This summer I photographed my very first seniors, and it opened up a whole new facet to my work. What began as a small portfolio project has turned into one of my favorite parts of photography. From wide-open fields to football stadiums, senior photos in Hayward have quickly become something special to me.
It all started when I put out a post on Facebook, asking for a local girl and guy to help me build a portfolio. I ended up photographing Mya and Ryker, and they couldn’t have been better picks for my first seniors. Ryker was an athlete, very style-savvy and Mya leaned more toward a girly, feminine and fun vibe. Both pushed me to adapt to different spaces and trust my creativity. I know exactly what I am doing and use my tools well, but working with a different demographic was a challenge I wanted to face.
^ (this actually cracks me up, because I delivered over 100 photos to each of these kids LOL)
What I realized early on is that senior photos don’t have to feel stiff or posed. My own senior photos (2010 HHS Grad, aging myself here LOL) felt very posed and formal, almost like something out of a studio catalog. I went into this wanting my seniors to feel relaxed, natural, and true to themselves. That means movement, laughter, and fun—more like an adventure than a staged shoot.
Parents often join along during sessions, which I love. Their presence adds input and energy, I love holding conversations with them, and I now try make sure to capture a parent-and-senior photo (or heck, even their sisters) at the end. Those moments turn the session into a keepsake for them both.
Most (besides two cloudy days) of my senior photography sessions are taken during golden hour, my absolute favorite time to shoot. I gravitate toward wide fields, trails, riversides, and the changing colors of the Northwoods. I also encourage seniors to pick their own locations. Having their input makes every session personal and unique.
Some of my favorites this year came from photographing athletes in their element—on the football field, the baseball dugout, or by the beautiful, new concrete design at the Hayward High School (see below). It’s been fun to see their personalities shine in the spaces where they’ve spent so much of their high school careers. Each senior surprised me some with their own ideas and openness. By the end of the session, they always seemed more confident, and that’s when the best photos happen.
Senior sessions have quickly become a highlight of my year. They mark such a big life transition; saying goodbye to high school and stepping into the unknown. With that comes a responsibility on my part. I want to honor who they are in this moment while still protecting their youth. These photos should celebrate individuality, not force trends or poses that don’t feel right for their age.
Fall is the perfect time for Hayward WI senior photography. The leaves are turning, the light is beautiful, and the Dec. 1st school deadline is approaching. If you’re still in need of senior photos, now is the time to reach out. Sessions can be booked through my website’s contact form or by messaging me on social media.
With every senior session, you’ll get a mix of timeless portraits and fun, social-media-ready shots, plus the flexibility of outfit and location changes. Your session fee also includes a print release and my travel coverage. Sessions usually run 1.5–2 hours, giving us plenty of time to capture a variety of looks and moments. And because I’m just as excited as you are to see the results, I keep my turnaround time quick—you won’t be waiting long to receive your images!
Senior year is a doorway into the next chapter of life. These sessions capture the feeling of standing right at the edge of it. For me, this journey into photographing seniors has been a new chapter as well—one that reminds me why I love storytelling through images in the first place.
Contact me here: https://sarahkozlowski.co/contact/
Have a wonderful week! – Sarah
