“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

- Maya Angelou

Summer: Senior Session | SDSU, CA | Analisa Joy Photography

Whose excited for Summer?! I’m not talking about the season, I’m talking about my senior session with SDSU’s soon-to-be graduate named Summer. I know… lame pun, but I couldn’t help myself. I can’t wait for you all to see these images. We had an awesome time exploring the beautiful campus of SDSU and photographing near classes that she will no longer have to attend in only two months. My favorite part from our time together was the excitement Summer had when she put on her cap and gown. She was smiling ear to ear as she strutted around in all of her graduation glory. Summer is absolutely gorgeous and I am excited for the bright future that is ahead of her.

As I walked around my old college campus for Summer’s session I couldn’t believe how many changes I have experienced since my “college years.” It’s crazy how people and places can create a flood of memories, but I love when the opportunity presents itself.  On registration day back in 2008, I was a design major. I wanted to be behind-the-scenes at theme parks and decorate the rides at Disneyland. When I realized I’m only skilled with computers and not a pencil and paper I quickly changed my major. There was no way that I was going to endure two years of sketch class. Our first assignment was to draw our self portrait… My stick figures would not cut it. I joined student government and as I helped organize SDSU homecoming, Greenfest, and other events I decided to switch my major to hospitality and business management. I was ready to take the event planning industry by storm! However, in my second year, my mind changed once again and I impulsively decided that I was going to travel the world and become a flight attendant. I went through several interviews, studied my life away for my month’s worth of training, and then the night before my departure to Texas I decided not to go (ticket in hand). Being a flight attending would require me to be away every weekend, which would deteriorate any growth in my aspiring photography business. I knew the risk was great, but I didn’t want to look back on my life regretting a decision that would cause me to give up my dream job. I went to workshops, interned for celebrity photographer Robert Evans, and I worked as hard as I could to develop a name for myself. It was challenging starting a business all by myself, but I am thankful that God made my pursuit possible! I know it’s nerve racking for seniors to graduate and enter into the real world while wondering, “what the heck am I going to do,” but I hope I can be an example that careers aren’t always presented on a silver platter. Some people walk into their dream jobs while others have to work through the distractions to stumble upon it.

Meet Annalisa

Believer, wife, mom.

based in

southern california.

available for worldwide travel.

Categories

Instagram

@annalisajoyphotography