The Stephanie Newman Photography Journal

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.

Family photo sessions are a wonderful way to capture the joy, love, and unique personalities of each family member—and when a furry friend is part of the equation, the experience becomes even more special! I recently had the pleasure of photographing the Smith family during their summer session at Whitetail Woods in Farmington, Minnesota, alongside their adorable Bernedoodle, Sophie. Together, they created beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Whitetail Woods is one of the most picturesque locations in the area, featuring scenic trails, lush greenery, and tranquil ponds that showcase the beauty of nature in summer.

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.

Ava was my second to last senior girl of my Class of 2024. I was a little sad that my season with this senior class was coming to an end, but happy that I got to spend it with this beautiful bubbly girl. It was windy and a little chilly the day we met for her session and that didn’t seem to bother her at all. Girl was so used to being outside in cooler temps as a cheerleader. The wind helped create some great Beyonce moments when we were down by the lake. Which sometimes is awesome, others it was a pain in the behind trying to not let her hair get into her face so much.

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’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.