Heather Neal Photography

Senior sessions have been a lot more emotional for me this year. Having a senior myself, I can relate to how bittersweet it is…especially for mamas. This one was as hard to believe that it was really happening as my own daughter’s though. This beautiful girl and my daughter, Marissa grew up together. Marissa came along for the session and we took a few photos of them together and I could stop picturing them as little girls in matching outfits with toothless smiles making up dances and gymnastics routines together. The girls don’t have time to get together often anymore, but we had so much fun with her and her mom taking pictures and laughing like old times. It’s hard to believe they will both be heading off to college soon, but they are such great and beautiful girls and I am so proud of them and can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!

My grandmother used to say “You have to suffer to be beautiful”. I often think of that as also being a little true for photoshoots. You get out of it what you are willing to put into it both as a photographer and “model”. Ciara was ALL IN! She arrived perfectly put together with her gorgeous hair full of bouncy curls and make-up “on point”. We got one outfit in before it started to rain. She was an absolute trooper and went on with the shoot and was luckily prepared with some good boots to get to a rather muddy (but totally worthwhile) location. Her curls may not have completely survived, but I love the untamed version it resulted in for the more “wild” location, especially in contrast to the beginning outfit. It changed the whole mood of the photos…Happy Accident!

Some years I have so many High School Senior Sessions I can barely squeeze them in. This year was full of weddings instead but my High School Senior Sessions were all about QUALITY over quantity. I may not have shot as many as past years, but the ones I did have were outstanding! Gabby’s was no exception. It doesn’t hurt when your clients are friends of course. My daughter, Marissa and I had a girl’s day prior to Gabby’s session and then she came along with me and we had a blast hanging out with gorgeous Gabby and her mama (who is also my friend). They not only provided me with a beautiful model, but the MOST gorgeous location which was complete with a rocky waterfall (minus the water, lol), lake and the cutest vintage Triumph. Of course we had to sneak in a little session of Gabby at the place where she spends the most time too. This session was a little bittersweet because it’s hard to think about Gabby being gone next year, but we CAN’T WAIT to cheer her on as she competes for the Florida Gators!!!