{A Grass and Wildflower Field Senior Session in Iowa}

Every once in a while, I photograph a senior and have one of those “Where did the time go?” moments. Audrey’s session was exactly that! It honestly doesn’t feel that long ago that she was just two years old, twirling around my old studio in West Bend during a baking-themed photo session I had dreamed up just for her. Those are some of my favorite early memories of her, and I can still picture her sweet little smile.

Fast forward all these years later, and here she is… stepping in front of my camera again, only this time as a senior!!! WHAT!!! And on top of that, she’s graduating a whole year early!!! How does that even happen? Watching kids you’ve known for years grow up is one of the unexpected gifts of this job. You don’t just photograph milestones…you get to witness the years in between.

Our families have crossed paths in so many ways over the years, and we’ve been so thankful to have Audrey as one of our babysitters from time to time. Naturally, Liella was thrilled when she found out Audrey’s session was finally here and was excited to tag along. It made the evening feel even more special!

Since Audrey lives so close to us, it only felt right to begin her session in one of my favorite places…our pasture. If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you already know how much I love photographing there this time of year! By August, the grasses have grown tall, soft, and full of texture, and when the evening light starts filtering through them… it’s pure magic! Every year I tell myself it’s my favorite season for portraits, and every year it somehow proves me right!

From there, we headed to an old trestle bridge to add a little rustic charm before finishing the evening in what can only be described as the flower field of my dreams! Golden hour. Wildflowers. A pretty yellow sundress. Honestly, I could photograph there every single day and never get tired of it!

As beautiful as the locations were, what I loved most was getting to celebrate everything Audrey has already accomplished! Graduating high school a year early isn’t something that just happens. It’s something she’s been working toward for years. In fact, it’s been a goal of hers since she was a little girl. I think that says so much about who Audrey is. She’s driven and so hardworking. And once she sets her mind on something, she quietly gets to work making it happen.

Outside of school, she’s already serving others as a CNA, often picking up night shifts while balancing everything else life has thrown her way. Whether she’s spending time at the gym, cooking, hanging out with friends, or soaking up every bit of summer she can, she approaches life with energy and purpose. Next year she’ll begin Iowa Central’s nursing program with hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse. And honestly…I can’t imagine a more perfect career for her. She has such a warm, outgoing personality and genuinely enjoys connecting with people. I know the children and families she cares for one day will be incredibly lucky to have her.

One of my favorite parts about this season has been getting to know Audrey even better as part of TEAM 27. It’s been such a joy spending extra time together this summer, watching her confidence grow, and capturing all the exciting milestones leading up to graduation. Audrey, thank you for trusting me to document such a special season of your life! It has been such a privilege watching you grow from that sweet little two-year-old in my West Bend studio into the incredible young woman you are today! I have no doubt you’re going to do amazing things! Congratulations on accomplishing a goal you’ve been chasing since you were a little girl! Keep crushing your goals! I can’t wait to see where your story takes you next!

Check out Audrey in TEAM 27’s spring mini session!

Audrey’s baking session 13 years ago! I was so obsessed with this shoot!