Image of the Year: Class of 2025
The Amanda Photography Image of the Year: Class of 2025 competition runs from 05/20/2025 until 06/04/2025. Round 2 will end on 05/31/2025. Vote for your favorite senior using the Facebook so they can move on to Round 3!
Image of the Year:
Class of 2025
What is the Amanda Photography Image of the Year Contest?
At Amanda Photography, I have the privilege to photograph AMAZING seniors every year! I have nominated one of my favorite photos from each class of 2025 senior I photographed.
You as an audience will vote on your favorite photograph below.
The winners get to take home amazing prizes!
ROUND 2
How Do I Vote For An Image?
Voting for Round 2 is simple and takes place on Facebook.
Step 1: Head over to my Facebook page here —>
www.facebook.com/shotsbyamanda
Step 2: Like the Page.
Step 3: Like the image that you want to vote for = 1 vote.
Step 4: Comment on the image you want to vote for = 2 votes.
ONLY 1 COMMENT WILL BE COUNTED PER PERSON ON EACH IMAGE.
(Replies to comments will not count for anything.)
And now you’ve officially voted for your favorite image!
**SPECIAL NOTE: If you share the Facebook post to your page, votes will only be counted for likes and comments on the original post on my page.
What Are The Prizes?
1st Place: 1 Hour Session with All the Digitals
The grand prize is an incredible 1-hour photo session with all digital images included! Even better, the session is completely customizable! Use it for a solo session at that place you’ve been dreaming of having your photo taken, creating memories with your beloved pet, updating your family portraits, or even gift it to a sibling who's graduating in 2026.
2nd Place: $100 Gift Card to Your Print Store
You’ll receive $100 worth of credit towards printing images from your online gallery! Decorate your home with albums, prints, frames, canvases, or metal prints. You can also use this print credit towards purchasing all the digitals if you had a session where you were limited on how many you could download.
*NOTE: If your gallery has expired, you will have an additional 1 month of access to choose and print your images.
3rd Place: $50 Gift Card to Your Print Store
You’ll receive $50 worth of credit towards printing images from your online gallery! Now’s the perfect time to print those images you want to see hanging on the wall or scrapbook with!
*NOTE: If your gallery has expired, you will have an additional 1 month of access to choose your images.
How Can I Win?
Share this with as many friends and family as you can. The more people you have vote in this contest, the better your chances are. You can even increase your chances by sharing this on Facebook, Instagram, and any other social media platform you’re on, along with emailing friends and family.
I will be posting about this on my Facebook and Instagram as well, and seniors who share my post and invite their friends to go vote for them do the best!
The Rules.
There will be 3 rounds.
Round 1 will be from 05/20/2025 until 05/26/2025 and will take place on the website.
Only one vote per person for Round 1.
After the first round, I will narrow the competition down to 8 images. Those 8 images will move on to Round 2 based on the top votes.
Round 2 will be from 05/28/2025 until 05/31/2025 and will take place on Facebook.
After the second round, I will narrow the competition down to 5 images. Those 5 images will move on to Round 3 based on the top votes.
Round 3 will be from 06/02/2025 until 06/04/2025 and will take place on Instagram.
Votes will reset after each round.
Prizes will go to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Good luck!
These are the 8 images that moved on to Round 2!
Cast your vote on Facebook for the image you want to see move on to the finals!
www.facebook.com/shotsbyamanda
IMAGE #1 - Maya
IMAGE #2 - Evan
IMAGE #3 - Lexi
IMAGE #4 - Emily
IMAGE #5 - Alexa
IMAGE #6 - Abhinav
IMAGE #7 - Olivia
IMAGE #8 - Riley
Round 1 will end on 05/26/2025.
Round 2 will end on 05/31/2025.
Round 3 and entire contest ends on 06/04/2025.
Votes will reset after each round.
Any use of automation, fake accounts, bots, or 3rd party apps will immediately disqualify you.
All images chosen are nominated by Amanda Photography. No exceptions.
If the senior, parent/guardian, or anyone who is represented in the photograph want the image removed from the competition, I will immediately remove the entry.
Announcement will be made on the Amanda Photography Facebook and Instagram at 4:00pm CDT on 06/06/2025.
Grand prize winner MUST schedule a session between 06/07/2025 & 06/07/2026 during normal business hours - or the prize will be forfeited.
Session must be held at a location within 10 miles of South County.
Expect 30 images from the session.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
The winner is responsible for all transportation costs to and from the shoot location.
No prize may be transferred or substituted for its cash value.
This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram.
Image of the Year: Class of 2025
The Amanda Photography Image of the Year: Class of 2025 competition runs from 05/20/2025 until 06/04/2025. Round 1 will end on 05/26/2025. Vote for your favorite senior using the Google Form so they can move on to Round 2!
Image of the Year:
Class of 2025
What is the Amanda Photography Image of the Year Contest?
At Amanda Photography, I have the privilege to photograph AMAZING seniors every year! I have nominated one of my favorite photos from each class of 2025 senior I photographed.
You as an audience will vote on your favorite photograph below.
The winners get to take home amazing prizes!
ROUND 1
How Do I Vote For An Image?
Voting for Round 1 is simple and takes place right on this page.
Step 1: Scroll down to the photograph you want to vote for.
*Note the image number and senior’s name.
Step 2: At the top and bottom of this page you’ll find a form to fill out.
(Either form works, since they are the same.)
Step 3: Fill out the form and select the image # that you would like to win.
Step 4: Press send!
And now you’ve officially voted for your favorite image!
What Are The Prizes?
1st Place: 1 Hour Session with All the Digitals
The grand prize is an incredible 1-hour photo session with all digital images included! Even better, the session is completely customizable! Use it for a solo session at that place you’ve been dreaming of having your photo taken, creating memories with your beloved pet, updating your family portraits, or even gift it to a sibling who's graduating in 2026.
2nd Place: $100 Gift Card to Your Print Store
You’ll receive $100 worth of credit towards printing images from your online gallery! Decorate your home with albums, prints, frames, canvases, or metal prints. You can also use this print credit towards purchasing all the digitals if you had a session where you were limited on how many you could download.
*NOTE: If your gallery has expired, you will have an additional 1 month of access to choose and print your images.
3rd Place: $50 Gift Card to Your Print Store
You’ll receive $50 worth of credit towards printing images from your online gallery! Now’s the perfect time to print those images you want to see hanging on the wall or scrapbook with!
*NOTE: If your gallery has expired, you will have an additional 1 month of access to choose your images.
How Can I Win?
Share this with as many friends and family as you can. The more people you have vote in this contest, the better your chances are. You can even increase your chances by sharing this on Facebook, Instagram, and any other social media platform you’re on, along with emailing friends and family.
I will be posting about this on my Facebook and Instagram as well, and seniors who share my post and invite their friends to go vote for them do the best!
The Rules.
There will be 3 rounds.
Round 1 will be from 05/20/2025 until 05/26/2025 and will take place on the website.
Only one vote per person for Round 1.
After the first round, I will narrow the competition down to 8 images. Those 8 images will move on to Round 2 based on the top votes.
Round 2 will be from 05/28/2025 until 05/31/2025 and will take place on Facebook.
After the second round, I will narrow the competition down to 5 images. Those 5 images will move on to Round 3 based on the top votes.
Round 3 will be from 06/02/2025 until 06/04/2025 and will take place on Instagram.
Votes will reset after each round.
Prizes will go to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Good luck!
IMAGE #1 - Maya
IMAGE #2 - Sofia
IMAGE #3 - Evan
IMAGE #4 - Lexi
IMAGE #5 - Emily
IMAGE #6 - Dylan
IMAGE #7 - Alexa
IMAGE #8 - Brooke
IMAGE #9 - Abhinav
IMAGE #10 - Olivia
IMAGE #11 - Riley
Round 1 will end on 05/26/2025.
Round 2 will end on 05/31/2025.
Round 3 and entire contest ends on 06/04/2025.
Votes will reset after each round.
Any use of automation, fake accounts, bots, or 3rd party apps will immediately disqualify you.
All images chosen are nominated by Amanda Photography. No exceptions.
If the senior, parent/guardian, or anyone who is represented in the photograph want the image removed from the competition, I will immediately remove the entry.
Announcement will be made on the Amanda Photography Facebook and Instagram at 4:00pm CDT on 06/06/2025.
Grand prize winner MUST schedule a session between 06/07/2025 & 06/07/2026 during normal business hours - or the prize will be forfeited.
Session must be held at a location within 10 miles of South County.
Expect 30 images from the session.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
The winner is responsible for all transportation costs to and from the shoot location.
No prize may be transferred or substituted for its cash value.
This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram.
Riley | Lost in the Woods
Riley’s session at Castlewood State Park couldn’t have been a more perfect location for his senior pictures. It was his first…
Riley’s session at Castlewood State Park couldn’t have been a more perfect location for his senior pictures. It was his first visit to the park, and he loved exploring the trails, taking in the overlook views, and relaxing by the creek. As someone who loves the outdoors, Riley was right at home in his natural element. At one point, while at the overlook, a few turkey vultures flew overhead. Riley turned to watch them, and it was the perfect moment to capture him enjoying the nature that not only grows around him, but lives around and above him.
Riley is heading to Colorado State University in the fall to study chemical engineering. He wore his favorite CSU hoodie for the photos, something he often wears. His family also frequently hikes in Colorado, so the hike was an extra nod at the hiker part of his personality. Another special touch during the session was Riley bringing two of his terrariums. With a whole collection of them at home, these little plants are clearly a big part of who he is. It was great to include something so personal in the photos. Scroll down to see Riley enjoying being surrounded by nature!
Like what you see? Let’s plan your dream senior session!
If you’re interested in having your senior pictures taken by Amanda Photography, please fill out the form with any other questions you may have, or let me know if you’re ready to schedule a consultation call so we can get your amazing session set up!
You’ll hear back from me within 48 hours, Monday through Friday (unless I’m on vacation traveling the beautiful USA.)
Alexa | A Theatrical Fairytale
Alexa wanted to head to Forest Park for her senior pictures, with the Muny being one of her top locations. We made it…
Alexa wanted to head to Forest Park for her senior pictures, with the Muny being one of her top locations. We made it our first stop as it was a perfect location choice since theatre is one of her passions. We snapped some lovely images of Alexa walking under the grand chandelier and standing in the rotunda that has all this season’s upcoming shows posted. It was the perfect way to embrace that love of theatre. The pagoda across the street was another spot where we found beautiful flowers blooming all around. From short blooms to tall stalks and even flowers overhead in the trees, spring color was everywhere. There was even a patch of short purple flowers growing in front of the pagoda and lake that were perfect for a fairytale scene as Alexa sat down and draped her dress to the side of her with her hand in her hair.
From there, we headed down to the lake basin at Art Hill for some sunset photos by the water. We also found plenty of beautiful flowers blooming nearby where Alexa was able to lean against the trees and crouch among the flower patches for a different variety of poses. We decided that this would be the perfect place to end our session and decided to walk along the path by the lake basin. We found some tall purple bushes in full bloom that made for an unexpected but perfect spot. The colors worked so well with Alexa’s cap and gown and added something really special to the gallery. (These are my favorite from her gallery for sure.)
Alexa was kind, easygoing, and such a calm presence throughout the session. We actually had a hiccup during her session, so we went a little over to make up for lost time and were able to catch the soft light of blue hour as it set in, giving the final photos a soft and peaceful feel. Check out all her images by scrolling down!
Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park is the perfect location for any nature enthusiast that seeks out adventure or just wants to get lost in the woods. With its hiking trail to…
Castlewood State Park is the perfect location for any nature enthusiast that seeks out adventure or just wants to get lost in the woods. With its hiking trail to overlooks of the Meramec River and gentle walking trails through open fields, Castlewood State Park has plenty to offer for senior pictures. Creeks flow around the park and there are abundant woods to give you all kinds of different scenery for your senior pictures. You can even trek alongside the Meramec River, discovering all the beautiful flowers that grow nearby it. Whether you’re a hiker or enjoy a leisurely stroll, you won’t fail to find the perfect view for your background.
Check out my list of the top senior picture locations in St. Louis, MO to get inspired by more locations to have your senior pictures taken.
The Best Part About Castlewood State Park
Castlewood State Park’s best-known feature is its steep, Lone Wolf hiking trail that directly leads you to the most beautiful, scenic views of the Meramec River. Once at the top, it’s a fairly easy walk along the bluff that offers multiple views of the river and a lovely stroll through the woods.
You’ll come across some steps as you finish off the trail, which leads you down to a small tunnel that passes under the train tracks. This tunnel gives you a change of scenery, opening up a little bit of an urban and moody location for senior pictures.
Once through the tunnel, you’re now on flat ground that follows the Meramec River. If you don’t want the major uphill hike, you can still access the river from the far end of the park, taking the trail that leads you past wide-open fields that make for great “freedom” feeling photos.
Along the trail by the Meramec River, you’ll be surrounded by woods, and at certain times of the year, you’ll be able to catch blooming wildflowers amongst the trees. These flowers are great for creating fairytale style photos.
On the other side of the park, you’ll find a quiet creek flowing along a gravel bar. With large rocks sitting along the creek, this gives you an opportunity for sitting or climbing on the rock poses. The gravel bar is also a change of scenery from the sandbars that line the Meramec River.
What to Expect Each Season
Spring
Wildflowers, particularly bluebells, bloom in the spring along the trail by the Meramec River. Trees are also starting to get their color back, but while they haven’t completely regained their leaves, this opens up the views from the overlooks a bit more, while also giving you some color from some of the regrowth. Since spring is the rainy season, you may run into the possibility of the Meramec River trail being closed due to flooding.
Summer
In the summer, the trees will be filled with leaves, giving you plenty of color and fully wooded backgrounds. The grass will also be green in the large, open fields. Since summer tends to be drier, the river levels will most likely go down, and the threat of the Meramec River trail being flooded will be less likely.
Fall
With the number of trees in Castlewood State Park, this makes the perfect location for fall senior pictures. You won’t fail to miss color here. Head up to the overlook too for beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows stretched out over the Meramec River, or walk along the pathways to surrounded yourself in a forest of warm, glowing colors.
Winter
While winter means there’s not growth and the trees will be barren, it’s the perfect time to view the Meramec River from the overlooks. Even though barren trees offer no color, your view of the river is much wider as you can see through the trees. The lower parts of the trail system are also great after a snow to twirl around or feel like your lost in a snowy forest.
Pricing and Accommodations
Castlewood State Park is free and gates are open from 7:00am to one-half hour after sunset, year round. Restrooms are by the playground parking lot.
Address
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd, Ballwin, MO 63021
Senior Pictures at Castlewood State Park
Riley
Castlewood State Park
Riley’s session at Castlewood State Park couldn’t have been a more perfect location for his senior pictures. It was his first…
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