This morning as I enjoy my first cup of coffee I find myself smiling even though the weather outside is dreary . Laramie High School senior Olivia Dorrell is on the front page of the sports section in our local newspaper the Boomerang. The title of the article reads “Dorrell receives prestigious postseason basketball honor.” I adored photographing Olivia’s senior portraits and fell in love with her the minute we sat down to chat about senior photography. It is obvious from the award and the article that Olivia is a talented and driven basketball player. The charming discovery I made when I met with Olivia and her mother Amanda is that she is a fun loving bohemian at heart.
As I sat on her bed chatting about great senior photography and looking at clothes we got super excited about Olivia’s session. Amanda mentioned that Olivia absolutely loved smiley faces and had I ever been out to Vern’s storage? I admitted I had not. While I claim native Laramie status and have driven by a million times, I have not looked with a photographers eye at Vern’s. I made a note to myself to go explore as well as take a trip to the Laramie River and other beautiful outdoor locations. Great senior photography takes time and planning it doesn’t just happen.
Knowing Olivia
As I got out of my jeep and looked around at Vern’s I instantly thought of Olivia. All the storage units were the colors of the rainbow. And then there was the biggest smiley face I had ever seen greeting me. I felt happy all over, it truly reminded me of her. Many photographer friends of mine tell me “Anne I simply don’t have time to meet with all my clients before their session.” And based on these comments I’m certain they would not have encouraged me to take this excursion. Seniors share images of what they like with me on Instagram and Pinterest but something is missing when we get bogged down in details only. And that something is them. I love going the extra mile (in this case the end of the rainbow) to get to the gold. And discovering why their family and friends love who they are deep down. To do this I need to get to know them.
Our Sunny Day
On Olivia’s senior session day the sky was the same incredible blue as her eyes with white fluffy clouds, a few raindrops, and a rainbow of colors. Every time I see her senior photographs I smile. Amanda and Josh are truly blessed to have such a terrific daughter. It seems like only yesterday when Olivia, Amanda and I were talking about Vern’s. Where has all the time gone? Graduation day is weeks away. And I am humbled that Amanda, Josh, and Olivia chose me as their photographer. I feel honored that they entrusted me. Even after twenty five years as a senior portrait photographer this still gives me goosebumps. Especially now with a daughter of my own graduating in 2018.
Here’s to Olivia and all her incredible accomplishments and those accomplishments yet to come. I celebrate her skill, hard work, leadership, and community volunteer spirit. But mostly I celebrate her inner beauty. The beauty I saw when she took her siblings for ice cream because she loves spending time with them. And the beauty of spirit she exudes in everything she does. I remember when Josh came into Ludwig’s to pick up Olivia’s senior portraits the tears I saw in his eyes. Moments like those are why I do what I do.
