Senior Session in Waxhaw on the Family Farm

It’s time to share another high school senior session and I’m happy to report we get to keep this amazing girl in state next year. Meet my friend Emma. She’s graduating from Providence High School in a few weeks and will be attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. My North Carolina readers – particularly those of us in the greater Charlotte area – know just how HUGE of an accomplishment this is. Admission to Chapel Hill is not easy. In fact, it’s crazy hard which means that Emma is a standout student in so many ways. This past year, Emma served as editor of her high school yearbook and was also involved in National Honors Society, Teen Democrats and Key Club. At UNC, she plans to study biology/pre-med which is yet another clue that she is one smart cookie.

Emma’s senior portraits were photographed at Old Frankfort Farm and Stables in Waxhaw. Her family owns this farm and Emma wanted them and the horses to be a part of her senior session. I love including families (and animals!) in senior sessions. I also love shooting in wide open spaces like this property. When they mentioned the farm for our session, I knew we were all in for a treat. I have a lot of favorite public locations around Charlotte but getting to explore new, private locations is always exciting too. Even though this is their family farm, it’s also a working farm. Mom Jenny runs Old Frankfort Farm and Stables as a horse boarding and training facility.

As you will see in the images below, Emma loves horses. She started riding at 5 years old and over the years developed a special bond with the family’s gray pony, Skye, who co-stars with Emma in many of her senior portraits. Emma currently works at the farm helping to take care of the horses and hopes to continue her interest in horses through the equestrian club team at Chapel Hill.

Emma you are amazing and I love the images we created together. I know you will walk tall and proud across that PHS graduation stage. You’ve worked so hard and have been such a great leader, mentor and friend to so many. I’m proud to know you and am so thankful for our time together.

P.S. I can’t wait to be invited back to the farm one day!

When we finished shooting Emma’s senior pictures, I took a few extra minutes to capture the family’s farm animals and document life on the farm. These animals were all so laid back and photogenic. The horses obviously got the starring roles, but the grey kitty below could not wait to be photographed. He tried to make his way into every single image we took. It became quite hilarious.

This was our final shot of the night and I adore it. I love the sunset and the “day is done” feel it lends to this image of mom Jenny and her youngest child, Isabel, walking the horses.

If you love horses and wide open spaces, check out my blog post Emily & Her Horse, featuring another gorgeous senior session. Emily’s senior portraits were photographed last year on a farm in Waxhaw where she rode and stabled her horse.

I’ll be featuring brand new high school senior portrait sessions all month long so please come back next week to see what’s new. In the meantime, please visit my senior portfolio or click here for more senior sessions from the blog.