There are some friendships that go beyond being close, they feel like family. That’s exactly how we feel about Sophie’s family. My husband and I have been dear friends with her parents since before any of us had children. Over the years, our lives have become beautifully intertwined through holidays, milestones, and everyday memories. Watching all of our kids grow up together has truly been one of life’s greatest gifts.

Sophie is like a daughter to me. She’s sweet, stunningly beautiful, and exceptionally smart. It’s hard to believe she’s already graduating, and not just on time, but an entire year early! Even more impressive, she made that decision just three-quarters of the way through her junior year. That kind of determination and maturity is rare, and it’s just one of the many things that make her so special.

As a Cincinnati senior photographer, I’ve had the honor of photographing Sophie since she was little. She’s always been a bit of a muse for me. Being behind the lens as she’s grown from a giggling girl into the poised, accomplished young woman she is today has been a privilege I’ll never take for granted.

This spring’s senior photo session felt especially meaningful. Sophie had just made the big decision to graduate early, and only weeks later, we found ourselves capturing her senior pictures in Ault Park, right as the weeping cherry trees were in full bloom. These trees bloom for such a short time each year, and the fact that her decision and the session aligned so perfectly felt like it was meant to be.