Harkness Park Senior Portraits with Family | CT Beach Family Session

Family

When Owen’s family first visited my studio for their complimentary dress consultation, I knew right away that this session would be something special. They shared with me that it had been a long time since they had done family portraits — and with their oldest child preparing to head off to college, they wanted to finally prioritize capturing this moment together. A CT beach family session was the perfect way to document both their bond and the exciting season of life they were stepping into.

Why a CT Beach Family Session Was the Perfect Choice 

Choosing a CT beach family session gave us the best of both worlds: beautiful greenery and garden shots, followed by dreamy sunset portraits on the beach. The variety allowed us to create a gallery that felt full, authentic, and true to who they are as a family.

We started the evening at the gardens, taking advantage of the lush summer colors and soft golden light. As the sun began to dip lower, we slowly made our way to the beach, letting the changing light guide us. One of the best parts about beach sessions in Connecticut is how the soft sands and ocean breezes create a relaxed, natural atmosphere — perfect for capturing genuine smiles and candid moments.

Balancing Senior & Family Portraits At Your CT Beach Family Session

This session was a beautiful balance of celebrating both Emily’s individual accomplishments and the family’s connection. We made sure to capture classic family portraits first, including a variety of groupings (everyone together, siblings only, and parents with each child). Then, we shifted the focus to just Emily for her senior portraits.

By thoughtfully structuring the session, we were able to create enough space for both the formal family photos and the more relaxed, fun senior shots. This approach made the session feel seamless and gave Emily her special spotlight without ever losing the heart of the family story.

If you’re considering a CT beach family session that highlights your high school senior, planning for a slightly longer session is key. It allows for outfit changes, individual portraits, and family images without feeling rushed.

Laughter, Theater Quotes, and Authentic Moments

One of my absolute favorite parts of this session was how playful and open this family was. Both kids were heavily involved in theater and kept tossing out lines from plays that — admittedly — I didn’t know! But it didn’t matter. We all laughed so much that the energy stayed light and joyful the entire time.

Their willingness to have fun and lean into the moment made such a difference. It reminded me why I love CT beach family sessions so much — they aren’t just about smiling at the camera; they’re about freezing the laughter, the inside jokes, and the true spirit of a family.

By the time we reached the beach and the sky turned a dreamy pastel, the family had fully relaxed into themselves. They took direction beautifully, and as their confidence grew, so did the authenticity of their portraits. The final images felt effortless, full of connection, and filled with love.

Tips for Planning a Family Session That Highlights Your Senior

If you’re thinking about booking a CT beach family session that also focuses on your high school senior, here are a few tips to help you plan a smooth and meaningful experience:

Book Early:

August, September, and October are the most popular months for family and senior portraits. Booking early ensures you get the golden light and warm weather while also meeting yearbook deadlines if needed.

Plan for a Longer Session:

Since these sessions include both family portraits and senior portraits, expect a little extra time to allow for outfit changes and different posing setups.

Think About Your Home:

Consider where you want to hang your finished portraits. Knowing the space and color scheme ahead of time helps us plan your outfits perfectly. This is why I offer a complimentary dress consultation, where you can try on different styles and colors that fit your vision.

Trust Your Photographer:

The best moments come when you feel comfortable and confident. Trust the process, embrace the little unexpected moments, and know that your gallery will reflect your family’s true spirit.

Why I Love CT Beach Family Sessions

There’s something so special about families choosing to make this time a priority. Life moves fast, especially when one chapter closes and a new one — like college — begins. Capturing this season, with all its pride, excitement, and bittersweet emotions, is a gift that only grows more valuable with time.

CT beach family sessions offer a beautiful, natural backdrop that feels timeless and genuine — perfect for preserving memories you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re celebrating a senior’s milestone year or simply gathering your favorite people for an evening of laughter, connection, and love, these sessions are an investment in your family’s story.

Ready to Plan Your CT Beach Family Session?

Emily’s family reminded me exactly why I love what I do: helping families celebrate big milestones while capturing the little moments in between. If you’re ready to plan your own CT beach family session, I’d love to help you create an experience that feels relaxed, joyful, and true to you.

Let’s make beautiful memories together before your next big chapter begins.

Choosing Sharon as Your CT Family Photographer

Why do you want Sharon Leger Photography as your Connecticut family photographer? First, you will be fully prepared for your session. This preparation includes detailed emails and videos before your session, in addition to a prep guide and questionnaire. Second, your session is thoughtfully strategized so that you get way more images than you ever thought possible. And finally, as a former elementary school teacher, Sharon is skilled at engaging and connecting with clients of all ages. Shy toddler? No problem! Cranky husband? I got you, mama! 

To learn more about Sharon Leger Photography, explore the website or follow Sharon on Instagram or Facebook. Please send inquiries through the website only. Please note that the website includes all relevant pricing and booking information.

If you are interested in booking Sharon Leger Photography as your Connecticut family photographer, please know that most spots book about six months out. Reach out today for current availability!

"I am so happy to have had Sharon capture photos of my family. She was so easy to work with, from scheduling to planning and coordinating, she could not have made the process more simple. She showed up on the day-of super prepared, with a whole wagon full of stuff just in case, including snacks for my kids! 

Kim

4 / 15

She worked so well with my children: she truly understands that children are going to get bored fast and she worked around their moods perfectly.

I love that she captured my kids' candid smiles, and not just the posed ones. To top it off, the final product was beyond my expectations and delivered in under a week! You can tell that she loves what she's doing and it shows in her work. She is truly a gem and I can't wait to work with her again as my children grow up!"

"We loved how simple and stress-free our son’s cake smash session was—we didn't need to worry about props or set-up. 

Alexis

When we showed up, Sharon had everything ready for us and we got to just be present in the moment. 

The portraits captured all the sweet little details we want to remember from his first birthday, and we were so happy to share them with our family. It was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone!" 

2 / 15

"Sharon was absolutely lovely to work with. I'm not the type of person who particularly enjoys photoshoots, but she is exceptionally adept at putting her clients at ease. Her studio is equal parts tranquil, tasteful and casual so that my wife and I were not in the least bit overwhelmed.

Kevin

Sharon anticipates every possible need and plans accordingly so that you don't have to. 

She is able to maintain the pace of her shoots, moving them forward judiciously without making the client feel rushed or unappreciated. She was completely down-to-earth and personable. It sounds cliché, but talking with her felt like catching up with an old friend – exactly we needed after the hectic experience of bringing our first child into the world. Sharon was more than worth the cost."

3 / 15

"Sharon was amazing to work with during our recent newborn session! She was very responsive with any questions I had before the session, and even offered advice on outfits for my older children. I borrowed a gorgeous dress from her client closet, which helped me feel more confident and comfortable for photos. 

Amanda

I was nervous about how the session would go with two young children and a newborn, but Sharon had everything so organized and prepared, that everything went flawlessly.

She was so calming and kind, and her studio felt so welcoming! The finished photos are all so beautiful, that I can't even come close to picking a favorite!"

4 / 15

"I was first introduced to Sharon in 2024 when I did a session of personality portraits, and I was instantly impressed. A few friends had used her before and raved about her work, and now I completely understand why! Sharon truly works magic behind the camera. She is incredibly organized, answering all questions and planning every detail ahead of time. 

Merissa

There’s never a need to stress about locations, directions, or even bad weather—she has a backup plan for everything!

One of my favorite parts of working with her is the dress consult to help plan outfits. She has such a great eye for style and helps put together looks that photograph beautifully."

5 / 15

"Sharon and Amy were fabulous! Right from the initial booking they made me feel special. I wore three beautiful dresses that Sharon already had available for me to wear from her client closet (I LOVE this feature!). We tried on several dresses until I found one that fit comfortably and I felt fabulous in.

Nicole

Amy & Sharon were great at communicating with me every step of the process.

Amy didn’t go overboard with the makeup, she made me look like myself but a little extra glam. An elevated version of myself. They were so fabulous and I would absolutely book them again. I 10/10 recommend Sharon and Amy for maternity or family photo sessions."

6 / 15

"Scheduling was super easy through her website and Sharon is very communicative. Sharon offers a dress consultation so you can go to her studio and try on multiple dresses that fit whatever theme you choose for your photo day.

Nicole

I've never seen a photographer offer a whole closet of dresses to choose from and this takes out ALL the stress of picking an outfit for pictures.

Another priceless offering when it comes to taking the stress out of family photos is hair and makeup (additional fee). I scheduled with Amy for a few hours before my shoot. Amy was so easy to talk to and did a fantastic job with the look I wanted. I'm already looking forward to another booking and have referred her to my friends and family. I cannot recommend Sharon and her team more."  
 

Kind Words

7 / 15

"We recently had our second family session with Sharon and 

Jenna

we were yet again blown away by the entire experience. 

From her expert outfit planning, to making the journey to join us at our beach for photos, Sharon created a relaxed, fun environment from beginning to end. The photos we received were beyond what I could have imagined! She captured our family perfectly!!"

8 / 15

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Sharon for a family beach session, and she was amazing from start to finish! Sharon's attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless. Her empathetic and supportive nature made a world of difference, and the photos turned out beautifully. 

Alexis

I highly recommend Sharon to any mom looking for a talented and compassionate photographer, who takes the stress out of planning.

Her work is exceptional, and she truly cares about her clients. Thank you, Sharon, for capturing these moments for us!"

9 / 15

"Sharon is the absolute best! We worked with her for our maternity photos, newborn photos, and our cake smash one-year-old photos. Each time, Sharon is so professional and friendly, makes us feel right at home, and take the most beautiful photos. We are blown away every time! The client closet is awesome and Sharon really went the extra mile to find gowns that complimented me. 

Jen

We had so much fun taking all of these photos and can’t wait to work with her again!

We will cherish these photos forever."

10 / 15

"We did personality portraits for the second time with Sharon and they came out so well! 

Kelsey

The kids had such a blast and she really captured their unique personalities!"

11 / 15

"We did both our maternity and newborn photos with Sharon and she made each experience beyond amazing. I met Sharon first at our dress consultation and knew we were going to work well together. It’s incredible that she gives you access to some many dresses and really knows how to make a pregnant lady feel beautiful.

She made my husband (who admittedly did not want to take the pictures) feel so comfortable, got him laughing and even looking forward to the newborn shoot.

Then, at the newborn shoot Sharon was so patient with us (it was our first trip out) she again made me feel so beautiful in her huge selection of dresses and was so good and rocking out baby boy to sleep."

Alexa

12 / 15

"Stop reading reviews and just book your session with Sharon Leger Photography right now. Sharon has been there for my family even before we were an official family. She poetically captured our engagement, maternity and our newborn’s first photos.

I couldn’t imagine trusting anyone else with these precious moments.

I am not an easy client. I am nervous, unsure of myself and overly aware of every physical flaw (especially postpartum). Sharon made me feel comfortable and beautiful every step of the way. We love Sharon Leger Photography, especially the woman behind the lens! Thank you for everything, Sharon!"

Dawn

13 / 15

"Sharon is an absolute gem! It has been 3.5 years since I found her and since then she has captured the most adorable and perfect pictures of my two sons and our family.

From newborn sessions, cake smashes and family photos, not one detail has ever been overlooked. Her process is seamless and she makes everything so accessible and easy.

She offers so many options for photo opportunities and has perfected a style that really is timeless! She was so wonderful with each of my children when they were newborns, that it made the experience so worth it! Couldn’t recommend enough!"

Melissa

14 / 15

"It’s hard for me to find the perfect words to describe what Sharon has given me.

I reached out to her when I was thinking about doing maternity photos, and she quickly convinced me that I would not regret it. She was right. Not only do I not regret my maternity photos but I actually love everything about them. Every time I look at them, all of those amazing feelings I felt while I was pregnant come right back as if I’m still in the moment. They are something I will cherish forever."

Kimberly

15 / 15

Kind Words

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