When I first picked up my camera over ten years ago, I met a sweet little girl named Skyler and her mom, Kristin. I still remember those early sessions, Skyler’s shy smile, her freckles, and how effortlessly she could light up in front of the camera. Even back then, I knew she had that look, the kind of presence that makes a photo come alive.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing Skyler nearly every single year, school photos, family sessions, and milestone moments in between. Watching her grow up through my lens has been one of the most meaningful parts of being a Salmon Idaho Senior Photographer. I’ve seen her transform from a sweet little girl into a beautiful, confident young woman ready to take on the world.

For her senior session, Skyler wanted open fields, a touch of mountains, and something that felt like her. Skyler has always loved books, stories, adventures, the way a good book feels when you can’t put it down. So, we leaned into that part of her personality and created a session that celebrated her love for reading.

I found myself at Rags and Wags, hunting for color and character, buying about twenty books just for this session. I even paid attention to the color of each spine because I wanted this session to feel like Skyler: vibrant, thoughtful, and full of imagination.

And she was absolutely stunning. Her red hair glowed against the fall colors, her dress was perfectly dreamy (thanks to her mom!), and she gave me that signature Skyler expression that I’ve loved capturing for so many years.

She even braved the grass, something she hates, just to bring my creative vision to life. That’s who she is: patient, trusting, and full of grace.

This session felt like coming full circle. To have photographed her for so long and now capture her senior photos, it’s emotional and rewarding all at once. It reminds me why I love being an Idaho Senior Photographer, because I get to document not just milestones, but the stories, growth, and personalities behind each smile.

Skyler, you are an absolute light. Thank you for trusting me all these years and for letting me be a part of your story. Watching you grow into who you are today has been such a gift. Congratulations on this new chapter, I can’t wait to see where your next story takes you.