This week has been chock-full of emotions for me. Call me sentimental, but between a newborn portrait session, celebrating my Grandpa’s 85th birthday, a few late night phone calls with friends, and then taking engagement pictures for a couple I had previously taken senior portraits for, I am a mountain of mush over here. Mostly though, I feel incredibly grateful I could be a part of these events and just haven’t quite figured out how to take it all in.  
 
As I sit here thinking about what I want to write about Macey, I am equally filled with sentiment. A few years ago, I had the privilege of documenting her sister’s senior portraits and now Macey….eeeee!!! Love these girls, and just adore this family! When she emailed me about portraits, we decided to meet in Carmel and document her senior session there, by the beach…a place that Macey loves. And the perfect place to breathe in the goodness of a senior year…

This beautiful blonde, blue-eyed gal is graduating from Chowchilla High….TODAY!!!! Woo hoo! Sending a BIG hug + congratulations your way!!!

I have to tell you a few things about this amazing girl….1) She is a swimmer 2) She medaled in the Top 3 in the 50 Free and 100 Free races at the Valley Championships 3) She broke her personal record AND the SCHOOL record with her race times!!!! 
 
Seriously, SO awesome!!!

What’s especially amazing about this is Macey had 3 broken ribs and a collapsed lung from a motorcycle accident prior to the season. Not only is she lucky to be alive, but she came back from her accident even stronger and more determined. Breaking school records in fact!!! How amazing is that?!?

Macey said as a result of her accident, she has really realized how lucky she is, and how precious life is….and is certain that a guardian angel was protecting her the day of her accident.

It was through her five plus months of physical therapy that Macey discovered something else….her passion. Through her months of healing and getting stronger, she discovered she loved learning about the body and how it works, and has decided to study Kinesiology as a result of her experience! 
 
So so rad!!!!

Macey brought along her Chevy Camaro SS to the shoot for a few pics. Doesn’t it just look fast when it’s sitting there?

Boom shakalaka!

After a few car shots, we headed down to the beach to catch the sun setting over the horizon. I don’t think there will be a day in my life where this gets old.

Doesn’t she just look like she belongs by the ocean?!? Maybe it’s her swimmer tan, but either way, it is fitting she is heading to Cuesta College this coming fall, just a hop from the ocean waves! : )

Oh Carmel, you are stunning and lovely!

I adore this black and white….Macey is the spitting image of her beautiful mama here!

Two of my favorites from the day!

Thank you bunches for the honor of documenting your senior portraits…loved spending the afternoon with you, Sydney and your sweet mom!

One of Macey’s besties, Sydney, joined us for the shoot and I had to include one of them doing their ‘pose’! : )

I wanted to end with this photo because I love the imagery of the footprint marks. Macey, I am so excited for you as you begin a new chapter in your life, and get to make your own footprints in this world… 

Happy Friday and happy graduation to the Class of 2014!!!