Emerson’s sunrise senior session in downtown Charleston was SUCH a fun one!!! She and her family traveled all the way from Tennessee for her portraits, which is always such an honor…and she was a total trooper with a 5am wake-up call. Sunrise sessions are not always easy, but they are almost always worth it: quiet streets, soft light and the dreamiest Charleston backdrops before the city fully wakes up.

We had the BEST time exploring some of downtown’s most iconic cobblestone streets, pink buildings and beautiful flowers. There is something so magical about Charleston early in the morning, especially when we get to wander through the city without crowds and find all the prettiest little corners as we go. Emerson was so fun to photograph, and her style brought so much personality to every location!

Her outfits were AMAZING and so unique. I loved that every look felt intentional and true to her, but my favorite part may have been the slightly retro spin she brought to her photos with The Pink Figgy (!!!) It gave that portion of her gallery such a fun, playful feel and paired so perfectly with the pink Charleston backdrops. We ended her shoot with a pink cap and gown, and the entire session felt so beautifully, uniquely Emerson from start to finish!

I love when a senior session feels like it could not belong to anyone else…and that is exactly how Emerson’s felt. Between the sunrise light, cobblestone streets, colorful downtown buildings, flowers, The Pink Figgy and her pink cap and gown, every piece of this shoot came together in such a personal way.

Emerson: Thank you so much for traveling all the way from Tennessee and waking up SO early to make this session happen! You were such a joy to photograph, and I loved getting to capture a gallery that felt so true to you. I hope you love scrolling through some of my favorites

Photographers: Want to learn how I approach sunrise sessions, location flow, posing, lighting and creating a gallery that feels personal to each senior? Inside The Senior Scoop, I share real senior sessions from start to finish so you can see exactly how I think through every part of the shoot. I’d love to have you inside!

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