As a lifelong introvert, one of my favorite situations as a portrait photographer is when I get to work with someone one on one and actually get to spend a little time getting to know them. It’s much more fulfilling for me than working with a crowd or even just a larger group of people. And one of the best ways to get to do that is by doing high school senior portraits.

Parker’s senior portrait sessions were the epitome of awesomeness for me, as far as senior portraits go. He and his family knew what they wanted, but gave me creative flexibility and listened to my advice. He had a few hobbies he wanted to showcase — wakeboarding, golf, guitar playing — which is always preferable to only doing typical portraits. On top of that, he’s one of the nicest kids I’ve met in a while. He’s gonna do good things.

We did one session at sunset at Beaver Lake late last summer, and I even got to try my hand at wakeboarding for the first time in probably 15 years or so. I think I impressed both them and myself in doing pretty well!

A second session outside in the very early spring at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, where his mom works and where he’s spent a fair amount of time, gave us the rest of the images.

Congrats on graduation, Parker, and enjoy your time at Colorado State in Fort Collins. Don’t forget to eat at Lucile’s every chance you get. For me.