It's been years since I last photographed a session at Alice Keck Park and I was wracking my brain, trying to dig up every little detail from past shoots—those perfect spots, those dreamy backgrounds, the ideal angles for a senior session that would make Gianna’s personality pop. But the moment I stepped foot in the park, all my careful planning flew out the window. Why? Because the flowers—oh, the flowers! They were everywhere, blooming like they were putting on a show just for us. I felt like a kid in a candy store, bursting with excitement.
Now, here's the thing—I had no idea if Gianna was into flowers. For all I knew, she could've been more into concrete jungles than botanical gardens. But at that moment, I didn't care. I was so smitten with the idea of weaving these vibrant blooms into our session that I almost forgot to ask her opinion. Thankfully, I did slow myself down long enough to check in with her, and in her ever-so-sweet way, she smiled and said, "Sure." Bless her for indulging my floral obsession.
Alice Keck Park turned out to be the perfect setting for Gianna. It was as if the park and Gianna were made for each other—her natural beauty just enhanced the lush surroundings, and vice versa. When she first told me she didn't take many pictures and felt a bit awkward in front of the camera, I’ll admit, I was ready to ease her into it, maybe keep things simple. But then, something magical happened. Gianna absolutely transformed in front of the lens. Does this look like an awkward gal to you? Because from where I was standing, she nailed every single pose like a pro.
I gave her just a few simple instructions—have fun, exaggerate, and let go. And wow, did she ever! The photos are bursting with her energy, her joy, and her radiant beauty. She went from feeling a bit camera-shy to owning every shot, and it shows. What struck me most, though, was how much she’s grown. I’ve seen Gianna around town, playing local sports since she was just a little thing. Watching her blossom into this beautiful, gracefully confident young lady was truly something special.
Photographing Gianna was an absolute joy, but I won’t lie—the hardest part was trying to narrow down the photos afterward. Each one was a little piece of magic, and choosing between them felt like trying to pick a favorite star in the sky. But we did it, and the final collection is nothing short of stunning. Congrats, Gianna! You were a natural, and you made this session one to remember.
