There’s something about senior year that feels both surreal and exciting. It’s the closing of one chapter and the first big step into a brand-new one. For Keionna, her Class of 2026 senior session was exactly that—a beautiful mix of simple, classy, and timeless.
When she walked into the studio, she had a clear vision of wanting something that felt elegant but not overdone. To bring that vision to life, I ordered in giant 4-foot light-up numbers, “2” and “6,” and the moment they lit up, they added the perfect touch. Her mom also came prepared with a foldable desk she found on Amazon—and fun fact, I didn’t even know those existed until that day! It was such a fun addition and gave us another way to tell Keionna’s story.
But what stood out to me most wasn’t the props or even the outfits—it was her. Normally, when I’ve photographed Keionna during family sessions, she’s been a little reserved, often her own toughest critic. Her responses to seeing herself in photos usually leaned toward, “eh, it’s okay.” This time was different. As we worked through her session, I started hearing things like, “oh, that’s cute!” and saw her smile grow with each pose. That small shift was everything. It was her seeing herself the way everyone else does—beautiful, confident, and ready to step into this next season of life.
Her mom’s reaction was priceless. Watching her daughter light up in front of the camera, truly enjoying the process, brought such joy. And when they viewed her proofing gallery, they decided to upgrade to all the images. Honestly, I couldn’t have been happier because every single photo captured a piece of who Keionna is in this moment of her life.
To top it off, she brought her boyfriend along—a surprise to me—but it ended up being such a sweet addition. They were natural together and added a playful, tender layer to her gallery that made it even more special.
Keionna’s session reminded me of why these portraits matter so much. Senior year only comes once. It’s a milestone filled with dreams, anticipation, and growth, and it deserves to be remembered in a way that lasts forever.
✨ If you have a Class of 2026 senior (or soon-to-be senior) in your life, let’s capture their story in a way that feels authentically them. You’ll never regret having these memories to hold onto.
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