We had an absolute blast doing Lydia’s Senior Portraits at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin,TN. Wow doesn’t she look absolutely stunning like out of a magazine. Her hair and makeup is flawless.

Lydia has been homeschooled and goes to a tutorial at West Christian Harpeth and will graduate as a senior this upcoming year. Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin TN about 20 mins south of Nashville was the perfection location for this shoot!

Wow, Lydia, you are an absolute natural and crushed absolutely every pose.

Tip for our seniors, a bouquet of fresh flowers is the perfect prop to freshen up the shoot.

Wow would you look at how gorgeous these florals turned out!? just the perfect pop of color & prop to brighten this shoot. These flowers were from the Brentwood Floral Shop.

Congratulations Lydia and we’re so excited for your beautiful future!

Wow what a fun shoot we had in the middle of fall at Sevier Park in 12th south in Nashville, Tennessee. Right before it started to get a tad chilly around here.

Look at how radiant she is with the sunlight just beaming behind her!

Ah and the iconic flower mural - honestly one of the best murals in Nashville is located right in 12th south across the street from Burger Up my favorite burger joints in all of Nashville. It’s also behind this delicious Lebanese restaurant called Epice - definitely worth checking out.

As far as wardrobe styling went, we stayed away from darker colors such as black and navy to really make her pop and glow in this beautiful sunlight. She’s so classy!

Absolutely love this jean jacket look for such an urban shoot. Really captures the 12th south vibes!

She carries such sweet pure innocence in her eyes, truly a beautiful soul.

Wow, Laila you truly shine!! Look at that glorious smile. We had the privilege of being her photographers and capturing her beauty! After she graduates high school she plans to go on and major in criminal psychology. You will do amazing at that, Laila. We had so much fun with you!

Battle Ground Academy senior Laura Abbott blew us away during her senior portrait session with her fierce poses and fabulous style! Downtown Franklin was the perfect location to photograph this green eyed beauty with all it’s cozy corners! Just look at this gorgeous gal!

When she’s not killing it in front of the camera, Laura loves to sing and to act! It’s not surprising that she thrives on film with hobbies like that! On her off time, one of Laura’s favorite spots is Pure Barre for a good workout. Her hair and makeup looked absolutely gorgeous as the style completely complemented and accentuated her natural beauty.

We just can’t get enough of this sweet Southern belle- her outer and inner beauty is so captivating! Her beauty is classic + timeless, like past Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn.

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.”

— Audrey Hepburn

Congratulations on your senior year, Laura!! She was such an incredible Battle Ground Academy senior class president. We can’t wait to see the glorious things you’ll do!

Hayden Kelly, you are a stunner!! Wow, we had SO much fun!!!

When Hayden smiles, she sure lights up a room! Isn't that smile contagious!? 

Hayden's shoot was SO much fun the perfect mix of natural with golden sunlight shooting through the trees at illuminating her gorgeous hair to a more urban industrial look on Clinton Street. We had originally tossed around about the idea of doing them over fall break on the beach in Florida. Obviously, it's not the same but this was the perfect location to capture her personality & style. Maybe next time on the beach pics though ;) 

Aren't her outfits just ADORABLE!? A mix of soft classic + trendy causal... the perfect combo! 

No big deal, Hayden just walking the streets of Nashville like a BOSS. 

100% yes to the glitter!!! Marathon Music Works on Clinton Street was the perfect spot to get the retro urban look we were going for. :) 

Okay, Hayden... maybe you should think about a career in modeling and fashion!? 

I've got to say, Hayden's mom Mary was absolutely incredible!!! She had the entire trunk set up like a portable wardrobe + brought props of our dreams. So prepared and all the hard work totally paid of in these lovely pics!! 

Take a look at these fantastic retro shades ;) 

When Hayden isn't working it as a model, she also happens to be a Centennial High basketball star! :) 

One of my favorite shots ever... golden glitter glory! Funny story, the Emily Anne Senior video has Hayden featured with her blowing glitter. The day we set for Hayden's veiwing/ordering session, I happened to run into her before at CVS and she was covered in glitter- I get to their house later that evening & she's COVERED in what... GLITTER!! I hereby have named her "Glitter Girl." :) 

In all seriousness though, Hayden is truly a remarkable girl. I am so excited to see what she is going to do an accomplish in her lifetime. This is only the beginning!! 

Congratulations, Hayden!!! :) 

WOW. This beautiful young lady is INCREDIBLY talented!! Actress, dancer, model... what does Brittany NOT do?! This session was absolutely breathtaking! 

WATCH RIGHT HERE BELOW HER GORGEOUS MOVING PICTURE IN HIGH DEFINITION!!!! I get chills every time I start watching her dance to the music.  

Wow, just wow... am I right!? Absolutely love this in air action shots of her in the streets of Downtown Franklin! 

I'm really so happy with how the outfits turned out, mix of classic rich & soft blues blues, skirts, black dress & the sunglasses are the perfect touch. 

Brittany does want to pursue some sort of career in the arts. I am confident, whether it is acting, singing, dancing, modeling she will do absolutely incredible!! 

Here blue eyes against the soft greens <3 <3 <3 

Brittany's smile could light up an entire room. In this moment she was looking at her dad who made her laugh throughout the whole shoot... so precious!! 

If you need a talented model or dancer for your next gig... Brittany is your gal!! 

Anyone else a sucker for the absolute classics like Anne of Green Gables? Well, this shot of Brittany in the blue with the sun kissing her from behind and this lovely hat completely reminds me of a modern day Anne! I have a special place in my heart for Anne of Green Gables especially because it's part of my name and I do now say her infamous line, "It's Anne with an E." 

SOO beautiful Brittany!!! 

“Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are your comfort zone. ”

— George Shaw

I love this quote because it inspires us to keep moving forward and pushing past the hesitations and uncertainties of the future. Brittany, I am SO excited to see how your future unfolds as you embark on this new chapter of life & pursue your passions and discover more about who you were created to be. I look forward to seeing the next steps you take!! 

Where do I begin!? These pics speak for themselves. First of all, the locations of Anna's shoot were absolutely perfect. Mix of both city/rustic/urban/natural! What more could you want in a session?

Check out her BEAUTIFUL MOVING PICTURE VIDEO RIGHT HERE BELOW! WATCH IN HD! :) 

Using Baskin Robbins ice cream was definitely the BEST idea!! But then again, you can never go wrong with ice cream, can you? 

Anna's sweet personality really shines through these images and just WOW when the sun through the trees illuminates her from the behind! :) Anna is graduating this year from Battle Ground Academy and couldn't be more excited her and her future! Not only is she stunning on the outside but she is one of the kindest people you will ever meet and her smile immediately lights up a room. 

Talk about a classic beauty. Black & white truly never fails. When she's not slaying it on camera, you can find her killin' it on the volleyball courts or volunteering her time at Young Life. 

Just walking down the streets of Downtown Franklin like she owns the town. The bouquet of flowers was a perfect touch. 

Heading down to the creek for a swim, are we? :) 

How cool is this background? The twinkling lights + cobblestone pathway are amazing! 

Is she a BGA senior graduate or a Baskin Robbins model? Haha I can't quite tell! 

The location of this pic reminds of some places you would find in Zurich Switzerland or the streets of Ascona/Roma Italy! 

In the heat of summer, the ice cream was a fantastic prop idea... that was until it melted haha! 

I absolutely LOVE this quote! 

““Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.””

— Henry David Thoreau

“Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. Then, by all means, you should follow that. ”

— Ellen Degeneres

A little humor for today! In all seriousness, Anna, I am so excited to see how your future unfolds!! <3

Wow, it's been a hot minute since I've had the chance to get back on here! Back & ready to show ya an absolutely gorgeous young lady... Rachel Fisher! 

WATCH HER AMAZING VIDEO- MOVING PICTURE --- BE SURE TO TURN ON HD!!! 

Just take a minute to admire how absolutely gorgeous she is. RADIANT & GOLDEN BEAUTY! 

We found a lovely flower field and it was the perfect touch to complement her soft blue dress. And, thankfully we were far south enough that we got full blossom & didn't even have to go down to Alabama or Georgia to get perfect summer evening weather for her pics. 

Rachel wanted a mix between urban/natural and that's exactly what we did! I looked all over Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin to find the best location & it turns out all of these were in Franklin! Gorgeous golden sunset shots are the absolute BEST and she looks like a model for urban outfitters or some other company haha! 

Staring into a coffeeshop window... or more like "staring in to her future like..." Her future is bright!! Rachel is multi-talented and is looking at attending University of Knoxville next year. 

Look at her adorable car!! Ahhh LOVE LOVE IT!!! She looks like a gorgeous vintage model chic from the 1920s with a classic flare. 

Chasing the sun again. :) Ah, look at her!! With that flower in her hair she looks like she could be a Hawaiian princess. :) 

I just recently found this quote that I absolutely LOVE:  

“Do all the other things, the ambitious things—travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes...but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.”

— George Saunders

So proud of you, Rachel! It was an absolute blast getting to capture your senior portraits & I am so excited about your future!

Tianna is one of the most authentic, delightful people to be around. Just an honor to be able to photograph Ms. Fisk University commemorating such a joyous occasion. 

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. "

- Jackson Brown Jr. 

She's just so stylish we just laughed the whole time and had a blast!! 

This lovely lady is a Fisk University graduate and is SUCH a doll. She graduated with a Bachelors in Businessand how she juggled rigorous academics with pageants, shows, and banquets, I have no idea!!

Anna is just absolutely gorgeous inside and out. Aside from being just perfectly adorable in every way, Anna is also a professional ballet dancer, which made her a complete pro in front of the camera... so graceful and elegant! 

We walked down Mainstreet in downtown Franklin, turned a little corner and found a hidden flower haven!! The hyacinths truly make her lips pop and match perfectly! 

These girls were the absolute sweetest! Best friend sessions are honestly some my absolute favorites too! :) 

These three girls grew up together, and even though they went to separate high schools Christ Presbyterian Academy, Independence High School, and Battle Ground Academy, they decided they wanted to celebrate their last year together with a joint portrait session! 

Needless to say, they were so much fun. :) 

Bennett's session was an absolute blast! This Class of 2017 Brentwood High School graduate has a bright future ahead of him!

Bennett just recently received his Eagle Scout award. Not only is brilliant but he is also persistent and dedicated having pursued this achievement! 

What a delight it was capturing Ms. Emily Suttle's senior portraits. She is truly radiant inside and out. So proud of her accomplishment in achieving the status of Ms. Teen Tennessee USA. 

To me, senior portraits are so much more than a few pictures before graduation. Senior portraits are about capturing the beauty and essence of each person, and reminiscing on the beautiful accomplishments as well as the exciting possibilities the future holds. 

Mary Kay the founder of Mary Kay cosmetics once stated it beautifully, "When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. the choice is yours and yours along. Refuse to throw in the towel." That is exactly what Emily chooses to do. She did not give up in anyway on pursuing her dreams and accomplishments and is watching the future unfold for her. I can hardly wait to see what Emily has yet to accomplish! 

High school is a HUGE part of life. 4 years of your life spent engaging in team activities, Friday Night Lights, honors societies, ACT prep, late night Sonic drinks, pep rallies... the list goes on. We focus our intent on walking across that platform on graduation day with a diploma in our hands for hard work, but what next? 

Choosing a university can be a daunting experience, but with proper guidance, you can have rewarding results. 

Just Make Up Your Mind!!! 

Believe me, you're not the only one. Many studies have gathered that approximately 50% of students that enter college declare "undecided." That is 1 out of every 2 people you meet that walk the halls of your college campus do not know what career path they would dedicate their lives to. 

AND, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 80% of students change their major at least once. Changing your major at least once can result in additional semesters of schooling, delaying graduation and accumulating even more debt. 

What's the Point? 

Well, the point of asking the question is to at least address it! Why are you going to college? Is it for a social connection? To meet a future spouse? To party and maybe kinda figure out life? To escape from your parents grasp? Maybe it is to get a well-paying job and start an independent life of your own? Whatever the reason, it would just be down right miserable to waste 4+ invaluable years at the prime of your life on something you do not love or can even see yourself doing. 

Let's break down some of the stereotypical assumptions about college and start helping you figure out what is the best path for you. 

1. Be Proactive. Do Your Research. 

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but, as in anything in life, if you want it you have to work for it. 

Thomas Jefferson once wisely said, "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

While you're in high school, over summers, during breaks, when you have spare time, make a list of anything and everything that sparks your interest, even things that are remotely fascinating to you and begin exploring those possibilities. 

For example, if you feel drawn to the medical field, why not volunteer at your nearby hospital, a nursing home, ask for some shadowing experience. I cannot tell you how many times friends have told me about beginning their career on a pre-med track and then as soon as they saw blood, they were grossed out and couldn't handle it anymore. How to prevent this? Check it out on the front end! Even maybe try watching some medical TV shows (I haven't personally done this so I can't recommend any and I know they are not always accurate) but at least you get a better idea of the field and mentality. 

If you are drawn to the arts, try experimenting with all different mediums: maybe you're good with pencil, but have you tried sketching on an iPad? Watch Photoshop or Graphic Design Illustrator Tutorials on YouTube? An IMMENSE amount of knowledge is at the TIPS of your fingers! Try to engage in the arts communities by joining local art gallery events or showcases, networking with other artists or photographers could give you an advantage and more experience than others entering it blindly and studying theories in class. 

2.Have a Goal

 Many people claim that you can "figure it out" in college, you can be clueless about what you want to do in college, just GO. 

Well friends, that is a MYTH. In reality, all you will be doing is wasting time confusing yourself, spending unnecessary amounts of money to go in circles on something you are not even certain about. 

According to the US Bureau of the Census in 2011, only 27% of college graduates actually used their college major degree in their level of profession. Thinking of the 50% of students who even change their majors multiple times before they achieve this is risky.

In the United States, we are given the privilege to create our own image. The brand we wear, how we walk, how we talk, how we apply ourselves... all creates a unique individualism. In some cases prove the "rags to riches" story. However, let us not take this privilege of education lightly. 

3. Visit Campuses. 

Based of personal experience, a university may appear to be your dream school on paper, but you may be missing out on the entire picture if you go off the impression the college administration and web designers want you to see. 

Choosing a university is a holistic process. Logistically it should make sense with what career goal you have in mind and ideally not make your grandchildren still have to pay off your debt. However, no matter how good it looks on the website, your own intuition and emotions may compel you love or hate you school choice. 

Lining up a school tour or simply stepping foot on a university campus may save you years of regret or give you a serene confidence that bolsters your college decision all the more. 

4. Explore Other Possibilities. 

Some people believe that college straight out of high school is the only option. Familial pressure or traditions based on previous notions may influence a teenager's decision on college entry. Also, quite candidly, college is not for everyone. Yes, it can help to have a degree for some higher paying jobs, but a degree in itself is not everything. 

However, there are other alternatives to mediate the gap between attending or not attending college. Recently, the term "gap year" has become more prevalent in modern culture. A gap year or two is simply a time frame in which a high school graduate can work, study, travel or do things otherwise they would not be able to do while at university or afterwards. 

While gap years are not for everyone, they can prove to be an excellent alternative for students not quite certain about a major or career path. In this time, the student can explore different possibilities in the forms of: internships, unique jobs, volunteering, mission trips, religious ministry opportunities, etc. For example, some excellent world wide missions and Christian evangelism training base schools that focus on community, self-discovery and identity, include: Thunder School in Nashville, TN, YWAM, Hillsong College and many more. 

These valuable years could be spent experiencing real-life applications to interests and generating authentic interest or disinterest in subjects. After these few years, students could then apply for university and know exactly what goal and direction they have in mind. Not to mention, it's always handy to save up a little extra cash for school on the front end while narrowing one's focus. 

5. Consider the Costs. 

Education is valuable, but is it worth years and years of debt? Unfortunately school in the twenty-first century is NOT CHEAP. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-2016 year at private institution was $32,403, $9,410 for state residents, and $23,893 for out of state tuition at a public institution... For ONE YEAR. Tell me that is not ridiculously expensive!? 

Thus, it is crucial to take college seriously and to know what you want and understand how you can get it. Planning out financially with your parents how much they can contribute,  how much you are expected to cover, and how much you can can obtain from scholarships and grants is especially helpful when determining a school. 

Sometimes, making certain accommodations such as living at home or attending community college for general ed. courses may be wise, frugal decisions that save in the long run. 

Well I hope this was insightful for you! Good luck on your college journey! 
Feel free to email me at emilyannephotoart@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts about this article, how it has helped your, or your own personal struggles and I would be delighted to hear. 

Love and Light Forever, 

Emily Anne 

Want to see a beautiful shoot of a stunning senior in High School?? Meet Marcella... Class of 2017 Top at Nashville School of the Arts. 

We shot at Watkins Park in Nashville as well as on Clinton St. near Provision International's Foundry and the Fortress on the corner of 16th. 

Marcella is passionate about music and theater arts and is a talented actress in the Nashville area herself! Look out... you may see her one day on Broadway. She's the best!! :) 

Senior portraits of Asiana. What can I say? She's beautiful, fun, adventurous and won he pageant for Ms. Williamson County this past year.  We took these gorgeous pics at the Factory in Franklin. 

She's truly such a natural in front of the camera. 

Look out world! Here comes a world-changer! Centennial High School graduate Class of 2017. 

Loved shooting at the Factory in Franklin, TN. Wooded backdrops to curtain backdrops matched the style and character of Asiana perfectly.