursue a career in fashion merchandising after graduation, so I knew this session was going to be special—not only did we have to capture her personality and beauty, but we also wanted to bring her dreams and interests to life through the images.

Senior photo sessions are always exciting, but sometimes, a little chaos can make them even more memorable. That was certainly the case for Emily’s session in downtown Northfield. It was the first day of Defeat of Jesse James Days, one of the biggest events in town, and let’s just say I wasn’t fully prepared for the festival vibes to kick off so soon! I had thought the event started the following day, not on the day of Emily’s session. That little mix-up led to an unexpected twist in our plans, but one thing remained constant—Emily’s amazing energy, which kept the session fun and relaxed from start to finish. 

When we planned Abby’s session at the Lyndale Rose Garden, I was a little nervous. The last time I had been to the garden was in the summer, and it was in full bloom—every corner was bursting with color. But September is a tricky time for flowers, and I wasn’t sure how much of the garden would still be alive with blooms. Would the roses still be vibrant? Would there be enough natural beauty to create stunning portraits?

Colette is the kind of person who radiates kindness and warmth. From the moment we began her session, it was clear that she’s not only incredibly intelligent, but also genuinely down-to-earth and friendly. She has this natural, effortless grace about her that makes her such a joy to photograph. Whether she was striking a pose or simply enjoying the outdoors, Colette’s smile was contagious and her easy-going nature made the session flow perfectly.