Let's rewind the clock back to earlier this year in February when I had the chance to spend a morning with Janaya, a class of 2016 high school senior from South St. Paul Secondary!
Just recently I was able to meet with Janaya and her mom to do their official "photo reveal" in person. I didn't want the blog to spoil any fun before they got to see her session images for the first time! 

"Naya," as she likes to be called, was one of the varsity goalies for the South St. Paul Girl's Varsity Hockey team for the 2015-2016 season, and contacted me back in October to see if we could do a winter shoot. (Surely anything winter-related is not hard to do in the state of cold Minnesota!) And so on a somewhat chilly yet sunny morning in February, we were able to meet up and do her senior session at a favorite park of hers in Faribault, along with her sister Jordan. (Jordan you are a hoot and I am forever grateful that you came along, you are so much fun!)

I went to high school and ran track with Naya's mom [years ago.] Holy smokes - one glimpse of Naya and I instantly saw the resemblance of her mom! I couldn't believe it! Small and petite, yet athletically built just like her mom. It was pretty amazing to see the similarities that I remembered of her mom so many years ago. Beautiful! 

I have been so impressed with the number of high school seniors that I have photographed who know what they want to become when they grow up! Naya does not dissapoint in this category! She is very career-focused and wants to travel the world while she can. I later learned from her mom that a big reason Naya wants to take the opportunity to travel so badly is because she wants to visit an existing retirement community establishment overseas and be able to build a similar concept back home herself someday. Her drive is really remarkable for someone her age. That attitude of "whatever it takes" to achieve her dreams-is a breath of fresh air for generations to come! She is already working as a Residential Aide at a local retirement community in Northfield. 

Naya, to photograph your story and the important places and things that mean the most to you, was definitely an honor. You have spunk, you have determination, you have the focus to reach anything you set your mind to do! Thank you for choosing me to do your senior portraits. Best wishes to you in all you do! -Monda the Photographer

Attention Class of 2017: If you have a remarkable story that you want to be told for your senior year, please contact me! I'd love to create a unique senior session experience for you! Contact me here for more information!