When Michael reached out to me in March he told me his story over the phone, and I immediately thought, THIS is exactly why I love what I do!!

A young man growing up helping his family business, being told “no you won’t reach your dreams”, going after it himself and achieving it. 

Stories like this hype me up like y’all can imagine and motivate me immediately! Senior portraits are soo much more than just cap and gown photos.

They are a representation of everything and everyone that was with you on this journey!

Michael worked hard to get to where he is. He moved to Austin on his own, is now a homeowner in one of the fastest growing cities in America, got himself a Tesla, and wanted to look back for once and celebrate all of it!

So we did. 

We did a two-day shoot that started off on day one at the central public library off Cesar Chavez in downtown Austin. He brought two outfits, his cap and gown, and his golden retriever, Cooper. We wrapped up day 1 on top of a garage that overlooked all of downtown. Tall buildings everywhere, the sun setting behind him- it was perfect.

We parked his Tesla at an angle, he put his cowboy hat on, and the rest was pure magic. 

We were both in disbelief at how incredible the photos looked just off the back of my camera. 

Day two we met at his house where we did more of lifestyle images where I photographed him in his element trying to get a “a day in the life of Michael” vibe.

He loves boots. Like, real authentic LEGIT western boots. 

Being a boot girl myself, I was in heaven being amongst so many beautiful exotic Luccheses.

As we wrapped up the shoot there was one thing I had to involve in the photos to tie everything together.

Lemons. 

Michael put them in a bowl, and I snapped a few shots of him holding this bowl looking off into the sunset leaning against his car, in front of his home.

A tribute to where he came from, what he’s been through, and where he is now.

Perfection.

Thank you Michael for allowing me the opportunity to photograph such a beautiful story!