Portraits Archives

Senior portraits are always about more than photographs.

Portrait of Kahra at Point Betsie Lighthouse with the blue waters of Lake Michigan in the background.

They’re about preserving a season of life, capturing not only who someone is today, but also the places and moments that will become cherished memories in the years ahead.

Kahra looks up while standing on the spiral staircase inside Point Betsie Lighthouse.

When Carissa contacted me about photographing her daughter, Kahra, she already had a vision in mind. Their family loves spending time in the Frankfort area, so rather than choosing a single location, we planned an entire day around some of their favorite places: Point Betsie Lighthouse, Elberta Beach, downtown Frankfort, and a few stops that held special meaning for their family.

Portrait of Kahra beside a vintage mirror during her senior photo session inside the Port Betsie Lighthouse.

That approach transformed the session into something much more than a typical senior portrait shoot. We weren’t simply moving from one backdrop to another—we were telling the story of a day together.

Kahra sits on driftwood at Elberta Beach with the Frankfort Lighthouse in the distance.

Point Betsie offered timeless architecture, sweeping views of Lake Michigan, and the quiet beauty of one of Michigan’s most iconic lighthouses. At Elberta Beach, the mood shifted completely as Kahra walked the shoreline, sat on driftwood, and enjoyed the freedom that only a summer afternoon on Lake Michigan can provide.

Kahra kneels on Elberta Beach with her reflection visible in the shallow water.

Downtown Frankfort brought another layer of personality. The gardens, storefronts, park benches, and even an unexpected encounter with the owner of a beautifully restored vintage Mustang created photographs none of us had planned. After hearing what we were doing, he graciously invited Kahra to sit in the car, giving us a memorable set of images that quickly became some of my favorites from the day.

Later, Kahra and her parents brought out their vintage American flag, which they had packed specifically for the session. Those portraits, set against the backdrop of Frankfort, reflected their own vision and became a unique Americana chapter within the gallery.

Kahra smiles while wrapped in a vintage American flag during her senior portrait session in Frankfort.

We even finished the day with a few photographs at the Frankfort Coast Guard Station, a location chosen because Kahra’s brother serves in the United States Coast Guard. Those images were created especially for their family, adding one more personal chapter to an already memorable day.

Portrait of Kahra at the entrance to the United States Coast Guard Station in Frankfort, Michigan.

None of this would have been possible without a wonderful team effort. Cindee spent the day helping with everything from keeping hair and clothing looking their best to spotting opportunities, encouraging ideas, and helping Kahra feel comfortable in front of the camera. One of those opportunities, asking a Mustang owner if Kahra could pose beside his car, turned into a highlight of the session.

By the time the sun began to set over Lake Michigan, we had created far more than a collection of senior portraits. Together, we had documented a day filled with laughter, beautiful places, family, and memories that I hope Kahra will enjoy long after graduation.

Every senior has a story. My goal is always to create photographs that help tell it.

Kahra walks hand in hand with her parents, Carissa and Matt, along the Frankfort pier on Lake Michigan.

Congratulations, Kahra. Thank you to Carissa and Matt for trusting Cindee and me to be part of such an important milestone.

Every once in a while, a photography session turns into something much more than taking pictures.

Eli sits on a rocky shoreline with his feet in Lake Michigan, his reflection mirrored in the calm water during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

When Melissa and Chad asked me to photograph Eli’s senior portraits, Eli had one request: he wanted his senior photos to be taken in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a place that has become part of his story, and he wanted that reflected in his senior portraits.

After spending the weekend there, I completely understood.

Cindee and I made the trip north to spend a few days with Melissa, Chad, Eli, and Taco. What began as a photography session quickly became a weekend filled with long conversations, laughter, incredible Lake Michigan scenery, and the kind of relaxed pace that lets authentic moments happen naturally.

Letting the Location Tell the Story

One of the things I enjoy most about senior portraits is finding locations that say something about the person in front of the camera.

Eli sits among the twisted roots of a weathered cedar tree along the Lake Michigan shoreline during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

For Eli, that meant rocky shorelines, cedar trees, quiet water, open beaches, and the ever-changing moods of Lake Michigan. Rather than treating the landscape as a backdrop, we wanted it to become part of the story.

Sometimes that meant quiet portraits along the shoreline.

Black-and-white portrait of Eli sitting on a rocky Lake Michigan shoreline, gazing toward the water during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Sometimes it meant climbing over limestone ledges or simply sitting with his feet in the water.

Eli kneels beside Taco on a rocky Lake Michigan shoreline during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

And sometimes it meant jumping into Lake Michigan fully clothed just because it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the moment.

Those often become the photographs people remember most.

Black-and-white photograph of Eli flipping his wet hair in Lake Michigan, creating a dramatic arc of water during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

More Than Portraits

While the weekend centered around Eli’s senior portraits, we also took time to photograph the entire family—including Taco, who was more than happy to be part of the adventure.

Eli stands with his parents, Melissa and Chad, and their dog, Taco, on the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Those family photographs are every bit as important.

Years from now, they won’t simply remember senior year. They’ll remember this weekend together on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Why I Love Environmental Portraits

I’ve always believed that the best portraits tell a story.

When someone is photographed in a place they genuinely love, their personality naturally comes through.

Eli falls backward into the calm waters of Lake Michigan with his arms outstretched, sending up splashes during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

That’s why I prefer environmental portraits whenever possible. The location becomes another character in the photograph.

Eli kneels on a limestone shelf beside Lake Michigan, his reflection mirrored in a calm tide pool during his senior portrait session in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Thank You

A huge thank you to Melissa, Chad, and Eli for inviting Cindee and me into such a special weekend. Your friendship and hospitality made this one of those photography experiences we’ll remember for a very long time.

Congratulations again, Eli. I wish you all the best as you begin your next adventure.