It is no secret that I LOVE photographing seniors, especially my own who I have watched grow up so much over the past 4+ years.  There is always something special about the bond I share with my students that I always figure is the result of spending an hour+ (often up to 6 or more!) with them every day.  Ashley, my sweet senior who played Rizzo in our Grease this  year, is one of a small group of girls who I have for my full day at school- 4 periods in a row- and then often spent another 3 hours with her at musical.  I have gotten to know her well over the past 4 years, and seen her grow and change and mature so much.  She has turned into a brilliant, beautiful, and confident young woman who I’m not sure sees all her own potential yet…but I am praying that in time, she will see herself as many who love her do!

Ashley isn’t all sunshine and bubbles, and pink dresses with sequins.  Do you know what I mean? She is very different from me, and I love that about her. For a recent school performance the girls wanted to wear white dresses and she looked at me like they were nuts…she wears a lot of black, or muted colors, and tends to seem to want to blend in a bit.  But Ashley’s talent (and that perfect dimple of hers) do anything but blend her into a crowd, much as she might want to.  I processed this session a little differently to suit her as I have come to know her, and I absolutely love the results.  I am so so incredibly grateful that we were given this time together and that I get to show her off as beautifully as I see her every day!  Ashley, you have come to mean so much to me and I cannot wait to see where the future takes you! Don’t settle for anything less than everything you have ever dreamed of (yes I know that’s cheesy)–you deserve SO MUCH GOOD.  And a little bit of sunshine and bubbles (or glitter!), too!