Let me tell you, senior year isn’t for the faint of heart. I’m in it right now, and I understand this season in a way I never could before.

My youngest is a senior, and even after going through this once, it still caught me off guard. It’s not one big moment. It’s all the small ones you don’t realize are “lasts” while they’re happening. The final parent teacher conference. Cheering at the state championship cross country meet. Texting “what do you want for dinner?” Stepping over the pile of running shoes in the mudroom. Signing permission slips at 7:00am in the kitchen. Waiting anxiously for the 5pm college decision drop to come in. Pancakes in pajamas on a snow day. Standing at track meets with families we’ve known since kindergarten… and then all of a sudden,  you realize how close you are to everything changing.

It’s exciting, and I’m genuinely happy for what’s ahead for him, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel emotional about it almost every day.

As a photographer, I’ve always told families to document life as it’s happening right now. But being in this stage myself has made me feel even more strongly about one thing. If you’re a parent of a high school junior, this is the year to plan for senior photos but add in the family.

1) You’re already thinking about senior photos. 2) You’re already trying to hold onto this time while also preparing for what’s next.  It makes so much sense to capture your family as a whole right now. Bonus advice – bring their grandparents!

Because the truth is, this version of your family is about to shift. In amazing ways, but trust me, it will be different.

I love these sessions. We’ll focus on your senior and create images that feel comfortable to them. But we’ll also photograph your full family, siblings together, different combinations, the kind of images that end up meaning more as the years go on.

I’ve seen that over and over again in my work, and now I feel it with my whole heart.

My recommendation? August is an amazing time to do this or early fall (don’t wait until mid October when college application stress is high). Instead choose a time when everyone is still home and life hasn’t fully sped up yet. It gives you a little breathing room to actually enjoy it.

If your child’s senior year is coming. I would really encourage you to book a family session now.

Here’s the link to book and I’ll contact you to schedule:
Senior + Family Session

I’m right there with you in this season of our life as a parent, and I care so much about helping families hold onto it.