When They’re Not Home Anymore, Senior Year Family Portraits Keep Them Close
““Both the girls are going to graduate from our life. Our family will definitely be changing. We’re at a turning point…a shift. We’ve had kids at home for a long time.””
As a family photographer here in Stuart, Florida, I'm fortunate to capture some truly special moments. Recently, I had the joy of photographing Jennine and Hans’s family, creating portraits as their two daughters neared graduation—a milestone Jennine described as a significant "turning point" in their family life.
Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do—helping families pause and savor these pivotal moments before life inevitably moves forward.
Creating Comfort and Natural Smiles
Jennine admitted to me early on that one of her daughters felt stressed about the session, worried about how she would look. It’s so common for teens—and adults!—to feel this way, and making everyone comfortable is always my first priority.
Jennine described the experience like this:
“You made it very comfortable. We all got to relax and have fun and create beautiful memories. Sometimes we have pictures and you look at them and think, ‘Oh, she’s not really smiling, that’s not their natural smile.’ But this time, there are nice natural smiles there.”
I remember that day clearly—simply complimenting her daughter on her earrings and outfit instantly changed her energy. Soon she was laughing, relaxed, and genuinely enjoying the session. Jennine remarked, "She's laughing in the top one, having fun with her sister," jokingly adding, "They were not really getting along that day, so you get bonus points for getting those sister images!"
Moments like these—capturing genuine laughter and connection even on challenging days—are exactly why I do this work.
Planning for Perfection: Visual Mock-Ups
I understand how challenging it can be to visualize portraits in your home, which is why I create personalized digital mock-ups for each client. Jennine, who describes herself as "very visual," shared how helpful the mock-up was:
“If you suggested painting the walls green, I might not be sure about that. But if you were able to show me virtually, then I could see it. I need to see things like that. Plus, the mock-up gave us certainty that it would fit the space perfectly.”
Seeing her portraits mocked up visually gave Jennine confidence and excitement, knowing exactly how beautiful the portraits would look in their home.
Professional Installation Makes All the Difference
Portrait installation day is exciting, and I trust Alex, my meticulous professional installer, to make sure everything looks flawless. Jennine appreciated his care, noting:
“Alex is very meticulous. He uses the level, he uses a pencil. He’s such a professional at what he does.”
Shortly after Alex finished, Jennine shared joyful updates from her daughters. Alicia walked in after work and immediately exclaimed, “Wow! The canvases are here! Mine is cute!”—something Jennine said Alicia always says when she sees a photo she loves. Annika received close-up images via text and responded enthusiastically. Jennine summed it up beautifully: “She loves them! That’s a home run.”
Portraits That Remind Kids They Are Loved at Every Age
One touching reason Jennine chose this moment for updated portraits was the gentle comments from her daughters about the outdated pictures around their home:
“For a while, the kids were saying things like, ‘You liked us better when we were little.’ They said, ‘All our pictures are from when we were little.’ And I said, ‘You probably don’t remember, there was a time when it was like pulling teeth to get everyone to go for pictures.’”
Jennine’s experience isn't uncommon. When our kids are young, portraits happen regularly. But as they grow older, life gets busier, and family portraits often fall by the wayside. Yet it’s precisely these transitional years, as Jennine realized, that deserve to be celebrated and remembered. Seeing her family beautifully displayed on her walls, Jennine affirmed, “It looks awesome, and we needed updated family photos.”
Jennine’s Heartfelt Advice: “Just Do It!”
When asked what she would tell other families in Stuart considering portraits, Jennine didn't hesitate:
“If you’re thinking about having family portraits made, I would say do it. When I was first thinking about it, you asked me, ‘What are you waiting for?’ And you reminded me, ‘Both your girls are going to graduate, so this is a perfect time.’ And I thought, ‘I’m gonna do it!’”
If your family is approaching a turning point, or if it's simply been too long since your last family portrait, I’d love to help you capture this moment beautifully. Life moves quickly, and these portraits will forever remind you—and your children—of how much they're loved at every age.
Ready to plan your family portraits in Stuart, Florida? Contact me today at Dultmeier Photography to schedule your session and let’s create something unforgettable.
Here's a heartfelt and authentic quote from Jennine that's perfect alongside your portrait installation photo:
“Our family is at a turning point, with one daughter graduating from college and the other from high school. It’s perfect timing for portraits! Diane made the entire experience so comfortable and fun. We all got to relax, have fun, and create beautiful memories. It looks awesome—these portraits are a focal point in our home!” — Jennine, Stuart, Florida
