Because no one warned me either… and I don’t want you to miss it.

I’m going to say something you may not want to hear just yet:
This is your fastest year.

Senior year moves quicker than all the others combined.
You’ll blink, and it’ll be over.
And no one told me that the first time around.

So I’m telling you now.
Because I wish someone had told me.

It Starts Off Slow… Then It’s a Whirlwind

At first, it feels like you’ve got time.
You’re thinking about senior portraits, college visits, and SATs.
There’s a to-do list a mile long, sure—but it still feels doable.

Then suddenly…
The college application deadlines pile up.
Essays are due.
They need a photo turned in for the sports banquet.
Yearbook deadlines.
Prom payments.
Senior nights.
Senior skip days.
Graduation prep.
Cap and gown pick-up.
And all those “lasts” start sneaking in quietly—and then all at once.

Before you realize it, the year is gone.
And what hurts most? You barely had time with them in between.

Schedule in the Time—Or It Will Slip Away

This is my honest, mom-to-mom advice to you:
Put time with your senior on the calendar now.

Plan for a moment to slow down.
Plan for a morning together.
Plan for a hug in the middle of a very big, busy year.

Because if you don’t, the schedule will fill itself—and not with memories.
It will fill with deadlines and checklists and forms and fees.

Then…it’s over.

That’s Why This Portrait Session Isn’t “Just Photos”

As a mom of six and a photographer who’s worked with hundreds of seniors, I can tell you:
This session becomes a memory all by itself.

For many moms, it’s the one time they get with their senior that’s not rushed or stressful.
You might grab breakfast together, go shopping for outfits, or sit and chat while they get ready.

It’s not about the perfect picture.
It’s about pausing the clock—just for a little while.

And no matter their personality—camera shy, confident, or “just here because Mom said so”—my job is to make them feel completely comfortable.
(I live for the guys who walk off saying, “Wait, we’re done already? That actually wasn’t bad!”)

Here’s What I Want for You

I want you to have time with your child this year that you don’t regret.
I want you to have photos that make you smile, cry, and remember.
I want you to be in the moment, not just racing through it.

That’s why I’ve designed the entire senior experience to be:

• Stress-free, FUN and guided every step of the way
• Tailored to your senior’s personality and interests
• Done at our peaceful 10-acre flower farm or anywhere meaningful to you
• Printed on artwork that lasts a lifetime (with a lifetime guarantee)
• Digital-ready for sharing
• And includes a free family session—because this is a milestone for all of you

You Don’t Get This Year Back

So please, friend, carve out a little time in the middle of the chaos.
Because someday soon, the house will be quieter.
And you’ll be so grateful you slowed down, even for just a day, to soak it in.

You won’t regret making space for this memory to relive this incredible year over and over, forever.
But…trust me, when they are gone like mine…you might regret letting the year fly by without it.

P.S.
If you’re ready to get a session date on the calendar, or just want to talk through ideas and options, I’m here. Let’s make it meaningful.

See Senior Portrait ideas here: https://cedarhillstudios.com/seniors-1

To schedule a quick chat, click here: https://543672.17hats.com/p#/scheduling/ftvnhktcgsgtbdfbwndcnbxzzdctpkrt

Debbie McFarland is an internationally award-winning photographer with over 27 years of experience capturing the heart of people’s stories. She’s the founder of a global kindness movement, a mom of six, and the heart behind The Studio at Cedar Hill. Debbie also leads empowerment workshops and events for girls and women, helping them step into their confidence and worth.

She lives on a flower farm in Brooks, Georgia with her husband and a couple of doodles, where beauty, joy, and a whole lot of love bloom daily.