San Diego Senior Photos | Olive’s Journey from Stage to Shore

My dear friend Melissa and I have known each other since we were in a college singing group together back in the 90s, and her daughter Olive is like her in so many ways.

Olive has been on plenty of stages herself: Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kate in Titanic the Musical, the lead in All Shook Up, the Dragon in Shrek, Mrs. Pearce in My Fair Lady — and Actress of the Year 2023-2024 at Westwood High. She graduates as valedictorian this spring, headed somewhere fancy (she’s keeping us all in suspense on which fancy place, exactly).

But titles and roles only tell you so much. What I loved about shooting Olive was how easy it was — she brought the personality, the expressions, the spark. I didn’t have to coax anything out of her. We started at Balboa Park for the architecture — those Spanish colonial arches and tilework never get old — and then headed over the bridge to Coronado for some beach scenes as the light softened. Through it all, Olive lit up the camera and just kept going.

Melissa and Olive, thank you for trusting me with these memories. Congratulations, Olive! I can’t wait to see what you do next!!

Olive in yellow floral dress on steps at Balboa Park, smiling at camera
Olive in cream dress and mustard cardigan under colonnaded archway at Balboa Park
Close-up of Olive in yellow floral dress at Balboa Park, smiling broadly
Olive in yellow floral dress leaning against stone wall at Balboa Park
Olive in mustard cardigan holding white daisies at Balboa Park, smiling
Olive in yellow floral dress under arched passageway at Balboa Park
Olive in blue graduation robe walking along tree-lined path at Balboa Park
Olive in blue graduation robe over white dress, looking to the side
Olive in blue graduation robe and white dress at Hotel del Coronado
Olive in blue graduation robe jumping and tossing cap at Hotel del Coronado
Olive in white dress walking on pavement at Hotel del Coronado, smiling
Olive in white dress with honor cords at Hotel del Coronado garden
Olive in white dress with arms outstretched at Hotel del Coronado garden
Close-up of Olive holding white daisy bouquet, smiling at garden
Olive in mustard cardigan over yellow floral dress at Balboa Park railing
Olive in blue dress holding pole by colorful mural, smiling
Close-up of Olive in blue dress holding pole, looking upward
Olive in blue dress against colorful mural backdrop, smiling
Close-up of Olive in blue dress resting arm on metal beam
Olive in blue dress sitting on beach rocks at golden hour, smiling
Olive in blue dress standing on beach with colorful rocks at golden hour
Olive in blue dress wading in shallow water at Coronado Beach
Olive in blue dress standing in shallow water at Coronado Beach at sunset
Olive in blue dress holding white daisies at beach, smiling down
Olive in blue dress with flowers standing on beach near rock formations
Olive in blue dress wading in shallow water at Coronado Beach at dusk
Olive in blue dress with skirt swirling in water at beach, smiling
Close-up of Olive's hands holding blue and orange graduation honor cords
Olive in white dress wading in shallow water at beach with rocks behind
Olive in white dress walking along wet sand at Coronado Beach at golden hour
Olive in white dress at beach with hair blowing, looking over shoulder
Olive and her mother Melissa hugging at Coronado Beach, both smiling
Olive and Melissa at beach embracing, Olive kissing mother's cheek
Olive in white dress sitting at Hotel del Coronado with red roofs behind
Close-up of Olive in white dress at beach with wind-blown hair, smiling
Olive in white dress holding white daisies on rocks at Coronado Beach
Silhouette of Olive holding graduation cap at Coronado Beach at sunset

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