I will be the first to admit that this pandemic has made me cry almost on-the-daily, but when I stop and think about how I haven’t had any of my own big life plans completely uprooted by it, I feel bad for feeling sad when so many others have had it worse. All of the people who had planned on getting married this year, all the babies born whose moms weren’t able to have the newborn photos they’d dreamt of. And high school seniors not getting to walk down that aisle for the biggest accomplishment they’d worked their entire lives thus far for. I live by Lane Tech High School here in Chicago, and happened to be walking by the school on the day of their drive-through graduation ceremony this summer. I’m so thankful I was wearing sunglasses and a mask so that the students and families I was passing couldn’t see my blubbery face behind it. They were still all smiles and so happy, and said Thank You when I would tell them Congratulations, but my heart was sad for them but also happy that they were still celebrating in this very strange way. I was proud of them and didn’t know a single one of them! It’s not at all the graduation they had planned, but they were making the most of it. This year is a doozy, folks. Oof.

I feel for all the students right now. And all the teachers. All of the unknowns are scary. Whether it be in-person or e-learning, this year is not going to be easy for anyone. I can only hope that the class of 2021 will get to have their graduation ceremonies by then.

I got to spend two afternoons in two different cities recently with this lovely grad-to-be! Autumn is the youngest of my 15 cousins and I was in my early 20’s and not living at home anymore when she was born. So I didn’t really see her except at Christmas time and I didn’t really know her that well. But I’m so glad I got to photograph her senior photos and really get the chance to know more about her. She loves reading and is an incredible bowler on the bowling team & she’s so excited for college! We spent an afternoon exploring ALL over Chicago - West Loop, Union Station, Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk, Old Town and Bucktown. We found all the great murals! I’ve been dying to photograph at the “Make No Little Plans” mural and the “You Are Beautiful” Chicago sticker mural for forever and we made it happen! A few days later I went to her favorite town in Wisconsin - Port Washington. Being a Wisconsin native, this was shockingly my first time in Port and it surprised me! The little downtown area is adorable and the marina is beautiful. We were there just in time for some sunset photos and it did not disappoint! Best of luck to you on your final year of high school, sweet Autumn :)

Here are just a few of my favorites from Autumn’s session!