Hey there! It’s Emma today, and I have the pleasure to tell you guys about Ayden! I’ve known Ayden for a long time now. We have ran together on the same cross country team for four years, and she was someone that I looked up to then, and still do today. She has been like the older sister that I never had. I hope that as we go about this, you can see the beauty that Ayden shows on the outside, and know that it is matched on the inside.

There is a golden retriever named Biscuit who has been to the studio twice. The first time he knocked over a reflector within about forty-five seconds of walking through the door, tail going at full speed, completely unaware he had just taken out a piece of equipment. His owner was mortified. Biscuit was not. The photos from that session are some of the best ones ever.

The goal here isn't to turn you into a photographer. I kind of believe if you can take a photo then you’re a photographer.

But the point is for you to like the photos you take because these moments are worth keeping. Here's what actually makes a difference:

The Bolivar High School Class of 2026 graduates this Sunday and that means it’s time to celebrate! Why not kick things off in front of BHS with a bestie photoshoot with your graduating friends?!

Tessa is the kind of person who celebrates everyone else so easily and its time to put the spotlight on her.

Kai is going to Mizzou. Sophie is going to Missouri State. We’ve got to celebrate!

These two friends have spent so much time together inside bolivar high school — we even did their cap and gown session at Bolivar High School!

Kai showed up to her cap and gown session in a yellow dress and Sophie showed up in white. Both Bolivar High School Class of 2026 seniors.

Someone at a Bolivar business or practice is using a photo right now that does not look like them anymore. It happens!

Maybe it is five years old. Maybe it is a crop from a group shot. Maybe it is a selfie that somehow ended up on a LinkedIn profile and has been there ever since.

Welcome back to the studio, baby Evie! This time for a fun spring mini hosted by Makenzie. Buckets of pink and white tulips, lavender florals on the gold stand, the team mascot bear, a stack of wooden alphabet blocks on a soft ivory rug.

Makenzie and Emma drove out to the SBU library last week to shoot college-studying content for Happyologie. Emma was behind the camera part of the time, and Makenzie was behind the camera the other part of the time.

Makenzie grabbed lunch from Sweet Kayle, spread a gingham blanket on the lawn at Dunnegan Memorial Park, and ate a grilled sandwich with a green smoothie, looking out at the pond. Shoes off. Socks still on. No other plans. Spring in the 417 has about a six-week window.

Kami showed up to her senior session in Bolivar, MO in a yellow pleated skirt and brought her pickleball paddle. That combination gave the whole session something to be about from the first frame. Be more you. Because only you can see the world the way you do. These senior picture ideas are here to help you figure out what that looks like for your session.

Isaac runs a scripture and faith blog at isaacbhenson.com with a podcast in the works. It’s been really cool to see the behind the scenes of this blog.

Spring in the 417 has a specific window and it moves fast. The redbuds and dogwoods along the Ozarks tree lines bloom in April and are gone by mid-May. The wildflowers run through the same weeks. The light in April and early May is soft and diffused in a way that is completely different from the hard summer sun, and the temperatures are actually comfortable to be outside in. If you are a Bolivar High School senior shooting in spring, here is what that season gives you and how to use it.

“I just need to lose a little bit of weight first.” I hear some version of the same thing from time to time and I actually get it. Our bodies change and we have this ideal in our heads and we’d like to show up as that version when we get the photos taken. But if we keep waiting for ideals, we miss out on right now.

Bekah wore a blue floral midi skirt and a white crop halter to her engagement session with Toby and the two of them spun around and had so much fun! Emma shot this engagement session at a wooded trail in Bolivar, Missouri and brought out all of their personality.

Sophie Stimpson came to her senior photos at the Bolivar Middle School track in her Liberators uniform with a stack of medals that covered most of her track uniform. Royal blue and gold, neon green Saucony spikes still showing their wear, and hardware from years of running in the 417.

April was a lot of fun. We attempted the prop closet. Our team mascot watched the whole thing and did not help. The prop closet is still not organized, but at least it has a witness now.

Emma showed up to her senior session at Dunnegan Park in Bolivar, Missouri before the sun was fully up, already moving like the day couldn’t start without her. Denim overalls over a floral camisole, white Converse, her natural curly hair down. She walked straight to the wooden bridge railing and leaned in, and the session went from there.

A lot of Bolivar High School students showed up to celebrate prom at the gazebo this year. Eisley, Sophie, and Emma showed up to the gazebo in Bolivar in full prom looks on April 25th — colorful dresses, hair done, completely ready. Makenzie had the camera.

Prom photos are a small window. You are dressed, and you have people you care about next to you.