University of Pennsylvania Commencement | Class of 2012

After four years of college courses, commutes from Philadelphia to Annapolis, 6am Amtrak trains back, and countless hours spent trying to balance my undergraduate degree with my photography career – I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania yesterday!

This moment was overwhelming, incredibly emotional, and exhilarating. There were quite a few times over the past few years that I considered how much easier my life would have been if I left college and went right into photography full-time. A few of my peers have done that and succeeded, so I found myself playing with the idea whenever the exams were too difficult or my schedule, too exhausting.

But I made a commitment to myself. A commitment to graduate from Penn and walk onto Franklin Field as so many others have done before me. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. And yesterday, with a tear in my eye, I said goodbye to the incredible university that taught me about hard work, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit – and I said hello to a new chapter of possibilities.

See that girl walking across the blue carpet with her diploma? Yes… that’s me! I want to say a huge thank you to my sister who captured the majority of these photographs for me! She celebrated her 20th birthday yesterday and still attended all of the graduation festivities. And I owe so much to my family, friends, Chi Omega sisters, Bayside Bride teammates, and supporters who have helped to make this day a reality! I never could have done this without all of you! Thank you for believing in me!