There’s a certain kind of energy on a college campus the week before graduation — equal parts excitement, exhaustion, and disbelief that it all went by so fast. I met up with Madi on a beautiful Sunday in May for her graduation session on the campus of Edgewood University, and it felt like the perfect way to mark the end of such a big chapter.

As a family photographer in my mid-30s, I think I appreciate these sessions differently now than I would have ten years ago. I’ve realized that these are so much more than just “senior photos.” They’re a snapshot of someone standing right at the edge of everything they’ve worked for and everything yet to come.

Madi is graduating from Edgewood University with a degree in Nursing and already has her next step lined up. This fall, she’ll begin a year-long residency at UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital as she works toward becoming a NICU nurse — something she’s wanted to do for as long as she can remember. You can tell pretty quickly when someone has found the right path, and that was definitely the case with her. NICU nurses are some of the most special, they care for the tiniest, most vulnerable patients during some of the most emotional days a family will ever experience. They care not only for the babies but the exhausted, scared parents too, offering reassurance and steady support when it’s needed most. It takes an incredible mix of skill, patience, calmness and compassion to do that work well. The ones that choose this specialty are usually the ones with the biggest hearts. In my short amount of time with Madi I could tell that this all describes her.

Her roommate, best friend and Edgewood University Eagles Soccer teammate Greta joined us for part of the session, and honestly, some of my favorite moments came from the two of them just hanging out together. They popped champagne, threw their caps and laughed through half the session. Greta is graduating with a Psychology degree and heading to grad school this fall, which made the night feel like a celebration for both of them.

And of course, Finn and Jake made a quick appearance, because every good session is improved by dogs.

Madi,

Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your graduation session! Congratulations and best of luck in all of your future endeavors!

Want gorgeous images like these? Contact me! Let’s book your session!