Dear Class of 2027,

Your school year has begun. We were just toes deep in sand taking pictures together, and now you’re back in school. Time is crazy. More on that later.

Not to be dramatic, but I have a little confession to make. You made me fall back in love with this work. It’s not that I didn’t like photography (let's not get crazy), but sometimes this job feels like taking pictures and other times it feels like hanging out on the beach with the very best people, having the most fun, and creating magic together.

We always bring our best, but this year you all gave us something in return.

Yourselves.

Every.single.one. of you was amazing. I’m not just saying that. The senior who showed up for her session car dancing, arms waving in the air. The senior guy who earnestly asked me how my summer was going. The mom who brought me a water bottle - like she filled it from home - then carried it around during the whole shoot. The one who started the session not wanting to smile, but ended it doing a back flip (which made him smile). The ones who didn't know they were beautiful until they saw the pictures, and the ones who did. The ones who brought lovies and special items to be photographed with. The ones we photographed through watery eyes because we saw mom tearing up, and felt her heart. The ones who wanted mom nearby, and those who wanted mom to give space. Those who we photographed into the darkness because we just didn’t want to stop. Those we traveled the distance for to capture in a special place, those who climbed rocks, stepped into fields of high grass, those who giggled politely at our jokes and who laughed heartily at their own. Those with parents who did the most behind our back to elicit the "real smile" and the seniors who tried to hold it together. Those who struggled to come up with their three words, and those who couldn't narrow it down to just three. You all were everything.

Maybe you didn’t feel amazing, maybe you felt awkward at first, or nervous, or like why is this chick asking me all about my life? – but that’s everyone, every year. What happened after the first 5 minutes was all you.

Class of 2027, you have an energy that is all your own! You’re fun, smart, personable, and confident enough to share your stories and dreams.

Oh, and about that time thing. A minute ago you were a freshman. Two blinks before that you were eating cake with your hands. (We have receipts for some of you). And now we’re here. Even with those we met for the first time this summer, we still felt it: an awareness that this moment is already becoming a memory to savor. Everyone remembers their senior photoshoot – ask your parents (it will probably involve a gymnasium, a rim light, and possibly a tree).

As you round the corner on your first few weeks in school, we just want to give you one last thing: assurance.

It's going to be great. Better than it is now, for sure. Whatever you decide to do, wherever you go from here, it'll be a small piece of your journey. It will build you; it will make you smarter, wiser, more resilient, more ready for whatever is after that. It may not be what you are expecting right now, but that's okay, that too will teach you lessons about how life works. Life cannot be over engineered. We need to stay supple and be willing to say yes to the adventures that come our way.

We already know you will.

We’ve seen you do backflips on mountains and climb into an unkempt field in flip flops. There’s nothing you can’t do! Go get it, Class of 2027. We'll be in the bleachers cheering you on!