As we approach the end of another academic year, the excitement surrounding graduation is palpable, especially for the Class of 2024! This milestone represents not only the culmination of years of hard work and dedication but also the beginning of a new chapter filled with endless possibilities. To commemorate this special moment, I recently hosted cap and gown mini sessions designed to celebrate our graduating seniors in style.

As the world awakens from its winter slumber, spring brings a refreshing burst of color and life—a perfect backdrop for celebrating milestones like high school graduation. Recently, I had the joy of photographing Charlie’s senior session at Whitetail Woods in Farmington, Minnesota. The combination of blooming flora and vibrant energy made for a truly unforgettable experience, capturing both Charlie’s personality and the beauty of this season. Charlie is my son’s best friend and I was so honored to photograph him for his senior year. Charlie arrived wearing a polo shirt, but had a flannel shirt to change into, that reflected his laid-back personality.

Sophia is my very first senior for the Class of 2024! I was so excited to get my senior season started and meet Sophia and her mom. I always have my seniors fill out a questionnaire before we meet up, so that I can get to know them a little bit and also, so I have some talking points during their session. It helps making what can be a nerve racking situation for the both of us. Sophia’s answers for the question, describe your personality. She answered with sweet and goofy. And that definitely showed up during her session.

I LOVE photographing this family. I’m sure I’ve said this before in previous blog posts about them. But they are the kindest, most wonderful group of people that I have had the privilege to work with. Seriously. I’ve photographed Kayleigh and Taylor’s family with her mom, dad and brother at one session. The next year I worked with them again, but with Taylor’s mom, dad and brother. This year, Kayleigh wanted EVERYONE! They were all together to celebrate little Oliver’s 1st birthday and what better way to continue the celebration than to get some family pictures done!

Kaitlyn’s session is my first spring senior session and I want to do more spring senior sessions! Check out the gorgeous flowering trees in the background. LOVE!! I’ve shot at this park a couple of times in the past but never in the spring when the foliage is so different than late summer early fall.

The weather was playing games with us all day the day of her session. It threatened to rain most of the day, then part of the day and then finally, just a little bit of the day.

You’ve found the perfect photographer for your senior session, you’ve booked a date with them and spent time figuring out the perfect location for your session that speaks to you and your style of what you want your session to look like. Now the hard part, choosing what to wear. It is a HUGE decision that can make or break your senior portrait session! If you wear something that you don’t feel confident in, or that doesn’t photograph well, it can ruin this amazing experience for you. So, here are some great tips on what to wear to help you feel confident and that photographs well.

This year’s senior class has created so many fun opportunities to be creative as a photographer. I’ve done sessions with cars, sports equipment, fun props like wands and light sabers. For Quinn’s session it was planes! It was so cool to head to the small airport in Lakeville and use a small plane for some of his photos!

Also, this is my first winter senior session. And as you all know with Minnesota weather in general, it is unpredictable sometimes

My final Class of 2023 senior was with Anders. ? I can’t believe the time has come for my final senior session of this year. It has been one wild and crazy ride this fall but it’s also been good. Hanging out with Anders and his mama, Laura was the best way to end my senior season.

Last year I photographed one of the sweetest, and cutest families that I have ever met. You can go back and read about this family here(https://stephanienewmanphotography.com/2021/10/26/rendell-family-session-farmington-mn/). Now picture me this year, when mama Anna reached out to do a session in Lakeville again, but with just kids. All her kiddos, and all her siblings kiddos. Together. In all their cuteness. I was pumped.

This time of year is crazy busy at local parks with the beautiful trees changing their colors, for photographers and their clients, because everyone wants family pictures done with those color, more so on the weekends. I met the Mills family at Ritter Farm Park on a Sunday and I got really nervous because the parking lot was packed with cars not only with photogs and their clients but also people who just wanted to enjoy the park.