A Fall Senior Portrait Session in Lancaster, PA | The Hunt Family | September 6, 2025
I have spent the last eight years working hard to succeed as a photographer. I wanted to expand my service area to increase my prices so I could earn an honest living from my business. I’ve achieved that. I also wanted to become well-known and travel widely. With a Disney wedding at the Grand Floridian Resort, San Diego conference event coverage for Marc and Angel, a Ramona, California wedding for The Nardcast, and branding photos for Annie Grace in Colorado, to name a few, I’ve also reached that goal. I aimed to be so busy I needed to hire help—“Hi, Theresa! Love you!”—and then I sought to automate as much as possible and build an associate team so I could regain my family time. Well, I’m there now, too.
The truth is, ten years ago, when I first started learning about photography—a skill that would later turn into a real business and my full-time job—I wasn’t worried about any of that. I eagerly took every chance to photograph anyone or anything. I remember begging my friend Nikki to let me take pictures of her grooming dogs at her dog salon, which she kindly agreed to. I felt like I was on top of the world! I never intended for this hobby of mine to become something bigger. But as I got more involved, I learned more about other photographers and current industry trends, what’s expected, and I started playing the comparison game. I looked around and realized just how many other photographers there were in Lancaster County alone!
Joining photographer groups was great for connecting with others about the local industry and similar topics (I even run my own local photographer group with 1,600 members!), but seeing how many talented photographers I had to “compete with” in the beginning made me a little self-conscious, which led me to become somewhat anxiously obsessed. Okay, a lot obsessed with being one of the best and most recognized photographers in the area, even though I initially had no plans to become a photographer at all. Isn’t it amazing how social media and comparison can push you to pursue things you never knew existed? I think it’s wild!
I bring all of this up not because I plan to leave photography now that I realize I was chasing a dream that wasn’t truly mine, but quite the opposite. I love my job and the life I’ve built for myself and my family through my little hobby. I mention it because the senior and family session I had on Saturday for the Hunt family made me realize not only how far I’ve come since officially starting this business with an LLC and a sales tax license in 2016, but also how fortunate I am to have families from my early days returning to me even now, after all that chasing other people’s ideas of what success in the photography business is supposed to look like.
The first time I photographed the Hunt family was in 2017 during a series of fall mini sessions I offered. They returned in 2021 when I partnered with my sister and the preschool where she serves as director for their annual fundraiser. Due to high demand, I haven’t offered traditional 30-minute mini sessions since then.
A few weeks ago, when I received Stephanie’s inquiry for a full session to celebrate her oldest son Zachary’s senior year and update their family portraits, I felt immense gratitude for wonderful clients like her and her family, who keep returning. Documenting a family over the years is one of the many honors I treasure as a wedding and portrait photographer.
When Zachary and Isaac stepped out of the truck with their parents, I had to do a double-take. They had grown so much! Then Mocha, their sweet Chocolate Lab, hopped down. I first photographed her as a tiny pup, and now here she was, 7 years old, happy as a lab, with perfect manners and the softest fur. They all posed like pros, even Mocha! And I even got a few “real” smiles from the boys. Teenage boys are the hardest! They were such good sports, and for the first time, I was told the shoot was over by Clint. LOL He said the boys had had enough, but I’m pretty sure it was himself he was answering for. 😂
See some of my favorites from this half-senior, half-family session below. (Stephanie, check your email! 😘)
Pictures and Pints
Something fun for the entire family in Lancaster, PA!
For all the parents in the area who aren’t excited about family picture day but still want a great family photo, like Clint, I have a solution for you! I’ll be one of 35 vendors at Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, PA, this Saturday, September 13th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for their Art Market event. I’ll be there with my cameras, hosting a Pictures and Pints. These casual micro sessions last 5-10 minutes with the goal of getting you “that one updated family photo,” plus hopefully a few more. Each session costs $55 + tax and includes the shoot, one photo download, and a voucher to get a beer on tap inside afterward. Your photo gallery will be emailed to you within three days and will include the option to purchase additional downloads, prints, and other products.
Photos + Beer = Win-Win for everyone!
Walk-ins are welcome, but to get a beer-on-me voucher, you need to sign up and pay in advance. Click the link below to reserve a time slot. 👇🏻
Reserve your Pictures and Pints session at Tröegs.
I hope to see you there!
Hugs,
Megan
