The Hoffmanns are the type of people that make you feel like you’re part of their family, regardless of how long you’ve actually known them. You may remember seeing  them on my blog before, when I took their family portraits last year. I also took Ailee’s older sister, Molly’s senior portraits wayyy back when I was first starting out with senior sessions. Our family’s lives keep getting intertwined and I love seeing them from time to time and feeling like instant, old friends.

I especially loved getting to know Ailee better this time around. When we first met up, she was dressed in this perfect little white dress. We shot in the golden field and I felt like she was so elegant and poised. Then we did a quick outfit change, and Ailee came out in her volleyball uniform. I started shooting for a few minutes, but then I stopped and said, “Ailee, I don’t know what just happened but all of a sudden you’ve got your jersey on and now you are FIERCE. Where did that come from??” Ailee’s mom quickly said, “I JUST was thinking the same thing!” Something had changed in her entire attitude and presence, the way she carried herself and even the way she smiled. It was an amazing thing to witness! Her eyes just sparkled with passion when we brought out her volleyball. She was completely at home in her sports attire. I loved seeing this change and capturing it!

We ended our session in the Patapsco River. She was brave enough to follow me around and stumble through the rocks and sand as we found fun places to shoot. She didn’t complain at all but when we finished she said simply and all matter-of-factly, “I need to work on my balance.”

I’m so excited to see the things Ailee accomplishes during her senior year of high school and I can’t wait to see what her future holds! She will be playing volleyball (of course!) and applying for school at BYU. Thanks for letting me play a small part in this time of your life!