Lilly’s senior session in downtown Selma was one of those afternoons that kept us on our toes. The day started out absolutely beautiful with sunshine and blue skies, but as the afternoon went on, the forecast began to shift. We kept a close eye on the clouds and prayed all afternoon that the rain would hold off just long enough for her session.

By the time we arrived downtown, the sunshine had faded into a soft, overcast sky. It wasn’t raining yet, but you could feel it coming. We moved through Lilly’s first outfit with ease, taking advantage of the quiet streets and that perfect diffused light.

As she changed into her second outfit, the first few sprinkles began to fall. We paused for a moment, but decided to keep going. When she stepped out in her third outfit, I noticed her grandmother’s pink umbrella and had an idea. I asked if we could borrow it for a few photos and she happily handed it over. Those umbrella portraits ended up being some of my favorites from the entire session. They are playful, unique, and such a sweet way to embrace the moment instead of fighting it.

Just as quickly as it started, the rain began to ease up. We were able to finish the rest of the session without worrying about getting soaked. For her final outfit, Lilly changed into her heirloom graduation dress. Her grandmother spent countless hours hand sewing every detail of this stunning gown and it couldn’t have been more beautiful. As if that wasn’t special enough, she also hand embroidered Lilly’s initials, graduation date, and “Love, MeMe” into her slip. It was truly a work of heart and a work of art that will be cherished for generations.

Lilly, thank you so much for trusting me to capture such a special season in your life! And to you and your mom, thank you for inviting me into these moments and allowing me to document this milestone. It means more than I can say. I am so excited to see all that’s ahead for you and wish you the very best as you head off to college this fall!