{Okoboji High School Senior Session}

Some sessions leave you with a full memory card. Others leave you with a full heart. Brooke’s senior session somehow managed to do both!

I made the drive up to Okoboji to meet her at her dad’s home, and from the moment I arrived, I knew this was going to be a fun one! Before we even started focusing on senior portraits, we made time for a few photos with some of the people who mean the most to her…a few of her best friends. And can I just say, every girl deserves a girl gang like Brooke’s! These girls were sweet, encouraging, and fully committed to hyping each other up the entire evening. The laughter came easily, the conversation never stopped, and it felt less like a photo session and more like a group of friends enjoying a summer evening together. Honestly, those are my favorite kinds of sessions!!

We also made sure to include her sweet pup, Trixie, because let’s be honest…dogs deserve their moment too.

Afterward, we headed to Cottage Gardens in Milford, and it was like stepping into a floral dream. Everywhere we turned there were colorful flowers blooming, and I loved how much life and color they added to her images. It was the perfect backdrop for this season of her life, and I’m so grateful they allowed us to use such a beautiful space.

But if I’m being completely honest, my favorite part of the evening happened later. As the sun started to drop, we headed to her uncle’s house on West Lake Okoboji with a gorgeous all-white dock and eventually made our way to the beach at Pikes Point State Park. And wow! The light. The clouds. The colors! It was one of those evenings where I keep taking “just one more photo” because everything keeps getting prettier. Brooke wore the most beautiful white linen dress, and against the white dock and soft sunset sky, everything felt timeless. Those final images ended up being some of my favorites from the entire session!

As I got to know Brooke, one thing became clear: she’s someone with a creative eye and a heart for people. She spends her time wrestling, swimming, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and making the most of life in Okoboji. But one of my favorite things I learned about her was her love for design. In fact, she helped design the interiors of her dad’s home, which is absolutely stunning! Every room feels thoughtful and modern. So when she told me she’s considering a future in interior design, I immediately thought, “Yep. That makes perfect sense!”

And while she’s still figuring out exactly what comes after high school, one thing she’s especially excited about is spending her summer serving as a counselor at her favorite Christian camp. I love that! In a world that constantly asks young people what they want to do, I think it’s just as important to pay attention to who they’re becoming. And Brooke is becoming someone who values creativity, relationships, service, and making people feel welcome. Those things matter.

Brooke, thank you for inviting me into your corner of the world for an evening. Thank you for sharing your friends, your favorite places, your sweet pup, and a little bit of your story with me! Your future may still be unfolding, but one thing is already clear: It’s going to be beautiful.