Seniors

I first photographed Madison as a preschooler, and these portraits were taken just one day before her high school graduation. It’s rare to photograph a senior so close to such a major milestone, and I enjoyed having the chance to spend this time with her before the celebrations began. A dedicated FFA member, she spends much of her time caring for and showing livestock. Her biggest passion, though, is horses. She enjoys riding, competing, spending time with her animals, and being outdoors. There is a quiet determination about Madison that comes from early mornings, long days, and the willingness to…

Bryce, Vista Del Lago, Class of 2026, brought a relaxed, confident energy to his senior session and is ready for his next adventure at the University of Utah, where he’ll study finance and accounting this fall. He’s especially looking forward to taking advantage of all the skiing Utah has to offer. This summer, Bryce will be coaching lacrosse, one of the many sports he enjoys alongside basketball, football, skiing, and paddleboarding. When he’s not playing sports, he enjoys hanging out with friends, spending time at the lake, hiking, and listening to music. His advice for incoming high school students: explore…

Some senior sessions are about celebrating what’s ahead. Others become a way to honor what’s being left behind. Charlie’s session held both. We met at his family home in Pleasant Valley, a place filled with generations of history and memories. Originally purchased by his great-grandfather, the property became the backdrop for decades of family life. Charlie’s mom and aunt grew up there, along with all the cousins who spent holidays, summers, and countless family gatherings surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. The home sits high above Pleasant Valley with a breathtaking 180-degree northern view — wide open skies, rolling…

Noah is the kind of senior who makes the future feel calm instead of loud. This spring, he graduates from Mountainside Middle College High School in Diamond Springs with a brain wired for math and science, hands that love building Legos, and a creative streak that shows up in art and colored pencils. We met in Placerville and headed toward one of my favorite hillside spots above downtown, the light shifting as the sun slipped in and out of the clouds—fitting for someone who’s comfortable moving between logic and imagination. When he’s not biking or problem-solving, he’s looking ahead: Italy…

When everything feels heavy, some stories still shine. This dynamic high school senior came into our lives during the Caldor Fire, when her family generously opened their home to us while we were evacuated. In the middle of a different kind of heaviness, their home became a refuge — something my family will never forget. Rebecca attends Mountainside Middle College High School and somehow balances it all: piano, vocal and dance lessons, working outside of school, paying attention to the bigger picture, and dreaming big — whether that’s becoming a K-pop idol or teaching English in Korea someday. Photographing her…

Back in 2020 we had plans to do Ryan’s High School graduation photos but COVID got in the way and time moved forward in the blink of an eye,  another 4-5 years to be exact. I was so glad when I got the call to get to capture another of  Ryan’s graduations, this time from the University of California at Davis. I met up with his mom, Meredith and brother, Ian and moved around to all the great spots. What a beautiful campus, and the late afternoon light is fabulous. There were many graduates and photographers on campus that night-…

Kate is part of McClatchy High School’s Class of 2025 and will be graduating in another week or so.  What a fun time we had out at Sly Park Lake and Forebay Reservoir, chasing the evening light and creating a diverse series of images to capture her big, bold and playful personality. Did we have fun? You bet! She loves fashion design (go figure:), volleyball, soccer, reading, boating and hanging out with friends and family. She will attend UCLA this fall (woot woot) and in 10 years she sees herself living in NYC and working in the fashion industry and…

Austin, the last of the Zugnoni brothers, is graduating! First was Ethan, Class of 2020, then Collin, Class of 2022 and now Austin will join Vista del Lago’s Class of 2025. By looking at his photographs, you may have sorted out that he loves football his girlfriend, Camryn and his mom, of course:)  Looking for big blue skies and rolling hills, we headed out to Cronin Ranch. His kindness, easy-going personality, and handsome smile made capturing his senior pictures enjoyable. I got a chance to catch up with his mom on the walk to the location while watching him and…

Another Schafer brother is heading towards graduation. I enjoyed capturing these photographs for Cathy and Brad and for Owen too, but maybe he doesn’t know it yet 🙂 Ok, Owen I’m just kidding around with you. Thank you for allowing me the honor of spending a late afternoon getting to know you better and for kidding around with me, too. Owen was on the ski team like many ELDO seniors I photograph. He also playes baritone sax in the marching band and enjoys surfing, kayaking and playing guitar. His favorite bands are Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead and Billy Joel. This fall,…