I’ve been photographing Nora and her family since she was a little girl. I’ve watched her lose teeth, grow almost as tall as me, and turn into the kind of kid who walks into a room and makes it more interesting just by being in it. So when her mom booked her in for a sunset grad session to celebrate finishing grade 7, I knew exactly what kind of evening we were in for: sparkly, silly, and just a little bit magic.

Nora showed up in a dress that stopped me in my tracks. It was soft lavender, covered in textured flowers and butterflies in the gentlest pastel shades – the kind of dress that looks like it was made for a whimsical gal like Nora. She paired it with pale pink high-top Converse with red heart laces, and that combination pretty much tells you everything you needed to know about Nora!

Because that’s the thing about Nora – she’s got layers. She’s the girl who will crack you up with a totally ridiculous joke one minute, and then turn around and deliver a heartfelt performance the next. I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow up not just through my camera but on stage, too – she’s a regular performer with Delta Youth Theatre, and every season I see a little more confidence, a little more range, a little more her coming through in the roles she takes on.

That same range showed up in front of the camera this session. We got the big, sparkly, laughing-with-her-whole-body shots. We got the quiet, thoughtful ones too – the moments where she wasn’t performing for anyone, just standing in that gorgeous light in her whimsical dress, just being herself. Those are always my favourite frames to hand back to a family. Not the ones where a kid looks “perfect,” but the ones where you can actually see who they are.

Grade 7 grad is a funny little milestone. It’s not quite the big one everyone circles on the calendar, but it’s 100% real. It’s the end of elementary school, the last summer before everything shifts into a new gear. It felt right to mark it with a session that let Nora be exactly who she is right now, dress and Converse and all, before she trades the elementary playground for something new.

If you’ve got a grad in your life this year – grade 7, grade 12, or anywhere in between – sunset sessions are still open for the rest of the summer. Pull out that dress you’ve been dying for one more excuse to wear, and let’s catch that golden light before it’s gone. Spots are filling up fast, so if this is on your summer list, now’s the time to grab one.

Eran Sudds is a Tsawwassen photographer who specializes in fun & natural sessions for you and your entire family. She is available for maternity, newborn, family portraits and headshots at locations in South Delta, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland. Contact her to book your session!