If you know the Burks at all, you know that our youngest graduated from Carroll Senior High School last year. Maggie Burks, Class of 2014. And she left for school in Portland, Oregon last fall. I know what the empty nest feels like.

So we’ve experienced Senior Year twice as parents and we’ve been through every single roller coaster emotion that comes with it. The incredible joy and pride as your child reaches goals and milestones that theyve dreamed about for so many years. The anticipation as they write those college essays and hope they get accepted by that one special college and if they do, will the money be enough? The pull on their hearts by the close friendships that will be taking new shapes in just a few months.

In the blink of an eye this year will be over and your day to day family life will forever change.

Of course these are the reasons we take Senior Pictures to begin with. But what hit me this year was the families. The families that are getting ready to launch their son or daughter, brother or sister. Were the ones that stay behind as our senior goes away to college.

Wouldnt it be a lovely time for a family photograph? A perfect time to get together for a short time and take a few images to capture this once in a lifetime in your family history.

So this year we tried something new. Toni Burks Photography decided to gift Family Mini Sessions to each and every Seniors family that came to us for their Senior Pictures. When Senior Season was over and graduation parties past we set up 4 dates during the month of June. All clients from the graduating class of 2015 were invited and we had several takers.

I think those that participated were very happy to have new family photos for their walls and we had so very much fun getting to see our families again before they left for college.

Here is a quick sampling of some of our favorites from the summer. We hope you enjoy!

If youre thinking about scheduling a senior session with us wed love to photograph your family this June! Our complimentary mini sessions were a big success and were excited to be offering them again for the Class of 2016!