I’m happy to share that a fun sports portrait of SouthLake Christian Academy graduate Archie Boone has earned me a spot among SeniorInspire magazine’s Top 100 Photographers to Follow in 2026. Co-valedictorian of SouthLake’s Class of 2025, Archie is a multi-sport athlete, a sharp dresser, and an all-around great guy.

Archie’s fashion sense and fearless personality come screaming through in this winning image, which was a favorite from the moment I pressed the shutter. Thank you, Archie, for bringing your enthusiasm and ideas to this portrait session. And congratulations on the feature.

I am using this honor to springboard a blog series I’ve wanted to start for a while. In this series, I will check in with past senior clients to see what they’re up to and let them share what they’ve learned with current high-schoolers. (If I photographed your senior portraits and you want to participate in this series, message me!)

As a senior photographer serving Charlotte and the Lake Norman area, I love finding locations that reflect each senior's style. We photographed Archie’s senior portraits at the historic courthouse in Charlotte and at Davidson's Abersham Park and Woodlawn School track. The neutral setting of the courthouse’s stately columns allowed Archie’s purple suit to pop, and the grassy field at Abersham complemented his layered look.

A note for photographers: When I photograph track and field athletes, track access and/or the runner’s meets and practice schedule will often dictate the time for photos, so the soft light of golden hour may not be an option. In Archie’s case, the brightness of the afternoon sun worked in our favor, adding energy to the image. Using two Profoto B10s with long throw reflectors allowed me to maintain detail in the sky and still get a decent exposure on my subject. The kicker at camera right is ambient.

A long-overdue thanks to Nick Porcaro for this thrilling accolade, and thanks again to Archie for making my job a joy! Enjoy this condensed Q&A with Archie.

Where are you going to college, and what are you studying?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Majors: Biology/Sociology Minor: Christianity & Culture.

What has been your favorite experience so far at college?

My favorite experience in college was when UNC beat Duke in basketball and we stormed the court. This was a fun experience because I ended up running into the Governor of North Carolina and shaking his hand.

What do you wish you had known about college life when you were in high school?

I wish I would’ve known that there are an immense number of resources at the students’ disposal in college. The key is reaching out to faculty and making connections early on.

Have you experienced any big disappointments at UNC?

I’ve experienced feeling detached from the professors in a large lecture hall. For example, being in a room of 400 people can feel like you are drowning. I handled this situation by meeting with the professors during office hours and attending tutoring sessions to make sure that I understood the material.

What has surprised you the most?

I was most surprised by the number of events going on at UNC. For example, there are usually about 20-30 events going on every day from speakers, to conferences, to experiences with free food (my favorite).

What would you tell current high-school students about preparing for their futures, whether that be applying for college or anything else?

I would tell current high school students that they shouldn’t worry too much about their future. They should enjoy the time they have left in high school because they will not get it back. College will come in due time.

What clubs, groups, sports, etc. have you chosen to get involved with at school?

In college I’ve gotten involved by becoming an orientation leader. This job has allowed me to interact with new students and be a resource that can help guide them in their transition to college.

What did you like about your senior portrait session and how your portraits turned out?

I really liked how I had the freedom to be creative with my outfits and poses, while also receiving good direction to better improve the final result.

Can you talk about the photo that was selected for SeniorInspire?

I wore my high school track uniform because that sport was very influential to me during my time at SouthLake. I made many friends by running track, and the sport allowed me to develop my relationship and leadership skills. I had two alternating spikes, one pink and one yellow, because my teammate wore the other two. It was really special for us to be able to match when we were racing together. I really liked the scream because it matched the intensity of the rest of the photo.