Brenna | Baltimore Senior Portrait Session

I commented to my husband the other day, “I feel like with every session I shoot, I bottle up a little bit of my soul and give it away”. I pour so much of myself into each session to make sure it reflects my client’s personality. I am capturing time in a bottle - for the senior and their family. It needs to be perfect - for me and for them.

I spend a lot of time before sessions getting to know the seniors I photograph. How else am I going to get them comfortable and show who they are? Every once in a while, though, I am blessed and get to photograph someone I know extremely well. In this case - I’ve known Brenna since birth. Her mom and I are cousins and she shares a birthday with my oldest. Brenna and I have shared holidays, summer vacations, lots of happiness, and unfortunately, some tears as well. Come to think of it, she may have been the youngest person at my wedding.

Brenna - You have grown into an amazing woman. You’re smart, beautiful, funny and have an amazing head on your shoulders. You’re going to set the world on fire. I am so proud of who have you have become and can’t wait to see what you do next. And I know - without a doubt- your parents are as proud of you and your accomplishments. Love you girl <3 XOXO (p.s. scroll to the end for a little memory - photographed by the amazing Jennifer Domenick at Love Live Images).

Baby Brenna with her mom and dad, at my wedding in May 2005.

Natalie | 7 Reasons to Do Your High School Senior Pictures in the Winter

Parents and teens alike always tell me they want to schedule their senior pictures for the spring or the fall. But really - what is wrong with winter??? That was Natalie and her parents thoughts and honestly I couldn’t be more delighted with the results.

Like most teenagers I photograph, Natalie wanted to make sure her session looked like her - and not someone else. She has this amazing minimalist look that works perfect for her. During our pre-season consultation, we talked about the types of outfits she is most comfortable in and what she would wear to hang out with friends - and pulled together some looks that matched the location.

For hair, we added some simple curls and paired it with mascara and lip gloss - enough to step her look up a tad without making her uncomfortable. (Moms - let me promise you, take your teen’s lead on this one. If they want glam, go glam. And if they want natural, go natural. If they’re uncomfortable, it will show!)

And can I tell you - I just lost it over her Doc Martens. I wore Docs daily in high school and I am so geeked out that they’re back! Should I get a pair? Let me know.

If you’re on the fence about doing your senior pictures over the winter, if these shots don’t do it for you - here’s some other reasons to consider!

  • Winter fashion is so flexible - rock a cozy sweater or add a jacket to change up your look without changing your outfit. (And jewel tones look incredible in winter light!!!)

  • Winter backdrops are (chef’s kiss). Seriously - evergreens, a gorgeous neutral backdrop, or even some snow???

  • NO FRIZZY HAIR. If you’re like me - summer frizz is enough to lock me in air conditioning for months on end. And while dry winter air can be tough at times, we can all agree that low humidity for pictures in worth it. Keep your pictures frizz free and more manageable with winter weather.

  • Dark lipstick is always in season in winter!!! Add some Rum Raisin and rock a 90’s look with a bold, dark lipstick.

  • Use your photos in your holiday cards! Did you know you can add on a family mini session to the beginning of your senior session? Update your family images and get gorgeous images to use on your cards or gifts.

  • Have one of a kind senior pictures. While everyone else has a similar look, your shots will stand out.

  • Use your photos on college applications that ask for recent photographs.

Hey Class of 2023!

It’s not too late to get your senior portraits done!

Jane Mack is a high school senior photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jane’s sessions are fun, relaxed and authentically you. Contact Jane to book your custom senior portrait experience, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and check out more of her work on her website.

Kate | 7 Reasons to Have Outdoor Senior Portraits

I love giving back to the community and during Covid, I donated a senior portrait session and album to Mercy High School’s annual silent auction fundraiser. I was a little nervous that the winning bid might not be a good match with my style, but boy, was I wrong.

Kate and her parents had the winning bid and honestly - they were a dream to work with. During our prep Zoom call, Kate had incredible ideas about the outfits she wanted to wear and how she wanted to reflect her style. As we got to know each other, we landed on the perfect Towson location to pull her dream senior session.

Kate had a fun preppy look that she blended with pops of fun fashion - like those incredible leather Vans! I adored this plaid romper and honestly, if I wasn’t in my 40s, I would totally grab it for myself.

I often get asked, “We already did the cap and gown pics for the yearbook - why should I do a senior portrait session?”. And honestly, it’s comparing apples and oranges.

Yes, absolutely be in the yearbook. The gown portrait is a classic and connects you to all who came before you and all who will graduate after. It has become the iconic symbol of being a high school senior in the United States. But do you what else? It doesn’t show anything about who you are as a person. It can’t show your personality, your style and certainly doesn’t have any pops of fun.

Still not convinced? Here’s some other reasons to get a custom outdoor senior portrait session (with me!)

  • You are almost 18 years old. Literally almost an adult. It’s the last year of school you have to attend and the last year before you can do whatever you want (good or bad lol). If you’re like most teenagers, you had pictures done every year until you started school and then it became the occasional family shot and annual yearbook picture. But this - your senior year - is a milestone that you will never experience again. It’s worth documenting. And worth documenting right.

  • A custom senior portrait session will show off your best side in the way you want to be captured - whether is natural and casual, or glam fashionista. And I know how to light and pose you to show off your best features.

  • Stand out from the crowd. Choose a location (or locations with my Signature Session) that reflects your personality and interests. Plus, Baltimore County is flat out gorgeous - why not take advantage of the beauty that surrounds us??

  • Keep up with the times. These aren’t your parents senior portraits! Take advantage of the latest trends and techniques for modern, eye-catching (and dare I say Instagramable) photos.

  • Show off your style!!! We can incorporate literally ANY fashion look you want. Want to do something casual and then glam it up with your prom dress too? AWESOME. Let’s do it.

  • Have a “model for a day” experience. I offer professional hair and makeup as an add on for my sessions and work with some of the best talent in the area. Want to be pampered?? Hang out with me. You’ll feel like a rock star afterwards.

  • Remember your high school years. These photos are awesome for social media today - but these portraits will have incredible meaning to you later in life and will be shared with the generations after you.

Hey Class of 2023!

It’s not too late to get your senior portraits done!

Jane Mack is a high school senior photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jane’s sessions are fun, relaxed and authentically you. Contact Jane to book your custom senior portrait experience, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and check out more of her work on her website.

Jed | 5 Reasons Guys Should Get High School Senior Portraits

I feel like all of my blogs sound the same. But it’s not because I’m repeating myself - it’s because my clients are literally the coolest humans I’ve ever met. That was Jed.

Jed’s mom reached out to me because he was her youngest, graduating high school and ready to go off to college to set the world on fire. She gave me 2 parameters: 1) Jed loves soccer. Like LOVES soccer and is an incredible player. And 2) they love the look and feel of casual pictures. Casual is my middle name - well not really, but you’re with me! Capturing people as they are is so much better than forced smiles.

Confession time: I am not a prop person - unless it’s used to show off the style of my clients - so we agreed to use a soccer ball in a “cool” way - not traditional sports pics.

My clients are overwhelmingly teenage girls - which makes me sad because guys deserve to be in the spotlight too! Their personalities, styles and accomplishments are no less important or meaningful to capture - so I get really excited when I get a boy senior session. (If you don’t know - I’m a mom of 3 boys - so that’s partly it).

So guys - if you’re reading this - here’s 5 reasons you should listen to your mom and get those senior portraits!

  • You love your parents and it will make them really happy

  • It might not feel like it now - but you’ll look back on this time and want to remember it. This session will give you a lasting memento of your high school years.

  • One day you will probably get married or have another life event that will cause someone to want to dig a picture of you out from high school. Give them a great one that reflects your personality and style instead of them reaching for your 7th grade picture, complete with braces and pimples.

  • There will come a time when your kids just won’t believe you were cool in high school. Prove them wrong.

  • Seriously, you are incredible because you are you. You deserve to be celebrated. (And it’ll make your mom happy)

Hey Class of 2023!

It’s not too late to get your senior portraits done!

Jane Mack is a high school senior photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jane’s sessions are fun, relaxed and authentically you. Contact Jane to book your custom senior portrait experience, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and check out more of her work on her website.

Fawn | Downs Park Senior Portrait Session

I bond so intensely with all of my clients. None of them are “perfect” - everyone has a story to tell. Fawn has the title of the client who has flown the furthest to have me capture their session. They came from freaking FLORIDA. (Seriously - I’m gushing). They had lived in Pasadena, Maryland and then moved to Florida and shortly after their session, ended up returning home to Maryland.

Fawn had a vision for their session. They had this incredible blue dress with adorable strawberries and was determined to have their session. They also love makeup and wanted to pull together a classic look - which we did with the help of a local salon in Severna Park, Maryland.

They were very concerned about their personality coming through - and during our consultation, shared they wanted to use Downs Park because it has a lot of special memories for them (which is awesome, because we share that in common <3). We talked about their love of makeup and having their nails done. Fawn was determined for their manicure to make it into the shots - and we made sure that happened.

A lot of my clients want to incorporate water in their senior portrait session because we’re in Maryland - water is a way of life! We grew up around boats, eating seafood and going to Ocean City, MD in the summer. I love coming up with unique and meaningful ways to bring the Bay into senior portrait sessions.

Unsure of including water as a location for your session? Here’s 3 more reasons to do it!

  • Water is a gorgeous and dramatic background! Whether it’s the ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, your local lake or river - or even a pool, use it as a backdrop to add some fun into your session.

  • A coastline is the perfect backdrop for so many styles. Whether you prefer a natural, wash-and-go look or a more glam style, I use light and posing to get gorgeous shots near the water.

  • Water can be a great location to incorporate your favorite sport if you're an athlete or a fan of water sports. Whether you're surfing, kayaking, or just enjoying the beach, the water can provide a great background for action shots.

Hey Class of 2023!

It’s not too late to get your senior portraits done!

Jane Mack is a high school senior photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jane’s sessions are fun, relaxed and authentically you. Contact Jane to book your custom senior portrait experience, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and check out more of her work on her website.

Emma | Baltimore Senior Photographer

Emma was THE founding member of my model team! I first met her in 10th grade and grown so close to her and her mom throughout the years. Sadly, Covid all but killed the model team through most of her junior and senior year so we didn’t get to spend too much time together. Emma is so driven and determined. On top of earning her cosmetology license at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology - while also working in a salon, Emma is an amazing student, beautiful friend, caring daughter and all around incredible human being. Emma texted me the other day that she had her cap and gown and I just had to capture images of her showing off her hard work. We met up at Hampton Mansion in Towson, Maryland early one morning (before she went to work no less) and captured magic in a bottle … or camera, as it were. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you, Emma!!!

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Ben | Towson Senior Photographer

Ben’s mom reached out after seeing some of my recent work on my Facebook page (like and follow!) . Her son Ben is a senior at Loyola Blakefield and is graduating this June. He’s been on the swim team during his time at Loyola and she wanted to have a session to specifically capture images by the pool that has become his second home. After our consult, we decided that Loyola has such a beautiful campus that we also wanted to capture some portraits at some of his favorite locations. As luck would have it, it rained that morning. And when I say rained, it POURED. We agreed to still shoot at the pool since it was indoors and fortunately, we found some cool locations with overhangs that still allowed us to get variety in his session. Congrats Ben and best of luck in college!

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Hey Class of 2022!

Jane Mack is a high school senior photographer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Jane’s sessions are fun, relaxed and authentically you. Contact Jane to book your custom senior portrait experience, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and check out more of her work on her website.

Kaitlyn | Harford County Teen Photographer

Kaitlyn’s mom and I planned a fun teen session for Kaitlyn to celebrate her finishing 8th grade … and the delays were almost a comedy of errors. The first weekend POURED. The next date we selected we found our chosen location was unexpectedly closed, so on the fly, we went to Heavenly Waters Park in Bel Air, Maryland. I had never been there before but it had great light, beautiful trails and some gorgeous foliage. Kaitlyn wore the dress she purchased for her 8th grade graduation ceremony and it worked beautifully with the location. Best of luck in high school, Kaitlyn!

Sydney | Towson Teen Photographer

I have known Sydney (and her incredible mom) since she was in kindergarten with my oldest son. They’re now 15 and in high school. Where did these years go??? We had an amazing teen session in downtown Towson. There’s a lot of construction going on which might normally be an eyesore but we turned it into an incredible backdrop to celebrate her fun style. Who says you have to have wait until senior year for portraits? It’s kind of funny - so many take their kids to a photographer every year until kindergarten - and then minus a family portrait here or there - there’s nothing truly about them again until their senior year of high school. But they change so much during that time! So let’s change that trend, ok???