This senior session was for Abi, a high school graduate whose connection to the Keweenaw runs deep. We photographed her senior photos in Eagle River, Michigan, beginning along the Lake Superior shoreline at the Eagle River beach and finishing on her grandparents’ nearby property.
This was a senior session designed to feel familiar and grounded. Abi chose this location because she spent many summers at Gitche Gumee Bible Camp just down the road, and her grandparents own property nearby along Lake Superior.
From the start, the intention was simple: photograph Abi in a place that already feels like home.
Why Eagle River, Michigan, Works So Well for Senior Photos
Eagle River’s shoreline offers a lot of variety in a small area. The main beach has soft sand dunes, open space, and Lake Superior stretching wide to the west. Because the shoreline faces west, the sun sets directly over the water, creating beautiful light in the evening.
Behind the beach, there are trees and low greenery that give natural contrast and help break up the openness of the shoreline. This makes it easy to move between backgrounds without needing to change locations.
For Abi, this location worked especially well because of familiarity. She knows this stretch of shoreline well, and that comfort shows. Eagle River is also typically quieter in the evenings, which gave us space to move slowly without feeling rushed.
After finishing at the public beach, we drove a short distance to her grandparents’ property. The shoreline there is rockier and more rugged, offering a different look while honoring a meaningful family connection. Knowing that this property may change hands in the coming years made it feel especially important to document this place now.
How We Planned This Senior Session in Eagle River
Summer evenings in the Upper Peninsula offer an incredible amount of usable light. In summer, the sun often doesn’t set until after 9 p.m., which makes late-evening sessions ideal for senior photos.
We planned Abi’s session to begin later in the evening so the light would be soft. This also meant fewer people on the beach and a calmer pace overall. The session flowed primarily at Eagle River beach, using the dunes, shoreline, and tree line for variety, before transitioning to her grandparents’ property for the final portion.
Ahead of the session, Abi received a senior session guide to help her think through outfits and overall feel. We intentionally chose locations that felt comfortable and meaningful to her rather than trying to fit too many places into one session.
This kind of planning allows the session to feel relaxed while still offering variety and intention.
What the Session Felt Like
Abi arrived relaxed and open, which made a noticeable difference from the start. We already knew each other well, since she’s the sister of one of my close friends, and that familiarity helped set the tone right away.
Her mom came along for the session, which added an extra layer of ease. Having someone there who knows you well can be grounding, especially during transitions or outfit changes.
We began with movement-based prompts rather than stationary posing. Walking along the shoreline, turning toward the lake, and shifting weight naturally helped Abi settle into the session and let any nerves fall away.
Later in the session, Abi included her dog for a few photos. He was calm, well-behaved, and clearly part of her everyday life. Including him felt natural and added another layer of personality without shifting the focus away from Abi herself.
Practical Details That Made This Senior Session Work
Abi started the session in a dressier outfit that moved easily in the breeze. The fabric photographed beautifully against the sand and water and worked well with the softer evening light.
Her second outfit was more casual and reflected her personality clearly. Having one polished look and one relaxed look created balance without overcomplicating the session.
Throughout the evening, we mixed movement with simple, grounded poses. Rather than forcing structured positioning, we used the environment to guide her naturally. Looking out over Lake Superior, walking the shoreline, and pausing near familiar landmarks helped everything feel connected to the place.
Personal elements like pets or family property work best when they are genuinely part of this season of life. In Abi’s case, both fit naturally and added depth without distraction.
Why This Senior Session Mattered
Senior photos mark a meaningful transition. This season sits between what has been familiar and what comes next, and it deserves to be documented with care.
For Abi, this session captured not just how she looks right now, but where she comes from. Photographing her in Eagle River, at a place tied to family, summers, and routine, made the images feel anchored rather than generic.
The combination of thoughtful timing, familiar locations, and a calm pace allowed her personality to come through clearly. This wasn’t about creating something new. It was about preserving something true.
My Approach to Senior Photos
I’m drawn to locations that already mean something to you, whether they’re familiar or newly discovered. Feeling grounded in a place changes how you show up, and that matters more than any backdrop.
I also value personal touches that reflect your life right now. That might be a location, an outfit, or a pet. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to be honest.
Senior sessions aren’t about recreating someone else’s photos. They’re about documenting your story, as it exists, in this season.
Planning Senior Photos in Eagle River, Michigan
This type of senior session is a good fit for students who want photos that feel natural, personal, and tied to place. If you’re drawn to quiet Lake Superior shorelines, beautiful locations, and a calm experience, Eagle River is worth considering.
You can learn more about senior sessions and what the experience includes on my Sessions page.
If you’re ready to start planning senior photos, I’d love to help guide you through the process in a way that feels genuine and thoughtful.
+ view the comments
