Marking a Milestone: Emma’s Graduation and Family Session

Emma asked me for not just one, but TWO sessions to celebrate her graduation. This wasn’t just about her, but her whole family, and she wanted them included!

We started on her college campus. Emma wrote, “USD was named the most beautiful campus in the country for a reason. The professors were absolutely amazing, and the community was welcoming and warm. COVID really complicated my college journey, and after taking a year and half off, I transferred to USD. I spent 3 years at the school catching up, making new friends, and opening myself to all of the opportunities the school had to offer. My senior year was stressful and long-awaited. I was studying for the law school entrance exam in between classes, and I was ready to be done so I could move onto the next chapter. However, when the final week of classes arrived, I was surprised by how much I would miss it all, and felt overwhelmed with gratitude for everything that brought me to that point. If I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.”

Emma’s favorite shot at USD was by the fountain near the library where she spent many hours studying. Cap and gown photos on campus are always triumphant, and the backlit water spray made this shot even more impactful. Speaking of spray . . . things got festive fast when she popped a champagne bottle on the beach half an hour later. My only instruction was, “Don’t spray ME,” but that’s exactly what she did! We were both laughing, but Emma’s mom was looking on from the shore and tearing up with happiness as she watched her daughter celebrate the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

A few days later, we met up for a family session with Emma’s mom, Janna, and sister, Maya, down by the Hotel Del. They laughed together like only a close-knit family can, and the photo of the three of them in front of the Del made the front of their gallery and is one of Emma’s favorites. It wasn’t just about the grad; it was about the whole crew that cheered her on.

Pre-law degree in hand, Emma’s heading into her next chapter with plans to become an attorney. She’s proud of how far she’s come, and she should be. If senior year taught her anything, it’s this: keep pushing forward. Judging by her sessions, she’ll do it with grace, grit, and a lot of fun along the way.

Emma walks on USD campus in white dress and blue honors cords
Emma walks through sunny campus courtyard in white dress with blue honors cords
Emma smiles standing on campus pathway in white dress and blue honors cords
Emma poses on campus near purple flowering shrubs in white dress and blue cords
Emma in mortarboard and white dress on USD campus wearing blue honors cords
Emma stands at USD rooftop overlooking campus library fountain at golden hour
Emma tosses mortarboard in front of USD's bell tower at golden hour
Emma walks through grand arched architectural entrance at USD in white dress
Emma raises mortarboard at USD's grand arched architectural entrance
Champagne spray captured mid-air on beach during golden hour celebration
Woman in white dress wades in shallow water gazing toward horizon at sunset
Woman in white dress stands at water's edge facing ocean at dusk
Emma celebrates on beach popping champagne bottle at golden hour
Woman in white dress crouches on sand with head down at sunset
Woman in white dress on beach with hand to face at golden hour
Three women in white dresses stand near blue lifeguard tower on beach
Woman in white dress wades in shallow ocean water on beach at sunset
Two young women embrace on beach, laughing together at golden hour
Two women stand back-to-back looking toward ocean on beach at sunset
Two young women stand side-by-side on beach, smiling at sunset
Close-up detail of clasped hands on white background at Hotel del Coronado
Emma, Janna, and Maya pose together in white dresses at Hotel del Coronado at sunset
Three women hold hands walking in line along beach at golden hour
Two young women lean together against brick wall at Hotel del Coronado
Two young women standing together against brick wall at Hotel del Coronado at dusk
Three women hold hands on expansive sandy beach at sunset
Two women face each other in shallow ocean water at sunset
Two young women embrace standing together on beach at golden hour
Three people hold hands wading into ocean with sunset sky behind them
Three figures in silhouette holding hands wading in ocean at sunset
Emma with hand raised to head standing on beach in white dress at sunset
Emma looks over shoulder on beach in white dress at golden hour
Two young women standing together on beach, smiling at camera at sunset
Three women hold hands walking down beach near rock formations at golden hour
Two young women stand together in shallow ocean water at sunset
Three women embrace on beach near rock formations at golden hour
Silhouette of three holding hands in surf at beach at dusk
Silhouettes of three walking hand-in-hand into ocean at sunset

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