Most of my photo sessions tend to be held outdoors in nature, so it’s always a fun change of pace when I get to feature local architecture in some way. I was thrilled when I was contacted to do UTD graduation photos for this senior at the University of Texas Dallas in Richardson. We met on campus on a late afternoon to simply walk around and photograph at a few of his favorite locations.

One of the things I always ask seniors is how they would like to use their photos upon graduation. Evan wanted to make sure he had a few photos that could be used for both headshots and job interviews. We started by taking a few images at the tried-and-true go to spots for UTD graduation photos, but quickly moved on from there. It’s always important to me that I deliver galleries full of variety and consistency to my clients. For graduation photos, that means capturing not just the essence of campus life and graduation, but also photographing images that can be used personally and professionally for years to come.

Evan’s neutral business attire matched the architectural style of campus perfectly. When selecting locations, I looked for areas that featured beautiful light, as well as a strong neutral color palette of black, navy, gray and reddish-browns that would play nicely with both his outfit and the color of his hair. I made sure to keep posing simple and natural, focusing on relaxed expressions that would showcase his easygoing personality. Other than that, we simply walked around campus, stopping to photograph at various spots along the way.

Looking to schedule your own UTD graduation photos in the near future? I would love to speak with you more about what you have envisioned! Be sure to get in touch today and we can set something up!

Christina Freeman is a Dallas portrait photographer based out of Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina, Richardson, Melissa and other north DFW communities.

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Senior sessions are so much fun to put together! Cora was not too picky about her senior portraits–she just wanted to make sure we worked in some of her love for nature. We ended up shooting the first half at the old Cotton Mill in McKinney, TX before heading over to Erwin Park. I love utilizing both of these locations when I can. I’m such a sucker for the Cotton Mill. The owners have done a fantastic job of retaining so many of the historic details with gorgeous landscaping. I really love the blend they utilize of architecture and nature. While we ended up just shooting at the old dye room and patio at the Cotton Mill, there are several other indoor options available as well.

Erwin Park is also a great location–it is beautiful year round, and the mountain bike trails make for some interesting visual elements. This park is also huge, so there are a lot of options to shoot at to get a variety of looks. I do recommend using this park on a weekday when possible, however, as it can get pretty insanely busy on the weekends. We ended up just staying in one area and making the most of the texture of the fields and the pretty golden hour light.

Christina Freeman is a Frisco TX senior photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other north DFW communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. If you have loved everything you have seen so far, be sure to check out my details page for an idea of my general pricing, and be sure to get in touch to start the process today!

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Every year I look forward to doing a year in review, and each year…well, life hits. This year has definitely been no exception, because, you know….2020. But even in the midst of the edits, and the cleaning and the repairs of shower curtains that the kids have pulled down (yes….that just happened about five minutes ago), I am finally making myself sit down and write out my thoughts and memories of the past year. Hopefully this will be the start of an annual tradition.

So, where to begin. I started 2020 off at an all-time high. I had taken the last two weeks off in December 2019, which was so nice to focus solely on my family and the holidays. I also love to spend the last week of December reflecting back on the year and looking forward to the new one, and I had had ample time to create new goals for myself. I was so excited to start the new year and these projects I had created for my business.

And then I got sick, the very first week of January. At the time, I thought it was maybe a really bad case of the flu. High fevers that kept coming and going, absolutely no energy to do anything at all. And every time I felt as though I were getting my feet back under me, it would hit all over again, and I would be laid out on the couch with no energy, sleeping the day away. It took me nearly two months to start feeling like myself again. Looking back now, it makes me wonder if it was the flu after all or if I maybe did manage to pick up one of the early Covid strains during our holiday travels. Who knows.

But the point is, by March I finally had started to get my energy back and was so excited to start tackling some of my photography projects that I had laid out for the new year. And then Covid hit, and everything shut down.

Like many of you, I had no idea what the future held for my little business. I was certain, absolutely certain, that it was done for the year…and maybe for good. Which is why I was shocked when the quarantine lifted…and people started to get in touch with me. Not only did my photography business stay afloat, it actually turned out to be the best year I have ever had. I had the same number of sessions in just seven months that I had had the entire year prior.

So thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for turning out to (safely!) support my business. It feels so wonderful to be able to make money doing what I love. I know that sounds cliche, but it is the absolute truth. I love providing these images for you, and it means the world that you entrust these memories with me.

That is the main thing I really wanted to touch on about this year. You are what makes my business. With your support, I try to spend my down time with my family, as well as educating myself further, so that every year that you return to me, it will be an even better experience. You help make that a possibility.

And while every year is full of its disappointments and fallen attempts, and this year has seemed to have more than its share…there have been some achievements that I am also proud to share with you.

1. In March, I was thrilled to be listed by Clickin Moms in their annual ‘100 Female Photographers to Watch‘ list. I’m not going to lie, this is a goal I had hoped to achieve someday, but really didn’t expect to actually happen. I can’t describe what it meant to see my name listed amongst so many of my personal photography heroes.

2. I was also excited when Click magazine contacted me to do a very short writeup in their May/June 2020 edition. Another goal of mine that I had not expected to happen this year!

3. I decided to enter the Shoot and Share contest for the second time. I’m happy to say that I had four finalists and one top 100 that placed #29 out of 47,626 images in its category.

4. I also submitted to the Voice photo competition this year, and had 2 images selected as top 15 within their respective categories, as well as 3 other semifinalist images.

5. And on a personal note, I finished my third consecutive 365 project, which I hope to do a blog writeup about soon (crossing fingers).

Thanks so much for sticking with me in this year in review and celebrating these little wins with me. While they are so exciting, they also don’t show just how much time is spent feeling like I’m slogging through mediocre image after mediocre image. But I guess that is what keeps us going. Every once in a while we as photographers make another image that excites us and keeps us going. So thank you again for sticking with me this year and entrusting me with your memories. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us all in 2021.

Christina Freeman is a family and child photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. If you have loved everything you have seen so far, be sure to check out my details page for an idea of my general pricing, and be sure to get in touch to start the process today!

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Years ago when we were making our big move from Illinois to Texas, we had a fantastic realtor. He showed us all around McKinney, Melissa and Anna, making us feel right at home in the area and helping us find the perfect house for our needs. Fast forward several years, and I was thrilled when I got the call from him that his daughter, Lexy, was a graduating senior and in need of senior portraits. It was my turn to drop everything to make sure that they both got the senior portrait session they were hoping for.

Before each senior session, I try to get to know the individual to make sure that I capture their personality as much as possible during their portrait session. Lexy is a fantastic artist, so I knew that I wanted to showcase some of her work. She was also interested in a laid-back session with urban vibes, so we decided to hold her session in downtown McKinney, Texas.

It’s always fantastic to work individuals who are willing to take risks. Lexy was such a trooper and let me spackle paint all over her face, despite having no idea what the end result was going to look like. It was something completely new for both of us, which was a ton of fun to play around with.

Are you in search of a Melissa TX senior photographer? Please be sure to check out more of my work here or on my instagram page, then get in touch to start planning your own session today!

Christina Freeman is a Melissa TX senior photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. 

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What style of portraits do you want?

Usually when selecting a photographer, the first thing on most people’s mind is what the overall cost will be. No worries, we are going to get there, but before you even think about that, I urge you to step back and envision the type of portraits you would love to receive. So many times when people are unhappy with an experience with their photographer, it simply turns out to be a conflict between what was envisioned and the work that the photographer traditionally produces. So think about what you want. Do you prefer a studio set up with backdrops and props? A rustic outdoor setting? Artificial or natural light? Relaxed or formal? Candid or posed? Be sure to sit down with your son or daughter and discuss these options before you even begin your search. Once you have a good vision in your head, it will be so much easier to find photographers in your area that already specialize in that type of portraiture and simply narrow your options down from there.

Do you have an editing preference?

At the risk of getting too technical, every photographer has their own style of editing. This process is often something that has been developed and is very personal to each photographer, so be sure to search for photographers with a similar editing style to what you are naturally drawn to. The 3 main common ones you will find are classic (colors, shadows and highlights are true to life), light and airy (light, pastel tones, bright whites, low contrast) and dark and moody (earthy tones, deep shadows and contrast). If you are having trouble envisioning the differences, feel free to click the links or do a google search to get a better idea of what each one looks like.

Do you want digital images?

Be sure to ask your prospective photographers whether or not digital images are included in their packages. Some specialize in wall art and albums, whereas others deliver only digital images through an online gallery, and some provide a mix. Be sure to ask what their packages entail, how much additional digital images will cost, and how ordering is done so that there are no surprises at the end.

Which season do you prefer?

Okay, a bit of a no-brainer, but I have to say it anyway. If you are wanting fall colors, or spring blooms or simply needing to get your portraits finished by a certain deadline for yearbooks, make sure to plan ahead! Many senior photographers book up months or even years in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to start your inquiries. (And a special hint? Summer before senior year is a GREAT time to plan your portraits).

And a few last things to consider….

I promise that just as much as you want an enjoyable senior portrait experience that will be a joy to look back upon, your photographer wants the exact. same. thing. And just as you and your senior are a unique personality, there are so many unique photographers to choose from. Don’t let the choices get overwhelming. Start your search early, and be sure to follow your prospective photographers on their facebook and instagram pages. You can tell a lot about a person’s style and personality simply by following them and checking out the work they put out on a regular basis. Most of the time, you will know it when you find someone that is going to be a great fit. So trust your gut, and be sure to get in touch with them.

And if you are currently looking for an Anna High School senior photographer, I would love to chat! Be sure to get in touch to get a conversation going today!

Christina Freeman is an Anna High School senior photographer serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Get in touch if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation today!

The post How to Find the Best Senior Photographer for You | Anna High School Senior Photographer appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

Christina Freeman is a North Texas teen photographer based in Anna, TX and serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Click the link below if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation.

Get in Touch

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As a McKinney teen photographer, the last thing I want to do when photographing teens is to put them in poses or locations that feel uncomfortable or insincere to them. Before we get very far in the planning stages, I always try to get an accurate feel for their personality, what they will be willing to do and what is going to turn them off. It’s very important to make sure they wear clothes that they feel comfortable in and that match their personality so that we can plan the rest of the session to match.

I had the opportunity to meet and work with Mia through the magazine. We decided to meet in downtown McKinney, which always provides a variety of different locations to choose from. Mia is a part of her local youth theatre, so going into the session, we knew we wanted to showcase that interest for sure. We were able to utilize the local theater for her session, which turned out to be such a perfect location. Her personality is a little quiet, a little reserved and a little edgy, so we went with that and found locations and light to match.

Do you have a teen or tween that you would love to schedule a portrait session for? Please feel free to see more of my work with this age group, and be sure to contact me to start planning their customized session today!

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Christina Freeman is a McKinney teen photographer based in Anna, TX and serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Be sure to get in touch if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation.

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Luckily, I soon discovered a little secret: there are hidden gems EVERYWHERE. I used to think that the secret to a great portrait session was the location, but it turns out that’s really not the case. We can make an empty parking lot look great, as long as the light is beautiful. We don’t need epic scenery to make a successful session (it’s a bonus, though!). YOU are the subject; the location is secondary. Once I discovered this secret, it actually opened up a world of possibilities. There are few things I enjoy as much as taking my camera out for a walk and discovering all the new places we can shoot–they are literally everywhere.

Being a McKinney TX photographer, it was only natural to start exploring in the heart of downtown. This area has turned out to be one of my absolute favorite places, both to shoot and just to hang out. Even though I have been here hundreds of times, I feel like I still am discovering little hidden gems every single time I go.

I would love to walk you through a few of the locations that I chose for this session with beautiful Peyton, who was an absolute joy to work with. Here we go!

The Parking Lot

Remember when I said that you can shoot in an empty parking lot and make it work? Case in point. When we met up for this session, the sun was just starting to go down. Since we were meeting downtown, the sun started to dip low behind the buildings right at the beginning of our session. I knew that I wanted to get at least a few images that would be backlit by the sun, so we literally had to chase that particular type of light down. This led to this empty lot, where I focused on capturing a few headshots of Peyton against the simple green background.

Downtown

Peyton is an incredible dancer, and I wanted to showcase her flexibility in this session. There are so many gorgeous buildings available in downtown McKinney, so it was very easy to find a few beautiful yet complimentary backdrops. My goal was to compliment her without overpowering her as the subject, so I was on the lookout for beautiful framing and lines. (Extra bonus when you are flexible enough to become a leading line yourself!)

The Wall

As a downtown McKinney TX photographer, it’s only natural to want to showcase some of the gorgeous walls available. McKinney does not disappoint! This area has a wide range of colorful backdrops available to choose from. This was a wall that we just happened to stumble upon on the way to her car–we actually thought we had gotten all the shots we wanted by this point, and this turned out to be a happy accident. However, I wanted to utilize the beautiful colors and shapes in a way that would fit with Peyton’s story. We spent the last few minutes of daylight trying to capture Peyton’s gorgeous leaps and jumps. As a side note, she is so incredibly talented. Can you believe that most of these images were captured on her very first try?!

Moral of the story: locations are super important for establishing the mood and feel of the session that you want, but they should never be the focus. As long as the light available is beautiful, we can make wonderful portraits in any location. However, it is super fun to be creative and discover all of the wonderful locations available in the area! I am excited to continue to explore and provide an endless option of locations for your session!

If you have loved everything you have seen so far, please get in touch with McKinney TX photographer Christina Freeman to book your session today! I look forward to hearing from you!

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Christina Freeman is a lifestyle photographer based in Anna, TX. She specializes in photographing families, newborns and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Send an email to christinafreemanphotography@gmail.com or call her at 940-453-4962 to get a conversation started today!

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Have you ever met a person and been instantly drawn to their beauty and love for life? This was the very first impression I had when I met Macie. Her smile and laughter were so contagious, I knew in a second that this would be one of my favorite sessions I had done.

We had already spoken over the phone and decided to hold her McKinney TX senior portraits in the heart of the historic downtown district. While I am always a fan of the versatility this particular location provides, I knew I wanted the focus to be primarily on Macie’s beautiful eyes and smile.

She has been on my mind a lot of late, as she will be graduating in just a little over 24 hours! She has so many wonderful things ahead of her, and I feel very honored that I got to capture this time in her life. Thank you again, Macie!

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Be sure to click here to see more of my work with teens and seniors!

McKinney TX senior portraits photographer Christina Freeman specializes in photographing newborns, families, children, maternity and high school seniors in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Send an email to christinafreemanphotography@gmail.com to plan your session today!

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But here’s the thing…I wasn’t really in my niche. I’ve talked about it briefly before, but my growth as a photographer has been a long, slow process. I’ve learned a lot from others, but I’ve also been super guilty of not always doing my own thing. When I was in Illinois, I had this amazing field to work with, I usually had nice, even overcast days to work with, and there were a lot of families in my area. I got comfortable, a little lazy, and too be honest, pretty scared to get outside my comfort zone. I did what I saw other photographers doing.

And then I moved to Texas. I didn’t have my perfect field anymore. I had to meet new families. Even though I was home, I was definitely no longer in my comfort zone. And a funny thing happened. I started to grow. I started rediscovering why I loved picking up my camera every day. In the beginning of our move, I barely was photographing anyone, so all I could do was practice. Every. Single. Day. And I started to find my voice. I realized I didn’t need a perfect field. I actually am drawn to textures, and color, and architecture. My husband thinks I’m a super weirdo, but when we go new places, I’m always looking up, admiring the details in the buildings above me. (How cool is it that someone so long ago sculpted artwork into their buildings?! Why don’t we take the time to do that anymore?!) I discovered downtown McKinney, which is full of so many of these things I’ve always been drawn to, yet never paid attention to. I have yet to discover so many of the historic towns around me, but I’m so excited to explore!

And yes, I know shooting in downtown McKinney locations can be super cliche. But I am trying to approach this old/new approach in a way that isn’t cliche…in a way that speaks to me and the things I have always been drawn to as an individual. I love finding the little details in downtown McKinney that you would normally walk right past and never notice…the way light hits the building at a certain time of day, the gorgeous symmetry, the patina on the walls. It’s not about doing what everyone else is doing…it’s about finding the things that speak to me as an artist and bringing those out in the sessions that I do.

And so, in this year of self-discovery, I realized that I loved the thought of trying out senior sessions. I wasn’t sure I would be any good at it…I haven’t worked with teenagers in a long time, I’m kind of shy and dorky, and honestly, I haven’t really had to do very much posing with little kids. But I put out a model call, and lucky me, the first senior I got to work with was gorgeous Janea. I’m not going to lie…she pretty much did all of the work in this session. I was so nervous about giving directions, but she knew just what to do. She made my job that day incredibly easy. And the best part? She inspired me. She made me realize that there was an entire genre of photography that I had been too afraid to delve into. I had been holding myself back.

And so in the weeks since I had the joy of photographing her, I have been studying like crazy, getting ready to take on a new year of seniors. I look at this first session, and I am so thrilled with how it went, but my mind is full of ideas of what I want to do differently as well. I love that open-ended feeling of possibilities. I am excited to see where this new endeavor will lead.

Christina Freeman is a wife and mother to 3 little ones who enjoys capturing details of ordinary life from behind the lens. She currently resides in Anna, TX and loves photographing other families, babies and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, downtown McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Contact her to get a conversation started today!

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