CAPTURING ADDY: Crowns & Gowns Series

Welcome back to the Crowns & Gowns Series, where we’re celebrating the incredible young women on my Teen Team who are turning sixteen — each with their own unique story, strength, and sparkle. These sessions are more than just beautiful portraits; they’re about honoring who these girls are and the journeys that have shaped them.

This week, it’s all about Addy Ross.

If you’ve followed my Teen Team for a while, Addy is a familiar face — and one I’ve had the privilege of photographing for many years. From her childhood sessions to her latest Sweet 16 shoot, Addy has always been a natural in front of the camera. She was truly made to be part of this team — kind, genuine, and quietly strong.

Addy celebrated her sixteenth birthday back in July, but around here, we believe birthdays deserve to be celebrated all year long. Because this season of her life isn’t just a milestone — it’s a reflection of everything she’s learning and embracing along the way.

When I think about Addy’s journey over the past few years, one word stands out: resilient. Since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, she has taken on a new way of life with maturity and grace well beyond her years. It hasn’t been easy — managing something that requires constant awareness and balance never is — but Addy has handled it with such strength, patience, and positivity.

What inspires me most is how she’s turned her journey into something bigger than herself. Addy openly shares her experiences, educates others, and advocates for Type 1 diabetes awareness every chance she gets. She’s using her voice to help people understand her disease — breaking myths, spreading knowledge, and shining a light on what life with T1D truly looks like.

She’s learning to live with it, not be defined by it. And that’s what I love most about her.

She continues to show up with the same kindness and warmth that have always been her trademarks. It’s easy to see why I call her “Little Miss Sunshine.” She truly radiates light — the kind that fills every space she walks into. Addy shines from the inside out. She’s the girl who lights up every shoot with laughter, who supports her teammates, and who brings quiet confidence wherever she goes.

Her Crowns & Gowns session felt like a full-circle moment — a chance to celebrate not just her Sweet 16, but the incredible young woman she’s becoming. Watching her step into this new chapter, balancing strength and softness so effortlessly, reminded me why I love capturing these milestones.

Addy, you wear your crown with such grace — not because life has been easy, but because you’ve met every challenge with that big, kind, beautiful heart of yours. Here’s to your Sweet 16, and to continuing to grow, learn, and shine in every way that makes you YOU!