If you didn't know, I've been a substitute teacher at ADM since February of 2022. I actually spent 12 weeks long-term subbing for one of the teachers I had in high school in 2024! Mackenzie was one of my students during this time, and we bonded over Taylor Swift, reading good books, and the trials of high school. When she reached out about a senior session, I was both so happy and so sad. It's always bittersweet when my students graduate!
We started her session in downtown Des Moines and wandered the streets for a bit. I LOVE downtown because I can get so many different scenes within just a few city blocks. (Plus, it only counts as one location for you!).
When we were done downtown, we headed to Gray's Lake Park for some fun on the beach and in the water. I also brought a stack of old books because I knew Mackenzie had a love for reading. I wasn't sure how we would incorporate them, but we ended up piling them up and using them as a stool. So cute!
