Caleb | Indianapolis, IN

The wind was relentless. Brutal. Standing outside the sky-scraping JW Marriott Indianapolis waiting for Caleb and family to arrive, I focused on mapping out my scouted locations for our White River State Park portrait session. I was also dreaming a pair of hand warmers would magically appear in my pockets. I am a planner by nature, so I wanted to have everything set so we could move quickly to avoid being out in the cold for too long. Mostly because I am definitely a huge wimp when I am cold! Watching the flow of downtown traffic move by as I built this map in my head, I heard a shout and a laugh and knew, without a doubt, Caleb and family had arrived. Mom Molly on his left and sister Grace on his right, they bustled across the street to meet me, laughing and teasing all the way.

There is so much to love about the Johnson family. Their sense of humor. Their vivacious laughter. Their self-deprecating jokes that leave me laughing so hard at times it’s impossible to hold my camera steady. Their abounding love for each other and those around them. From the instant I met mom Molly back in May to help surprise her hubby Jeremy for his 40^th birthday, they have made me feel like one of the family. Our session this time around was geared towards Caleb and his decision to pursue his young dream of acting.

Oh, the high school years. When the outside world with all of its adult responsibilities and questions starts to creep in quicker and quicker. After all, they are the years full of endless questions and pressure to make a decision on what you want to be for the rest of your life. What a scary process to go through when you’re still young and finding yourself! I know I was all over the place when deciding what to go to college for. From a marine biologist, to an accountant, to a pastry chef, I was a wide array of indecision. Caleb is enjoying the middle of his high school years and after several successful runs with his school’s theater program, has decided to buckle down and really get in the game for promoting himself as an actor. When I asked him what he wanted his journey in acting to look like, I was blown away by the absolute confidence and resolve he had to succeed at this dream he was so passionate about.

Caleb and Molly, there is no one I would enjoy spending a chilly Sunday afternoon than you guys. We might have been freezing and had a questionable run-in at a certain venue downtown, but your laughter and joy can make anything worthwhile. Caleb, best wishes as you begin this new, exciting journey. I hope your future is as bright and self-assured as you were during our session. Here’s a look at our day together!