When Sammy reached out to me about her senior portraits, she shared that she wanted a gallery full of light, natural images and some beautiful, beachy shots. Even though she’s a senior at Beaver Country Day School in Needham, she made the trip down to the South Shore because she fell in love with my style of photography – airy, authentic, and full of natural light. As a Needham MA senior photographer, I love when students from outside my immediate area make the journey to Scituate for their sessions. The coastal backdrops here are unbeatable!

If you are new to my blog, welcome! I’m Christina Runnals, a Massachusetts photographer specializing in photography that is light-filled and natural. I reside in Scituate with my husband and two little boys. My blog is a place where I showcase all of my latest and greatest sessions! If you’d like to learn more about my senior packages and book your own senior session, head to the homepage of my website now. asdf

Pre-Session Consultation & Pinterest Inspo

Several of my senior portrait packages include a pre-session consultation, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the process. I always ask my seniors to create a Pinterest inspiration board – it’s such a fun way for me to get a sense of their personal style, posing preferences, and overall vision. When Sammy showed me her board, I immediately noticed something: she had pinned countless images of girls in long, flowy white dresses… but she didn’t have one planned for her session! I suggested that she track one down, and she did – and let me tell you, it was worth it. Her dress became the star of the show, catching the light in the field and floating beautifully in the ocean breeze at the beach.

I also encouraged Sammy to bring a bouquet of wildflowers as a prop. She loved the idea and arrived with the prettiest bundle. It added a whimsical, natural touch to her photos, especially against the backdrop of tall summer grass and sandy dunes.

A Session in Two Parts: Field + Beach

We kicked off Sammy’s session in a lush green field, capturing both classic portraits and more candid moments. She specifically asked for creative shots, so we mixed in plenty of movement — twirls, walking shots, and lots of genuine laughter. From there, we headed to the beach just in time for golden hour. The sunset light was nothing short of magical, and the combination of her white dress, wildflowers, and the ocean created exactly the kind of dreamy senior portraits Sammy had envisioned.

A Nature-Loving Senior

Beyond her love for photography and beautiful locations, Sammy’s passions really shine through in who she is. She’s an avid distance runner, hiker, and backpacker. She spends every summer at camp in the Appalachian Mountains, so it’s no surprise she wanted her senior portraits to reflect her love of the outdoors. From the peaceful green field to the open beach at sunset, her session was the perfect match for her adventurous spirit.

Final Thoughts

Sammy’s senior session was such a joy to photograph. From the thoughtful pre-session planning to the stunning locations, everything came together seamlessly. The result? A gallery that’s full of candid, creative, and natural images that reflect who Sammy is in this special season of her life.

If you’re looking for a Needham MA senior photographer who can create light, natural portraits in both timeless and beachy settings, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re dreaming of golden fields, sandy beaches, or something in between, we’ll create a session that feels uniquely you.

Scheduling Your Senior Pictures

If you will need your senior pictures for your yearbook, you’ll want to have them taken the summer before your senior year or the autumn of your senior year. Do keep in mind that you should contact me as SOON as possible to schedule. I recommend booking at least 4 months in advance. In other words, you should ideally have your session scheduled by April or May of your junior year. However, I often have clients pre-book their session as early as an entire YEAR in advance! This is because they want to make sure they secure a prime spot.

The Best Time of Year to Schedule A Needham MA Senior Photographer

Many of my clients ask “Which month IS a prime spot for senior pictures?” Overall, my high school senior ladies prefer late July, August, or early September for their pictures. On the other hand, I personally prefer late September or October! It’s consistently less humid, less sticky, less buggy, less chance for sudden thunderstorms, and more golden :-). If you’re booking at the last minute and can’t get the date you want, don’t worry, there is also an option to book a sunrise session or mid-day session! In addition, you should also absolutely add your name to my waitlist.

How to Book Your Senior Pictures

Would you like to hire Christina Runnals as your own senior portrait photographer? Then you can book your session now, or find out more about a senior portrait session with Christina Runnals Photography! You can even view all of my pricing and package options here! Hope to hear from you soon!

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