As a senior portrait photographer, I get the privilege of capturing a pivotal moment in a young person’s life — the end of one chapter and the start of another. But every once in a while, a session becomes more than just photographs. It becomes personal. Like my downtown Annapolis session with Collin.
I've known Collin since, well, forever! I met his mom in high school, was a bridesmaid in her wedding, and she would have done me the same honor - had she not been in the hospital giving birth to Collin when I married my husband. I still remember when his mom first brought him home from the hospital — tiny, sleepy, wrapped in one of those impossibly soft blue blankets. Fast forward several years, and here I was, standing behind my lens as Collin, now tall, confident, and with a quiet sense of humor, adjusted his shirt in front of the Maryland State House.
Downtown Annapolis was the perfect setting for this session — the cobblestone streets, vibrant colonial architecture, and golden late afternoon light gave us everything we needed for a shoot that felt timeless yet personal. It started to drizzle just as our session started - so we opted for covered locations to keep us dry as we waited out the weather. Most of our session was around the Annapolis State House - whose stunning architecture gave an amazing backdrop to incorporate Collin's violin.
Honestly, what made this session truly special was seeing the boy I’ve watched grow up now stepping into adulthood. Collin was patient, polite, and — like most senior boys — not particularly excited about taking pictures, but he brought a quiet confidence to every frame.
As we wrapped up the session with sunset pouring in, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the trust families place in me to capture these fleeting moments. Grateful to document not just faces, but stories. And in this case, honored to be part of a story that started long before senior portraits and will carry on long after.
Collin, congratulations on everything that’s ahead. You’ve grown into a remarkable young man. I can't wait to see what comes next.
If you’re a parent looking to capture your senior’s final year in a meaningful, natural way — especially with the charm of locations like downtown Annapolis or the Baltimore waterfront — I’d love to chat.
