Client Spotlight - Sophia & Makenna – Celebrating Friendship, Senior Year, and Philly Pride

Some friendships are meant to last forever—and for Sophia Lo Re and Makenna Wakahia, seniors at Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, NJ, their story is one of those rare bonds that grows stronger with time. These two best friends have known each other since they were little and have shared countless milestones together. From early childhood adventures to high school memories, and even celebrating at the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Parade earlier this year, their friendship has been built on laughter, support, and shared experiences.

So, when it came time to capture their senior portraits with Lisa Mongulla Photography, Sophia and Makenna knew they wanted to highlight not just their individual personalities, but also the special friendship that has shaped so much of their journey. Their chosen location—the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Fairmount Waterworks — was the perfect backdrop for this moment in time, combining iconic city scenery with the excitement of senior year.

The Essential Senior Portrait Session

Sophia and Makenna chose the Essential Senior Session (60 minutes | 5 digital images) with Lisa Mongulla Photography, which gave us the opportunity to move around the museum grounds and capture a wide variety of images.

Sophia’s Experience: Sophia explained that she was “feeling excited for the session” since she usually only did photography with her family, and this gave her the chance to enjoy a fun experience on her own

Once the session began, she shared, “I was having fun with it as we tried out new poses and spots suggested by Lisa”
Makenna’s Experience: For Makenna, this day was extra special: “Sophia and I have been planning/talking about taking our senior photos together for years now, so for the moment to finally come was exciting"

She also appreciated Lisa’s direction, saying, “If we weren’t posed by Lisa, all of the photos would have ended up looking the same… getting posed was very helpful”

By the end of the hour, both girls had not only the perfect portraits for their yearbook pages, but also a gallery of images that reflected their personalities and friendship.

What Makes a Lisa Mongulla Photography Session Different

One of the reasons Sophia and Makenna’s portraits feel so natural is because of the experience Lisa Mongulla Photography provides. Every session is carefully designed to be stress-free and enjoyable.

Sophia explained, “Yes. Lisa even had backup plans and umbrellas in case it rained.

That attention to detail made her feel prepared and confident. She added, “Lisa made us feel totally relaxed and comfortable. There was no pressure, and it was easy to have fun with the different poses and locations”

Makenna echoed the same sentiment: “I felt pretty confident, as we were guided through almost everything we did, so I never felt any confusion and always knew what was happening next”

Seeing their photos on the back of the camera helped calm her nerves as well: “I was a little nervous… but seeing the photos on the camera relieved this fear because they ended up looking great”.

This combination of guidance, reassurance, and professional expertise is what sets Lisa Mongulla Photography apart—and it’s why so many students at Moorestown Friends School trust Lisa with their senior portraits.

Inspired by Friends

Word-of-mouth has been a driving force for Lisa Mongulla Photography. Sophia explained, “I had heard great things about her and was impressed by the portraits she had taken of seniors previously at my school"

Makenna added, “She took one of my good friend’s senior photos last year, and I thought they turned out really nice… I really liked her work”

This is part of a growing tradition at Moorestown Friends School—where friendships extend not only through shared experiences, but also through shared trust in the portrait experience. Their story connects back to our earlier feature: Celebrating Friendships and Achievements: Moorestown Friends School Portraits.

View Celebrating Friendships & Achievements Blog Post

Portraits That Tell a Story

Senior portraits are about more than just fulfilling a yearbook requirement—they’re about telling a story. For Sophia and Makenna, these images will always bring them back to a fall day in Philadelphia, laughing and posing with their best friend, and celebrating a season of transition.

Sophia shared her plans: “I plan to include the photos in the Senior section of my yearbook and keep some for memories and to give to family. We’ll probably also combine some into wall art to commemorate my senior year”

Makenna is equally excited to have her portraits as keepsakes: “I plan to have/keep them just for memories, along with using them for my Senior Page in the yearbook”

These portraits aren’t just photographs; they’re reminders of milestones, friendships, and the people who have shaped their story so far.

Celebrate Your Senior Year with Lisa Mongulla Photography

As Sophia and Makenna step forward into their senior year and beyond, their portraits stand as a beautiful reminder of friendship, joy, and the confidence that comes with embracing the moment. At Lisa Mongulla Photography, it’s always an honor to celebrate milestones like these—capturing not just a photograph, but a story that will be cherished for years to come. To Sophia and Makenna: thank you for letting us be part of your journey. May these portraits always remind you of where you’ve been, the bond you share, and the incredible futures that await.

If you’re a senior looking to celebrate your own story, now is the perfect time to plan your session. Whether you dream of iconic Philadelphia backdrops, the colorful beauty of fall, or a location that feels personal to you, Lisa Mongulla Photography will create portraits that capture who you are in this unforgettable season of life. Spots for senior portraits are limited, so be sure to reserve your session today and let’s create images you’ll treasure for years to come.

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