In the heart of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, I recently embarked on a captivating guy senior session, creating an unforgettable experience and capturing the essence of one young man’s senior year and personality.
Ethan is one of those kids that marches to the beat of his drum. He has a sweet, stoic personality and cares deeply about his family. I have had the honor of knowing him and his family for the last 6 years. His mom is a friend and client of mine. I have watched him grow from a boy into a young man who has his style and does not care what people think. If only we could bottle this, we could change the world. <3 From the Cape Fear River to the charming vintage brick alleys and a breathtaking golden sunset on a rooftop, this session encapsulated the spirit and charm of downtown Wilmington and Ethan.
A Funky Alleyway with Vintage Brick:
The session began with an exploration, of a hidden gem in the form of a funky alleyway adorned with vintage bricks. This unique location provided a touch of urban flair, perfectly complementing the senior’s style. The intriguing textures and patterns of the brick walls served as an artistic canvas, making each shot a work of art. Against this backdrop, the senior’s confidence and personality effortlessly radiated, resulting in portraits that truly captured him. As we moved toward the river we stopped at the new apartments down by the river. The parking garage and brick structure helped give a strong architectural element to the images and we were able to get the most gorgeous golden light here.
Down by the Cape Fear River:
Moving toward the river we moved along the picturesque Cape Fear River. We stopped here for a brief time to capture a few images with the water in the background to give mom another choice in her son’s portraits. The vibrant blue water created a stunning backdrop. Against this backdrop, Ethan’s personality shone through, creating memorable portraits that truly reflect his individuality.
The Rooftop: A Golden Sunset Finale:
To conclude the session on a dreamy note, I guided the senior to the rooftop of one of the parking decks, just in time for a golden sunset. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the cityscape, the rooftop provided the perfect vantage point. These final shots encapsulated the sense of accomplishment and excitement that comes with senior year, creating timeless memories to be cherished forever. Especially when we added a few family portraits at the end.
As a family photographer, I understand the beautiful mix of emotions that comes with your oldest “baby” reaching their senior year. From the pride beaming in your eyes to the nostalgia tugging at your heartstrings, it’s a whirlwind of emotions that deserves to be captured and cherished. That’s exactly how Jessica feels about her oldest “baby”. It’s a bitter-sweet feeling captured in these images. Joy and pride at the young man Ethan had become but also maybe a little sadness that he’s going out into the world and 18 years flashing before Jessica’s eyes.
So in conclusion, this guy’s senior session in downtown Wilmington, NC was a testament to Ethan’s stoic personality. Through the artful selection of locations, from the tranquil Cape Fear River to the edgy vintage brick alleyway, and the breathtaking finale on a rooftop with a golden sunset, this session truly captured Ethan and the unique charm of downtown Wilmington. The resulting portraits will undoubtedly serve as a cherished reminder of this significant milestone in this senior’s life, for him and mom.
Visit me on Instagram here and check out the very first family session with the Arendt’s back in 2017 here.
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