Senior Spotlight: Bella Fort, Tamaqua Area High School, Class of 2025

Working with Bella Fort from Tamaqua Area High School’s Class of 2025 has been an absolute joy and highlight of my year. From the moment we started planning her senior portrait experience, it was clear Bella had a vision—and I was honored to help bring it to life across her four unique sessions.

We began with a Classic Studio Session, where Bella's personality shone through immediately. Her ease in front of the camera made the entire shoot flow effortlessly. Whether in soft natural light or dramatic studio setups, Bella's confidence and warmth made every picture shine.

Here are just a few of the 300-plus images we took inside the studio:

A little Q & A to get to know Bella Fort just a little bit better before we move on to her next session below:

What has been your favorite memory from high school?

Sports teams that I played for!

How would you describe your high school experience in three words?

Challenging, Formative, and Transformative!

What are you most proud of accomplishing during high school?

Maintaining good grades!

Who has inspired you the most throughout your school years?

My Mother

What are your plans after graduation?

4-Year College

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Our second session took us to Cape May, New Jersey, during the summer, where Bella truly came alive against the backdrop of sun, sea, sand, and the Victorian town. The sun on the beach was magical, and Bella's amazing personality, energy, and adventurous spirit turned it into a dream shoot. We captured everything from playful candid moments by the shoreline to serene, wind-swept portraits throughout town and out by the lighthouse. It truly was a dream session, and it was a long time in the making, as multiple attempts were rained out, but Bella stuck with it, and we finally had a magical day!

Here are just a few from that magical session in one of my favorite places, Cape May, New Jersey:

Some more Q & A for Bella:

What’s one lesson you’ve learned in high school that you’ll carry with you?

Always stick up for myself!

If you could give advice to your freshman-year self, what would it be?

To take classes more seriously!

What extracurricular activity or class had the biggest impact on you and why?

Soccer, because I quit my childhood sport to play it!

How do you hope your classmates remember you?

As a good student and someone easy to talk to!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Just finishing up my major and looking for a job!

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For her fall session, we headed to Nescopeck State Park, where the autumn foliage created a rich, colorful canvas. Bella embraced the natural setting beautifully, and her earthy, cozy style paired perfectly with the golden leaves and crisp air. It was a peaceful session—one that showcased her natural beauty and grace as she approaches her final year of high school.

Here are a few of our favorites from the fall session:

Last of the Q & A for Bella:

What was your favorite part of your senior portrait sessions?

Joe traveled to take my portraits at the beach!

Where was your favorite Location?

Cape May, New Jersey!

How did you enjoy your Senior Portrait Experience with Joe Wickersham Studios!

It was amazing, every aspect of it was amazing, very relaxing and calm!

If you had to recommend Joe Wickersham Studios for someone else’s senior portraits, what would you tell

them?

Joe is very patient and nice! He doesn't rush you and is willing to go the extra mile to make your images and experience amazing!

Write something that stuck with you during your senior portrait sessions?

It didn't matter how many retakes I wanted; Joe was willing to do them with no complaints, making me happy and ensuring the images were perfect and amazing!

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Now, we're all looking forward to wrapping up Bella's senior year journey with her final Cap and Gown session in June. Bella was scheduled in May, but with the rain and cooler temps, we decided to push them into June for a picture-perfect warm day! It will be a meaningful celebration of all she’s accomplished and the exciting path ahead. I can’t wait to capture those milestone moments once more.

Bella has been such a joy to photograph—not only because of her natural beauty and style, but because of the genuine person she is inside and out, and what she brings to every session. I’m so proud to have been part of her senior year story.

Bella's Graduation Yard Sign and Graduation Banner: