We recently kicked off something incredibly special—our very first Rise Collective shoot. What a way to begin! This group of senior girls stepped into something brand new with open hearts and a whole lot of style.
The Heart Behind the Theme
The theme for this launch shoot was “Rooted and Rising.”
Rooted represents our foundation—our values, our faith, our families, and the communities that have shaped us. It’s about knowing who we are and standing firmly in that truth.
Rising speaks to the journey forward—the dreams we’re chasing, the strength we’re building, and the bold steps we’re taking into the future.
The Day of the Shoot
Even though it was an overcast, drizzly day, the girls showed up ready to go. Their outfits were on point! I was so excited.
We met at the stunning Compton Caves in Murfreesboro, TN and kicked things off at the back cave. Between the peaceful pond and the natural rock formations, we captured some good shots. From there, we made our way through a beautiful wooded trail that gave us the perfect backdrop for group shots and a few individual portraits.
shooting in the rain
Just as we reached the front cave to set up, the rain returned. I’ll be honest—I was concerned. Hair, makeup, clothes... all the things the girls worked so hard to get just right. But they didn’t miss a beat. They embraced it and said, “Let’s just shoot in the rain!”
It was such a reflection of the resilience these girls have.
Front cave magic
The front cave was a dream. With wildflowers, a flowing creek, massive rocks, and even a few swings hanging from the trees, it gave us so much room to get creative. Each girl brought her own personality into the frame, and I loved watching them step into their confidence. A few even surprised me by how easily they came out of their shell—it was so fun to witness.
looking ahead
I left this shoot feeling so inspired—not just by the images we captured, but by the hearts of the girls on this team. This is just the beginning.
Our next shoot is coming up in July in Nashville, and if this one is any indication of what’s to come, it’s going to be amazing. I’m so proud of this team already.
