Celebrating New Beginnings


This year’s Back to School Mini Sessions in Warrensburg were filled with excitement, curiosity and big smiles. I had the joy of photographing Mila, Milo & Mateo, Brantley, and Claire & Sebi as they kicked off a fresh school year in style. Each session took place in a cozy outdoor setting, complete with a vintage desk, books and natural light that gave every photo a timeless, story-book feel.


The warm evening light filtered through the trees while the children sat at a beautifully styled turquoise desk, props like globes, books and letter boards adding a playful, nostalgic touch. I watched them shift from shy grins to enthusiastic laughter, each one bringing their own spark and personality to the shoot. These kinds of back-to-school sessions aren’t just about the photos, they’re about capturing the wonder of learning and the exciting sense of a new chapter.


As a family and portrait photographer based in Warrensburg, Missouri, moments like these remind me why I love what I do. The mix of authentic emotion and stylized setting gives families something both visually strong and emotionally meaningful. Families will look back on these images years from now and remember the carefree energy, the bright summer day, and the promise of a new school year.


If you’ve been thinking about scheduling your own mini session, whether for a first day of school, graduation, or any milestone, I’d love to help capture those moments for you. These sessions are quick, fun and designed to fit into busy school-year schedules while still delivering beautiful, meaningful portraits.


I’m so glad I got to spend time with these fun families and capture their children’s bright beginnings, I can’t wait to see what the school year brings for each of them!

A series of outdoor milestone photos showing a young child sitting on grass with a small chalkboard sign.
A sequence of photos showing someone leaning over and interacting with a globe or spherical object.
A back-to-school themed outdoor photography setup with a small desk and educational props on grass.
A series of back to school photos showing a student with a letterboard and globe on a blue vintage desk outdoors.
A child sits in a blue chair on grass with vintage suitcases and a globe, creating a travel-themed photo setup.
A person sits at a desk studying a vintage turquoise globe while taking notes in a journal.
A child in a pink dress and brown boots stands playfully on a vintage turquoise school desk with a globe in an outdoor setting.
A collection of outdoor scenes featuring a bright turquoise chair and wooden bench arranged on sunlit grass.
Two children lie on grass reading books together in a peaceful outdoor setting.
A child sits in a vintage turquoise chair outdoors on a sunny summer day in a park setting.
Two children play and jump together with outstretched arms on a grassy lawn surrounded by trees.
A person sits alone on a blue bench in a peaceful park setting during a sunny afternoon.
Two small children stand together on grass during a summer outdoor photoshoot with rustic props.
A student sits at a vintage school desk with a globe and books in an outdoor setting.
A child sits comfortably in a teal-colored Adirondack chair with a globe on the armrest in an outdoor setting.
A series of vintage-styled back to school photos featuring a teal bench and brown suitcase props on grass outdoors.
A series of cropped portraits showing a person with bangs against a blurred background.
A series of joyful poses showing excitement for back to school with a student on a retro blue desk.
A small child sits in a blue chair next to a globe and vintage suitcases on a grassy lawn.
Progressive shots of a letterboard spelling out 'Back to School' with each word revealed one at a time.
A child sits at a small turquoise table on a grassy lawn with a globe and chalkboard sign nearby.
Vintage-style outdoor photoshoot setup featuring a blue toy car, globe, and wooden crates on grass.
A young student sits at a vintage school desk outdoors in a grassy area on a sunny day.
A creative back-to-school photo session featuring a teal desk and vintage props on a sunny lawn.
A series of outdoor photos showing a turquoise chair and brown bench arranged on a grassy lawn in dappled sunlight.
Multiple views of a turquoise chair and wooden bench setup in a peaceful garden setting under tree shade.
Children play with a globe and toy car in a sunny park setting with vintage-inspired props and decor.
Vintage teal school desk with globe and chalkboard sign photographed outdoors in a park setting.
Back to school photo setup with vintage blue desk, globe, and letterboard in an outdoor setting.
A child sits on a turquoise vintage school desk outdoors on grass while reading a book on a sunny day.
Children in summer outfits walk together across a grassy lawn on a warm afternoon.