Teen milestones are often overlooked and as a result, when looking back for beautiful images during the teen years they’re non-existent. There’s a big, huge gap from the end of elementary school until graduation of high school. Yes, it can be difficult to capture images that truly reflect their personality as a teen but those years are so transitional! Below is a quick recap of my timeline as a photographer noting the really important ages for photographs.

Freshman (summer only)

Whether it’s 13 years old or going into Freshman year. It’s a big one! Going from 8th grade to high school is a huge jump. I guarantee that you’ll see the difference within just a month or 2 of them being in high school. THIS SUMMER is the time to photograph your soon to be Freshman. There will be no turning back after high school starts. That will be your first big gap. If you’ve got a teen who wants to be photographed with other friends her age, you may want to consider Freshman Crew. This summer only.

Sweet 16

This is sophomore year going into junior year. I’m going to be straight up with you that it’s not a big transitional year but it is a fun one to celebrate. I’ve started running a giveaway on the first of every month because who doesn’t want to celebrate?! If you have a teen turning sixteen then send in her birthdate, email address (parent’s email address as well) and it will go into the same month’s giveaway, i.e. July 1st we pull a random name from all of the July birthdays.

Senior Squad

This is a “team” of girls who are juniors going to be seniors and receive not only their senior photoshoot but fun styled shoots throughout the year. I have my class of 2023 team in place. This fall I start sending out information for class of 2024. If you get on the list now then you’ll receive benefits rather than waiting until end of this year.

Senior Pictures

This is it! This is the time of year when you want to be booking senior pictures. If you don’t capture this year you will never have their last days of childhood documented. I’ve said it over and over again because I’m on the other side of it. If you don’t have images of them just before becoming an adult you will miss this window of opportunity FOREVER. I can’t overstate it. Just speak with anyone who has had a son or daughter graduate high school. If they haven’t had beautiful, personality filled images taken, they regret it. If they did book that appointment they are forever grateful they did. Promise!

Recap

Teen milestones are often overlooked. Don’t look back and regret not taking the time to book a photoshoot. Take a look at the video below and I’ll walk you through MILESTONES if you’ve more of a visual or audio type of person. It’s that important – DO NOT let these years pass by without images that you feel who they are at this age.