Tulips, Spring Blooms & Golden Hour

Some senior sessions are easy from the start… and some take a little extra planning. But those are usually the ones that turn out so worth it.

Addison came to me with a specific request for her senior photos: tulips. And if you’ve ever tried to plan a tulip session in Wisconsin, you know that’s easier said than done. Tulip fields are limited, peak bloom windows are short, and timing is everything. Challenge accepted.

After lots of Googling and location scouting, we landed on The Paine Art Center and Gardens, and honestly? I had no idea just how perfect this spot was going to be.

From the moment we arrived, I knew we made the right call. The Paine delivered everything: vibrant spring blooms, gorgeous tulip displays, lush gardens, and stunning architecture that added so much variety to Addison’s gallery. We spent most of our session exploring the grounds, bouncing from garden to garden, and letting each area bring out a different side of her personality.

One of my favorite parts of this session was how much variety we were able to create without ever feeling rushed. Addison was relaxed, confident, and totally herself, which always leads to the best photos. Between the florals, greenery, and classic architectural backdrops, her final gallery felt full, intentional, and anything but repetitive.

A quick planning note for anyone considering this location: you do need to reserve a time slot at The Paine Art Center and Gardens. It’s absolutely something to plan ahead for, but after seeing the results, I can confidently say it’s 100% worth it.

To finish the night, we made a quick pit stop at Fonferek’s Glen to soak up the last bit of golden hour. The soft evening light was the perfect contrast to the earlier spring florals, and it gave us a totally different vibe to end the session. We also captured a few photos of Addison in her softball and cross country jerseys, which was such a meaningful way to round out her senior gallery and celebrate everything she’s been involved in.

And then… there are moments that remind me why I do this.

After Addison received her gallery, she sent me the sweetest message:

“Ashley!!!!!
You are amazing! I’ve been checking everyday to see when my pictures were done I was so excited. And what can I say you didn’t disappoint! These were all so so amazing and it was so fun working with you! I will never stop talking about you, thank you truly.”

I don’t take words like that lightly. Getting to create something that someone is genuinely excited about, and proud of, is the best part of this job.

Addison, thank you for trusting me with your vision and being such a joy to photograph. Your session was a perfect reminder that when you lean into planning and trust the process, the results can be pretty incredible.