Another semester down...another grad season
Going into the 2026 grad season was bittersweet for me this time around. Sure, every semester as midterms pass and inquiries get sent in, I'm nothing but overwhelmed with joy. My first ever "big" shoot I did as a business was for a GCU grad. I remember I charged $35, and we took photos for like almost 2 hours!
...but I loved every. single. second of it. Being able to look up photo inspo, pose my clients in real time, come up with prop ideas, and much more has led me to believe this is my niche. Capturing the moments worth celebrating (that sounds familiar, huh?). Doing senior sessions has allowed me to grow this business into lengths I never imagined possible! And it all started here. In Phoenix, Arizona.
As I'm sure most of you may know by now, this was my last "photography season" in Phoenix. As I'm writing this, I am officially one week out from hitting the road and driving back home to the beautiful (and GREEN) Sacramento, California! I am so excited to reconnect with friends, family, and a whole new market of clientele. UC Davis, Sacramento State, University of the Pacific, SF, the list goes on. But not to fret! As I have reassured numerous clientele, I WILL still be running Izzyzflics out of Phoenix! Only part-time :) I do plan to make a return in late October for fall graduates. So PLEASE keep your eyes peeled for more info on that!
This semester, I had the privilege of meeting some amazing souls and photographing some of my very own friends as they prepare to graduate! I also met so many amazing individuals along the way. As a special tribute to these special graduates, I wanted to highlight a few of their stories below.
Lyric-
Bachelors of science in Nursing
Lyric first reached out to me in 2023, when I started my business, to take photos of her and her boyfriend for their anniversary. Their photos were one of the first couples sessions I had done that I was really proud of. A year later, she rebooked for the following year's anniversary pictures! I was so honored to be able to recapture their love as well as visually compare my year's worth of progress. When she reached out to me for her grad photos, I was not only so excited, but I was honored that such a special girl was gonna kick off such a special grad season for me! Lyric, I am so proud of you, pretty girl! Go kick butt saving lives!!
Lyric has officially accepted a position as an RN at Mayo Clinic!!
Paige + Gus: College of Business and Finance
Paige reached out to be to do 2 separate grad sessions + a duo session for her and her boyfriend about 5 months before their session! I was so honored that she booked me that far in advance (does this mean I was in high demand?) Getting to hear their education stories and plans post-grad made this session so much fun!
Shelby - Bachelor of Science in Biology + Minor in Forensics
This session was not only a long time coming but also probably one of the most special for me this season. Shelby is one of the first friends I met at GCU. We became best friends within weeks, and she became my go-to buddy for basketball games. We were truly there for every laugh had and tear shed. Towards the end of the session, we watched the sunset from the top of the parking garage and reminisced on our GCU memories, and let me just say...it was very emotional. Shelby, I am so incredibly proud of all ahead of you, and I cannot wait to cheer you on during every moment!
Marina - Bachelor of Science in Health Science - business
Marina was referred over to me by Paige (posted above), and when I tell you I am still obsessed with the way these came out! Marina was my first ever ASU grad that I got to work with, so of course, we had to do our big one with this session! We had such a blast doing this session and getting to learn about her ASU experience was awesome (I had only ever really worked with GCU, so it was refreshing to hear a new college experience. Marina is planning on going into Medical Sales post-grad!
Rebekah- Bachelor of science in biomedical engineering
Rebekah wasn't lying when she said "biomed engineering, but make it pretty." Rebekah was my coworker at my job back in Phoenix, and when she approached me at work one day, asking about grad photos, I wanted to scream with joy! Rebekah is one of the funniest, yet sweetest souls I know. It isn't every day an Arizona school grad wants photos not in the desert, so being able to shoot at a new location with her was...refreshing. Rebekah hopes to eventually work in prosthetic engineering post-grad!
Jessica - Bachelor of Science in nursing
Jessica was referred over to me by Lyric (posted above), and getting to hear her story was so special. Jessica is from my hometown, so getting to hear her story and her plans post-grad was so special! Fun fact: we had a WAR with the wind during this session, but we bore through nature, and her photos came back gorgeous. Jessica, huge congratulations to your future as an RN!!
Cade - Bachelor of science in Business management
I first met Cade through the GCU Snapchat group when I posted about my photography before even getting to Arizona! The last few years of friendship have been so special and full of so many fun adventures! One notable memory for me was during my Junior year. I was up late studying for a nursing exam and needed a break, so I texted Cade on the off chance he was up, asked if he wanted to go on a side quest, and then we proceeded to drive about 30 minutes up to Peoria to grab a nice, refreshing 3 am rebel from the only Dutch Bros open 24 hours! Cade already works in management at his job and hopes to continue growing with the company for the time being, post-grad!
Renee- Interdisciplinary studies in english & biology
Renee reached out to me via TikTok one day, asking me if I would be able to squeeze her into my grad session schedule. She got really lucky because she took my very last opening for this grad season. Our biggest battle this shoot was the Old Main staircase line, so we ended up improvising with some different locations, and they did not disappoint! The highlight of the session had to be when I saved her from breaking her ankle at the end of the shoot (when I say I'm your guys' biggest support during the session, I'm not lying!)
Rylie - Bachelor of arts in communications
Rylie and I first met when we worked at River Cats together back home in Sacramento. When we learned that we would be going to college in the same state, we got so excited and instantly grew close. During our time together in Arizona, we got to attend a concert together and had tons of nights just talking about life itself. I was so excited to capture these photos for her... even though I was internally dying during the session (I was pretty sick this week and had already had to delay one of my other sessions and didn't want to push too many back. But don't worry--negative viral tests before shooting with her!) I am so excited to see where Rylie takes her career goals post-grad, especially once she comes back to Sacramento!!
Makayla - Bachelor of science in forensic science
Makayla led the GCU Archery Team and holds impressive statistics at a WORLD level (okay, subtle flex.) Makayla's session was so cool, and my assistant and I definitely took time asking her about her bow and the sport in itself. When I tell you guys that this girl is impressive in so many factors...after graduation, she plans on moving to EUROPE for grad school!
Angela + Taryl- College of Humanities & Social Sciences
I first met Angela over our love of baseball and Star Wars! We attended a Diamondbacks vs Giants game back in 2023, and I will never forget getting on the beefcake cam with her (she's a weightlifting queen). She is from my hometown, so we would usually find ourselves on the same flight home for breaks! Taryl is also from our hometown, and I met her on a flight back to Phoenix from Sacramento after winter break one year. Getting to capture photos for these two was so special, and I am so excited to see where their future takes the both of them!!
Lexy - COllege of Education
Lexy was the only client of mine I told about this blog post, how I wanted to honor each of my grads in a special way. She is the embodiment of stunning and was glowing our entire session! I loved all her props and details incorporated, from her stole signed from her students, to her custom grad cap! She is going to be an amazing teacher of young minds!
Another season down
This grad season, capturing fall 2025 grads and spring 2026 grads was nothing but special. This season was the best possible way for me to end my full time business in Phoenix. As mentioned previously, I will still plan for a week of Fall 2026 openings so please stay tuned for that!
Until next time,
izzy
