Meet Sophia.

She is a senior this year over at Coyle Cassidy High School.  She's part of the National Honor Society and works at the Food Bank.  I know she had an endless list of after school activities, though I can't remember them all. 

She really, really wanted to shoot in the sunflowers.  Her mom found this amazing field of sunflowers that sits dead smack in the middle of Providence.  I mean, this is an island, surrounded by super busy streets on both sides, and you are just sandwiched in the middle in this sunflower goodness. 

Her face quite literally exuded joy when she stepped out of her car and got over to the sunflowers.  I don't blame her because I think it's physically impossible to be in a bad mood when you're surrounded by these tall flowers of sunshine. 

I initially wasn't crazy about the buildings in the background.  As I worked through her gallery though, I really loved the depth the added to the story! I'm not usually a big fan of Providence, but that morning I really got to know the city in a different light. 

We set our time for early on a Sunday morning, and I really think that was a blessing.  Being sandwiched in between two busy streets, and parking on street only, I'm not sure we would've had any luck finding parking at ANY other time of day.  So, note to all of you, if you're looking to shoot in this sunflower field, I am offering early mornings only.  Haha.  Think 8:00 am or earlier!  8:00 am actually was pushing it as we had the harsh sun rising and little shade to work in.  Which is why I was okay with some sunglasses coming in to the images! 

Sophia wants to pursue nursing after she graduates and was looking to apply to Salve Regina, Emmanuel College or Simmons College.  I know she applied to an was accepted to Salve Regina with a presidential scholarship offered, because she received that acceptance letter the day I delivered her prints!  I'm not sure if she applied to the other two that she was thinking of.  

There was a great pedestrian bridge right across the street from the sunflowers, so we played a little Frogger and dodged our way over there.  I just loved the more city feel these pictures offered, as I don't get many chances to shoot in such a populated city.  They had a farmer's market right down the street from the pedestrian bridge as well, that Mom perused while we were snapping pictures.  The city of Providence, while not my favorite, was certainly beautiful on this late August morning. 

Sophia was a joy.  Like most teenagers, I expected her to be a little tired and crabby having to get up and join me so early on a Sunday.  That was not the case at all, even though she said she can be crabby when she travels places.  But I'm not buying it.  Her personality so mirrors the bright, happy sunflowers.  It was really the perfect location for her session. 

Her smile lights up her entire face.  

I loved everything about this session, even though I'm not really a morning person.  I would get up early every day, though, if people wanted to shoot at this location with me.  I am thankful to Sophia and her mother, Tammi, for finding this location and bringing me to it.  I'd love to know if Sophia accepted the offer from Salve, or if she had some other amazing offer and where she's headed in the fall! 

And hopefully, I'll get a chance to work with her again in the future.