Isn't she stunning? This is my daughter, Hannah, who is a student at Florida State University. Just close enough to feel like it's not too far, but just far enough to feel likes it's not close enough. Know what I mean? After being a high school pandemic graduate, and doing her first year at FSU online, she's now enjoying Tallahassee life and mom is missing her. We spent so much time together during those last strange couple of years. For quite a while now, she's been my travel buddy when I travel for weddings. She and I even drove from Florida to Maine, Vermont, and back together last year. Next month will be my first New England wedding trip that she won't be able to come along for, so I'm trying to convince myself that ten days on my own will be luxurious rather than lonely!


Back to the day of this shoot. This was February in Florida. So, that's like June in New England - absolutely gorgeous weather. We only get about 3-4 months of really nice weather a year, and February is the most consistently wonderful. The low humidity is what really does it for me. This was one of those perfect Florida February days, and I had the only weekend off from weddings that I would have for quite some time, so I this was my opportunity to go have a girls weekend at Hannah's apartment up in Tallahassee, which is about 5 hours from me in SWFL. We got Indian Takeout, watched Survivor and Don't F@*k with Cats, and went to the Tally Cat Cafe. I brought my newest dress frommy Client Closet with me - that's my collection of wardrobe items that I have available for portrait sessions. I was so excited about this dress from Joyfolie, and it looked perfect on Hannah. She suggested we go out to the Maclay Gardens State Park, which turned out to be an incredible botanical garden that was just breathtaking! I know it wouldn't have seemed so magical if it had been the more typical 92 degrees and 85% humidity with a chance of being eaten alive by mosquitoes. But in February, it was heavenly. The results of what ensued can be seen below (well, the small fraction of the results I had time to edit during busy season)!


If you're in or near Tallahassee, and are interested in a portrait session, please reach out via my Contact Form. And of course, the same goes for those in Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg areas. New England session availability is limited, but I love to schedule them for the times I am in the area for weddings.

high school senior and FSU college student touching a flowering tree at Alfred  Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
Portrait of high school senior girl FSU college student sitting on bench at Alfred  Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
high school senior girl FSU college student modeling long off the shoulder dress at Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
high school senior girl FSU college student reaching for flower at Alfred Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
high school senior girl FSU college student twirling in garden in dress at Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
high school senior girl FSU college student framed by camellia flowers at Alfred Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
high school senior girl FSU college student framed by pink flowers at Alfred Maclay State Park in Tallahassee, FL
Senior photo of college girl in flowing floral dress on stone bench in whimsical garden