There are many people graduating in 2025. There’s also many photographers. What there isn’t so much of is seniors getting their pictures taken by their teachers. For example, senior Owen Hawbaker’s photos were taken by art teacher Rebekah Pilypaitis.

Some photographers like doing photography because it’s truly what they love. Others do it for the money. Pilypaitis does it for a few other reasons.

“I like to make them laugh and enjoy the time they have,” Pilypaitis said. “I like building relationships and being able to capture special moments for them.”

In high school and college, Pilypaitis preferred film photography to digital.

“I hate that it has gone from film,” Pilypaitis said. “… It’s such a digital field right now, and the magic of film is just sort of going away.”

When it comes to photography, Pilypaitis doesn’t stress herself out or put a lot on her plate.

“I prefer not to do a lot nowadays,” Pilypaitis said. “I just do it when people request it … but it’s enjoyable, and it’s super competitive. I feel that I just don’t want to work on marketing … I want to enjoy my life.”

Pilypaitis is a busy person, and photography isn’t one of her main priorities.

“I have too much fun teaching, and my husband and I are writing a book,” Pilypaitis said. “We have our goals right now that don’t include photography … Photography for me is just really fun and lucrative.”

Pilypaitis charges around $125 per session.

“I’m really cheap … and a session is usually an hour,” Pilypaitis said.

Hawbaker heard of Pilypaitis’ photography business through word of mouth.

“I’ve always talked to her, and she would tell me about what she was working on,” Hawbaker said. “So I thought it would be a good idea to ask her.”

Instead of Hawbaker having a bad experience getting pictures taken by Pilypaitis, he had the opposite.

“She was professional,” Hawbaker said. “She did a good job at editing them. She didn’t make me feel awkward while taking the photos.”

Hawbaker’s senior pictures were taken around Omaha.

“We did them … downtown and a couple in the Old Market,” Hawbaker said.

Hawbaker liked his pictures but has one in particular that’s his favorite.

“I’m sitting on these steps … at an apartment complex downtown … and it brings out my facial features,” Hawbaker said. “It’s overall a really good photo and good angle.”