Standing with Hope and her family at Palmer Park for her college graduation photo session was a literal miracle.

Hope should not even be alive. Just about four years ago, late in her senior year of high school, Hope was hit by another vehicle not far from her home in Falcon, Colorado. She landed in the hospital with significant injuries that were life-threatening. And even if she did survive, her future was uncertain. The community rallied around Hope and her family in support, love, prayer, and helping with anything and everything possible as they endured those days of trial and uncertainty. Miraculously, Hope did recover, and enough so that she was able to walk at her high school graduation! God is SO good.

Four years later, here we are, celebrating not only her graduation from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Major in psychology, AND minors in sociology and film studies (dang girl!!!!) BUT ALSO her admission into GRADUATE SCHOOL!!! While Hope still feels some of the effects of that accident all these years later, that hasn't stopped her from achieving her dreams and rocking the world. She'll be able to work while completing her master's degree online and continue building the amazing life she's already begun. Having such incredible support from her family has undoubtedly given Hope strength to endure even in the darkest days. Her loving parents and sister were with us to celebrate her at her photo session, along with her devoted boyfriend Manny.

Hope really liked the idea of going out to the Paint Mines Park in Calhan - such a gorgeous, unique spot! - but they didn't want to have to apply and pay for the permit to shoot there, so we went to the "fake paint mines" at Palmer Park! This park is full of the hoodoos (chimney-like rock formations) like Paint Mines, but without the price tag. It's not EXACTLY the same, but it's a pretty good substitute and Hope was really happy with the results! We had PERFECT spring weather (a rare treat here in Colorado, haha!) and a lovely sunset. Hope started off her in her beautiful pink dress, and then we did different combinations with her cap and gown, stole, and hard-earned cords. There's so much you can do with posing and outfits for graduation photos and we got SO much done in just 45 minutes! Hope came with a short list of priority poses which we made sure to get done, and then we just let the creative wheels spin with both the lovely Hope and the stunning backdrop she chose for her photos! At the end of her session, I was so glad Hope's parents and boyfriend agreed to do a few photos with her too - they weren't "dressed for the occasion", but who cares? The moment and these memories are so precious, especially after everything Hope has been through. Her mama named her just right.