Annika | Class of 2021

Despite this whole pandemic, I’ve managed to have an amazing summer with amazing opportunities. I was privileged to photograph several seniors as well.

In July we traveled to rural Kentucky to visit our family at their lake house nestled in the woods. About 20 minutes into our road trip I get a call from my aunt asking if I, by any chance, had my camera with me. They wanted me to do the kids’ senior pictures. Thankfully I did have my camera with me.

So, that Sunday we decided to do Annika’s session. It was 95 degrees and there was barely a cloud in the sky. They weren’t terribly familiar with any locations to do the session, and me, being from Illinois, definitely didn’t know the area at all. So I did a little research and we came up with a rough plan, but mostly we just winged it, driving through the countryside looking for any scenic spots.

We started out at the base of the Nolin River Dam. The river was a beautiful emerald green, and the mist coming off of the river was very refreshing.

We walked up to a pathway overlooking the water coming out from the base of the dam. Despite there being no shade up there, we were lucky enough to get even more mist.. Right as we were doing some jumping shots a huge spray of water came up over the walkway.

Then we walked down to the boat ramp and got some pictures down there. I had Annika stand in the water for a few pictures. She was shocked at how cold it was and insisted we come feel it. It was like ice. So we quickly grabbed a few shots before her feet went numb.

Next up, we headed to Nolin Lake State Park in search of some wild flowers. Unfortunately we didn’t find what we were looking for there. We did however see a field on the way. So on the way back we stopped. I ran up to the house and explained our situation and asked if we could grab a few photos in the field. He was the sweetest guy and said we could take pictures anywhere on his property.

I have to say, Annika is one gorgeous and sweet lady. She is spunky and has a great sense of humor. Between the heat, getting sprayed at the dam, freezing her feet off, hiking through the woods barefoot to find some amazing (wasn’t so amazing after all) waterfall (her shoes weren’t conducive for hiking), then changing outfits in a barn, she was such a trooper. I think we made some memories we won’t quickly forget.

Last up, we decided to get some pictures of her doing one of her favorite things to do – wake surf. I was thoroughly impressed. I have no coordination and couldn’t even imagine myself surfing. Annika looks like a natural out there though.

Thank you, Annika for asking me to do your senior photos. I had an amazing time with you! I wish we lived closer as I’d love to spend more time with you.

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out Annika’s senior session!! If you’re wanting to get your senior pictures done during the summer, you’d better schedule your session ASAP. Summer is quickly fading and fall will be here before we know it. I’d love to get some awesome pictures for you!!

Share Six | Refresh

This month’s theme is refresh. Since I have been absolutely swamped with sessions, I decided to use some very old photos that I took back in 2010. These were back near the beginning of my photography journey. As you can see, I used too narrow of a depth of field and too slow of a shutter speed, but you know what? I LOVE them. They documented my kids at an age that was so much fun. I don’t ever want to forget how much fun they had that day.

It was a hot summer day and the kids were enjoying jumping in the puddles. I think the cool water splashing on them was refreshing.

As photographers we can be so hard on ourselves. Sometimes we need to look back on old pictures we’ve taken and refresh our memories on how far we have come. Plus, as parents we can sometimes use a little refreshing of our memories of how little our kids once were and how much fun we had. I think that’s one of my favorite things about photography – the images we take serve to refresh our memories of special moments we experienced in the past.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Head on over to Lynne’s post by clicking HERE and see her fantastic pictures!