The Stephanie Newman Photography Journal

As summer comes to a close and the golden hour light grows softer, there’s a special kind of magic that fills the air—especially when you’re capturing a milestone like a senior portrait session. I had the pleasure of working with Aly for her senior portraits at Ritter Farm Park, a place that’s always been close to my heart.

When you plan a senior session, you always hope for the best: the perfect weather, the ideal location, and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. But sometimes, you get a curveball—like the day I met Nathan for his summer senior photos in Savage. Let me take you through the session that turned out to be a beautiful blend of improvisation, family, and an unexpected dose of joy.

Brook is a great friend of one the seniors I photographed last year, and it was so much fun hanging out with her, her step-mom, Taylor and sister- who I totally thought she was much older than Brook, but I was wrong! I hadn’t done a senior session at Lebanon in the summer time in a long time, so it was kind of fun to go back there and find some fun new spots to take my seniors.

Brook arrived dressed for summer in a stylish, flowy sundress adorned with vibrant colors that echoed the lush greenery around her. The lightweight fabric danced with the breeze, perfectly complementing the carefree spirit of summer. She paired the dress with cute sandals and delicate accessories, striking the right balance between casual and chic. I always encourage seniors to choose outfits that make them feel comfortable and confident, and Brook’s choice was spot on! I also loved the 90’s vibe she brought with her other outfits, including pink colored Chucks! 

The historic buildings, quaint shops, and beautiful parks all contribute to a unique atmosphere that beautifully complements the colors of fall. As we strolled through the streets, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot and the crisp autumn air set the tone for a memorable day. We made our way to Bridge Square, where the iconic bridge over the Cannon River provided a stunning viewpoint. With the river reflecting the fiery colors of the trees, it was the ideal spot for capturing the essence of autumn.

I absolutely loved hanging out with Aryanna and her mom Nikki for her senior session this month. She was super sweet and fun to get to know throughout her session. I loved that one of the locations she wanted for her session was downtown Farmington, specifically out front of her church, Homestead Church. It’s one of my favorite buildings in Farmington and a must when I shoot there. The building was for sale for years, I told myself that if I won the lottery, I would snatch that building up and use it for a studio. Unfortunately, I have not won the lottery, and they bought the building before I could.

Earlier this spring when I was advertising for booking summer senior sessions, I got an email from Claire’s mom, Jenny, asking to book a session for Claire. I was soooo excited to hear from her. A couple of years ago I had done Claire’s brother’s senior session, Luke.

Sydnee’s late summer senior session at Whitetail Woods was a beautiful celebration of her achievements and the journey ahead. As we captured these moments together, I was reminded of the importance of embracing change and cherishing the memories we create along the way.

I have known Ali since she was like 6 or 10. I know that’s a huge age gap, but I honestly can’t remember when I first met her. I’ve slept since then. Ali and her family used to attend our church and was in Sunday school and church plays with my oldest. So, like I said, I’ve known her for a LONG time.

I’m starting to wind down with my summer senior sessions for this year and one of those sessions was with the beautiful Bella! Bella is a senior from Bloomington Kennedy High School and wanted a little rustic and nature to her photos I suggested meeting at Whitetail Woods.