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!

Senior portraits on farm in Waxhaw, NC
Image of a mother and her high school senior daughter in the family farm in Waxhaw, NC
Senior portrait of a girl in a chambray dress
Senior portraits of a girl and her horse
Black and white portrait of a high school senior with her horse
Portrait of a senior girl and her horse, taken in the stables at her family farm south of Charlotte, NC
Family portrait with teenagers on the family farm in Waxhaw
Image of teenage siblings on family farmland south of Charlotte, NC
Family portraits with their high school senior daughter. Father and daughter candid portrait.
Portrait of mother and three teenage children
Three senior portraits on a farm with horses
Senior portrait with a horse, photographed on a family farm south of Charlotte, NC
Senior portrait with a white horse
Senior pictures in Waxhaw on the family farm

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.

Family lifestyle images of life on the farm includes two horses and a cat
One of several family cats at Old Frankfort Farm and Stables in Waxhaw, NC
Candid family pictures on a farm with horses - Old Frankfort Farm and Stables, Waxsaw, NC
Candid portrait of owner kissing her horse at Old Frankfort Farm and Stables in Waxhaw, NC

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.

Family members walking horses at sunset. Photographed at Old Frankfort Farm and Stables.

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.

Charlotte NC Professional Photographer Abbe McCracken

meet Abbe

Welcome to my blog! I’m a child and family photographer based in Charlotte NC.

 

Parents always ask, “what if my kid doesn’t listen?” My answer: that’s actually perfect. Don’t tell your children I said so, but personalities shine when listening ears fail. I welcome the silly. I want the giggles. I watch for honest smiles, real connections and stolen family moments.

 

This applies to your big kids and high school seniors too. Wink, Wink.

follow my own fam

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

abbemccrackenphotography@gmail.com

404-550-0812