The rain came down fairly quickly while we sat next to the window giggling. One of the girls’ watches went off with another familiar “ding!” as she read me the next weather update predicting a quick rain shower. Just as she finished reading this notification, thunder was heard in the not-so-distant future, followed by the jarring lightning strike.

All of this weather looked daunting and without end on the day of our final AJ Senior Spokesmodel Session. Ironically enough, our theme was bold and colorful for the day, and outside the weather was anything but. I couldn’t believe the rain may impede with my final session date for my Class of 2022 reps. These girls had been nothing short of amazing, and I wasn’t willing to compromise photo quality or time with them for these rain clouds that were now hovering together over our Scottsdale studio location.

I got so desperate, I had my husband sending me pins from the weather app and backup location options just in case I wasn’t able to operate from Plan A. Our hair and makeup appointment continued without any sign of a letup in the weather. I continued watching out the window, this time feeling burdened and unsure.

As we had the last senior in hair, two of the girls already changed into their spring pink tops and white denim, it looked as if a tiny surge of sunshine was breaking up the lightest section of clouds. Checking back one more time I decided to make the ultimate call: let’s go for it.

And go for it we did. We trekked down to Old Town Scottsdale to carry out Plan A. The girls were incredible troopers, as the wind had picked up and the outfits I had planned for them were for your typical Arizona spring day: sunny and warm. Nevertheless, we prevailed. They rocked their first set of photos and continued to just rock the rest of them as well.

Moving locations to the final spot, I was so glad to have had the best possible year with my first class of AJ Senior Spokesmodels. These girls will forever hold a very special place in my heart because they took a chance, trusted me, and exceeded my expectations. And I think this final set of images really captures them, their year, and their love for this experience.

Ava, Gianna, and Cassie: I am so thrilled to have spent parts of your senior year with you and will always be thankful to have born witness to the paths God is creating for each of you. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your Senior Portrait Photographer and I hope you have had the best experience you could!