Forecast: Fierce, Focused, and Full of Sass | Lydia’s Senior Session
Lydia’s come a long way from the quiet sixth grader who barely said a word during flute lessons in the band room. These days? She’s confident, expressive, and completely in her element in front of the camera.
That first “awkward 15 minutes” of a typical session? Didn’t apply here. Lydia fell into natural poses and effortless gestures like she’s done this a hundred times. She’s the kind of senior who knows who she is—and it was a blast to photograph that spark.
Lydia’s looking ahead to a future in meteorology (Iowa State is on her radar), which made it all the more ironic that we had to reschedule her shoot because of—you guessed it—a thunderstorm. Lightning bolts, high winds, and torrential downpours swept through the Des Moines metro the night of her original session. Storms may intimidate her a little, but I’d say she’s already walking into her next chapter with fearless focus.
We started her session downtown at the Science Center, taking advantage of the metallic backdrop and playful water features. Her flute made a special appearance—an homage to the years she’s spent pouring herself into music. We also made time for cap and gown photos, marking the milestone in classic senior style.
From there, we headed to the Art Center and lucked out with the last bloom of summer roses. Then off to Moffitt Reservoir just in time to catch golden light and colorful wildflowers before a wave of photographers rolled in. The purple coneflowers, Queen Anne’s lace, and yellow daisy blooms made for a stunning natural backdrop.
And of course—we had to include her corgi, Willow Hope. Willow brought her own brand of sass and sweetness to the shoot, and the photo of Lydia with her pup and her very first Jeep (complete with personalized plates!) might be one of my favorites. Corgis have a way of looking like they’re either smiling or plotting chaos—and thankfully, Willow gave us all the smiles.
Lydia, it’s been such a gift watching you grow up—quiet to confident, uncertain to driven, shy to shining. You’re already chasing storms with grit and grace. I can’t wait to see where you go next. I’ll be looking to you for weather reports and Snow Day predictions in this coming school year!
Take care,
Carrie
PS You can view the rest of our time together HERE.
