If you’re searching for senior pictures in Connecticut that feel beautiful, natural, and personal to you, Emma’s summer session at Harkness Memorial State Park is full of inspiration. From the gardens and historic architecture to open fields and the shoreline, we were able to create so much variety in one evening.

I’m Linda Sobolewski, a Connecticut senior photographer based along the shoreline, and photographing high school seniors is one of my favorite parts of what I do. My senior sessions are relaxed and fun, with plenty of movement, beautiful natural light, and time for different outfits and backdrops. Most importantly, I want every senior’s photos to feel like her.

Emma’s session was such a beautiful example of that. She is a dancer, and while this wasn’t specifically a dance session, I knew I wanted to incorporate that part of her into a few of her portraits. She was so graceful in front of my camera. Some of those dance images ended up being favorites from the entire evening.

Senior Pictures in Connecticut at Harkness Memorial State Park

Harkness Memorial State Park is one of those locations that offers an incredible amount of variety for senior portraits. There’s the mansion and its beautiful architecture, gardens, old buildings with so much texture and character, open fields, and of course the shoreline.

I’ve spent a lot of time learning where the light is best throughout the park and how to use the different areas together so a gallery feels varied without feeling disconnected. I also help each of my seniors decide which spots will work best with their outfits and the overall look they want for their session.

Emma brought three completely different outfits, and each one worked beautifully with a different part of the par

A Casual Look With So Much Character

We started with Emma’s casual outfit, a rich brown sleeveless top with light-wash jeans and sneakers. I loved this combination against some of the more rustic areas at Harkness. The weathered walls, old brick, green doors and strong late-day light gave these portraits a completely different feel from what we would create later in the evening.

I always bring a small bouquet of flowers for my senior girls, and for Emma I brought baby’s breath. We incorporated it throughout her session. It added such a pretty, simple touch to several of her portraits without overpowering them..

The Red Dress and Cowboy Boots

For her second outfit, Emma changed into a bright red sundress and cowboy boots. This look was SO good on her.

We used the gardens, flowers and architecture around the mansion for this part of her session. The red photographed beautifully against all the greens and warm tones around her. The boots gave the dress a little bit of personality and kept the look from feeling too formal.

This was also such a fun outfit for movement. Walking, sitting, turning, playing with her hair and carrying the flowers gave us so many different looks without anything feeling overly posed.

A Flowing Skirt Made for Movement

For Hailey’s final outfit, she changed into a long white tiered dress before we headed down to the beach.

Emma’s final outfit was probably the one that felt most connected to her being a dancer. She paired a teal top with a long, flowing white skirt and cowboy boots, and that skirt was absolutely made to move.

We headed into the open field as the light became warmer and softer. The sun had been playing hide-and-seek with us for much of the evening, but it finally peeked through and gave us the most beautiful golden light.

And of course, I couldn’t photograph a dancer in a skirt like this without asking her to dance for me!

Emma gave me a few gorgeous dance moves, and watching that skirt move with her was just beautiful. I love incorporating something meaningful to a senior when it happens naturally. It doesn’t have to take over the entire session. Sometimes just a handful of photographs can capture an important part of who you are at this point in your life.

An Unexpected Ending at the Beach

We finished Emma’s session along the shoreline. By then, the clouds had moved back in, and it looked like we weren’t going to get the colorful sunset we might have hoped for.

But the evening had one last surprise for us.

As the light faded, the sky turned the softest shades of pink and lavender. Then, this incredible moon appeared over the water. It was absolutely gorgeous.

Instead of the traditional golden sunset, we ended Emma’s session with this dreamy pastel sky. The moon was rising above the Sound, and Emma moved in that beautiful flowing white skirt. It was one of those unexpected photography moments that you simply can’t plan. It made the ending of her session even more special.

To Emma,

Emma, you were absolutely beautiful, and I loved photographing you! You have such a quiet grace about you, and seeing that come through even more when you danced was so special. Those images are some of my favorites from your session.

I loved spending the evening with you and your awesome mom, exploring Harkness and creating all these different looks together. So happy we lucked out with that incredible moonrise! Thank you for trusting me with your senior pictures, Emma. I hope you always look back at these and remember what a beautiful season of your life this was. ❤️

Senior Session FAQ

How many outfits should I bring to my senior session?

Most of my senior girls bring three to four outfits. I recommend choosing a mix of casual and dressier options so we can create different looks throughout your session. Hailey’s three outfits are a perfect example of how different clothing choices can add even more variety to your gallery.

Can I have both natural settings and the beach in my senior pictures?

Absolutely. Depending on the location, we can often incorporate several different types of backdrops into one session. I plan the timing carefully so we can take advantage of natural settings earlier in the evening and still make it to the beach for that beautiful end-of-day light.

Will you help me decide what to wear for my senior pictures?

Yes! Every senior receives my Senior Style + Planning Guide. I encourage my seniors to send me photos of their outfits before their session. I’m always happy to offer suggestions and help decide which outfits will work best with each setting.

Planning Your Own Connecticut Senior Session

Ready to Plan Your Connecticut Shoreline Senior Pictures?

If you’re looking for Connecticut Shoreline senior pictures, I’d love to help you plan a session with plenty of variety that still feels like you. Whether you picture yourself surrounded by flowers and greenery, barefoot at the beach, or want a little bit of everything, we’ll plan your locations and outfits together to create the look you want. One of the things I love most about senior photography is that no two sessions have to look the same. Your outfits, personality, interests and the locations we choose all help shape your session.

Whether you love fields and flowers, historic architecture, the beach, or a combination of everything, we’ll plan your session together. And if there’s something that is especially you, like dance was for Emma, I always love finding a way to incorporate it.

If you’re looking for senior pictures in Connecticut, I’d love to help you create a session that gives you beautiful photographs while still feeling like yourself.

Linda Sobolewski Photography is based out of Old Saybrook, CT and serves the Connecticut shoreline and surrounding areas.

Are you on Social Media? Check out the latest sessions on Instagram and Facebook.
Receive the latest promotions, mini-session announcements and news by subscribing to the email Newsletter.