{A Downtown, Wildflower, and Horse Senior Session}

Okay, this one is going to make me feel old. 😂 I’m pretty sure Emma was actually one of my very first paying photography clients way back in 2010!!!! She was just ONE and I hadn’t even opened my studio yet!! I was still figuring out this whole photography thing, and somehow, all these years later, that sweet little one-year-old is standing in front of my camera again…only now she’s a senior! Talk about a full-circle moment!

There is something so incredibly special about getting to photograph someone throughout different seasons of their life. I never could have imagined that the little girl I photographed all those years ago would eventually become a TEAM 27 senior, and getting to document this chapter for her feels like such a gift!

Emma has one of those personalities that is hard to put into words. She’s joyful and outgoing, but never in a way that overwhelms you. Instead, there’s something incredibly calming about being around her. Maybe it’s her soft voice. Maybe it’s the way she genuinely listens. Or maybe it’s simply the kind of person she is. Whatever it is, you can’t spend much time with Emma without feeling a little more at ease.

Then you find out she’s involved in approximately ALL THE THINGS and you’re left wondering how someone with such a calm presence possibly has time to do it all. 😂 Emma is a four-sport athlete at Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, participating in softball, volleyball, basketball, and track. She’s also involved in student council and NHS, plays on a travel softball team, rides horses, spends time with her family and friends, and somehow still finds time for sewing, fishing, random projects, and eating ice cream. HA!

And she’s the oldest of five sisters! Which means she’s not only busy…she’s also a built-in role model for four younger girls she loves fiercely. I think that says SO MUCH about Emma. She’s a leader, but not because she needs to be the loudest person in the room. She leads by showing up, working hard, helping others, and being willing to take charge when it’s needed and working alongside others to make things happen. I think that same heart showed up throughout her senior session! We started our evening exploring downtown Algona, giving us a chance to capture a little bit of Emma outside of the sports and activities that fill so much of her life. From there, we headed out to the nature center where the tall grasses and wildflowers gave us the most beautiful setting.

But then came my favorite part of the entire session! We traveled towards Britt to meet Emma’s horse, Dusty! We ended the session in the horse pasture during golden hour, and I’m not exaggerating when I say everything came together perfectly! The light. The pasture. Emma’s outfit. The colors. And Dusty, who apparently knew exactly what his job was for the evening. 😂 These are some of my favorite images of the entire evening! I also love that her session included so many different pieces of who she is because Emma isn’t just one thing. She’s an athlete, a sister, a leader, and horse girl.

Emma isn’t quite sure exactly what comes next after high school, and honestly, I love that she’s giving herself permission to figure it out! She’d love to continue playing softball at the collegiate level, and Iowa State is also on her radar. She’s thought about becoming a veterinarian. She’s even entertained the idea of becoming some kind of reporter because she loves dressing up and has a natural interest in connecting with people. Who knows where she’ll end up? Maybe she’ll be rounding the bases at a college softball game. Maybe she’ll be working with animals. Maybe she’ll be behind a camera or microphone telling stories. Maybe she’ll surprise all of us and do something none of us saw coming! But whatever she chooses, I have a feeling she’ll bring the same kindness, leadership, and joy with her!

Emma, getting to photograph you as part of TEAM 27 has been such a treat! I love that these sessions give me the chance to know you more beyond the surface level. I hope you always remember this season! The busyness of all the sports, activities, late nights, the way your sisters are right now, your friendships, the uncertainty about what’s next. You have so much ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see where that joyful, kind, and confident spirit takes you! For now, though…keep riding Dusty, eating ice cream, soaking up summer, and being exactly who you are! You’re pretty wonderful at it!

Check out Emma in TEAM 27’s spring mini session and full styled session!

Emma at one year old!