One Perfect Door County Evening - Elli's Senior Pictures - Frievalt Photography

Oct 23 2026 | By: Dan Frievalt

From the Marina to the Beach | Elli's Door County Senior Pictures

I've had Elli in front of my camera since she was little, so getting to photograph my niece for her senior pictures brought back some fun memories! She's always been a natural in front of the camera, and apparently nothing has changed!

For her senior session, we headed up to Door County, Wisconsin, spending time around the marina and downtown areas of Sturgeon Bay before making our way to Egg Harbor for some nature, beach photos, and a sunset to finish the night.

One of my favorite things about photographing seniors in Door County is how many different looks we can create in one session. And Elli's session was a great example of that!

Starting With Urban Senior Pictures in Sturgeon Bay

We kicked things off in Sturgeon Bay, taking advantage of the marina and some of the urban settings around town.

I love mixing in locations like this for senior portraits. The buildings, textures, docks, and waterfront give us a completely different feel from the beaches and natural areas that Door County is known for.

We played around with different outfits, backgrounds, and lighting, capturing everything from Elli's big smiles to those more serious looks she pulls off so well.

It's always fun seeing how a location or a change of outfit can give a set of senior pictures a completely different personality.

From Sturgeon Bay to the Natural Side of Egg Harbor

After spending some time in Sturgeon Bay, we made our way to Egg Harbor for the second part of Elli's senior session.

This is one of the reasons I love photographing high school seniors in Door County. You can go from an urban setting to trees, tall grasses, and the shoreline, all in the same afternoon.

Egg Harbor gave us a chance to slow things down and work with some natural backgrounds. We found some great spots among the greenery and used the softer light to create a different look from what we'd photographed earlier.

And Elli made my job pretty easy! She was just as comfortable laughing and having fun as she was giving me those more serious expressions.

Finishing Elli's Senior Pictures at the Beach in Egg Harbor

We saved the beach for the end of the night, and it turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the session.

There's something about photographing along the Door County shoreline as the sun starts to set. The light changes, the colors come out, and everything takes on a different feel.

Elli was up for getting into the water, so we took full advantage of the sunset and reflections.

Those last images in the water ended up being some of my favorites from the entire session.

You can't always plan for a sunset like that, but when you get one, you make the most of it!

High School Senior standing on a beach in Door County at sunset with dramatic clouds and warm orange light
High School Senior sitting on stairs in a green dress, smiling at the camera
High School Senior leaning on a railing by a blurred city street background
High School Senior sitting in a flower field in Door County with yellow blooms and warm sunset light
High School Senior leaning on a white staircase railing in front of a blue house
High School Senior in a peach sweater standing in a lush green field with wildflowers and long flowing hair
High School Senior standing in shallow water at sunset, wearing a white dress in Door County
High School Senior in a white dress standing on a beach in Door County at sunset with dramatic clouds and wet sand reflection
High School Senior lying on steps with arm extended toward the camera.
Smiling High School Senior lying on grass with feet up in a park garden
High School Senior sitting on a park bench in Door County beside white flowers
High School Senior in an olive green jumpsuit standing in front of a weathered turquoise door with arms raised

Why Door County Is a Great Location for Senior Pictures

As a senior photographer based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I love having Door County as an option for seniors who want something different for their photos.

Sturgeon Bay offers a mix of urban backgrounds, marinas, waterfront areas, and architectural details. It's a great choice for seniors who want a little more variety than a traditional nature session.

Egg Harbor, on the other hand, offers beaches, trees, greenery, and shoreline settings that work well for a softer, more natural look.

Combining the two locations gives us the opportunity to create a senior gallery with a lot of variety, without every photo feeling like it was taken in the same place.

And you don't need to know how to pose or have any modeling experience. I'll help with choosing locations, planning outfits, posing, and finding the light that works for each setting.

Door County Senior Photography With Frievalt Photography

For Elli, it was a day of exploring Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor, having some fun, and ending with a sunset we'll both remember.

For me, it was pretty cool getting to photograph my niece again after all those years. From the little girl I used to photograph to the senior she is today, she's still a natural!

If you're looking for senior pictures in Door County, Sturgeon Bay, or Egg Harbor, I'd love to help you plan a session that fits your personality.

I photograph high school seniors throughout Green Bay, De Pere, Appleton, and Door County, Wisconsin.

Visit Frievalt Photography to learn more about senior sessions and start planning yours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Pictures in Door County

Door County offers several options for high school senior portraits, including urban and marina settings in Sturgeon Bay and beach and nature locations in Egg Harbor and Fish Creek.

Can I use multiple Door County locations for my senior pictures?

Yes! Depending on your session package and available time, we can plan photos at multiple locations. For example, Elli's session included the marina and urban areas of Sturgeon Bay, followed by nature and beach portraits in Egg Harbor.

Do you photograph seniors from Green Bay in Door County?

Yes. Frievalt Photography is based in the Green Bay area and offers high school senior portrait sessions in Door County, including Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, and Fish Creek.

When is the best time for senior pictures in Door County?

Summer through early fall is one of my favorite times for senior pictures in Door County. We have longer evenings, green locations, and later sunsets. Plus, Door County has some of the best beaches in Wisconsin, something we don't have nearly as much of around Green Bay! The sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and sunsets over the water make it a great choice for senior portraits. The best time really depends on the look you want, the activities you're involved in, and when you need your senior pictures.

I want to learn more

Leave a comment

Leave this field empty
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA to prevent spam and abuse. Information collected may be processed for security purposes.
Submit

0 Comments

Previous Post

Archive

2026 Mar May Sep Oct