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October 26, 2025

Rainy Day HOCO 2025 Canyon View

kimvanos
8 min read

When your niece has HOCO, you take pictures. You just do.

My brother’s backyard is usually perfect for photos, but this year the rain had other plans. One friend ran late, the sun disappeared, and before I knew it, we were shooting in the dark. Life rarely goes exactly the way we picture it — but here’s the thing: take the photo anyway. Just take it. I promise you’ll never regret having those memories.

 

HOCO-Portrait-Waddell-AZ-Photography (209 of 1)

When your niece has HOCO, you take pictures. You just do.

My brother’s backyard is usually perfect for photos, but this year the rain had other plans. One friend ran late, the sun disappeared, and before I knew it, we were shooting in the dark. Life rarely goes exactly the way we picture it — but here’s the thing: take the photo anyway. Just take it. I promise you’ll never regret having those memories.

 

HOCO-Portrait-Waddell-AZ-Photography (209 of 1)
HOCO-Portrait-Waddell-AZ-Photography (203 of 1)

This sweet girl, Imogen, is my “.5 child.” She practically grew up at my house, and I adore her with every fiber of my being. She’s been swinging a volleyball since she was about seven, and now she’s balancing both school and club teams. These girls have been friends for years, and I’ve been lucky enough to capture their HOCO photos before. Watching them grow up together feels like such a gift.

 

With limited space, we pulled the curtains closed in the living room and created our own backdrop. And yes, I even had to superimpose a Rio theme behind them because that was this year’s dance theme — sometimes you just roll with it and laugh.

Because Homecoming pictures aren’t just about the “pretty dresses” (or the slightly ratty shoes they refuse to change out of). They’re about friendship, growth, and the pure joy of being in high school. They’re about freezing a season of life that disappears faster than we want to admit.

HOCO-Portrait-Waddell-AZ-Photography (200 of 1)

With limited space, we pulled the curtains closed in the living room and created our own backdrop. And yes, I even had to superimpose a Rio theme behind them because that was this year’s dance theme — sometimes you just roll with it and laugh.

Because Homecoming pictures aren’t just about the “pretty dresses” (or the slightly ratty shoes they refuse to change out of). They’re about friendship, growth, and the pure joy of being in high school. They’re about freezing a season of life that disappears faster than we want to admit.

HOCO-Portrait-Waddell-AZ-Photography (200 of 1)

So, here’s your reminder: don’t forget to take family photos with your teens or book their senior portraits. I know they aren’t little anymore, but these milestones are just as precious — maybe even more so.

Written By kimvanos
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