Bishop Dwenger Senior Pictures at Metea Park and Summit Academy Gymnastics

Avery’s senior session was the perfect mix of athletic strength and golden summer light. As a gymnast at Bishop Dwenger, she knew she wanted photos that captured both sides of her story. We planned part of her session outdoors at Metea Park for some relaxed golden hour portraits, then finished in the gym at Summit Academy Gymnastics to highlight the sport she has poured so much of herself into.

The result was a session that felt personal, powerful, and beautifully balanced.

Starting the Session at Metea Park

We began Avery’s session at Metea Park with a casual summer look. She wore jeans and a cute top, and I brought along a bouquet of wildflowers to add a little Midwest summer charm to the photos. The soft light and open fields were the perfect setting to ease into the session and capture some natural, relaxed portraits.

Next she layered on her Bishop Dwenger letterman jacket, which always adds such a meaningful touch to senior photos. It is one of those pieces that instantly tells the story of the past four years.

For her final outdoor look, Avery changed into a simple summer dress just as we found a beautiful patch of wildflowers. It felt like the perfect moment. The soft colors, the golden light, and the movement in the field created some of my favorite portraits from the entire session.

Bringing the Drama at the Gym

After Metea Park, we headed to Summit Academy Gymnastics to photograph the athletic side of Avery’s story.

She wanted something dramatic, so we set up lighting with a dark background to really highlight her strength and movement. We started with posed portraits in her Bishop Dwenger leotard before switching into her competition leo. She also brought along her medals, which added a really special storytelling element to the portraits.

From there we moved into the action shots.

Gym lighting can be tricky with all the equipment and obstacles around the bars, but capturing Avery’s skills in motion was completely worth it. One of her biggest goals for the session was getting a photo of her bail on the uneven bars, and we nailed it. When she saw the shot on the back of the camera she was absolutely hyped.

We also captured some dramatic beam portraits and even a chalk shot on the bars that turned out incredibly cool.

Favorite Moments from Avery’s Session

What I loved most about Avery’s session was the contrast between the two locations. The soft, golden light at Metea Park gave us timeless senior portraits, while the gym photos showed her power and dedication as an athlete.

Sessions like this are always so meaningful because they capture not just what senior year looks like, but everything that shaped the journey to get there.

Planning Your Own Senior Pictures

One of my favorite parts of working with seniors is helping them design a session that reflects who they are right now. Whether that means incorporating sports, hobbies, or meaningful locations, those personal touches always make the photos even more special.

If you are starting to plan your senior pictures, you can learn more about the experience here:
BBP Senior Experience