Meet Travis—an aviation-loving, gravel-biking, rocketry-competing graduate of Sandpoint High School. His senior session was a perfect reflection of his passions: bold, outdoorsy, and filled with purpose.
For seniors like Travis, a traditional studio shoot just wouldn’t do. So we split our time between the Sandpoint Airport, where he trains as a pilot, and Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail, one of his favorite local rides.
Taking Flight: Portraits with Penny the Plane
Travis trains with Pilot Training Northwest, flying a plane affectionately known as Penny. He completed his first solo flight this past April, and is already on track to earn his private pilot’s license this summer before he starts college.
Photographing him with Penny at the Sandpoint Airport brought a natural ease and confidence to his images. Whether he was checking instruments, leaning under the wing, or just taking in the view from the pilot seat, it was clear—this is where he comes alive.
Gravel, Grit, and the Great Outdoors
When he’s not in the air, Travis is biking long distances across some of the most scenic routes in the Northwest. He and his dad have spent the last few years tackling bikepacking routes, including a 300-mile ride on Canada’s Kettle Valley Rail Trail. And just this week, they’re off again—this time, riding across Washington State on the Palouse to Cascades Trail.
We chose Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail for this portion of his session, capturing both the scenery and the spirit of the sport he loves. Sunset light, a touch of wind off the water, and a bright green jersey brought the perfect energy to his portraits.
A Future Built on Curiosity and Courage
This fall, Travis heads to the University of Idaho to study mechanical engineering, with a likely focus on aerospace. His passion for space and science doesn’t stop with flying and biking—he’s also a certified high-power rocketeer and recently competed in the American Rocketry Challenge in Virginia with his Sandpoint High School team.
He also interns at Spacepoint, a local organization dedicated to aerospace and planetary science education. From SpaceX launches to hands-on rocketry builds, Travis is already contributing to something far bigger than himself.
A Senior Session that’s Uniquely You
Travis’s session is a reminder of what senior portraits can (and should) be—personal, adventurous, and grounded in who you really are. Whether you’re planning your own senior year or you’re the parent of someone who’s always chasing big dreams, I’d love to help you tell your story with images that last.
