Within the first 5 minutes of my session with Megan I knew I was working with someone special.  What started out with a simple question about where she was planning to go to college led to a conversation about how she planned to go to medical school to study oncology.  She shared her mom’s cancer story and filled me in on a student group she started to support other families affected by cancer.  Megan works nearly full-time between several jobs, has an overwhelming course load including a few college classes, and volunteers with her student group.  I think it’s safe to say that Megan is not your ordinary high school senior.  She is one driven, passionate, and determined young lady.  Megan, I’m so proud of all the work you’re doing for a cause you so strongly believe in!  Best wishes as you finish out your final year of high school!

We have been so unbelievably spoiled this year with the weather.  Typically in October I’m shooting in multiple layers of clothing and I have to rely on my trusty mittens with the fingers cut off to get me through a shoot.  But not this year!  No, siree!  This year we’ve had well above average temperatures which has made my job so fun this season.  To be shooting outside with all the beautiful fall colors without feeling like I’ll have frostbite at the end of a session is such a treat!  Claire and I were able to spend a good portion of her session outdoors and dare I say that both of us even got a little hot when we were standing directly in the sun.  We had such a fun time together and by the end of the session I think we had shared more giggles than anyone else I’ve ever photographed before.  Perhaps we were both giddy over the unusually warm weather?!  At any rate, we had a blast and I had a hard time calling an end to the session.  Claire, have a great senior year at White Bear High School.  I’ll be anxious to hear where you decide to go to college!

Every time I photograph a high school boy I can’t help but think of what it will be like when my own sons grow up and are seniors.  It’s hard to believe how fast time is flying already and with the number of high school kids I see each and every year it is a constant reminder that all too soon my boys will be graduating.  As hard as it is to think about, when I photograph kids like Mitchell I’m filled with hope that maybe it won’t be so bad after all!  Mitchell, a Hill-Murray High School senior, is not only incredibly smart but he’s also an all-star soccer player (his club team just recently won the State Championship and went on to win the National Surf Cup Championship PLUS he’s the captain of his high school soccer team).  Additionally, Mitchell is a Student Council Representative, Link Leader, CARE Representative, and he volunteers regularly with various student groups.  The best part is that Mitchell didn’t utter a word about any of this. It wasn’t until I started prying him about how he spends his time that I started getting some of these details.  He was so vague and so unassuming about his accomplishments and that alone was impressive.   When I chatted with his mom I wasn’t surprised at all to hear that they have college recruiters from around the country knocking at his door.  Congratulations on all the things coming your way, Mitchell…you definitely deserve it!

It’s always so fun to photograph a younger sibling of a former Jamie Schultz Photography senior.  Back when Lauren’s older sister, Alex, came to the studio Lauren tagged along with us and I remember Lauren talking about how much she was looking forward to coming back to have her pictures taken.  The girls and I had a blast on Alex’s shoot so I’ve been looking forward to shooting Lauren ever since.   When she arrived for her session I suspected Alex might be off at college, but lo and behold Alex showed up to help her sister on the shoot.  Once again we chatted, giggled and giggled some more making it just as fun this time around as it was the last.  Lauren is gorgeous, smart and has an adorable personality which made her an absolute joy to work with.  Best wishes to you, Lauren as you finish out your senior year!

Genna, a Visitation High School senior, and I set out to do her senior pictures with the hopes of beating an impending storm that was slowly moving into the area.  Luckily Genna was a complete natural in front of the camera so it didn’t take long to work through the frames.  Towards the end of the session we ventured out into a huge open field and decided to wrap up the shoot out there.  We started chatting as we were walking and stopped to shoot somewhere along the way…little did we know just how far off the beaten path we’d gone.  As you may have guessed it started to downpour so off we ran as fast as our legs would carry us.  By the time we were in the car we were both laughing hysterically…I’m sure it was quite a site for anyone who may have seen us.  Genna, I hope you have a great senior year!  Best wishes to you!

Haley, an East Ridge High School senior, came out to the studio a few weeks ago for her high school senior session and I knew immediately upon seeing the red pants she brought with her that we’d be fast friends.  After I finished drooling over her wardrobe and shoes we ventured out for her photo shoot and had a blast roaming from place to place looking for just the right locations.  It was such a fun shoot and I loved her mom’s e-mail I received just minutes after sending them their preview slideshow.  I love those e-mails!  Haley, here’s to a wonderful senior year!

Well, it’s official…we are in full-on high school senior shooting season here at Jamie Schultz Photography and what a year it’s been so far!  This year’s seniors are so charismatic, ambitious and not to mention beautiful.  Maddie, an East Ridge High School senior, was certainly no exception.  Listening to her talk about some of the activities she’s involved with at school and her plans for college made me realize that Maddie is an incredibly hard worker which I know will take her far in life.  Her mom and her sister came along for the shoot and together we had such a wonderful time together.  Maddie, Becky & Summer, thanks again for coming out for Maddie’s session…I enjoyed spending time with all of you!  Maddie, I wish you the very best as you head into your senior year.

What an unbelievable spring we’ve had so far this year.  Between the snow, cold & rain one might not even realize it’s spring at all here in the north woods!   When Nora, a Mounds View High School senior, arrived for her session it was gloomy and rainy outside and it was snowing earlier in the day.  Needless to say, I didn’t have much hope for the outdoor portion of the shoot.  We went outside armed with an umbrella and coats and wouldn’t you know…about 6 frames into the outdoor session the clouds parted and out came the sun!  Nora and I were giddy with excitement to see the sunshine and had such a great time walking around downtown. It turned out to be a beautiful evening for a photo session.  This is my first outdoor senior session of the season and I’m so very happy that it didn’t take place in the snow as I imagined it would. Nora is off to study nursing at UW-Madison next fall.  Congrats, Nora and best wishes to you in the future!

It’s hard to believe that the high school senior shooting season is upon us!  It sure doesn’t feel or look like it up here in the great state of Wisconsin.  We still have snow on the ground and we’re lucky if we get a day with temps over 40 degrees.  I was certain by the last part of March we’d be thawed out from this unusually cold and LONG winter, but no such luck!  Alex and I decided we would take some shots indoors, but would wait to complete her shoot in a month or two when the snow is gone (keep your fingers crossed)!  Alex is a student at Mahtomedi High School and just returned from the national championships with her competitive cheerleading team.  She is quite the athlete and one smart cookie as well.  Alex is planning to attend the U of M where she will study pre-med.  Way to go, Alex! I’ll see you again in a month or two!

What a year it has been here at Jamie Schultz Photography!   I want to take a moment to express a sincere thank you to my clients who have entrusted me to capture their families throughout the year.  It is truly an honor to work with each and every one of you.  From all of us at Jamie Schultz Photography we wish you the very best in the coming year.

Below are a few holiday projects that left our studio over the past few weeks…oh, what fun we had pulling these together!