Lauren: Class of 2020

Meet Lauren!

She is the bomb.com. I had such a blast getting to chat with her for an evening. Loring Park was the perfect location: we got flowers, grasses (scroll to see our make-shift prairie), and we even wandered around the sculpture garden. AND we got the best of both worlds: part of her shoot was overcast (hello rich tones) and part of her shoot was bright and sunny. The radar had said storms, so we definitely lucked out. Sometimes Minnesota’s temperamental weather has its perks :)

Anyway, let me tell you about Lauren. She is:

• Delightful + down-to-earth

• Bright

• Independent

• Humble

• Self-assured

• Passionate about biology and zoology — sooo cool!!!

• BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Also, we bonded over our mutual love for “dad” music — queue alllll the U2 and Pink Floyd :) That’s a first for me at a senior session.

Lauren, I hope you have an amazing rest of your senior year. You are a brilliant, incredible human and I know that God has amazing plans prepared for you. Keep dreaming big and believing in yourself.

Kendall: Class of 2020

Kendall!

You are just darling. Driven, empathetic, others-centered, and just overall… a sparkling human! I loved our time together! Wanna be a senior again next year so I can photograph you another time?! Please and thanks :-)

I remember when we scheduled your senior pictures way back in late spring/early summer, we expected your October shoot to be full of autumn colors and crisp air… and instead we got a sunny, summery day! It’s funny how, in photo shoots and life too, often our plans don’t work out at all how we would expect… but so often, it ends up better than we could’ve imagined. But no complaints that we didn’t get your classic ‘autumnal afternoon’ for your shoot, because the bright sun was the perfect complement to your beautiful + happy + delightful soul.

Thank you for being willing to take photos in some random places… like the side of Vicksburg. (Haha that was SO worth the confused stares of passersby because we got those orange trees in the background!!! Boom!) Oh and, remember when we got caught up in wind that honestly could’ve just about swept us away? Happy to say that you, your hair, and your dress survived… lol. Only you could make crazy wind like that look so good!!

I am so excited to see what you choose to do after graduation. You are talented, intelligent, and ambitious, and honestly just an all-around star. I can tell you are wholehearted about your involvements and endeavors — friendships, volunteering, academics, the list goes on. I can’t wait to see where your passion and big heart take you. So many people and places are going to be blessed to be touched by you and your legacy!

Happy senior year + beyond! Hoping for you, praying for you, cheering for you, believing in you!

Sophie: Class of 2020

Meet Sophie, a class of 2020 senior!

It was such a privilege capturing this lovely lady’s livelihood. (& beyond easy.) She is just as spunky, energetic, joyful, and fun as her amazing hair.

She is:

• Empathetic

• An ebullient being

• An avid reader

• An adventurer and globe traveler

• A kickboxer (okay how cool?!)

• A writer

• Politically savvy

• The definition of classy

• A brown-eyed BEAUTY!

What a joy it was to spend the morning with you, Sophie! I felt like I got to connect with you on so many different levels — both Spanish speakers, involved in student senate, we’ve both traveled to Spain, we both love Jesus, and talking to strangers fires us up.

Your confidence blew me away. From telling me about the amazing contributions you’ve made toward rectifying the insulin crisis in MN, to sharing the gospel through creativity and theater in other countries, to bravely taking on leadership positions… umm, can I take lessons from you on how to be a well-rounded boss?! I can’t wait to see where your potential takes you, and how the Lord uses you.

Thank you again for choosing me to take your senior pictures, Sophie! You are so so cool and such an inspiring, genuine human. Oh, and P.S., the yellow outfit is my favorite and it’s so YOU!

Also, thank you for the Aster Cafe chai, you are so sweetheart and so generous!

Maddie S: Class of 2020

Meet Maddie!

She is:

• quirky

• intelligent, brilliant

• a creative powerhouse of a human

• likely to be found working on theater activities or in Duluth

• a talented singer

• courageous and brave

• and vibrantly, honestly, and inspiringly herself!

We ventured around the some quaint streets of the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Northeast Minneapolis for her shoot, discovering the perfect locations. I am still obsessing over her first outfit, which was the perfect blend of deep shades of green/teal. It complemented the green organic backgrounds so well! And her other outfits too — just perfect!! We totally geeked out when we found a gorgeous purple tree. The majestic dark purple plus her deep blue shirt?! I’m not over it!! Scroll down and see for yourself! Oh and… AUTUMN COLORS. *insert heart eyes emoji!*

At one point, we stumbled upon a field with wildflowers. Talk about some luck! We hit the jackpot! Every aspect of Maddie’s shoot was idyllic.

In between shots we got to talk about allll things podcasts, Florence and the Machine, candles, creativity, and life during her shoot. And it was SO fun! I am so inspired by Maddie’s interest in technical theater. If you need to make a prop out of miscellaneous household items, Maddie’s genius skills can create just about anything.

Oh, and this sweetheart bought me Spyhouse after…. :’) Thank you for your generosity, kind soul!

Maddie, I cannot wait to see you continue to blossom into the brilliant person you are created to be. You have a beautiful future ahead of you!

Nick: Class of 2020

Meet Nick!

He is one dashing & DEDICATED senior.

He not only agreed to take his photos on Labor Day, but agreed to an 8:00am morning session. You might be thinking, “8:00am on a holiday?! That’s crazy!” It is a bit crazy, I’ll admit. But the upside is, you get the Stone Arch and Saint Anthony Main area almost completely to yourself! I mean, check out the photo to the right! Of my four summers of shooting senior portraits, that is the one singular time that has ever happened. Nick, we made Meghan Swanson LLC history that day. Go us!

Nick, you are AWESOME. Aside from being dedicated to the senior picture game, you exhibit a whole host of admirable traits. You seem wise and mature beyond your years. Had I not met you in the context of senior portraits, I would’ve thought you were a recent college grad like me! You have a good head on your shoulders, and a solid sense of direction about what your future interests are. (Much more than I did when I was a senior!) Whatever you choose to do, do it with your whole heart. I wish you the very best with baseball, classes, and college decisions!

I am praying that the Lord will open doors for you and lead you toward a fulfilling and exciting future! He is certainly going to use your character and talent to touch the lives of many.

Happy senior year, Nick! Thanks again for letting me take your senior photos!

Audrey: Class of 2020

Audrey!

So nice to meet you. You are really sweet and I really appreciate your easy-going attitude and sense of humor. You are a one-of-a-kind human and friend. From the soccer field to science class… you have skill and purpose!

You also win the award for the cleanest white shoes. I have brand new white shoes coming in the mail tomorrow, and I’m hoping I can keep them as perfect as your Air Forces.

You are so beautiful, Audrey! You have a warm, inviting smile and the most lush, long, iconic hair. Oh, and deep, gorgeous eyes! A true icon!!

Stay golden, QUEEN!! I hope your senior year is memorable and amazing!

Logan: Class of 2020

Logan!!

It was great to meet you. You are a kind, very smart, and sweet soul. I’m glad we got to bond over our mutual love for plant-based foods! I hope you get to try mango banana ice cream sometime, because that rocked my world during my plant-based days. Pro tip: sprinkle it with desiccated coconut and (dairy free) chocolate chips if you are going all out! Anyway, I applaud you for eating plant-based. It’s such a great move, for your current and future health, for animals, and for the environment. I’m inspired by you to incorporate more plant-based foods into my diet, so thank you for that :)

I really appreciated the clothing you chose for your pictures!! Especially the green bear shirt paired with the green striped button up shirt. As a photographer, there aren’t many things I appreciate more than when people make their senior pictures ‘their own.’ Also, I’m gonna ‘photographer geek out’ for a second… the green totally pulled out the green in your eyes which is so cool! 

I hope you have an amazing last year of high school. I believe you are going to do great things with your intelligence. I’m still amazed by your interests in physics, math, and chemistry. Like, hello, future STEM rockstar! Dream big. Much better things lie ahead than anything you could ever leave behind!!

Jordyn: Class of 2020

JORDYN!

Oh my goodness, no one can make a drury, overcast 6:45am shoot look as vibrant and beautiful as you! Although the clouds crashed our ‘golden sunrise’ shoot, this ended up being one of my favorite session of the summer and I wouldn’t change a thing. Jordyn, you are outta-this-world insanely beautiful and I could go on for hours about how much I love your amazing red hair! Your hair, combined with your ice blue eyes, create a killer photogenic combo. You are a STUNNER! But what makes you the most beautiful is your heart and what’s on the inside. (Yup, I know that probably sounds corny, but anyone who spends even a small amount of time with you will experience how refreshingly confident and kind you are!)

I wouldn’t have wanted to break in PSL season at Starbucks after the shoot with anyone else :) All in all, I loved meeting you and taking your picture. Hanging out for the morning totally filled up my cup. You inspire me so much, with the resilience you’ve shown despite difficulty and bumps in the road. Your positive attitude shines like a bright light and I know for a fact, it impacts more lives than just your own. Keep shining!

Also, your career aspirations are AMAZING. Keep working toward your goals and doors will open up for you. God is so gonna use your talents, your compassion, and your heart for others in BIG ways. Please post lots of updates on your instagram so I can live vicariously through your posts and be your proud senior photog :-)

Enjoy senior year, Jordyn! You’re the best!

Zack: Class of 2020

Meet Zack!

Zack is:

• able to make anyone laugh and brighten any room he is in

• kind-hearted

• a talented hockey player

• determined and goal-oriented

Thank you so much for letting me take your senior photos. You were a blast and a half to work with and photograph. I’m not kidding, I’ve never laughed more at a senior shoot than I did at yours! You are so hilarious and a joy to be around! So glad we could re-create a few memes during your shoot…. “Road Work Ahead? I sure hope it does!” And, I’m thinking Starbucks should probably sponsor us, haha.

I loved chatting about all things hockey with you. I feel pretty cool now that I get to say I’ve met someone who was featured in the infamous MN State Hockey Hair video! Also, I’m almost certain I’m not using this term correctly, but… go… boomtown…??? I tried. In all seriousness, I wish you ALL the best with senior year and your upcoming hockey season! You are incredibly dedicated to the sport and I know your hard work will bring you very far! I am certain you have a very bright future ahead of you!

Also, thank you Kayla for coming along! It was so much fun for me to photograph twins. You two are so much fun and so sweet.

“Road Work Ahead? I sure hope it does!”

Hey Starbucks #sponsor us plz

Valentina: Class of 2020

Meet Valentina!

Independent, adventurer, world traveler, Rihanna fan! Confident, bold, quirky, resilient. You are an incredible person and I’m happy to have met you.

You have such a timeless, classic sense of beauty. And the most angelic complexion ever!! Thank you for letting me take your senior pictures. I had such a fun time with you! You have a great laugh and I appreciated your light-hearted approach to senior pictures :) My senior portrait sessions are never serious (I don’t think I could make them serious if I tried, that’s just not in my personality, haha). Thank you for going with my humor and being willing to try some new poses!! As we saw, sometimes my camera can make even the most unassuming, non-photogenic locations look really good!! Remember how we were pleasantly surprised with the grassy location by the steps and then later with the green wall?! The green wall + green dress photos are definitely some of my favorites from your session! I love how they complement your beautiful amber eyes and your hair color!

I admire you for your adventurous spirit and your desire to get out there and see the world. The fact that you took a semester abroad in high school?! So brave. And it’s even cooler that you are taking a gap year to travel after you graduate high school! Sometimes I wish I would have done something like that! In doing so, you will garner experiences and memories that will set the foundation for the rest of your life. Please post all your adventures on Instagram so I can follow along vicariously :)

Have an amazing senior year!!

Maddie: Class of 2020

Meet the beautiful Maddie!

I met her parents two Septembers ago at the U2 concert, and now I am so lucky to have photographed their lovely daughter! There’s nothing better than having a breathtakingly beautiful Minnesota morning, coupled with a photo shoot with a breathtakingly beautiful senior!

Maddie is the whole package, really. Creative, smart, athletic, observant, compassionate. She’s the most down-to-earth, genuine girl. It’s no surprise to me that she has been chosen as captain of the dive team for TWO years in a row! That speaks volumes to her athleticism, character, and leadership skills. When she’s not in the pool, Maddie has a knack for biology and aspires to be an international marine biologist. How intriguing is that?! Maddie, I’ll be mostly happy for you and only a little bit jealous when you are living it up in a warm state for college, and us Minnesotans are freezing, haha.

With Maddie’s love for all things water/ocean/lake, we started off her shoot at Lake Harriet. The bright morning sun matched Maddie’s shining personality so well. Her lemon dress was also the CUTEST thing and it’s taking some serious will power on my behalf to not go order the same dress for myself. Then we went to one of my personal favorite locations, the Lyndale Rose Gardens, because there’s no better spot for elegant, colorful photos. Plus, the gardening grounds crew had just come to tend to the gardens and deadhead the rose bushes, so there were clipped roses all along the pathway. It was almost like they were elegantly set up just for Maddie! The cherry on top for this wonderful and fun shoot was getting to take home rose bouquets :)

Thank you so much for letting me take your photos, Maddie! You are truly a stunner, a wonder, and a world changer. I hope senior year is your absolute best year yet!

Lauren: Class of 2020

Meet Lauren!

She is independent, artistic, musical (a flutist and a harpist!), a writer + mathematician, a selfless + generous volunteer, heckin’ stylish, multi-faceted, feminist, a yogi + boxer, a leader + courageous initiator, passionate, and an extremely dedicated + hard worker. Talk about a well-rounded, unique lady boss!

I mentioned she is stylish. I’m also gonna add ‘shoe queen’ to that. I am still not over the amazing bright magenta heals and suede pink boots she wore. I mean, check ‘em out. I was seriously obsessed!!

For her location, Lauren had two simple requests: floral and secluded. A harp isn’t exactly the most subtle photo prop, so in our best interest, we thought a rather private location would be best! I recommended a location for Lauren that I’ve been to many times, and that almost always been completely uninhabited by other visitors. (The Perennial + Border Gardens in Lyndale Park!) I got to Lauren’s shoot a little early, and to my surprise, found several people holding what looked like tourist guide signs. Turns out, the Minneapolis Garden Club was touring the gardens at the same time of Lauren’s shoot. Like what are the odds?! Nonetheless, Lauren and her intricately beautiful harp did great despite there being some passersby :) Even when things don’t go entirely as planned, it always ends up working out. Every single time.

Go take your future by storm, Lauren! I can’t wait to see all you do with your passion and strong work ethic. The sky is your limit!

Cam: Class of 2020

Meet Cam.

THIS GUY. Meet one of the coolest, most adventurous, boldest seniors I’ve ever met. He is:

• the definition of easy-going,

• huge lake guy,

• wake surfing extraordinaire,

• car fanatic,

• self-assured,

• so friendly!

It was a pleasure to meet you and work with you! You totally knocked the whole senior pics thing outta the ball park. My goodness. Multiple times throughout the shoot I forgot we were taking senior photos and not editorial/fashion photos. On that topic, your style game is STRONG… holy moly. I had a photographer’s hay day matching your clothing to the locations during the second half of your shoot. That blue and that red wall? Matched with your blue jacket + eyes? I mean come on!!

Your life is marked by an exciting amount of passion, adventure, and spontaneity. I commend you for ‘going against the grain’ and taking a gap year! Coming out of high school in which the only option really presented is to hurry off to college, a gap year is a brave choice. You are going to do great, and you’ll have stories and adventures under your belt that will shape the rest of your life and give you priceless memories and stories to tell. Like we talked about multiple times throughout your shoot, it always works out!

Have the best time senior year and in Costa Rica. I can’t wait to follow along your exciting adventures on insta!

Clare: Class of 2020

Meet Clare! She is:

• Vibrant

• Adventurous

• Quirky

• Encouraging

• Joyful

• A D1 soccer commit at an ivy league !!!

• Totally humble

• Thoughtful

• Intelligent

• Innovative

• Kind

• & obsessed with sunsets :-)

Was it ever amazing to photograph such a great senior! We spent a very gorgeous Minnesota summer evening exploring the hidden spots of Saint Anthony Main, getting all of our daily steps in, chatting, and taking pictures. Plus, I got to show her the best chai tea ever at Aster Cafe. If you’ve been following my blog posts chronicling my senior sessions, you’ve probably gathered that closing out my Saint Anthony Main photo shoots with some chai at Aster is a key part of the Meghan Swanson Photography experience :)

But anyway… back to CLARE! She sees the beauty in those around her, in her environment, and in opportunities. I’m also not sure I’ve ever met someone who thrives so much outside her comfort zone. From getting to know her briefly I can see that she’s bravely and courageously given her “yes” to exciting opportunities, and it’s led to so much self-growth. I can’t wait to see where your courage, eagerness to learn and grow, and hunger for adventure carry you!

Best of luck with all your endeavors. You are going to go crazy far and I know it!

Kayla: Class of 2020

Kayla!

It was just so lovely to meet you. Thank you for waking up at the crack of dawn to take your photos! I was driving toward Minneapolis at 5:45am and it started raining on my drive there. I remember thinking…. great!! But I saw the smallest patch of blue sky and I held onto hope… and I’m so glad I did.

I admire so much how you have a goal of going into pediatric oncology! Kindness, intelligence, others-centeredness, empathy… that’s what I see in you. (+ so much more.) It’ll be exciting to see you chase after your goals and shape the communities you enter.

You are also such a strong and resilient human, and an amazing listener and friend. And you have such a gorgeous, photogenic smile. Also, your HAIR. I am obsessed. It is so pretty!

Thank you so much for letting me take your senior pictures! I loved meeting you. You made a cloudy, misty VERY early morning in Minneapolis bright and fun :)

Enjoy your senior year and keep spreading your positivity everywhere you go. Your smile lights up the room!

Georgia: Class of 2020

Meet Georgia!

She is truly one of the sweetest, hard-working, kindest, most patient humans ever. She is not only a great student, but a very talented musician and flutist! I loved learning about the adventures she’s had in high school with her flute thus far, from band trips to being selected to play at prestigious conferences. Not to mention, Georgia is a future STEM superstar with a natural knack for mathematics, biology, and chemistry. So. Cool!! I can’t wait to see which doors your many talents and strengths unlock for you in the future!

The weather was looking great until one outfit change into her session when we started seeing some ominously dark clouds rolling in. The forecast hadn’t indicated storms or even rain for most of the day….. queue the photographer eye roll. To my disdain it started raining, but Georgia didn’t even bat an eye! She was totally easygoing about the unfortunate weather. Matter of fact, it meant more time to talk as we took refuge from the rain in my car, so it ended up a good thing :) The rain eventually left, and we finished her session just like normal! In fact, I loved that it was overcast. With the cloudy lighting conditions, we got beautiful, timeless deep shades of green which complement her and her outfit choices so well. It’s crazy how things work out the way they do!

Georgia, thank you for choosing me as your senior photographer! It was a pleasure. You are the absolute sweetest and I can tell you have the biggest heart (and brain, let’s be real, you are so gifted!). You are going to go so, so far. I can’t wait to see you continue to touch hearts, make lasting impressions everywhere you go, & change the world someday!

Ohnica: Class of 2020

Ohnica!

You are a sunshiney ANGEL! You are pure joy and excitement! It was the BEST to meet you and photograph you. I would say your senior shoot could be summed up as two hours of heart-to-hearts with a side of photography, lol. You have a heart of pure gold and it was a blessing to me to get to know you! I left your shoot feeling re-inspired about life in a new way. Thank you for that!

I admire you so much, for how you are driven by your faith, for your ability to take initiative, for how you exude joy and authenticity, and how you walk to the beat of your own drum. You’ve faced every bump in the road with grace and resilience, and you have the ability to find the silver lining very clearly.

You are a total day brightener just by being you! I can’t wait to see you carry your infectious smile and light everywhere you go!

Also, I am VERY honored to have been there for your very first chai tea experience! Finishing up your senior shoot with chai on the patio of Aster Cafe?! It truly does not get better than that!

You are exquisitely beautiful, Ohnica! I am so thankful God brought us together. Thank you for a fun evening of laughter, life talks, and joy. You are a delight! I cannot wait to see the amazing plans the Lord has for your life. It’s gonna be GOOD - keep dreaming BIG.

P.S. Jeremiah 29:11. :)

Ivey: Class of 2020

Meet Ivey!

THIS GIRL. Let me tell you. She is a STUNNER.

She is:

Edgy,

Confident,

Athletic,

Funny,

& has probably the best style in all of Minneapolis. I looove the black outfits she chose. So sleek! It was a true honor to photograph such an amazing up-and-coming senior!

You’ll never believe the adventure that her shoot took us on! After we finished the field portion of her photos, we made our way to Minneapolis. Long story short, all was going well until my car decided to die in the middle of downtown. Superb timing! But honestly, it worked out and I wouldn’t change at thing. While Ivey and I were waiting for my car to get towed away, we went exploring nearby since we had an hour till the towing people arrived. We found a parking ramp that was perfect for photos! With the overcast lighting, we achieved tones that I dream of as a photographer. We wouldn’t have found that parking ramp without my car dying… needless to say, things have a funny way of working out!

Aside from that major hiccup, it also started misting during the shoot, we had a strange Uber driver, and we lost — and then found — one of Ivey’s tank tops on the sidewalk.

What. A. Time!

Despite the unexpected, Ivey’s shoot continued on like normal and we took hands-down some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken! Ivey, thank you so much for your amazing attitude and ability to go with the flow!!

From start to finish, it was a pleasure to work with you! I loved chatting with you and getting to know you.

You exude confidence and beauty, from the inside out. Have an incredible senior year and soccer season!

Calvin: Class of 2020

Meet Calvin!!

A dashing, hilarious, destined-for-greatness, Class of 2020 up-and-coming senior! I’m also lucky enough to call him my cousin!

I got to take another cousin’s senior pictures and let me tell you, it was so much fun! His shoot basically was an hour and a half of laughing and joking around. We definitely re-created some memes too. If you can recognize which photos in this post are our recreation of a meme, congratulations… you are probably a millennial, or just very well-versed in pop culture ;-)

Cal, you are well-spoken, hilarious without even trying, smart, wise beyond your years, and honestly, 17 going on 27. You mean business but you have an amazing sense of humor which makes you not only a blast to spend time with, but also so interesting to talk to. I love how you thought ahead to take your LinkedIn headshot at your senior picture session. With that, you are officially hirable and prepared to secure that bag. I’m trying to envision what I could see you doing in the future, and I can’t think of one specific thing. You could be a politician, a kick-ass business guy, or really anything you want! You’ve got the brains and you definitely have the people skills. The world is your oyster, Cal. I’m so excited for you to take on college and make life your own!

I also have to say, you automatically got promoted to being my favorite cousin after we bonded about Parks and Rec being better than The Office. Sorry to anyone who disagrees…. Parks and Rec will always be better. I don’t make the rules, it’s just the way it is. Also, glad we could agree about the fact that Tik Tok will simply never take Vine’s place. Tik Tok will always be the cringey, awkward cousin of Vine, am I right?

Now that I’ve made more pop culture references in this one blog post than I ever have on this entire website, I think it’s my time to sign off. Cal, thanks again for letting me take your senior pictures! I am glad I got to celebrate you at this exciting time of your life. (Okay that sounds mildly corny but that’s really how it feels for me every time I take senior pictures.)

Thanks for letting me be your paparazzi for the night!!

Meghan

Robby: Class of 2020

Robby!

Thank you so much for letting me take your senior photos. It was so nice to meet you and I am so grateful that you were willing to wake up early for an 8:00am shoot. Worth it, right?!

I appreciated spending the morning with you! You are so sweet, you have a killer smile, and you have such a calming presence about you. I can tell you have a lot of humility which is such an admirable trait - especially considering you are incredibly hard-working, dedicated, talented, athletic, and smart. I just know it!! Also, when I took a photo of you and your mom, I could see her eyes lighting up with pride as she looked at you! Yup, my heart melted into a puddle. SO. SWEET. Like, I couldn’t deal with it. Just precious.

It gives me a lot of peace knowing there are wonderful young men like you in high school. The world desperately needs more people like you. Even though I just met you, I believe in you a lot and cannot wait to see what your bright future holds!!

Thanks for being the best - especially when I locked my keys in my trunk after taking the glorious portable changing closet out. Recently my shoots have been sprinkled with some honestly comical ‘oops’ moments. But I am so thankful for amazing seniors like you who are so gracious and patient :)

Have an amazing rest of your summer, Robby!! Go crush it on the baseball field like you already are. You are the BEST! ;-) Sorry… I had to say it haha.