Project Senior | Rachel L. | Lincoln Southwest
“Looking at my pictures together afterwards made me realize that that really was me! I really did that. Finding confidence was hard at first, but by the end of it and looking back on the photos, I don’t know if i’ve ever felt more confident.”
Meet Rachel.
Rachel’s story is so unique, and it all began in Ukraine with the name Yelena Ivanova Verbitskya! At 9 months old, she was adopted, and from there she grew up in Albuquerkue, New Mexico as Rachel Marie Lemen. She spent 16 years there before her and her mom moved to Lincoln! While in New Mexico, Rachel went to a high school called Eldorado where she was a cheerleader for two years. Her past two years in Lincoln she has attended Lincoln Southwest, where she is now a senior! As you can imagine, the move was a little scary, but she says it really helped her step out of her comfort zone! Upon moving to Nebraska, Rachel got into Rodeo and it also brought her one of her most cherished friends, Cash, a 17 hands high quarter horse. You’ll see this beautiful horse in many of Rachel’s senior pictures! The bond between them is so so sweet.
When Rachel’s not spending time with her horse, she’s busy with spreading love and connecting with people through her YouTube Channel, The Pack. Be sure to check it out! She also loves traveling to the Disney Parks (her very favorite place to go!) as well as London and Paris.
After high school, Rachel plans on attending Southeast Community College here in Lincoln. She’s not 100% sure what she wants to go into because there are so many possibilities, but she really loves business and horses, so if she could do something that combined those two worlds, she would have a career she truly loves!
What I love the most about Rachel is how much she joy she finds in making other people smile and feel loved. She is inspired by all of the empowering women in her life. She has so much wisdom and truly has a beautiful view of life. She understands that life is short and it’s important to spread love instead of hate. If we can learn one thing from this inspiring girl, it’s that we can all be better about letting others know they are loved and appreciated.
Rachel, I am so thankful I got to meet your pasta, watermelon, and wolf loving self! You are so inspiring, and I am so excited to see where life takes you. Between your kindness and the love you spread and your ambition to make a difference, I know you will do great things!
Rachel’s Experience with Sonnenblume
“My experience with Sonnenblume Studios was so much fun! Before the session i was feeling a bit nervous because I didn’t know how the shoot was going to go. However, as soon as the photoshoot started, Gabby me feel really comfortable and confident! She started to make me laugh, she asked about my family, and make it feel more like i was a friend and she was taking photos for me! I had never had an experience like that before, so when Gabby would encourage me and make me laugh, it made me more confident! One of the main things I really enjoyed about was that she got to know me on a personal level. It wasn’t just someone saying “smile” then taking a picture. Gabby got to know me and it make the experience so meaningful and so much more fun!
After the Photoshoot was done, seeing the photos was incredible! My jaw dropped! When looking at photos, I really liked how her organization worked. There was a Yes, No, and Maybe category to help narrow down to our favorites. That truly helped a lot! Looking at my pictures together afterwards made me realize that that really was me! I really did that. Finding confidence was hard at first, but by the end of it and looking back on the photos, I don’t know if i’ve ever felt more confident. I really enjoyed my experience with Sonnenblume and hope to do more things with her soon! I totally recommend to everyone!
Senior year is an exciting time in life. You are in the stages of of defining who you are, deciding what you want to be, and where you want to go in life. You've got personality, and dreams, and so much potential. Your world will change so much in the next year, so as you get ready to move on to the next big thing in life, it is important to commemorate who you are right now.
This year, I’m looking to put together a model team! I’m searching for current juniors who will be graduation in the Class of 2020 who have souls that are full of adventure, and hearts full of happiness! Being a Sonnenblume Senior Model is all about sharing who you are, spreading your story and your message for the world, earning some cash and having fun while you do it!
What being a Senior Model entails:
Be Famous! You will become the face of Sonnenblume Senior Marketing!
Two Free Sessions! - One in March, and one in June or July
Share your favorite pictures with your friends and get their opinions - Collect Names!
Meet with me weekly to share your results
Hand out session offers to your friends!
Earn $5 Print Credit for every name you collect
Earn $15 Cash for every referral who books a senior session with Sonnenblume!
Fun Styled Shoots throughout the year
Fun get togethers with the model team throughout the summer!
Senior Model with the most referrals will win a Grand Prize: FREE Limousine Service and professional pictures for your Senior Prom!
Runner up will win $50 towards professional hair or a tux rental for your Senior Prom!
Ready to Join the Team?
Follow Along
Wildflowers are one of the most requested locations from my seniors. The thing about wildflowers is that they’re constantly changing. Different types of flowers are in bloom during different seasons or parts of the year, so If wildflowers of any kind are on your radar for your senior pictures, then this post is a must read!
Read on to learn when each type of flower is in bloom so you know when to book your senior pictures!