Minnesota Arboretum Senior Portrait Session | Haley

When Haley was 9, she taught herself to walk on stilts. When she sets her mind to something, she goes for it.

She rarely gets the stilts out these days. As captain of the varsity swim team, Haley is busy preparing for swim season. She competes in backstroke and freestyle.

When she isn’t in the pool, she’s at one of her summer jobs: Haley works at an ice cream shop (she recommends the amaretto cherry) and she is a nanny for 3 active kids.

This spring, she’ll take the field as a midfielder for varsity lacrosse. She is also a team captain. Haley knows there are no shortcuts to success, so she puts in the work.

At school, she enjoys science and may study kinesiology in college. She also participates in DECA, a student business organization, and qualified for the state competition.

To relax, she likes to listen to country music (Morgan Wallen is a favorite) or play with her dogs. And nothing beats a good nap.

Haley also enjoys spending time with her family. She is the middle child and when I asked her what that’s like, she said “It’s great! No complaints.” I have a feeling Haley doesn’t complain about much. She has an optimistic, bring-it-on attitude.

Whether she’s in the pool, on the field, or in the classroom, Haley will make waves!

Country Senior Portrait Session | Logan

Logan resembles a young Matthew McConaughey in his breakout role in the ‘70s movie Dazed and Confused.  Logan is tall with long hair, a mustache, a confident swagger, and a charming smile.  He even has a 1972 muscle car.

Logan doesn’t star in movies-- he stars in football games.  He plays offensive line and defensive line for the varsity football team and is determined to earn wins on Friday nights this fall.

He is also on the varsity baseball team where he plays third base and pitches.  You could say he loves sports.

I photographed Logan at his family farm.  Growing up on a farm, Logan is no stranger to baling hay and driving machinery.  At one point, the cows in the pasture stopped grazing to see what we were doing.  It wasn’t long before they photo-bombed us. Logan distracted the cows with grain. “It’s like ice cream to them,” he explained. 

In his free time, Logan likes lifting weights, playing golf, listening to rap (21 Savage, Yeet, and Tyler the Creator top his playlist), and watching movies (especially comedies or “anything with Will Ferrell”).

For now he is focused on football and his future.  Logan's motivation and work ethic will make a difference on the road to success.              

Minnesota Arboretum Senior Portrait Session | Grace

Grace’s resting face is a smile. She smiles often, even while she talks. Her cheerfulness is magnetic.

But don’t let the smile fool you: On the ice, Grace is all business.

As captain of varsity girls hockey, Grace leads her team on defense. She is physical and likes to get assists. She’s been called an “offensive defenseman”. Grace loves hockey and says her teammates are like family.

At school, Grace likes math and science. She is a member of National Honor Society and DECA, a business organization. This fall, she and other DECA students will raise funds for schoolchildren in Mexico as part of a project.

Of all of Grace’s activities, perhaps the one closest to her heart is Letters of Love. Grace is the incoming president. Letters of Love members make and send encouraging cards to kids battling serious illnesses.

After all, spreading smiles is what Grace does best.

Minneapolis Senior Photo Session | Victor

Victor is looking forward to taking the field with his teammates on Friday nights. As a football team captain, he leads with confidence and determination. “I don’t like to lose,” he said.

Victor is competitive but also compassionate. As chair of the Unified club, he promotes inclusion through sports and games. Unified is about building friendships with differently abled peers. Victor sees the difference it makes in his classmates’ lives.

He works part-time as a personal care attendant for a young man with special needs. Victor helps him learn life skills, gain independence, and have fun.

At home, Victor enjoys cooking. For his birthday, he asked his parents for a virtual cooking class with Gordon Ramsey. He learned a lot from Chef Ramsey and now he whips up dishes like beef wellington, cedar planked grilled salmon, and rosemary crepes.

He’s a culinary enthusiast but doesn’t plan a career in it. Math is Victor’s favorite school subject and he plans to study finance in college.

With his fierce perseverance and concern for others, Victor will make a big impact in the world.

On and off the field, he makes every play count.

Minnesota Arboretum Senior Portrait Session | Maggie

You’d never guess Maggie played two basketball games right before this photo shoot. She has a calm energy and a joyful presence.

Maggie is a captain and the starting center of the varsity basketball team. She also leads the varsity soccer team as a captain.

Her pre-game ritual includes listening to music to get pumped up. Favorite bands include Foo Fighters, Tame Impala and Lord Huron.

During the summer Maggie nurtures little hearts in her job as a nanny of 4 kids, age 5 and under! She says the key to nannying is to stay calm even during a meltdown.

Maggie has a creative side and she likes to do crafts with the kids. She also enjoys embroidery, embellishing clothes and backpacks with her thread art. And she makes colorful cards for sick kids through Letters of Love.

To relax, Maggie likes being with friends and family, including her golden retriever Ollie, or watching Marvel movies. Her celeb crushes? Chris Evans (Captain America) and Henry Cavill (Superman).

Senior year and beyond, Maggie will continue to set her goals high, conquer challenges with confidence, and serve others with creativity and compassion.

The Marvel universe would be proud.

Downtown Wayzata Senior Photo Session | Hugh

Watching Wimbledon last week on tv was a highlight for Hugh—even though his favorite tennis player (Novak Djokovic) didn’t win.

Tennis is a big part of Hugh’s life. He grew up playing tennis with his brothers and now he is captain of the varsity team. He likes tennis because it’s a mental game.

When he’s not on the court, you’ll find Hugh on the lake, whether it’s wakesurfing or working at Lord Fletcher’s where he docks boats.

In his free time, Hugh likes to watch sports with his Papa (grandfather) or hang out with his goldendoodle Bosco.

He looks forward to the State Fair where he’ll try new, unique foods. Hugh is an adventurous eater, but he absolutely hates ketchup. (He dips French fries in barbecue sauce.) His favorite food? “Anything my Papa grills.”

In school, Hugh participates in the student marketing organization DECA. In addition to business, he likes to draw and is considering studying architectural engineering in college. He will probably attend a large university.

As Hugh starts senior year and makes plans for his future … the ball is in his court!

Orono Senior Portrait Session | Brady

Brady is one of those rare species: a 3-sport athlete.

Brady competes in baseball, football, and wrestling. His favorite sport? “The one that’s in season,” he says.

Right now, that’s baseball. Brady plays first and third base. Baseball will be coming to an end soon and he will have a couple of weeks off before football practice starts.

This fall, he will play defensive end and tight end for the varsity football team. Their first opponent beat them in the section finals last year, so the Spartans are eager for revenge. According to Brady, nothing compares to the excitement of Friday night lights.

Sports isn’t the only thing Brady juggles. He really does know how to juggle and he brought along baseballs to prove it. He learned to juggle from his dad.

He also likes to read (Harry Potter is a favorite), listen to country music, and go on late night drives with friends.

Brady participates in Unified club where he plays sports and builds friendships with students of all abilities. Unified is about inclusion and that matters to Brady.

With his motivation, discipline, and focus, Brady is headed for victory on and off the field. As the legendary coach Vince Lombardi said, the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Minnesota Arboretum Senior Portrait Session | Lauren

Lauren could be a spokesperson for resilience. She’s had 7 concussions (yes, 7) but that won’t stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Lauren is on the varsity volleyball team and also runs track. She has a heart for others. This spring, Lauren and her volleyball teammates plunged into ice cold water to support Special Olympics.

Although she likes being with friends and making them laugh, recovery from a concussion requires spending a lot of time alone and unplugged from social media. During that time, Lauren learned a lot about herself. She is soulful and strong.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys playing with her golden retriever or curling up with a good book. She loves to read. The Great Gatsby is one of her favorites.

She also likes to listen to all kinds of music (except metal). She would love to see country star Morgan Wallen in concert one day.

Until then, she will focus on preparing for volleyball season and enjoying the last year of high school. She looks forward to the future and is prepared to meet life’s challenges head-on!

Millennium Garden Senior Photo Session | Ryan

It was a rainy day but Ryan’s bright smile and cheerful attitude made up for the lack of sunshine!

Ryan looked stunning in a sundress and heels but she is happiest in a softball jersey and cleats. She is a captain of the varsity softball team.

Ryan keeps her eye on the ball on the field and in the classroom. As a member of the National Honor Society, academics are a priority. She is involved in DECA, a student marketing and entrepreneurship organization. Her DECA finance project earned her a trip to the international conference in Orlando this spring.

In her free time, Ryan likes to cook. She is gluten free and so are her recipes, but they aren’t boring. She likes to get creative and experiment with ingredients, like fried rice with a medley of roasted vegetables or avocado toast topped with honey and diced egg.

This summer Ryan will be busy playing softball, listening to music (she likes everything from country to rock and rap), and hanging out with friends. She looks forward to going to the State Fair- but no Sweet Martha’s cookies for her. (They aren’t GF!)

And you can bet she will brighten spirits wherever she goes, rain or shine.

Excelsior Senior Photo Session | Joey

Joey will attend the University of Tampa to study entrepreneurship. Being an entrepreneur is more than just starting a business.

It takes passion, innovation, the ability to recognize potential, and a willingness to take risk— some of the same qualities Joey relies on as varsity lacrosse captain. He will play D1 lacrosse in college. He likes the sport because it’s challenging and “you can put your own flair on it”.

This summer you can find Joey working, playing golf, jet skiing with friends, and fishing for muskie and bass with his Dad.

As he heads to college this fall, Joey is well equipped with Midwestern values and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Wayzata Senior Portrait Session | William

William is named after his grandfather. And like his grandfather, William plans to become an Eagle Scout.

Eagle is the highest rank in scouting and requires perseverance and service. In order to earn this rank, William is raising funds and building fences at a hockey rink so that it can be used as a dog park. William comes from a dog-friendly family: he has two dogs and his dad is a dog trainer.

Besides scouting, fitness is William’s other passion. Most days you’ll find him at the gym, and two knee surgeries have barely slowed him down. He hopes to pursue a career in fitness. He also enjoys playing lacrosse, hanging out with friends, drinking coffee [when he’s not drinking a raw protein shake], and listening to rap [Kendrick Lamar is his favorite].

He works at a gym and uses his earnings to buy gas, concert tickets, and rings. He has a collection of rings. One special ring he wears is embossed with ocean waves. William bought it after a painful knee surgery. “The waves remind me to go with the flow,” he explained. That’s wisdom.

As you encounter obstacles in life William, remember sometimes it’s best to go with the flow. Good advice for us all.

Excelsior Bay Senior Portrait Session | Piper

Piper loves to travel, experiencing different cultures and climates.

Her favorite spots so far are Mexico and the Dominican Republic, where she puts her Spanish speaking skills to use.

Piper has more time to travel since she “retired” from competitive gymnastics after 12 years. Fitness is still a priority though. She works out, lifts weights, and plays softball. She also works at a local grocery store. A job is a must for a girl who likes to shop!

Piper has a keen eye for fashion. Even as a toddler, Piper preferred getting clothes rather than toys for her birthday. But she doesn’t plan to pursue a career in fashion. This fall, she will attend San Diego State to study nutrition.

Wherever her travels take her next, may she bless others with her kindness and curiosity, and maybe some fashion tips too.

Mill Ruins Park Senior Photo Session | Alex

Alex is an athletic and artistic young man. 

He plays center field on the varsity baseball team, and he plans to attend Ohio University.

When he’s not studying or playing ball, this self-described “dork” might be working on an art project, cruising on his skateboard, hanging out with his dog Buddy, or thrifting at a second hand store. 

Alex likes thrifting because “you can find something unique, one of a kind.”  I think that describes Alex.

Plymouth Senior Portrait Session | Chase

Good thing Chase isn’t superstitious.  His senior photo shoot was on Friday the 13th. 

It’s also a good thing Chase has a sense of humor.  When I mentioned he looks like my teen celeb crush from the 80s band Menudo, he laughed [and cringed]. Then he Googled Menudo because he had never heard of them.  How times change!

Chase plays varsity soccer— he’s a goalie. He also works part-time at his family’s restaurant, Spasso.  I’m told the lasagna is legendary! He will attend the University of Texas and is leaning toward engineering as a career. 

In his free time, Chase enjoys downhill skiing, water skiing, lifting weights, and playing card games.  He was heading to poker night with the guys after this shoot. 

In poker as in life, we play the hand we are dealt.  I have no doubt that Chase will play his wisely and well. 

Millennium Garden Senior Portrait Session | Ella

Like the tiara she received when she was crowned her hometown ambassador, Ella sparkles. 

When she isn’t representing her community as an ambassador, Ella represents her classmates as vice president in the student senate.  She also competes in tennis and track, and co-manages the basketball team. 

But Ella’s real passion is the arts.  She loves to sing and is busy rehearsing for opening night of “Annie” at her high school. 

She also draws and paints.  Last year, she made a portrait of each of her 3 siblings and gave the drawings to her parents for Christmas.  That beats a gift card any day!

Ella’s crowning achievement though is kindness.  When I mentioned that I heard she was elected to Homecoming court, Ella explained “I’m not popular, I’m just nice to everyone.” 

Imagine if we all followed her lead:  Be nice to everyone.  That is really the heart of it.  Ella, may you continue to prioritize people and shine the light of kindness in college in Wisconsin, and wherever life takes you. 

Plymouth Senior Portrait Session | Jack

Jumping over obstacles at high speed isn’t most people’s idea of fun. 

Jack isn’t most people. 

As the reigning state champion in the 300 meter hurdle, Jack is fast and agile.  He recently broke the 37-year old school record for the hurdles.

He also has grit.  At his senior photo shoot, he had a sprained ankle from a track injury. I didn’t know this until his mom mentioned it later.  He never complained. 

When he’s not at the track, Jack enjoys working, golfing with friends, or traveling with his family. 

Faith is a cornerstone of Jack’s life.  He wears a cross around his neck even during races.  Education is also important to him and he plans to study business at the University of Thomas where he will be on the track team. 

As Jack approaches the starting block of his future, I believe he will soar. 

Minnesota Arboretum Senior Photo Session | Jade

Named after a gemstone prized for its beauty, energy and strength … that’s Jade.

She arrived at her senior session wearing a bracelet with wording I deemed a bit too sassy for photos. [She graciously removed it.] The many stickers on her water bottle also showed some attitude. Jade is a young woman who isn’t afraid to share her opinions with the world!

Her gentle beauty is balanced with bold confidence. Jade says the struggles she went through in middle school, including losing her father, have made her stronger and more compassionate to others.

She is passionate about animals and hopes to one day open an animal sanctuary. But first, she’ll need to finish her college business studies.

Blending business with compassion - and maybe a little sass. Lead the way, Jade.

Wayzata Senior Portrait Session | Dylan

Dylan is hard to miss. He’s really tall with an easy smile and piercing blue eyes.

He plays basketball and baseball. In addition to being athletic, he is tech-savvy. Dylan landed a summer job with a computer company. At home, he’s the go-to guy when someone’s laptop freezes or their phone glitches. This fall, he will study computer science at St John’s University.

Dylan is the oldest of three siblings in a tight-knit family. They endured heartbreak in 2020 when his father died suddenly. Loss makes you grow up fast.

But loss also builds resilience, sparks compassion, and strengthens faith. This combo will be a powerful asset to Dylan’s life and to his father’s legacy.

Minnetonka Mills Park Senior Portrait Session | Dekontee

Bright and lively, warm and sweet with a hint of bold — like the lattes she serves at the coffee shop after school.

When Dekontee’s not reading a book or serving coffee, she likes to spend time with older folks from West Africa, sharing card games and conversation. After graduation, she plans to serve our country in the US Army.

She is a beauty inside and out. I think Dekontee is what author Rupi Kaur had in mind when she wrote:

“There is beauty rooted so deep within you, you can’t help but see it everywhere.”

~ The Hate U Give

Wayzata Senior Photo Session | Evan

Evan is a lifeguard at a lake in Minneapolis. So of course some of his senior pictures were taken at the lake.

I asked Evan about lifeguarding. He said no, it’s not like Baywatch and yes, he has saved a child from drowning.

In addition to keeping a watchful eye on swimmers, he likes working out at the gym, boating on the St Croix, hanging out with friends, or throwing tennis balls to his labrador retriever Honey.

This fall, he will continue his studies at the University of Arizona. Evan has confidence in the future and I have no doubt he will make a big splash in the world.