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).

Madelyn’s session was a little cloudy and threatened to rain on us. Which clouds are not the end of the world, it actually helps a little bit in diffusing the light. I just didn’t want the heavens to open and downpour on us. Depsite having clouds all around us, Madelyn brought sunshine throughout her session.

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

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.

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.

The more and more times I head to Northfield for a session, the more times I fall in love with that cute little town. *Hint hint future senior clients* This place is so magical and has so many opportunities for spots to photograph in. Which is why I was so excited when Ava’s mom was on board with doing Ava’s senior session there.