Aliah – Alexandria, MN Senior Photographer

For a few reasons I loved Aliah’s session.

It was June. Early where it wasn’t crazy hot. Any time I don’t sweat like a pig is a good day in my world.

I got to visit my old stomping grounds. In fact, I remember vividly running through the land her family now lives on. Snowmobiling, hiking, playing. Aliah’s family lives on the lake that I spent a lot of time on as a kid. It is a tiny lake, always quiet, rarely would you see more than three boats on it at the same time. Swimming, spearing with my Great Grandpa fearing I would fall in the hole, fishing-summer and winter, hiking in the woods but being careful not to go too close to the old abandoned house we were sure was haunted. I usually fished with my grandma and grandpa in their small boat. Grandma would make us ham and butter sandwiches that were all made and stored back in the original bread bag (that generation are the OG reducers and recyclers), fold-over baggies (we didn’t have slider fancy ziplock bags back then) full of Old Dutch potato chips, and Shasta pop. We didn’t use or have hand sanitizers, we scrubbed our dirty, wormy, hands in the lake and ate our lunch. I can still hear the red wing blackbirds. Such a peaceful time that brings me such joy. I will tell you to, my grandma can out fish any of ya’ll. She didn’t use these cheater methods either, she laid her line loosely in the palm of her hand right next to the boat and she would pull in sunny after sunny, loudly exclaiming when she got a beautiful “pumpkinseed”!

Reason number 3, the weather was P.E.R.F.E.C.T.  for photos. A small storm was about to move through, but there was this beautiful light shinning through. It made for stunning images.

Another reason, leaves and grass are bright green early in the summer. So vibrant and rich.

And the last reason, I just loved hanging out with Aliah and her momma Sarah. Like quick friends.

We started with the family photos. I know I have said this before, free family sessions when they are held with a senior photos. I HIGHLY recommend you taking advantage of this! It is really hard to wrangle all the young adults in your life when they start flying the coop, take it from me I know.

I tell you, I would be spending a ton of time on that dock if it were mine. A little escape.

This light. I was amazing. I love the blue in the sky, lake, her outfit and her eyes. Blue is my absolute favorite color.

Thank you Aliah! I hope your senior year has been wonderful!