High School Senior Photos in Collegeville PA | Montgomery County Senior Portrait Session

A perk about being a photographer that I honestly could have never predicted is the fact that I get to reconnect with old friends. Erin, who was an old friend of my wife, Dawn, and me, recently reached out to us because her daughter and her daughter’s friend were actually preparing to graduate from the same high school we all once attended, Methacton High School in Collegeville, Pennsylvania! This unexpected connection made this senior portrait session even more special, and I held it even dearer to my heart. Getting to photograph the girls while standing next to my own former classmate, who is now a proud parent, getting to witness her own daughter reach an incredible milestone, made the senior session feel even more monumental. And honestly, it also made me feel kind old! Am I old enough to have kids who are graduating high school? Yes, but our two kids are still in middle school so it definitely doesn’t feel that way in our day-to-day lives! 

Senior year in high school is such a wonderful transitional time period, and it’s also meant to be one of the most memorable years of your life! It’s such a fun and exciting time for the kids (and honestly, for the parents too!), while also a bit sad and evokes a mass feeling of nostalgia on them, especially if they are set to move out of their childhood home. Which is why my goal for all of my senior portrait sessions is to keep the excitement and nostalgia alive within the photos and to capture the seniors in a way that feels natural, relaxed, and true to who they are during this time. 

We started off this beautiful Montgomery County senior photo session at Ott’s Excotic Plants, which is just outside of Collegeville, PA. My family and I have always personally loved Ott’s for their unique, stunning greenhouse and of course, the garden store. So when Erin and her daughter suggested starting off the session here, I was happy to oblige and get to photograph a location that gives us some variety. We started off in the greenhouse so we could really utilize the loads of natural colors and flowers that it has to offer, and it also felt the most fitting location for the girls to get comfortable and acclimated in front of the camera. The greenhouse at Ott’s is a beautiful setting and it really made their green cap and gown’s pop against the background. I let Paige and Gabby begin to feel comfortable and confident, in whatever way felt best to them. For the two of them, a mix of posed portraits and silly, candids felt like the best approach to documenting their true personalities. 

We then headed into the tropical setting at Ott’s Exotic Plants to capture a few portraits in their graduation dresses, without the cap and gown. We got to experiment with portraits in front of the waterfalls and rocky tunnels, which definitely added a unique element to their senior portraits! Paige and Gabby seemed to have loads of fun, as they explored their surroundings by walking through the tunnels, climbing the steps to the top of the rocky “mountain”, before heading outside to finish up their portraits against a backdrop that resembled an American desert. It was a great idea to combine Paige and Gabby’s senior photo sessions into one. That small addition really helped both of the girls to relax, play off of each other’s vibes, and let their true personalities shine through as I photographed them. I’m sure having your best friend there with you during a new experience during such a transitional time period also made the entire photo session twice as fun! 

If you’re looking to do a senior portrait session in Collegeville, throughout Montgomery County, or just in the Philadelphia area in general, we would love to connect with you to create something just as personal as Paige and Gabby’s session for you and your family! Our sessions are relaxed, low-pressure, and designed to bring out natural expressions — no awkward posing required. Whether your senior prefers a classic outdoor session, an urban vibe, or something completely unique, we will help you to plan a photo session that reflects who they are at this exciting moment in their lives. Senior photo sessions tend to book up quickly each spring and fall, so if you’re thinking about photos for an upcoming Philadelphia graduate, reach out to check availability and start planning! 

To see some of our family photo sessions, take a look at these Playful Family Photos at Rose Bridge Farm, Winter At-Home Family Photos, and Philadelphia Fall Family Photos In a Park.

And if you would like to book your own family photo session with us send us a message here.

Senior Photos, Montgomery County