The best part of Shannon’s photo shoot was right at the end.

Shannon, a senior at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, knew she wanted a beautiful natural setting for her senior pictures, full of flowers and grasses and fields. Her friendly, sweet personality and casual, boho style were a perfect match for the flowers, fields, and woods of Hagar Park. We had planned to stay there for the whole two hours of Shannon’s shoot, but earlier that day I had driven past a second nearby park that was just loaded with Queen Anne’s Lace at the peak of bloom! I knew we had to incorporate that location as well, especially with her gorgeous lacy white dress.

Shannon and Allison Bower, one of the professional hair and makeup artists I work with, met at my house before the shoot to get ready. As always, Allison did an amazing job nailing the natural but elegant and polished look Shannon wanted, both with makeup and her fabulous tousled waves.

The evening was amazing, and I had so much fun hanging out with Shannon – who was up for anything, including climbing a tree for a shot!

But the best part was, as I said, right at the end. The very best light in a shoot is often the last five minutes or so of light as the sun disappears over the horizon. As we were wrapping up, I suddenly realized that we had to move NOW in order to get in position for the images I had in mind. So across the dirt parking lot we sprinted, including Shannon in her super cute high-heeled wedges! We laughed like crazy and I apologized for making her run, but we got in place and…

…well, you’ll have to scroll to the end to see those last few shots!