Every senior has a story to tell, and Rylee's story unfolded across two beautiful sessions that perfectly captured who she is—a vintage-loving, show choir star with a heart full of optimism and a best friend named Sawyer.

Our adventure began in early July at the stunning University of Mount Union campus in Alliance. Rylee arrived with her cap and gown, ready to celebrate this milestone, but we knew this session would be about so much more than the traditional senior portrait.

As a high school senior portrait photographer, my goal is always to make everyone feel confident and comfortable throughout their session. That's how I create beautiful portraits with purpose—portraits that are true to who you are. With Rylee, this connection came naturally.

When Rylee slipped into her gorgeous yellow formal dress at Glamorgan Castle, something magical happened. The flowing gown, the castle backdrop—it was giving major Belle from Beauty and the Beast vibes, and Rylee absolutely owned it. We also incorporated several lovely floral dresses that complemented the lush summer scenery perfectly.

Throughout the session, Rylee's optimistic and easy-going personality (exactly how her friends describe her) shined through in every frame.

October brought us to Quail Hollow Park in Hartville for round two, and this time, Rylee brought her favorite thing ever—her dog Sawyer! There's something about including a beloved pet that brings out authentic joy, and Rylee was absolutely glowing.

Her fall attire was the perfect choice for the golden fields, among the woods, by the stone arch, and in front of the white manor house. Her red sparkly show choir dress caught the light beautifully and reflected Rylee's passion for performing with Wadsworth High School's show choir groups, Royal Sensation and Rhythm in Red.

Rylee came prepared. She researched locations, planned her outfits and jewelry, and thought through hair and makeup ahead of time. This thoughtfulness made both sessions flow seamlessly and resulted in incredible variety—exactly what you want from your senior portrait experience.

Her eclectic style shines through in everything she does. From collecting vintage treasures and thrifting to loving Altar'd State to watching old films like the Mummy (1999) and listening to David Bowie and the Beach Boys, Rylee has an appreciation for timeless beauty that translated perfectly into her portraits.

As Rylee prepares to graduate from Wadsworth High School's Class of 2026, she's excited about what's next—earning her bachelor's degree in dental hygiene at YSU and making new friends in college. While she'll miss performing on stage with her choir family, she's ready to branch out and embrace new experiences.

"When I first saw her work on Instagram, I loved how the photos stood out compared to other photographers in my area. The posing and overall look of the photos on her page were very polished and everyone seemed very relaxed and comfortable during their session. Then I chose Laura Esposito Photography again in the fall because I loved the first session so much!"

"I loved how encouraging Laura was throughout the sessions, she was the best hype girl! She listened to everything I wanted and all that I wanted to avoid too. I loved how she showed some pictures we took throughout the sessions as well. I felt super confident and comfortable during both sessions! It was so much fun! :))"

"Plan everything out thoroughly before your session. Having your outfits/jewelry, hair, and makeup prepared helps make the process run a lot smoother! I also researched the locations I was interested in to get a better idea of what style/colors would suit the area nicely and I think that made a big difference in the end results. I highly recommend an additional session for even more variety!"

Rylee's sessions remind me why I love what I do. When seniors feel confident and comfortable, when they can be their authentic selves, that's when the magic happens. Beautiful portraits with purpose aren't just about the perfect pose—they're about capturing the real you.

Ready to create your own senior portrait story? Let's make it unforgettable.