Some girls take up space the moment they walk into a room. Others grow into their presence quietly—through consistency, kindness, and heart. Emma Smith is the second kind. Now in her second year on the Teen Team, Emma is small but mighty in every sense of the phrase. A dedicated softball player with steady determination, she doesn’t demand attention—but she absolutely earns it. Especially during our themed concept shoots, where Emma has become known for something very special

Bailey’s Crowns & Gowns session felt different from the very beginning, and that was exactly the point. Bailey wanted her look to feel authentically her. So instead of choosing between a crown or a cowboy hat, we did what felt right—she wore both. Meet Bailey Baldasare, a sophomore from Southeast High School. Bailey has a quiet, steady strength about her—the kind that doesn’t demand attention but naturally draws people in. She leads with kindness. She is bright, driven, and

As we turn the page on another year, there is something truly special about pausing to reflect on the journey we have shared. The Teen Team has always been about more than just beautiful photographs; it is a community built on support, personal growth, and the unique bonds formed between girls who are all navigating the exciting and sometimes challenging path of high school. This year, I asked the team to share their biggest wins from the past year, their goals for the upcomi

There is a certain kind of energy that some people just radiate the moment they walk into a room. If you have ever spent five minutes with Kristlyn—or Kris, as her friends at Waterloo High School know her—you know exactly what I am talking about. She is loud, energetic, and possesses a bubbly personality that is impossible to ignore. But beneath that vibrant exterior is a heart that is remarkably soft. Kris is the kind of person who will sit and listen to anyone, offering gen

The air is crisp, the lights are twinkling, and the scent of pine and gingerbread fills the air. It’s the season of giving, where we search for the perfect present to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. But this year, let's take a moment to celebrate the gift that keeps on giving, the one that can’t be wrapped in paper and ribbon: true friendship. ​We asked our teen team about what it really means to be a good friend—the kind of bond that warms you from the inside o

Welcome back to the Crowns & Gowns Series , where we celebrate the extraordinary young women on my Teen Team as they step into sixteen — each with their own passions, their own stories, and their own kind of magic. This week, it’s time to turn our attention to Paisley Nader . If you’ve been with us for a while, you may remember Paisley from one of our very first shoots together last year — a quiet, soft-spoken girl standing among the flowers in a garden. I remember watching h

Welcome back to the Crowns & Gowns Series, where we’re celebrating the incredible young women on my Teen Team who are turning sixteen — each with their own unique story, strength, and sparkle. These sessions are more than just beautiful portraits; they’re about honoring who these girls are and the journeys that have shaped them. This week, it’s all about Addy Ross. If you’ve followed my Teen Team for a while, Addy is a familiar face — and one I’ve had the privilege of photogr

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Kyleigh Smith, one of the newest members of the Capture Life Photography Teen Team! Kyleigh just celebrated her fifteenth birthday on November 29th and is diving into her freshman year at Waterloo High School. We are thrilled to have her outgoing personality and passion for photography join our team this year. ​The Go-Getter with a Camera ​ You’ll find Kyleigh on the sidelines of nearly every Waterloo sporting event, camera in hand,

​ The leaves are gone, the air is crisp, and the calendar has officially flipped to the holiday season! That means it was time for our favorite annual tradition: the Teen Team Christmas photoshoot! This year, we bundled up and headed out to a beautiful Christmas Tree Farm for a morning of festive fun, laughter, and of course, stunning photos. We invited the whole Teen Team out to celebrate the start of the most wonderful time of the year! ​To make sure every girl got plenty o

​ Today, we introduce you to Haleigh Potts, one of the bright new faces on the teen team. Haleigh recently celebrated her seventeenth birthday on November 15th and is embracing her first year on the team while navigating her junior year at Maplewood Career Center studying in their cosmetology program. Our girl Haleigh brings a genuine happiness and unwavering commitment to everything she does and we are so grateful to have her on our Teen Team. . The Heart of Haleigh: Happin

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce one of the incredible teens joining our 2025/2026 Teen Team season —the wonderfully energetic and determined Riley Chonko! ​ Riley just celebrated her 15th birthday and is a freshman at Rootstown High School where she is already a force—on the court, on the field, and now on our team. When Her Application Hit Our Inbox… There are certain applications that stop you in your tracks. Riley’s was one of them. The moment hers came in, it s

Introducing 15-year-old freshman Leah Vojtko! This incredible athlete is driven by her desire to help others: "I am great at helping people. Whether that be through talking out their problems, or just hyping them up as needed." We are so excited to have her powerful energy on the Capture Life Teen Team! Getting to Know Leah ​Leah is a freshman at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (CVCA), which she describes as a very encouraging school—and that supportive environment seems to

There’s something special about meeting someone who’s full of personality, dreams, and heart — and that’s exactly what you’ll find when you meet Teagan. She’s almost 15 (tomorrow is her birthday 🎂) and already carving out her place as a fun, loyal, and hardworking freshman at Rootstown High School. From volleyball games to choir solos and big dreams of becoming a cosmetologist, Teagan’s story is all about finding joy in the little things and growing into the person she’s me

Senior Sunday Spotlight If you’ve followed along with our Capture Life Photography Teen Team, you might already recognize her. This time, she’s celebrating an exciting new milestone—her senior year. Watching our Teen Team girls grow from high school freshmen into confident seniors is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. Morgan has been part of our team for several years, and getting the chance to photograph her one-on-one felt incredibly special. Over time, we’ve se

There’s something magical about seeing life through a camera lens — the way a single photograph can freeze a moment, tell a story, or capture a feeling words can’t describe. For several of the girls on the Teen Team, that magic has become a passion. Some have already started building their photography skills, while others are just beginning to dream about it. From Friday night lights to livestock shows, each of these girls is finding her own reason to step behind the camera —

This year, I wanted to do something truly special for the girls on my Teen Team who are celebrating their Sweet 16. Sixteen is more than just a birthday—it’s a milestone in girlhood, a moment between childhood dreams and young womanhood, and I believe it deserves to be celebrated in a way that feels magical, powerful, and personal. So, the Crowns and Gowns  concept was born. I want each girl to feel —strong, radiant, and worthy of celebration. We chose this theme to honor not

A Personalized Session Designed to Showcase Personality, Creativity, and Confidence Kailie holds such a special place in our hearts because we’ve had the joy of photographing her since she was just a freshman. Back then, Kailie was a little shy and quiet, barely saying a few words to us. Fast forward to now—we have had the privilege of witnessing a beautiful transformation. Kailie is someone who radiates confidence and welcomes everyone with open arms. One of our favorite t

There’s something special that happens when you get a group of girls together and let them open up about real life. Between laughter, inside jokes, and a few “same here” moments, the conversation starts to feel like therapy, but with a whole lot more giggling. This month, the Teen Team sat down for a little heart-to-heart — talking about everything from high school drama and big dreams to the friendships that shape who they are. Funzies! We kicked things off with the light st

Crowning Moment: Madyson’s Senior Shoot Writing this next blog honestly feels like we’re introducing a brand-new princess—the kind you...

Seventeen-year-old Reyna Ripley is a junior at Southeast High School, and this year marks her first on Davinda’s Teen Team. With her warm...