On this last #seniorsunday, we’re celebrating our son, Hunter Collins, a senior at Oconomowoc High School for just a few more short days. Words can’t even describe how proud and happy we are to have the honor of raising this awesome young man. He has pushed himself to learn new things, try hard things, and get outside of his comfort zone, which has prepared him for life in many ways.
There are advantages and disadvantages to being a photographer’s son. He’s been asked to pose for countless photos over the years, which for a boy can be super annoying (so I’ve heard). Senior year brought with it extra requests for photos. Sorry, not sorry! These are what we’ll have left to keep us smiling when he flies away (literally) later this year. Our first attempt at senior pictures was last October. Admittedly I waited too long to make it a priority (BAD MOM) and was at the height of busy season when we finally got out there to get a few.
He loves everything urban as well as downtown Milwaukee so we headed to the Third Ward for his first session. The timing of day wasn’t ideal but I squeezed it in before my evening (prime light) session for a client. We were pressed for time but got a few in that he loves, including one for the yearbook!
He got a big break this winter but I piled them on this spring, with a themed vintage record session to highlight his love for music, especially his favorite artist, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Not even a week later we headed to the airport where he has been taking flying lessons for some more. Finally, we snuck in a few more at a cap and gown session with friends at my studio just last week.
I love this boy eternally. Many of you have met him as he’s been assisting me on sessions for several years now. I’ll miss his excellent lighting skills next year when he’s off to bigger and better things but I’ll miss catching up with him in the evenings before bedtime way more. Excited to see how his future unfolds!
Meet Hunter
For fun I like to…
hang out with friends and be surrounded by nature
My dream job is…
Professional Pilot (charger, commercial, cargo, etc.)
My favorite subject in school is/was…
IB Theory of Knowledge with Mrs. Brooks or IB English
What I’m looking forward to the rest of the school year is…
visiting my old elementary and intermediate schools
What I’m looking forward to this summer is…
going to the Bonnaroo music festival with my homie
What I’m looking forward to most after high school is…
being able to get paid to do the thing I love
My favorite memory in high school so far was…
going to state for ski racing (twice!)
Some high school accomplishments were…
Worst part of high school…
the early mornings
Best part of high school…
having amazing friends that you don’t want to leave for college
Favorite thing about our community…
the abundance of awesome small businesses
After I graduate I plan to…
attend Lewis University to study Aviation Flight Technology
Favorite snack…hummus and naan bread
Dream vacation…Alaskan National Parks
Favorite playlist includes…rap, psychedelic rock, dream pop, electronic/dance, reggae, grunge, pop rock, R&B soul, alternative, funk, neo-psycedelia, indie rock
Favorite local place to eat…Lago su Bella
Favorite show…Top Gear
Best band/singer…Pink Floyd (best), King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (favorite)
What would you rate a 10 out of 10? 50-60 degrees with little to no wind, partly cloudy
Have lunch with someone (dead or alive)…Tyler, the Creator
Favorite single day on the calendar…December 25
Something on your bucket list…visit every National Park
Who would you like to shout out that contributed to your success? My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc., who are my biggest motivators in life
Also, a this or that section:
- Movie or TV? Movie
- Vacation or Staycation? Vacation
- Mountains or Ocean? Mountains
- Morning person or night owl? Night Owl
- Pasta or pizza? Pasta
- Breakfast or dinner? Dinner
- Passenger or driver? Driver
- City or country? City
- Alaska or Hawaii? Alaska
- Money or free time? Free time
- Hamburgers or hot dogs? Hamburgers
- Health food or junk food? Health food
- Reading or writing? Reading
- Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
- Homebody or social butterfly? Social butterfly
- Summer or winter? Winter
- Theater or cinema? Theater
- Iron Man or Thor? Iron Man
- Burgers or tacos? Tacos
- Swim in a pool or the sea? Sea
- Amusement park or day at the beach? Amusement park
Thanks for sharing your plans, dreams and more, Hunter! I hope you have the best summer ever with your friends, celebrating this special time in your life and I also hope you leave some time for us because we love you!
Comment below to help make Hunter’s graduation from senior year even more special!
Julie Collins Photography is an Oconomowoc Senior Photographer located in beautiful Lake Country, WI who loves capturing true emotions and candid moments that help tell the story of the seniors she works with. If you’re looking for an Oconomowoc Senior Photographer, send a message to chat!
Come visit my senior photography site to view more beautiful pictures of seniors, families and babies too!
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