Annabelle's Lincoln & Omaha Senior Session | Soccer, Greenhouse & Downtown Ralston
When parents first reach out about senior pictures, one of the first questions I usually hear is:
"Where should we take them?"
My answer is almost always the same.
Let's figure out your story first.
That was exactly how we planned Annabelle's senior session. Instead of choosing one location and calling it a day, we built her session around the things that actually mattered to her: soccer, a portrait studio styled to feel like a greenhouse, and the streets of downtown Ralston. Every stop gave us a completely different look while still feeling like her.
Fun fact: this wasn't the first time Annabelle's family and I have done this together. She's the fourth of her siblings I've had the chance to photograph, and I have a soft spot for that family because of it.
That evening, she and her mom Michelle handed me a gift I wasn't expecting: a cactus with four little sprouts growing together, one for every kid of theirs I've photographed over the years. It's sitting in my house right now, and I think about that family every time I see it.
Michelle summed up why in a review she left afterward:
"We were so THANKFUL that we found Kate for our seniors. Kate not only does GREAT work and her creativity and flexibility make for some amazing photography, but she's fun to work with, too! All 4 of our kids enjoyed their senior sessions with Kate, could not recommend her more."
Michelle, Google review
Starting the Day at the Greenhouse
We began the morning at a portrait studio just outside Lincoln that has the cutest greenhouse: cozy little seating areas tucked in among the greenery. But the real surprise was waiting outside. The property came with a huge open field just starting to bloom with wildflowers (it was June), with cows grazing somewhere off in the distance. Gorgeous doesn't even quite cover it.
Here's the part that still makes me laugh: a storm rolled in right as we got started. It never actually rained, but the wind picked up fast and the sky went dark in a hurry. That's exactly when having a styled indoor space came in handy. We moved inside, kept shooting, and didn't lose a minute. Once the storm blew through, we headed back out to that wildflower field, swing and all, for some of my favorite images of the whole day.
One of my favorite things about photographing seniors is showing them they don't have to fit into just one style, or let a little weather call the shots. Your senior year has so many different sides to it, and your photos should reflect that.
Exploring Downtown Ralston
Later in the day we met again in downtown Ralston, the town where Annabelle goes to school, which made it feel like the right place to include.
Downtown sessions are always a favorite of mine because there's so much variety packed into just a few blocks. Brick buildings, alleyways, colorful walls, interesting architecture. It's a full range of backdrops without spending half the session driving from place to place.
As we wandered through downtown, Annabelle made everything look effortless. Those are often my favorite sessions, the ones where we simply explore, laugh, and let moments happen naturally.
Saving Soccer for Its Own Session
One thing I loved about working with Annabelle's family was deciding to give soccer its own dedicated session, right on her school's field in Ralston.
Rather than squeezing sports into an already full senior session, we were able to focus completely on something that's been such a huge part of her life. No watching the clock, no rushing through a handful of shots before the light changed. Just time, enough of it to actually celebrate years of hard work and dedication.
It's a good reminder that your senior session doesn't have to fit inside one box. If an activity has shaped who you are, sometimes it's worth giving it its own spotlight.
It's About More Than Pretty Locations
People often assume choosing locations is the biggest part of planning senior pictures.
I actually think it's one of the last decisions we make.
Before we ever talk about greenhouses, downtown streets, parks, or fields, I want to learn about you. What do you love? What makes you feel confident? What parts of your personality do you want to remember years from now?
For Annabelle, part of that answer came through in the smallest details. She brought along two books from her childhood: the very first book she ever read on her own, and the first chapter book she finished. We tucked them into a few frames throughout the session, and they ended up being some of my favorite images of the day, because they hold a piece of who she was at five or six years old on the same day we were celebrating who she's become.
Once we answer those questions, the locations usually become obvious. They're simply the backdrop. Your story is the whole point.
Planning Your Own Senior Session
No two seniors I photograph have the same session, because no two seniors are the same.
Whether you're an athlete, musician, artist, book lover, outdoors enthusiast, or a little bit of everything, we'll design a session that's completely personalized to you: your locations, your outfits, and the meaningful details that make images you'll still love long after graduation.
I'm Kate, a senior portrait photographer based in Lincoln, Nebraska, working with seniors throughout the Lincoln and Omaha area.
Quick Answers About Senior Sessions Like Annabelle's
Where was Annabelle's senior session photographed? At a greenhouse-style portrait studio near Lincoln, Nebraska, in downtown Ralston, and on her school soccer field in Ralston.
Why did Annabelle have three different locations instead of one? Because her senior session was built around her interests and personality rather than a single spot. A greenhouse studio for relaxed portraits, downtown Ralston for variety and texture, and her own soccer field for a dedicated athletic session.
Do senior sessions need to include sports or activities? Not always, but if an activity has shaped who you are, giving it its own session (rather than squeezing it into a few quick shots) often makes for the most meaningful images.
Where does Kate DeCoste Photography offer senior sessions? Lincoln, Omaha, and throughout southeast Nebraska.
If you're looking for senior pictures in Lincoln, Omaha, or anywhere in southeast Nebraska, I'd love to help tell your story.
Interested in a senior session of your own? Reach out here to start planning your consultation.
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