We drove down the highway and with each mile that drew us closer to the agreed upon location, I grew more and more queasy. I stared out the window pretending I was confident, but I wasn’t, and my sweet mom knew it. Instinctively she began to pray for me aloud. She asked Jesus to help me bless the senior through the photographs I was about to take of her. Little did I know this would forever change my perspective on how I wanted to approach my business.

We walked around the city, and with each step, each click of my shutter, I came more and more alive. I knew in those moments, that this was what I loved. This is what I worked for. And dreamed of.

Thankfully, I survived the session. In fact, I more than survived, I thrived. However, it wasn’t because I took flawless images, captured her personality perfectly, or got my exposure spot on that evening. Because we all know I didn’t. The reason I thrived was because I had fun.

So here’s to the mommas who know their daughters inside and out, who push us to go after what we want, who inspire us with their perspective, and make impressions on us that not only influence us in each particular moment, but for the rest of our lives.