Nature's Canvas


A successful senior photoshoot begins with a consultation. I invite seniors and their parent(s) to sit down with me to discuss their ideas and preferences, laying the groundwork for a personalized experience. As Avery and her mom discussed their ideas, we narrowed down locations to those that would incorporate both water and a sunset. As our consultation came to a close, we all felt confident that we had a plan that would give us a clear direction for the vibe of the photoshoot: Nature's Canvas.

Capturing Memories


My goal was to capture Avery's vibrant personality and show her confidence. Avery's wardrobe choices were a reflection of her personal style: sophisticated simplicity. Opting for comfortable components that were effortlessly pulled together, she wore a soft, flowing coral dress and also paired classic stone washed denim with a cozy sweater and a for a second look she paired her denim with a gauzy black cropped top. Finishing out her look was a pair of white pants paired with a taupe top and a blue oversized Bardot top . Her style is chic and understated. Avery's style is a testament to her belief in looking polished without being overly fussy, allowing her natural confidence to shine through.

Location One

The first location was the Native Garden at RCTC, a place that resonates with Avery's appreciation for nature and simplicity. The vibrant colors of the flowers and serene ambiance provided an ideal setting for capturing Avery's thoughtful and collaborative spirit. As she gracefully navigated the garden paths, each shot revealed her poise and grace.

A dreamy outdoor portrait of a figure in a beige top and white skirt standing amid tall wild grasses and flowers.
Portrait in a garden with yellow wildflowers and green foliage featuring someone wearing a cozy white knit sweater.
Young woman wearing a black cropped top and blue jeans poses casually against a rustic wooden post with greenery in background.
Fashion portrait in a garden setting with wavy brown hair wearing cream knit sweater and denim jeans amongst colorful flowers.
Portrait of a person with flowing brown hair wearing a black cropped top against lush green foliage.
Portrait in a garden with white sweater and jeans among colorful wildflowers and greenery.
Portrait shot of a person with long brown hair sitting among tall grass wearing a blue top in natural outdoor lighting.
A woman in a blue off-shoulder sweater and gray sweatpants poses outdoors near colorful pink flowers and greenery.
Portrait of a person in a black long-sleeve crop top and denim against green foliage background.
A person in a denim jacket and white pants sits thoughtfully on a large rock surrounded by garden foliage.

Collaboration is Key!

I loved that Avery was willing to try multiple locations within the gardens and different poses. I always love a good collaboration! In fact, Avery saw a pocket of light and asked if we could stop and take pictures. Why of course, I LOVE pockets of light! That stop in the warm sun, yielded some gorgeous pictures! Here are two of them below:

Woman in a blue sweater posing peacefully among yellow wildflowers and foliage beside a pond.
Portrait photo taken in a wildflower meadow at golden hour with yellow goldenrod and white flowers in foreground.

Location Two:


We had initially planned a different location for water at sunset but after I scouted the location, we ended up changing it for logistical reasons and this new location proved to be perfect! Mayowood Road at sunset, where the golden hues of the setting sun provided a breathtaking backdrop, perfectly complemented not only Avery's beautiful dress and flowers, but also Avery's warm and approachable demeanor.

Person in dusty rose maxi dress poses with flowers by tranquil pond surrounded by lush greenery at sunset.
A romantic sunset portrait in a long mauve dress holding red roses by a tranquil pond with autumn trees in the background.
Young woman in mauve top poses outdoors with red and white floral bouquet featuring roses and baby's breath.
A person in a pink dress holds red and white flowers by a pond at sunset, with lush greenery in the background.
A person in a pink maxi dress stands in a wildflower meadow at sunset holding red roses against a purple sky.
Person in pink maxi dress holds vibrant flowers against dramatic purple and orange sunset sky in meadow.

Reflections on the Senior Session:


Reflecting on the experience, Avery shared some insights that should resonate with many seniors and may even help rising seniors to feel confident in the process. When asked, "Did this photo shoot effectively capture who you are as a senior?" she responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!" She also offered valuable advice for upcoming seniors, suggesting they "don’t feel embarrassed or insecure," as "Kathleen will capture the prettiest parts of them". Avery noted that the photoshoot was welcoming, where "my opinions were heard and respected," highlighting the importance of collaboration. So in the end, Avery's senior photoshoot is more than just a collection of images; it is also a celebration of her achievements and a glimpse into her exciting future. Hopefully, Avery will look back on the images fondly, and remember this special time in her life where we had collaborating to create images that truly represented her at this important time in her life.

About the photographer, Kathleen


Kathleen Murphy is a senior portrait photographer based Rochester Minnesota. Kathleen loves to work closely with each senior client to make sure that their personality is authentically captured in each image. She is dedicated to making sure that every senior session is a remarkable experience that seniors will remember treasure as an important part of their senior year. Kathleen strives to ensure that your images are unique and represent YOU!

Professional headshot with person in black cardigan and white blouse with pearl necklace.