Graycee | Asylum Lake Senior Session
Graycee’s senior session at Asylum Lake Preserve was one of those sessions that had me emotional the entire time.
I seriously still remember her as this little kid when I was a freshman in high school, so wrapping my head around the fact that she’s graduating soon honestly feels crazy. Time goes way too fast. One second you’re watching your younger cousin grow up and the next you’re taking their senior photos while talking about graduation, open houses, prom, senior night, and what life is going to look like after high school.
As her older cousin, getting to watch her grow into the person she is today has been really special, and I honestly could not be more proud of her.
Asylum Lake was seriously the perfect spot for her session too. Between the lake, the wooded trails, and the open fields, everything just fit her so naturally. The whole evening felt peaceful and calm while also carrying all of those bittersweet “senior year is almost over” emotions.
One thing I’ve always loved about Graycee is how genuinely herself she is. She has always loved reading, and I think books have shaped so much of who she’s become. She’s thoughtful, creative, calm, caring, and has this quiet confidence about her that makes people feel comfortable around her. She’s the kind of person who can get completely lost in a story for hours, and honestly I love that she still finds joy in slowing down and doing things she genuinely loves.
I feel like reading has given her such a creative and thoughtful outlook on life too. She notices little things. She cares deeply about people. She’s imaginative, kind, and has such a comforting presence about her. There have been many times that I know she ALWAYS has 2 books hidden in her purse wherever we go! During her session, there were so many moments that just felt so *her* sitting by the lake with a book in hand, walking through the wooded paths, laughing in between photos, soaking in the warm evening light in the open fields. Nothing felt forced. Everything just felt natural.
Choir has also been such a huge part of her high school years. So much of her time, friendships, memories, and experiences have come from being involved in it, and you can tell how much it’s helped shape her into the person she is now. Between choir, time with friends, late night conversations, school events, and all the little moments in between, she’s built such a meaningful high school experience.
And now suddenly all of the big senior moments are here.
Prom already happened.
Open houses are starting.
Senior night is coming up.
Graduation is getting so close.
And somehow her last day of high school is right around the corner too.
Honestly, that part feels the weirdest to say out loud.
Senior year is so exciting, but it’s emotional too because there are so many “lasts” happening all at once. The last choir concert. The last school events. The last normal school day. The last time walking through hallways that have been part of your life for years. It’s such a huge life transition.
At the same time though, there’s so much ahead for her, and I’m genuinely so excited for everything that’s coming next. She has such a good heart, such strong passions, and such an amazing way of caring for the people around her. I know wherever life takes her, she’s going to do incredible things.
Walking around Asylum Lake during this session, I just kept thinking about how lucky I am to have watched her grow up and how proud I am to be her older cousin.
Getting to capture this season of life for her was such an honor, and I know this next chapter is going to look so good on her.
