From First Birthdays to High Finance

It feels like just yesterday I was taking pictures of little Max at his very first birthday party!

I’ve known Max and his family for what feels like forever- his mom, Pam, was very generous back when I was first starting out in photography, letting me practice and snap pictures of her kids while I honed my skills. (Looking back at those first-birthday shots, I was really going through a phase: heavy textures, aggressive layers, oh my! But hey, we all start somewhere, right?)

Fast forward to today, and Max is getting ready to graduate high school! Seeing Max now, I was blown away by how much he had grown into such a handsome, confident young man.

 A few years ago, I photographed his older sister, Ella, who completely rocked her own senior session. Like his sister, Max is an absolute natural in front of the camera.

Oakwood High School & Modern Downtown Vibe

When Max mentioned in his Q&A that his goal is to attend college and head to New York for high finance in ten years, I knew we needed a backdrop that matched his drive.

We started out at Oakwood High School to capture some clean, timeless shots on campus. From there, we headed into downtown Dayton. I had scouted out modern, “Wall Street-esque” architecture to complement his business aspirations and landed on a sleek spot on Second Street near the Schuster Center.

Max totally crushed it as we played with the natural light, glass reflections, and urban geometry.

Resilience & Churchill’s Wisdom

Beyond his achievements in sports and academics, Max and his family carry a deep inner strength. His mom, Pam, bravely fought and beat cancer a few years ago, and just last year, Max was diagnosed diabetes.

They’ve been through the wringer and know true hardship, yet they face life with incredible grace and courage.

While planning our downtown stops, I made sure to include the Winston Churchillmural by artist Erica Arndsts featuring his famous words: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” It served as a powerful backdrop, a tribute to everything Max and his family have overcome and a nod to the resilience he brings into his next chapter.

Max’s strength isn’t just something I noticed during our shoot- it’s a huge part of how he defines himself. When I asked him to reflect on his high school journey and what lies ahead, his answers showed a young man who is grounded, focused, and wise beyond his years.

Here is Max’s story, in his own words:

One word to describe me is resilient.

It’s surprising how quickly life can change and you yourself along with it. 

I’ve learned that true growth comes from going through something you never wanted to go through.

In ten years I see myself in New York working in high finance. 

Looking Back & Looking Forward

Photographing Max brought back so many cherished memories. Back when Pam and Jeremy lived down in Centerville, our families used to spend every Fourth of July together. After enjoying the Americana Festival parade where we always had the best front-row seats, we’d head back to hang out in their backyard.

Watching our kids play and grow up together over the years has been one of life’s greatest joys.

Max, I am so proud of the young man you’ve become. You have such a bright, limitless future ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see you conquer Wall Street!

Planning a senior photo session in the Dayton or Cincinnati area?

Whether your senior wants urban architecture, nature, or a custom blend that tells their unique story, I’d love to help bring their vision to life.

[Contact me here to book your session.]