“In the blink of an eye...” As a parent, I feel like I hear that all the time from older parents, telling me to enjoy this stage because it’ll flash by like the blink of an eye. I’ve never really known how to respond, and some days I wish it would flash by a little faster, and yet each night before nodding off, I find myself looking through the pictures and videos of the day. Time truly is the one thing we can’t get more of… 
​
Often during senior sessions or on wedding days during the first dances, the reality that my hubby and I will be in those situations before we know it brings both joy and sorrow — joy at the championing of a child to maturity and sadness as the reality hits that these little stages are truly little stages. Which is why it brings me to sharing another amazing senior photo session of Trevyn here.

Being a photographer is seriously one of the coolest things ever. You get to meet new people at fun spots and walk along, chatting about life, while taking photos. Like Caden here, one of the seniors at East Ridge High School. As we talked, we of course chatted about life since COVID — how can you not have a conversation that goes that route? We chatted about how, in particular, this is going to be a defining life event or defining point of a new generation. It’s been said that the generation difference between Gen Z and Millennials is that Millennials can remember 9/11 and Gen Z can’t — they can remember that day, where they were, and how they found out. Caden, on the other hand, is definitely going to remember this year and how COVID impacted his senior year, but the good news? Caden is taking this year in strides.

We know this beautiful family from our church, and it was so much fun to connect outdoors at Vermillion Falls Park in Hastings for a combination of family photos and Haylee’s senior portraits. I’d never had the pleasure of meeting Haylee, but as we walked along, I couldn’t help but think of how sweet she is and how excited I am for her to continue to move forward in life — desiring some day to be a doctor or a nurse. As she said, she just wants to help people. Love it!

We walked along the streets of downtown St. Paul, chatting about daily life and the years ahead — specifically seeking some fun graffiti and urban vibes. Hailey shared a desire to pursue social work; she’s not totally sure where that will take her, but she is excited about the potential. Hailey said that in the past, she’s enjoyed cheerleading at Park High School, but with all the changes this year, she is not. Even with all that life has brought in 2020, Hailey shows an enormous sense of happiness and overall relaxed nature — something that this year has stripped away from so many. Hailey, hope you have an amazing senior year and have clarity on what the next step is for you!

Meet Garret, an East Ridge High School senior who’s looking at colleges with the desire to pursue a degree in education. As we walked along in downtown Hastings amidst a beautiful fall night (the five inches supposedly coming tomorrow makes this not-so-distant time seem really distant), it was refreshing to hear that someone whose family are in education amidst this crazy season still wants to pursue it — even with all the changes and challenges this year has presented, Garret is wanting to press on and encourage the next generation. Garret, hope you enjoy your senior year!