The Stephanie Newman Photography Journal

The moment after I led Ryley and her mom to our starting spot for her session and locked in the settings on my camera to start shooting I knew that this was going to be a great session. Little inside info about how I start my senior sessions, is that I ALWAYS have my senior look off to the side and take a test shot. That way they’re not standing there staring at me anxiously. The minute I took Ryley’s test shot and looked at the image, I squealed. And kept squealing with every shot I took afterwards. Which led to some great laughing shots from Ryley. I may or may not have sent a back of camera shot during her session to send to my bestie ( who is also a photographer).

I’m always a little nervous doing shoots with senior guys because they’re either really quiet and it’s hard to have to connect with them during their session or we have a great time and we struggle getting through the shoot because we’re having a good time. At Zach’s session we had a great time! He was so friendly and talkative throughout his session

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.

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.

You’ve booked your senior pictures with a photographer, now what do you do? I’ve created a senior session prep checklist for you to make sure you have everything you need to make sure your session goes smoothly.

I just knew that Haley and I were going to hit it off at her senior session at Whitetail Woods, when she showed up with her Ravenclaw Wand and purple lightsaber. #nerdsforlife

One should know that having lived in Minnesota for the most of their life, that just because the autumnal equinox has happened and the leaves have just started to change, does not mean that autumn temps are present. As was the case with Gavin’s senior session at Ritter Farm Park this September.

I met up with Payton and his mama at Ritter Farm park early Saturday for a warm yet beautiful morning at one of my favorite parks in the area.