Emma & Jet | Georgia State University Senior

I photographed Emma and Jet four years ago for her high school senior portraits. Their viewing session was one of my absolute favorites because her mom cried while looking at the photos. Four years later, I got to photograph them again as Emma finished her senior year at Georgia State University.

What I love about Emma and Jet’s story is that it isn’t one of those instant connections between horse and rider. They had to work hard to get where they are. When I took her high school senior portraits, they had had been working together well for awhile, and by the time I took her college senior pictures this year, I could see the connection between the two of them. Our stories with our horses are so special and unique. They take time, hard work, and trust.

“Jet and I’s whole relationship has been lots of emotions. When I first got him I was a freshman in high school and we went through a long rough patch where we didn’t understand each other yet. When we got pictures done with you I was a senior in high school and we had progressed so much by then. It was such a relief because I went through a time where I wasn’t sure if him and I were ever going to be partners.

Now I’m a senior in college and about to graduate. We’ve progressed even more so and having those pictures just always reminds me of all the stages we’ve been through, but also how great it’s been. I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without it.”