Eighteen Summers – Celebrating Sam’s Senior Year
They say you only get 18 summers before your child heads off to college, leaving behind the life you’ve known at home and stepping into adulthood. Those years pass in the blink of an eye, and what remains are the photographs—beautiful, tangible reminders of their journey, their personality, and the special place they hold in your heart.
Sam’s journey with our studio began when he was just 18 months old—one of the most magical ages for a first big oil portrait. At that age, they’re all dressed up for perhaps the first time, full of wonder and sweetness. Over the years, many families have cherished their child’s 18-month portraits most of all, and Sam’s was no exception. Looking back now, it feels like that session happened only yesterday.
From that very first session, we’ve been honored to capture each milestone in Sam’s life. We remember a spring day long ago—Sam dressed for the occasion, absolutely adorable—and how each portrait since has brought us right back to that moment whenever we see them.
Now, the years have flown by, and Sam is graduating high school. While planning his senior portrait session with his mom, Sara, we learned just how adventurous he is—and that he’s an impressive marksman. We leaned into that adventurous spirit during the session, and the resulting images took our breath away. Sam’s “come as you are” look featured his Wallen hoodie, baseball cap, khaki tactical pants, and mountain boots, perfectly capturing the young man he is today. Paired with dressy-casual portraits, these images tell the story of both the man he is becoming and the little boy who will always be remembered.
Photographing Sam again was a joy and a privilege. It has been an honor to play a part in preserving his visual history and marking the start of this exciting new chapter. We’re so grateful to Sara for trusting us over the years to capture and protect these moments.
As another school year begins, may every child’s story be documented in a way that can be treasured for generations. No matter where you are in your “18 summers” journey, it’s never too late to create meaningful portraits of the ones you love. These are the images that ensure their story—your story—is never forgotten.
