Sara attends Ames High School, where she is a senior this fall! As well as dance, Sara is involved in band… and takes dance lessons at a local studio. She loves the Beatles, purple, and traveling with her family. (This summer they took an Alaskan cruise! I’m totally jealous.) We also bonded over the fact that we both wear chacos, and agree they’re some of the best shoes ever designed.

To kick off her senior picture session, we met up at Brookside Park in Ames, Iowa. Sara wore a blue suede dress —with pockets!— and her pointe shoes. She’s been taking ballet for most of her life at this point, and is incredible. I’m also now requiring all my seniors in the future to be dancers or ballerinas. ;) (Just kidding. But how fun would that be?!)

Sara did a quick outfit change, and we headed into the more "green” part of Brookside Park. I loved her casual, yet comfortable, fall outfit! The light pink sweater brought out her natural glow, and who doesn’t love a good button-down corduroy skirt?! (In case you’re wondering, the skirt is from Target, online. You’re welcome! ;) #targetstyle)

Next, we hit up downtown Ames! The hub of this college town (outside the university, of course) is downtown. You can find my favorite barista serving hot drinks at Cafe Diem, cupcakes and sweets at Ali Cakes, the best library in central Iowa, and numerous other shops for any -and every- need. I hadn’t photographed senior pictures in the downtown area… maybe ever?! Which is crazy, since there are so many great walls, alley-ways, and little hidden parks! Ames, you’re just the best.

For her final outfit, Sara picked out tan wedges and a floral navy dress from Altar’d State. She got her fun dress at the Des Moines location of Altar’d State, in the Jordan Creek Mall area! It looks like the perfect thing to wear to school during this “summer and fall” season we’re in!