Meet Lillian | Class of 2019 | Burns Court Senior Portraits

“This is the beginning of anything you want.”

Meet Lillian. A senior at Pine View, Lillian is also a Sailor Circus kid. Not only does she walk on a high wire, but she stands on her head and does other amazing feats. Me? I can barely walk a straight line, much less balance on a wire high above the ground. But that’s not what makes her so amazing. Know what is? Her genuine smile and caring spirit. Her sense of self and sense of family. I photographed her sister Alice’s Senior Portraits two years ago, and all I can say is a big fat kudos to these girl’s parents. They did an outstanding job raising their strong and beautiful daughters.

I always send a little pre-session questionnaire to my seniors before their sessions. It helps me to get to know them and allows me to customize their session specific to their personality. One of the questions is to ask the senior about which of their features they love the most, and what they most want to remember about this time in their lives.

“WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FEATURES ABOUT YOURSELF?”

My eyes and my smile

Me too, Lillian. Me too.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THIS TIME IN YOUR LIFE?”

Living in Sarasota, so close to so many beautiful beaches and wildlife.

I am right there with you, sweet girl.

So it made perfect sense for us to capture Historic Burns Court and the Sarasota Bayfront as backdrops for her truly Sarasota Senior Portraits. Lillian lived not far from Burns Court for a time, so taking her photos here was like a walk through her childhood.

Remember when Lillian said her eyes and her smile were her favorite features? She wasn’t wrong… Take a look and see for yourself.
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography
Sarasota Extended Family Photos by Michaela Ristaino Photography

Thank you, Lillian, for trusting me with your senior photos!! It had an amazing time and hope you did too!

xoxo,

michaela

Ready to book your Photo Session? I am currently booking Senior Sessions for the Class of 2019 and Professional Headshot Sessions.  

Contact me here for more information or to secure a date.

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I AM A FINE ART PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER IN SARASOTA FLORIDA SPECIALIZING SENIOR PHOTOS AND HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY. IT MAKES MY HEART HAPPY, AND I AM STANDING BY TO CAPTURE YOUR JOY!

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    Yep, that’s me in there for about half a second. I believe in taking the trip, being in the photo, and not waiting for ‘someday.’ Also I photograph seniors in Sarasota, but that’s a whole separate post.
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#italytravel #takethetrip #travelreels #photographerlife #behindthelens
    New here? Good.
No fluff. No filters. Just real.

I’m Michaela. I photograph seniors in that strange, in-between year. The last summer before the dorm room. The kid who still texts you the good stuff, even when she swears she’s too busy for you.

No brick walls. No “smile because I said so.”

I want the giggle. The walk that turns into a run because she forgot the camera was even there.

Real photos. Real teens. Every time.

Glad you’re here.

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#SarasotaSeniorPhotographer #FloridaSeniorPhotographer #ClassOf2027 #SeniorPortraitPhotographer #SarasotaFL
    2026 Holiday Mini Sessions: coming this fall. ✨

15 minutes. Real moments. Zero forced smiles.

These sessions sell out every year, so I'm doing something new: sign up to get notified first, before booking opens to everyone else, plus early pricing.

Link in bio to get on the list. 👆
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#SarasotaFamilyPhotographer #SarasotaMiniSessions #HolidayMinis2026 #SarasotaPhotographer #FamilyPhotographySarasota #SiestaKeyFamilyPhotos #SarasotaMomLife #HolidayPhotosSarasota #BookNowSarasota

    Michaela Ristaino Photography
    michaela@ristainophotography.com | 941-957-8088 | Sarasota FL