10/03/2023
Senior shoots have certainly pulled on all of my heartstrings. This summer/fall, I photographed so many kids, mostly Duxbury kids, mostly boys, and all friends of my son Dylan. I dipped my toes back into photography after a 6 year break because it seemed like the right time. It was. Some of the the kids that I photographed were in Dylan’s very first playgroup at 18 months old. Some were friends from Berrybrook, Chandler, or Alden. It’s crazy to look at these kids as emerging men, but here we are, and I’m proud. I still remember all the funny things about them. To be honest, it’s what’s getting me through parenting Grayson as a new middle schooler. 😐😳 I keep reminding myself that with love, and good parenting, and certain expectations, they all turn out ok. (Grayson is a social experiment though)😅 I have looked at each of them, not just through the lens, but from my heart and memory, and it’s been truly bittersweet. The outtakes have been hilarious and teeter on inappropriate, but so fun and assuring, and heartwarming. Tonight however, nothing could have prepared me for photographing my own son in his senior year. It doesn’t matter how many times someone tells you it goes too fast, I knew. I held my grip as tightly as possible over the years, but time is a force much stronger than me. I choked back tears tonight and sat alone for a bit after the shoot to reflect and to watch the sunset, and to truly appreciate this stage, this moment, all of it. I’m grateful that one of Dylans closest friends, Phoenix could join tonight, because Dylan is not a fan of any kind of attention, or the spotlight. But tonight, he was happy and relaxed, as I guess he always is. I guess I appreciated zero push back on the photos or smiles. I felt my own shoulders lower tonight. It’s perspective. In the rare wise words of James Frazier 😉 they all turn out ok. So I’m ready for all the joy and celebrations and milestones that come along with being a mom to a senior. Let’s do this 2024. ❤️❤️
