The Parkway Drive-In Dream + A Hard Lesson in Grace


Okay y’all… this one’s got a little bit of everything: old cars, dreamy vintage vibes, Brad Pitt (kinda), cupcakes (obviously), and a very humbling moment for yours truly. Buckle up.


So I gave my senior girls a theme — vintage drive-in. Think 50s, 60s, Grease lightning kind of vibes — and let me tell you… they RAN with it. We got to shoot at the actual Parkway Drive-In Theatre (a literal bucket list location for me), and Briley & Brianna’s family pulled out ALL the stops. Like, old-school cars kind of stops. Dream. Come. True. I’ll never be able to thank them enough. That sealed the whole look.


I split the seniors into smaller groups and gave them full freedom to collaborate on their outfits and aesthetic. And let me just say — they understood the assignment. The Grease era came back to life. Some of the girls even stayed behind to catch the movie after the session… but let’s be honest, I was only there to see Brad Pitt. (KIDDING. Kinda.)


I ended up spending time with my husband (wow, right?) and we ordered pizza for everyone. It also happened to be Reagan’s birthday — cue my “let’s make this extra special” moment. Except in very Heather fashion, I completely forgot I had bought cupcakes. So she literally went home with like… 12. Or 24. Who’s counting?


Now let’s shift gears. Let’s get raw for a sec.


I’ve been a photographer for 15 years — 12 of those on the professional grind. And I’ve never lost photos. I’m that dual-slot preacher girl. I back up my backups. I’m always on top of it. But over the summer, I switched SD cards — new brand, new me, right? Wrong. I didn’t realize the new cards weren’t writing as fast as I needed them to.


So mid-shoot, I did a battery change — like I’ve done a million times. What I didn’t know? It interrupted the writing process. I got home and realized 18 photos were missing. One of the group sets. GONE.


Cue the panic. Cue the tears. Cue texting and calling every girl in the group with my heart in my throat.


And here’s the thing… it was 18 photos. That’s it. And it wasn’t a wedding. (Because if it had been a wedding, I would’ve passed out, gone to heaven, and y’all would be reading this from my memorial page.)


But still, it mattered. I couldn’t let it go. So we picked a date and did a re-shoot. Emma couldn’t make it last minute, but the other two girls showed up ready and the same amazing guy with the car brought it back out. We weren’t at the drive-in this time, but the magic still showed up. Honestly, I got even more 1-on-1 time with them, and I went above and beyond to make up for the mishap. And I really hope they know how much that meant to me.


So here’s the truth: even the seasoned vets mess up sometimes. And while I’d love to say I’ve got it all together — this reminded me that there’s always room to grow. Always something new to learn. And always, always grace to give yourself (and receive from others).


Moral of the story: don’t switch SD card brands unless you’re ready for a breakdown and a redemption shoot. 😂


Thanks for riding the rollercoaster with me. And to my seniors — you are a dream. Every last one of you.

Two friends pose with a classic turquoise Chevrolet car while holding a Coca-Cola bottle.
A group poses outdoors in coordinated denim and white outfits with their hands covering their faces playfully.
Two friends pose together next to a vintage turquoise classic car in a casual outdoor photoshoot.
Four friends pose together in front of a classic turquoise vintage car on a sunny summer day.
Three friends stand together smiling in front of a vintage turquoise car during a summer photo shoot.
Classic turquoise 1957 Chevrolet car with retro styling parked outdoors in a rural setting.
Three friends pose together in casual summer outfits next to a classic turquoise Chevrolet car at an outdoor location.
Two people pose playfully in front of a vintage turquoise Chevrolet Bel Air on a sunny day.
Through the window of a classic burgundy car, someone relaxes in vintage-inspired casual attire.
Classic turquoise vintage car interior with teal upholstery and chrome details captured in warm sunlit setting.
Person leans out of classic turquoise car window with dramatic pose against blurred background.
Classic car meets show vintage automobiles lined up in succession with chrome details and vibrant paint colors.
Turquoise vintage Chevrolet with hood up displayed at outdoor car show.
Three people pose between a vintage brown hotrod and turquoise classic car at a car show event.
Group of friends gather around a vintage maroon car at a rural outdoor location with trees in the background.