Sometimes the best moments happen when things don’t go as planned.

A few days ago, I had the chance to photograph my friend, Rachel, to celebrate her graduation. She’s worked incredibly hard for this, even missing many hangouts with me, but Im not bitter. It was such a joy to capture her excitement in a beautiful local Anchorage spot. While graduation sessions aren’t something I normally advertise, this one reminded me how meaningful these photos can be — and honestly, I wouldn’t mind doing a few more of them.

The Plan… and the Plot Twist

I packed up my gear, all of which I double checked the evening prior to ensure things were working, and that right there is your foreshadowing. Everything during the shoot was going smoothly — until about five clicks in, when my flash battery decided it had seen enough for the day. Cue the minor internal panic and external sailor's mouth. But here’s the thing about photography (and life): you roll with it. My background is in natural light photography, and Anchorage’s soft springtime glow came through for me in the best way. I quickly switched gears, adjusted my settings, and we made it work — beautifully, actually.

The Results: Light, Joyful, and Full of Personality

We ended up capturing some of my favorite portraits of of her, might have even taken a few extra images because that light was (as the youths say) giving. Bright, airy images that showed off Rachel’s joy and that post-grad glow. It was a reminder that sometimes simple is best — and that knowing how to adapt is just as important as the gear you carry.

Would I Do More of These?

Absolutely. While graduation photos aren’t a service I officially list on my website, this experience made me realize how much I enjoy them. So if you, your kiddo, or someone you know is celebrating a big milestone soon, feel free to reach out. I’m always up for documenting those moments that matter. Check out a few of the images from Rachel’s session below, and if you’re thinking about a session like this, let’s chat!