It’s hard to believe that it has been almost a full year since my first blog post, but another year has flown by and it’s the season of endings and beginnings once more. I started the blog last year with a post about graduations and now, as I write this post about a graduation, I’m preparing to attend yet another graduation this evening. Graduations are such a celebratory event, representing achievements that have been made and challenges that are yet to be faced. Whatever you’re graduating from, high school, college, junior high, or even kindergarten, you’re heading into something new, something unknown. These are the types of events that I love to document and frequently do so for my family. Happiness at such occasions is abundant and even those that are normally camera shy can’t help contain their excitement.

Two weeks ago, I attended an extra special graduation, the commencement ceremony for the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. On a rainy afternoon, my cousin, Laura, took her Veterinarian’s Oath and officially became a doctor. It was a proud moment for our entire family, but especially for her parents and brother, who probably know better than anyone (except Laura and the other students that is!) the dedication such a degree takes to earn. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous to photograph a graduation–becoming the first doctor in the family is a pretty big deal! Armed with my trusty gear and a reliable assistant (I couldn’t have managed this particular event without the help of my other cousin, Cassie), I was prepared to capture the graduation, my cousin’s party and even some portraits. I had such a fun time and Laura and her friends were so joyful that it made for some extra fun photographs after the ceremony.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of all the festivities from the A&M graduation. Congratulations to all 2014 graduates!