Sometimes the sweetest stories begin in the most unexpected ways. When I think about summer senior photos, I always hope they feel like more than just portraits. I want them to feel personal, effortless, joy-filled, and completely true to the person stepping in front of my camera. Funny enough, Leila’s session began long before we ever picked a location or planned outfits.
For Teacher Appreciation Day, I wanted to give my daughter’s Kindergarten teacher and para a gift that showed gratitude for the kindness and patience they poured into their classroom every day. Instead of the traditional flowers or gift cards, I gifted a photography session as a small way to say thank you for the love and care they gave so freely to their students.
What I didn’t know at the time was that one of those gifts would eventually lead to one of my favorite senior sessions of the summer. While looking through my work after receiving the gift, Leila’s mom discovered my senior photography portfolio. At the same time, she had already started searching for a photographer for Leila’s senior photos. Everything aligned so naturally that it almost felt meant to happen.
Once Leila connected with my style, the planning process came together quickly. She knew she wanted her session to feel soft, warm, and summery. Her vision centered around a location that offered both open fields and water, creating a dreamy late-summer atmosphere she had imagined for her senior portraits. As soon as we started talking about locations, Chiawana Park immediately stood out as the perfect fit.
Golden Fields, Wildflowers, and River Views at Chiawana Park
Chiawana Park was absolutely perfect for Leila’s late summer senior session. One of my favorite things about this location is the variety it offers without needing to travel between spots. Within a short walk, we had tall dry grasses, open riverside views, soft sandy areas near the water, and even little pockets of wildflowers blooming unexpectedly along the riverbank. The entire evening felt golden. Everything about the setting complemented the vision she had described from the very beginning.
Even though it was one of those truly hot late-summer evenings, the heat almost became part of the experience. Toward the end of the session, Leila stepped barefoot into the river to cool off, and those moments quickly became some of my favorite images from the night. Between the glowing grass, warm air, wildflowers, and calm river views, every element of the evening came together naturally. It truly felt like the perfect representation of late summer.
Bringing a Friend to Your Summer Senior Photos
One thing I always love seeing during senior sessions is when seniors bring along someone who makes them feel comfortable, and for Leila, that was her best friend. Having a supportive friend at a session makes such a huge difference, especially for seniors who may feel nervous stepping in front of the camera at first. The energy instantly becomes more relaxed and fun. There’s constant encouragement, hype, inside jokes, and little moments that help genuine expressions come through effortlessly. You can always tell when someone feels safe and supported.
Throughout the evening, Leila’s friend was cheering her on, helping with little details, and making her laugh between every set of photos.
Looking back, it feels especially meaningful knowing this session originally came from a connection through my daughter’s school community. What started as a Teacher Appreciation gift turned into the opportunity to document such an important milestone for an incredibly kind family.
Leila’s senior session was everything I love most about photography—warm light, genuine connection, relaxed moments, and a personality that shines naturally through every image. Soft, glowy, carefree, and full of joy from beginning to end.
