Class of 2026: It’s Senior Photo time!

Class of 2026, it’s your time! Senior photo season is rapidly approaching, and if you want your photos done your way, in a way that’s uniquely you, it’s time to start planning!

How to get the best senior photos

TL;DR: for the best senior photos in Southern NH, hire me! ;)

Whether you’re hiring a photographer or not, here are some tips for having the best senior photo session:

• Think about how you want to remember this time. What’s important to you heading into your senior year of high school? What’s your personality like? What kinds of things do you enjoy doing? How do you want to remember this milestone?

• Think about the places you love. Is there a particular location that is central to your story? Maybe it’s the high school, maybe a special hiking spot, maybe your dance studio; where are the important places (and people!) in your life and how could you incorporate them into your senior photo session?

• Find a photographer. Maybe you work with me, maybe you work with someone else, maybe you get a friend to photograph you, but here’s a tip: Google “unique senior photos” and notice, what style of photos are you drawn to? Are they bright and colorful? Golden-hour hazy? A little dark & moody? Look for a photographer with images like the ones you already love, whether it’s your friend, uncle, or a professional.

Class of 2026: photos that tell your story

Your story is unique; you deserve beautiful, high-quality photos that tell that story! Reach out today to explore a session.

Not your average family reunion photos

Family reunions are a uniquely beautiful opportunity for photos: not only do you have everyone gathering in one place, but they are full of joyful connection, reflection, and fun that are delightful to photograph.

Late in 2023, I had the opportunity of photographing the families connected with Robinwood Farm in Pepperell, MA. They were celebrating the farm’s 100th anniversary with a poignant, joyful family gathering and I was delighted to be there, not just to photograph the event, but to revel in the beauty and wonder that is multiple generations coming together to celebrate the past and look forward to the future.

I’ve talked about the uniqueness and joy of telling your story elsewhere on the blog; this was a classic example of a unique story! The gathering was centered around a beautiful time capsule ceremony, where family members took turns sharing meaningful memories, tokens, and hopes for the future, and stored them in a special spot on the farm. I got to be a fly on the wall and document the laughter, the tears, the connection - it was beautiful.

How to get the best family reunion photos

TL;DR: for the best family reunion photos, hire a storytelling photographer, like me! ;)

Whether you’re hiring a photographer or not, here are some tips to the best family reunion photos:

• Plan a few simple group activities. Being engaged in an activity helps people relax and enjoy being together, which makes for great photos. Plan a mix of large-group activities and smaller-group activities, like the hayride some family members enjoyed at Robinwood’s celebration.

• Designate a photographer. If you’re not hiring a photographer, designate 1 or 2 family members to take photos and ask the rest to put their phones/cameras away! Pick 2 so that both family members can be in at least some photos.

• Think about what matters ahead of time. What’s the story behind your gathering? Is it an anniversary, a birthday, a just-because? What do you want to remember about the time together? What moments or places or buildings or specific people do you want to make sure are in the story?

• Give the gift of presence: hire a photographer! You had to know it was coming to this. ;) Give everyone the gift of being present in the moment and hire a photographer to be the fly on the wall, photographing those key moments and guiding you through the best ways to preserve them after the event.

What to do with the photos after the reunion

Family reunions are a special time - don’t let your memories of the time together disappear into the noise of digital life! The best way to remember & honor your time together is by bringing your digital photos to life in an album or printed product. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through old photos, remembering the quirks and personalities of the different family members, or the story of what happened when you were gathered together.

(Forgive the quality of the handheld, iPhone video below - the polished photos I took of the album got lost in the shuffle of family illness this winter, but I had to at least give you an idea of what it looked like!)

Short video showing the embossed, linen, heirloom-quality album made with these photos.

Family reunion photos that tell your story

Your family story is unique; you deserve beautiful, high-quality photos that tell that story! Reach out today to explore your session.

How do I make my family photos unique?

I get this question never (lol), but it popped up in a recent Google search and I decided to write about it!

I’ve talked about the uniqueness and joy of telling your story earlier on the blog (and there’s a great example there of a creative photo session), but maybe you’re like me and need a few more concrete ideas to kick off your creativity. Before we get to the specifics, though, start here:

Ask yourself a few questions

I’m a big fan of self-reflection - part of brainstorming a unique family session is considering what makes your family unique! - but if you’d rather just jump to the concrete suggestions, skip down to the next section.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get started:

• What do you and your family love to do when you have down time?

• What are your kids’ favorite activities?

• What’s special to you in this season, or unique to your story? Sidenote: it doesn’t have to be unique compared to other people, it could simply be unique for your life right now. What’s happening that you’ve not gone through before? Or that’s meaningful, whether it’s unique or ordinary?

• What are your values? Do you love time together? Racking up adventures? Exploring the world? Quietly making your community a better place? Celebrating your identity? Brainstorm some ideas to memorialize that through photos!

This is just the start, but take a few moments to think through what matters to you, what’s happening in your lives in this season, and how you’d like to remember it, and the concrete ideas will start flowing!

Consider some of these ideas

Now that you’ve thought about what matters and is unique about your story in this season (or you skipped that part and went straight for the concrete suggestions!), here are some ways to bring some uniqueness to your family photos:

Have photos done at home.

It’s uniquely yours, no matter what state it’s in! And it doesn’t have to be Pinterest worthy to be worthy of remembering. Mine certainly isn’t!

Build a favorite activity into your session.

Go for a walk or hike; break out the books, board games, soccer ball, or family olympics; plan a baking activity (*so* many great photos here!) or family picnic; or head to the beach! Other fun ideas include roasting marshmallows in your backyard or favorite camping spot, paddle boarding or kayaking with your teens, going indoor rock climbing…if your family (especially your kids) love doing it, you’ll get great photos and have a blast.

Get kooky (or coordinated!) with outfits

If you have young children who love playing dress-up, your family is really into Halloween or cosplay, or you just love bringing a unique voice to the world through your clothes, plan a session around that! Or dress for your setting - I loved these nap dresses from a beach session!

You make your family photos unique by being you.

It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. No one else does family just like you do, so your photos will be unique no matter what. But if you want to mix it up and try something new this time, let’s talk!

Celebrating a family milestone? Photograph it!

When we think of family photography, we usually think of posed (or semi-posed) portraits in a pretty outdoor location, candid storytelling photos of a day in the life at home, mini sessions, things like that. The emphasis is on portraits and connection and our full attention is given to creating photos.

This month, I had the honor of photographing a birthday party at Surf Seafood in Nashua, NH (sidebar: Surf has amazing food and top-notch service - I highly recommend it!). While we spent a bit of time before dinner snapping a few posed portraits of each of the family members and units, the emphasis of the night was on the party: the celebratory mood, the cake & candles, the family gathered around a long table, that kind of thing.

One of the reasons this particular client reached out was because they wanted to make it possible for family members to sit back, relax, keep their phones off, and enjoy being together, while still having photos to look back on. I loved that! Any time we can find ways to keep technology in its place, especially during important family gatherings, I’m a big fan.

There are stories to be told everywhere: graduations, retirement, birthdays, family reunions - if there is a special life event happening and your people are gathering around to help you celebrate, let me help you remember it forever!

Minis v. family sessions: how to pick between the two

Mini sessions have been around long enough that most people know the difference between them and a full family session, but here are a few things to consider when you’re thinking about booking one or the other!

Minis are great when…

• You’re short on time and need a quick snapshot of you and your loved ones. Minis are 15 minutes at a set date & location. You’re in and out quickly!

• Your kids are outgoing with strangers and/or older (12+): Older kids tend to do better than younger ones with quick photos. They’re usually more willing to follow direction, they get my jokes (lol), and I can easily tell them where and how to pose. Little kids are adorable, and it’s typically harder to earn their cooperation in such a short period of time.

• You love having seasonal photos of you and your loved ones.

• You’re flexible: Minis are typically scheduled at a set location/time, with a rain date in case the always-fickle New England weather has other plans. It helps to have some scheduling flexibility.

• You’re on a budget: You really want some special, updated photos of you and your family and you’re on a tight budget. Family photos are an investment, regardless of the session length. I offer minis to make them more accessible for more families, because nothing matters more than photos of you with your people!

Family sessions are great when:

• You’re looking for more candid photos. More time means more natural, candid, and relaxed images of you and your family. I can sometimes snag one or two of these in a mini, but it’s rare. More time is necessary for candids!

• You want to capture your unique story. Whether it’s the sweet, nuanced ways you love to show affection; a fun outing; or a meaningful family routine, more time means more opportunity for me to see and photograph your unique story.

• You want photos with the grandparents (or aunts & uncles, cousins, best friends - any extra family members!). Maybe you’re planning a party, maybe you have family visiting, or maybe it’s just been awhile since the grandparents got photos with their grandkids: a family session is a great way to get those images.

• Families with shy or little kids - more time might seem counter-intuitive, but for shy and/or little ones (under 12), the more time we have, the more time they get to warm up to me and let their true selves shine.

• You want a say in where your photos are taken. Maybe that’s at home, your backyard, a favorite hiking spot or park, or someplace entirely different, but family sessions allow more time and freedom to build a session that’s unique to your family.

• You have a special family tradition or activity that you want to remember with more than just your phone photos (and YOU want to be in those photos, Mom!).

Now that you have a better idea how to pick between a mini session and a family session, let’s get a date on the calendar! Check out my 2023 fall sessions here:

Family photos *your* way, not mine

I love a good family session in the woods or by the beach - there’s plenty of gorgeous scenery, beautiful light, and loads of opportunities for natural moments of play and connection and joy.

But you know what else I love? When a family comes to me and wants to tell their story their way. Maybe that’s the forest or the beach, but maybe you love the city and want photos there (with an edgy, editorial feel like @drmramas’ family session in this reel!); maybe you just renovated your home and want to document your daily life there; maybe your house desperately needs to be renovated but it’s home and you love it and you want to remember the little, mundane moments you’ve spent there.

Maybe you’re anticipating loss and you want to remember something about *this* season, before the loss. Maybe you don’t love how you look on camera right now but your family loves you as you are and you want to remember that care and connection for years to come. Maybe your family isn’t a traditional one (whatever that means) and you want to celebrate them anyway!

There are all kinds of things about your story that make it unique; let’s tell them! Book a call to explore the options (no pressure or hounding or anything like that afterwards); head to my Inquiries page or click the “Get Started” button below!

Five reasons to have your next family photos taken at home

I take photos of my kids at home all the time. There are many things I love about it, but here are my top five reasons why I think you will, too.

One: It’s relaxed, comfortable, and you’re always prepared.

When you get photos taken at home, you’re in your own space. Your kids are comfortable and more likely to relax. You’ve got snacks handy when hunger strikes, When life happens (you know, messes, dirty diapers, “I have to use the potty!”, meltdowns, etc), you are prepared because you’re already at home and have everything you need to comfort, calm, and care for whatever need arises.

But the best part? It takes the stress out of preparing. No need to feel like you’re herding cats trying to get everyone rested, dressed, fed, and out the door on time. You get to be home, so you can take your time.

Two: Rain or shine (or snow!), daytime or nighttime, the show can go on.

Let’s be real here, living in New England, the weather can be SO unpredictable! Especially in the spring and fall, two favorite times for outdoor family photos. But if you plan to have your next photos taken at home, we don’t have to worry about that. We might even get to take some fun photos playing in the rain or snow, because you’ll be home and don’t have to worry about wet/cold/muddy kids in the car!

And if you want to remember a particularly special time of day, like bedtime or Friday night game night or your house is just dark, not to worry: there’s still a story to tell and light to tell it.

Three: You love your house.

Maybe like many families the last few years, you’ve spent a lot more time at home and invested some time and energy into updating a room or two (or more!). Getting photos at home is a great way to celebrate that hard work and your beautiful new space!

Four: You don’t love your house, but it’s your home.

Maybe like me, your home is old or outdated or cluttered or just not where you want it to be. For a long time, I dragged my feet on photographing my family in some of the rooms I disliked the most, but I was missing out on opportunities to tell (and remember) our full story. My kitchen is way too cluttered most of the time. It has yellow walls and orangey-cabinets and terrible lighting, but those are the last things I’m thinking about or will remember when I look back on this photo of my daughter:

Five: You’ll be able to remember the little things

Maybe you’re also like me and sometimes look back at where you’ve been on your parenting journey. Sometimes it’s been wonderful, sometimes it’s been overwhelming, but that’s life, right? A beautiful, painful, glorious mix of both. Getting photos taken at home helps you and your kids remember the good and honor the hard for years down the road, when the kids get older and the details start to fade for everyone.

I also remember how HARD the early years were - so much overwhelming need and attention and care. I’m beyond thankful for these photos because, without them, I’d have forgotten the beautiful, tender, sweetly-mundane moments in between.

Your story is beautiful and often, so much of it is at home. Invest in remembering what mattered in this season - all of the little quirks and details and personalities and relationships - and you’ll be so thankful you did.

Community Art Project: What We Love About Hollis

"What We Love About Hollis" was created by Lynnae Day, Hollis resident and owner of Lynnae Day Photography, to celebrate all the things we love about this Southern NH town.

This was a true community effort: participants were photographed at Old Home Days (September 2022), wrote on their photos what they love most about Hollis, and picked a spot on the board to display their photos. The final product speaks to the rich tapestry of experiences & stories that make up our town. It is on display at the Hollis Social Library through the end of December 2022.

What about you? What do you love about Hollis? Share your thoughts & stories in the comments below, or using the #WhatWeLoveAboutHollis hashtag on Instagram.

How to prepare for your next headshot - Nashua, New Hampshire photographer

Getting headshots taken? Do these 5 things!

If you’re a business professional or small business owner in Southern New Hampshire, chances are you need a headshot! Here are some key things you can do to help prepare for your session and get the most out of your investment.

• Get rest

  The number one thing you can do to prepare for your headshot session is to get adequate rest the night before. You want to look your best, and getting enough sleep the night before is an excellent first step. Allow yourself extra time before the session to perfect your wardrobe, style yourself, and travel.

• Think about props

  If we're creating headshots that have more of a lifestyle or branding feel to them than formal headshots, think about whether there are any props/visual elements that help tell your story. Some examples include your own laptop, paper planner if you use one, a favorite mug or pen or plant, etc.

  I'll have a couple of very basic things with me in our minimalistic, white office, but if there are things you use on a daily basis or brand elements that help tell your story, bring them along! And feel free to send me ideas/ask questions about this one, too.

• Plan your outfit

  It's also important to think carefully about what you plan to wear for your headshots. My Number One rule is to wear something that fits well and flatters your face, but here are some additional questions to consider:

  If you’re a business owner, what are your brand colors? Can you work them into your outfits?

  What neutrals do you naturally rock? White? Gray? Khaki? Brown? Black? Pick at least one and work it in to help bring balance to your images.

  Do you need to hire a hair and/or makeup artist, or are you comfortable doing your own?

• Arrive early

  Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your headshots; I often have these sessions scheduled back-to-back, and any missed time unfortunately can't be rescheduled.

  Once you arrive, we'll chat for a few minutes, and then get to work. We'll start with your most important photos and then have some fun.

• Have fun

  Headshot photos turn out the best when you are yourself. It’s important to remember: just because there is a camera pointing at you, you don’t always have to look at it. Sometimes the most meaningful images are when you’re enjoying a moment instead of posing.

  If you find it easier to relax with a friend around, consider booking a double session! Or invite them along for yours and they'll just be out of the frame. Either way, I'll be prompting you throughout to talk about yourself, your work, your hobbies, anything to help you relax and get those natural expressions coming through.

Headshot sessions don’t have to be intimidating. Schedule yours today!

At-home family session: Hollis, NH

I absolutely loved meeting this sweet, new family in Hollis, NH, last month for a Christmas-themed at-home session - their little one was just the sweetest and such an easy sleeper! Hardly a complaint and she snuggled off to sleep in Mom’s arms. 

Have you ever had photos taken in your own home? I love the relaxed, comfortable pace, all the natural light, and the very personal touch it adds to family photos. When you’re in your own space, it’s easier to let your guard down, be yourself, and capture some of the details of your beautiful home. And there’s no rushing to get somewhere, because you’re already there.

I’ve been taking my own family’s photos indoors for a couple of years now; I’m thrilled to now be offering the same experience for all of you. Do you have a home you love and a need to update your family photos? Want to capture some memories of your lives right now, in your favorite space? I’ve got a few spots available in January & February and would love to connect! Click the button below to get started.

What to do with your Digital Originals

You’ve downloaded your beautifully-edited Digital Originals (full-resolution JPGs always! Plus some smaller files for social media sharing) - now it’s time to think about prints!

I absolutely love creating wall art, albums, greeting cards and other photo gifts with my own family photos, to bring them out of the digital world and into our everyday lives. They’re tangible, my kids can pull books off the shelves or point to photos on the wall, and we can all reminisce together about the adventures we’ve had. There’s nothing like it!

Lucky for you, I’ve created a few ways to do the same thing with your images. Read on to learn more!

Order heirloom-quality prints & wall art through your gallery

Did you know that you can order prints of any of the images in your gallery, not just the ones you downloaded? Head to your gallery, add your favorites to your cart, and boom! you’ve got printed images.

And don’t forget to get them framed! I’m working on offering framing in 2022 but, for now, I love Frame Theory in Milford, NH (tell them I sent you!), or American Frames online.

Get a custom, keepsake photo book or album

There’s nothing quite as special as having your family story printed in book form. I’ve got two options: a layflat photo book that looks and feels just like the other books on your shelves, but with gorgeous photos of you! [Photos coming soon!] Option two is a stunning, linen-covered and embossed album - a beautiful family heirloom gift for all occasions. Pricing starts at $250; Contact me directly for more info.

Shop consumer-quality prints, wall art, and other photo gifts through mPix.

There is no denying the quality of prints you can order from your gallery - the colors, textures, and durability are the best of the best. That said, I want everyone to be able to get their images printed, and if custom, heirloom-quality printing just isn’t in your budget, mPix is for you! Their prints are the best consumer option out there in terms of color & print quality, and they have dozens of fun photo gifts. Upload your Digital Originals directly, or contact me to get your full gallery uploaded.

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn't affect your price.

Shop eco-friendly greeting cards and other photo gifts through Paper Culture.

I love Paper Culture because they’re committed to creating photo cards & gifts sustainably, using recycled paper and responsibly-sourced wood for their products. And their gifts are gorgeous!

I get a small commission on purchases here, but it doesn’t affect your price.

Share your favorite images on social media.

Don’t forget to tag me when you do (@lynnaeday on Insta, @lynnaedayphotography on FB)! I can’t tell you how much it helps my new little business grow when friends see your beautiful images. If you loved them and you love sharing family images on social media, share away!

Not sharing personal images on social media, but want your friends and family to see them anyway? Share your gallery link! Simply forward it to them in an email and they’ll have instant access.

How will you use your family session photos? I can’t wait to see!

…

P.S. If you choose to print/use your photos elsewhere, that's perfectly fine (you do you!), just know that I stand by the quality of these recommendations over all other printing services and I want you to have the best! If you still want to use your own favorite printing sources, just be sure to use your Digital Originals, *not* any social-media-sized images (although do feel free to share those on social media & tag me!), to get the best print quality.

Family session: Hollis, NH

Word to the wise: if you’re holding back on doing a family session because your kids are solidly in the cranky-baby or headstrong-toddler phase, don’t! They’ve got their own light & loveliness and we can still make magic 😚

These friends brought their two littles up from MA for a fall family session and both boys weren’t having it at least half the time. But you know what? We played some games, we went for walks, we threw leaves, and we snuggled (I only snuggled the baby, lol) and look at how things turned out!

“If you’re in New England and need a photographer who can meet babies and toddlers in literally ~whatever~ mood may strike them and capture both the joy and chaos of life with littles, you need Lynnae! She works magic!”

— ABK

Capturing this season in your lives is so precious, something you’ll look back on later and be so thankful that you did. I’ll be booking outdoor shoots through the winter for the adventurous, snow-loving families, or you can get on my calendar now for Spring 2022 before prices go up!

Fall Minis 2021: Part 3

It’s the final installment of my Fall Mini Session highlights series and I feel like I saved the best for last. 😍 (More hyperbole, yes, because I loved every single session, but hyperbole’s my favorite and you get the idea). The kiddos in these sessions all brought SO much energy, excitement, and enthusiasm to their sessions, and they even brought some ideas of their own to suggest as we went through the sessions (Keep reading to see some of those).

Sidenote: my favorite place to take photos is at Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH. My family loves hiking there, they have incredible educational programs for people of all ages, and I get to support their efforts through their Photographer Membership + donating 5% from the sessions I photograph there. This year, I did both mini session days at Beaver Brook - one at everyone’s favorite, Maple Hill Farm, and one around the Brown Lane Barn. I found a lovely little hidden trail head I’d never been down before at Brown Lane Barn, and Cow Lane did NOT disappoint. 😍

The best thing I learned from this year’s mini sessions is that I will definitely be offering them again! I learned a lot, connected with a number of old and new friends, and really loved creating the space to capture a little light and loveliness for so many families. Thank you to everyone who came out and took a chance on a newer photographer - I loved getting to know and see you all

Fall Minis 2021: Part 2

Welcome back for Part 2 of my Fall Mini Session highlights! These families win cutest kiddo awards (ok, that’s some hyperbole because all of the families had cute kids, but, you know. Sometimes I’m a sucker for the 3-and-under crowd!). Also, there was a lot of throwing leaves to get some smiles. My favorite part of fall - and theirs! See what I mean? 😍

Mini sessions are a great opportunity to get some quick photos of you and your loved ones - perfect for a holiday/New Year card (if you send them), gifts for grandparents, and a brief snapshot in time. Mine run around 15 minutes, so we move FAST. One thing I learned is that while fast can be helpful for young kids, with their short attention spans and preference for exploring over sitting still or being held, it also doesn’t give them a lot of time to warm up to me, the photographer. But I think we did ok, don’t you?

Another fun thing about mini sessions with young kids is how you just never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes the cuteness means great photos come easy, and sometimes independence wins out and you’re just hoping for the best. Either way, I loved meeting all of these cute kiddos and can’t wait to see how they grow!

Stay tuned for Part 3, coming next week!

Fall Minis 2021: Part 1

I offered Fall Minis this year for the first time ever and had so much fun! Meeting new people and connecting with friends is one of my favorite things and I got to do a lot of both in one short weekend. You know what else was a first for me? Photographing teenagers + young adults! I was honestly more than a little nervous about it, but I think they’re now my favorite “kids” to photograph (don’t tell the three year olds!). I especially had fun making them do things they would NEVER do, like hugging Mom, Dad, and their siblings - all of them were great sports, though. and we got some lovely photos as a result.

One of the best parts was getting a chance to really get my feet wet with mini sessions and better understand what’s involved (hint: it’s a lot, but did I mention lots of fun?). I also have a better sense now of what kinds of photos are possible in minis vs. full family sessions (another hint: minis are great for quick, mostly-posed snapshots; family sessions are great for extended families, more candids, and a more relaxed feel to the session).

And minis aren’t just for whole-family images - we had time to get a few of just the parents! Good to see the love alive and well, even with teenagers in the house :)

More highlights coming in Parts 2 and 3! I offer mini sessions 2-3 times / year; hop on over to the Mini Sessions page to be the first to know when I do them again!