I loved photographing Ava’s senior photos. Everything about our evening together was magical. The farm was filled with so much beauty- the horses, the cat, the open field, the sunset, and most of all, Ava.

When her mom and I dressed Ava in the long, golden tulle skirt, it took our breath away. It seemed fitting to have her holding a bouquet of field flowers that matched the colors in the setting sun. Everything from her platinum blonde streaks in her hair to her beautiful regal stance make this my favorite portrait from her session. 

One thing I find extra special about this senior photo is the little girl in the white dress up by the barn.

I was originally going to retouch her out of the portrait because light or white areas that are not directly related to your subject can distract the eyes of the viewer away from the subject. But I remembered this little girl watching as we worked our way around the farm photographing in all of the different locations.

When I see her standing at the barn looking out across the field, I see a young girl watching Ava as she role models not only her horsemanship, but also what it is like to be a high school senior. I imagine the young girl watching as Ave shows her beauty and strength and reflects to all of us that she proud of who she is becoming. 

I am reminded that one day (too soon) this young girl will grow up and show the next generation of girls how to walk boldly into the sunset just as Ava is doing today.