Lexi's Senior moment
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Ethereal outdoor portrait session featuring white summer dress against lush green garden background casting soft natural light.

Celebrating the moments that remind us we are moving forward

A figure in a flowing peach-colored dress stands gracefully on lush green grass with trees in the background.
A woman in a flowing pink dress sits gracefully by a tranquil lake during golden hour.
Person in a white eyelet lace dress poses outdoors against a wooden trellis backdrop in natural lighting.

How one senior session reminded me that progress is built one step at a time


I remember sitting in the airport coming back from a basketball trip in Vegas, scrolling TikTok, and stumbling on a video that stopped me. The person said, “You have to put yourself out there and sell your business. Sell yourself.”

I looked up from my phone and saw Lexi and her mom sitting nearby. We already knew each other through the basketball program. I was a coach in the program and the social media director of the organization, and she was the player. At that moment, I thought, why not? Why not take a chance and ask if they might be interested in me taking Lexi’s senior photos?

I knew it was a long shot. They lived two hours away and probably had plenty of photographers closer to home. But I decided to go for it. On the plane ride home, I sat next to Robin, Lexi’s mom, and we started talking. By the time we landed, she was convinced. She wanted to book the shoot.

At first, I was skeptical that it would actually happen. But a few days later, we began the booking process, and it became official. My first senior session for the Class of 2026 was on the calendar.

Fast forward to August 2nd. Our original date had been rained out, so we rescheduled it for a week later. (Check out my blog on when the perfect shoot goes wrong.) The new day could not have been better. Lexi looked incredible. The location was perfect. The poses flowed naturally. And the photos turned out beautifully.

So beautifully, in fact, that her family texted and called me to say how pleased they were. They told me it was almost impossible to choose their final images because they loved so many of them. They even ordered prints from my online store, and Lexi decided to join my Senior C.R.E.W. Team.

For me, this was a small win, but it felt like a big one.


Why the Small Wins Matter

In photography, it is easy to focus only on the big numbers. How many clients are booked this month? How many likes did that post get? How many people shared that reel?

But the truth is, growth rarely comes all at once. It comes in small, steady steps.

One conversation. One booking. One “yes.”

Have you ever overlooked a small win in your own life because you were too focused on waiting for the big one? Maybe you reached a goal but told yourself it was not enough. Maybe someone complimented your work and you brushed it aside because it did not feel big enough to celebrate.

Those small wins matter. They create momentum. They keep you moving forward. They remind you that the work you are putting in is leading somewhere.


My Journey with Small Wins

I will be honest. Inquiries have not flooded in. There are quiet weeks where the phone does not buzz with bookings and social media posts feel like they go unnoticed. Those moments are tough.

But then there are the moments like Lexi’s shoot. Or the times when a complete stranger books because they saw one of my photos. Or when a family decides to order prints because they want my work displayed in their home.

Those are the moments I hold onto. They remind me that progress is happening. They remind me that I am growing. They remind me that small wins are just as valuable as the big ones I am still working toward.

And in the meantime, I am learning. I am improving at posing, lighting, editing, and running a business that feels authentic. Every shoot makes me better. Every client teaches me something new.


Celebrate Along the Way

So here is my reminder to you, and to myself: celebrate the small wins. Take joy in the “yes” you received today, even if it was only one. Be proud of your progress, even if it feels quiet.

Because small wins are not small at all. They are the stepping stones to the bigger victories waiting ahead.

What small win can you celebrate today?

— Cass




Woman in a flowing pink sleeveless dress with handkerchief hem poses outdoors at sunset in garden setting.
Brick walkway leads to a grand colonial style brick building with white columns and landscaped grounds.
Person in a peach-colored dress sits gracefully on curved concrete wall in a lush garden setting.
A person in a white eyelet lace dress poses gracefully on outdoor stone steps surrounded by green landscaping.
A person in an elegant white eyelet summer dress poses outdoors against a natural backdrop with rocks and greenery.