Will || Chelsea High School || Senior Session in Mt. Laurel, AL


I had the joy of taking my cousin Will's senior photos a couple weeks ago. My Aunt Betty had reached out on when I would be in town and I told her March 29th. I was going to second shoot a wedding that day, but did not have to leave until 12pm. I figured I could squeeze in his senior session that morning. Hindsight, this definitely worked out fine, but I sure was glad to be in my bed that night after that FULL day of photography.


I have known Will all his life. He and his older brother Zach were my first exposure to babies. I had never really held a baby before these two boys and therefore have always felt a special attachment to them. As I went off to college in 2009, then moved to Texas for several years, I didn't see them very often, but always enjoyed sitting with them at the 'kid's table' at family gatherings at our Nana's house. Discussions changed over the years as they matured but one thing always remained the same for Will - he is ALWAYS thinking. He is extremely intelligent. He is always thinking outside the box and on abstract matters. I knew when Betty reached out to me to do his senior session that I wasn't going to go traditional with our posing. I wanted to let him lead the direction of the session.


We met at mt. Laurel - which I honestly had never heard of, which is crazy because I frequented hwy 280 and  hwy 119 all the time growing up. I never traveled over to the rolling hills near that intersection. What gorgeous little community. Will said that many of his fellow students take photos there for prom or cap & gown sessions - which I now understand why.


It was overcast that morning, but I think the moodiness leans more into Will's personality anyways. We both arrived, I got my gear out, fixed my settings, and started with Will walking. I very frequently start individuals and couples both with walking shots - it gets them moving / out of their head. It gets me warmed up and I get a few test shots out of the way.

A sequence of casual poses along a stone wall in a wooded area wearing a green sweater.
Walking shots along a brick pathway and stone wall wearing a green hoodie and khaki pants.
Casual portraits by a stone wall in a forest setting wearing a dark green sweatshirt.

Next we moved into using with the various aspects of the park that were available. The stone building with the dark trimmed doors and windows made for a nice backdrop as well as the stone wall he could walk on. He started to relax and - we went from this being a photo session - to just hanging out at the park, with me occasionally taking photos. By this point I'd already asked him what his 'go-to' pose is and I learned he's not a big fan of smiling 'with teeth'. That is always something I want to make sure I ask because I want senior photos to best reflect the individual. Yes, we're going to take some 'smile with teeth' photos for mom, but we also want to make sure to lean into Will's personality.

Person in dark green sweater and khakis posing against beige brick wall.
Person in dark green sweatshirt and khaki pants standing on brick sidewalk near storefronts.
Person in forest green pullover sweater smiling against beige stone wall.
Figure in green sweater balancing with arms outstretched on stone wall in park setting.
Person wearing dark green sweater standing outdoors on brick pathway with trees in background.
Figure crouching on stone wall wearing green sweater and khaki pants in wooded park setting.

We then pivoted, he changed tops. He had a UAB shirt on underneath his favorite green shirt. Since that's his current plan, to head to UAB, we snapped a quick shot with his UAB shirt. Then he switched to his gray button down. We continued with more shots at the stone wall then walked the small pathway behind the park. We had to get a few with his mom along the way and then a few moody shots with the trees. Can I just say - him and his mom are hair GOALS? I love their curly hair.

Person wearing UAB shirt standing in wooded outdoor area with stone walls.
Person in grey button-down shirt sitting on large rock in park setting.
Person in casual attire sitting on stone wall along brick pathway in wooded park setting.
Person sitting casually on a tree stump in a wooded park area wearing khakis and a gray sweater.
Person lounging on a wooden stump in a forest setting wearing casual attire.
Person sitting on a tree stump with hands covering face in an artistic pose.
Two people walking away on a gravel path through a forest wearing casual clothes.
Candid shot of two people sharing a happy moment on a forest trail.
Playful moment captured between two people on a wooded path.
Person in gray shirt and khakis posing against trees on a forest trail.
Person in casual attire leaning against large tree trunks in a wooded setting.
Person in gray button-up shirt posed between trees with arms crossed.

After the small pathway, we opened up to a road that is lined with GORGEOUS trees. I'm a big fan of trees so I knew we were going over there. It did require working with traffic since we shot in the road, but it wasn't a heavily trafficked area. It was actually quite peaceful here. These are hands down my favorite images from this session. In the moment, my aunt Betty kept saying things like 'WOW, this is so inspiring". "Wow, are you just loving this? How creative!"


Insert my 'brain-tickling' moment of the session. Betty was feeling it too. This was one of those creative moments you sink into. I am not sure if Will was inspired as Betty and I were, but wow, what a beautiful little moment we were having.


Will did have his own little moment 5 minutes later - he started getting more silly and was sticking his tongue out. Also, he found some ants on the stone wall and proceeded to watch them for a minute. I let him guide the way and was merely along for the ride at this point.

Tree-lined paved pathway with stone walls in peaceful park setting.
Winding asphalt path through pine forest with stone border.
Scenic woodland path with stone retaining walls and tall pine trees.
Curved asphalt pathway bordered by rustic stone wall in pine forest.
Person in navy sweater leaning against stone wall on tree-lined path during autumn.
Person admiring blooming cherry trees along brick pathway in early spring.
Person in blue sweater poses playfully on brick pathway with blooming trees in background.
Person with curly hair sitting on stone wall near building with white exterior.
Person in navy sweater standing on brick pathway with flowering trees and buildings in background.
Person in dark sweater walking along scenic pathway with blooming spring trees.
Person relaxing on stone retaining wall outside building with large windows.

We were running out of time before I needed to head back and prep for the wedding but we were still fueled by the creative energy. We walked a little more around the town to see if more inspiration struck, to which of course it did at a nearby church.

Person in navy sweater and khakis walking up brick steps near landscaped garden.
Person in blue sweater standing on brick pathway near beige building with landscaping.
Person in navy sweater and khaki pants standing on brick path with yellow flowers nearby.
Person in casual attire standing on brick walkway near flowering garden and beige building.
Person in blue sweater and tan pants standing on paved path with spring flowers blooming.
Person in navy sweater posing on brick pathway with yellow and pink flowers in garden.
Scenic stone path with rustic retaining wall winds through wooded landscape.
Stone pathway with natural rock wall meanders through serene garden setting.
Flagstone walkway bordered by rugged stone wall in peaceful outdoor setting.
Covered walkway with stone archways and tiled flooring in dim lighting.
Stone-lined covered passageway with decorative archways and potted plants.
Wooded path with stone retaining wall in natural outdoor setting.

After this, I was out of time. I felt satisfied with all I had captured for the day, confident we had some really good images that really showcased Will. Betty invited me to grab a cup of coffee with her. I checked my watch...I mean there is always time to grab a cup, right?


We walked into the moody little coffee shop and I still found myself itching to create. I had already packed up my camera gear but I couldn't help myself. That creative energy was still flowing so I had Will sit by the window. He had ordered a pastry and I think I finally captured what TRUE happiness looks like to him. YUM.


These coffee shop photos were for more for ME. I doubt Will is going to print these on his graduation cards (LOL - but wouldn't that be great?!?!). The results from those quick snaps are below. Note, I did ask permission from the barista prior to pulling out my gear. Always good to check when inside a business.

Moody indoor portraits by large windows in a white button-up shirt.
Indoor candid shots showing someone looking at phone near large windows.
Person in beige jacket checking phone while sitting at dark table by window in moody lighting.
Person in casual attire eating food while seated at dark wooden table near window.
Individual in light colored jacket looking down at food while seated at dark table.
Person unwrapping food item while seated at dark wooden table by window.

We chatted, had some coffee, then I had to head out. Another fun session in the books! Thanks Will & Betty for the opportunity and congratulations cuz. Love you!


This post was originally published on 4/17/25 and was migrated to my new site on 07/15/25