Shelby is such a beauty! And this girl was willing to brave some seriously freezing winter weather because she had a vision for her senior portraits, and she was determined to make it happen – softball and waterfalls.

I absolutely love that kind of commitment.

She knew she wanted a waterfall backdrop, so we headed to Middle McCloud Falls in Siskiyou County, and it was every bit as beautiful as she hoped. Even in the middle of winter, the scenery was gorgeous, with the rushing water, rocks, trees, and moody seasonal landscape creating such a cool setting for her portraits.

And Shelby’s white dress absolutely popped against it all.

I love when seniors choose an outfit that feels a little unexpected for their location. Her dress brought this soft, feminine element to the rugged waterfall setting, and the contrast was SO pretty.

But what made this session even more personal was the way Shelby incorporated the things that are important to her.

She brought along her softball gear and her Bible, which gave us a chance to create photos that showed different sides of who she is. I love that idea for senior portraits. You don’t have to choose between looking beautiful in a pretty dress and showing off the things you’re passionate about. You can absolutely do both.

And Shelby is the perfect example.

She can kick ass on the softball field, and then put on a gorgeous dress and embrace her feminine, girly side. She’s strong and athletic, but also soft and beautiful. Why should senior portraits only show one side of you?

Let’s show the whole person.

That’s one of my favorite things about senior sessions. We can make them completely personal to you—your sports, hobbies, faith, pets, favorite places, style, or whatever else makes you you. Then we can throw in some gorgeous portraits just because you deserve to feel freaking beautiful, too.

And Shelby definitely did.

She was such a trooper with the cold, and I’m so glad she trusted her vision and went for it. The waterfall, winter landscape, white dress, and personal details all came together beautifully.

Congratulations on your senior year, Shelby! I hope this next chapter is full of big adventures, lots of softball, plenty of beautiful moments, and all the confidence to keep being exactly who you are. 🤍📷