The end of the school year is quickly approaching and I will be forced to let go of another Senior model team, losing them once again to graduation.  Fortunately though, I was able to squeeze in a dramatic cover worthy photoshoot at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.  What I loved the most about this photoshoot was that it was a family affair, mom sweetly holding my light stand in place and Dad gently tossing this beautiful skirt in the air for an little extra drama. 

For this particular styled senior photoshoot I brought two looks, one drama and one that screamed Dutch and needed to be matched with Tulips.  What is your dream senior photoshoot?  I want to help you bring it to life!

I met Danielle for the first time in the office of my make up artist, Kelli Thomsen. I remember that she was wearing a t-shirt that stated specifcally "Jeep Hair, Don't Care," as she asked if she could ride with me to her senior photos so as not to mess up her hair. Instantly I was in love and my thoughts drifted to that song, American Girl, by Tom Petty as we chatted together, myself, her mom, and her awesome mom's best friend.  You know the one, right?

"Well, she was an American girl
Raised on promises
That there was a little more to life somewhere else
After all it was a great big world"
-Tom Petty
and the Heartbreakers

Maybe it was the American flag she wanted to include in her photos.  Maybe it was her fresh smile and shining blue eyes. Or Maybe it was her love for accounting, fishing, and jeeps.  It could have been that we drove to take her senior photos at a location close to her heart.  I look forward to seeing where life takes this young lady and I am hoping that she keeps her word and comes back to be my accountant some day...because everyone knows that most creatives, myself included, could always use a great accountant. 

I have the soul of dancer however I am abysmally untrained so when I had the opportunity to take the high school senior photos of a ballerina my whole heart danced with excitement.  I love incorporating the individuality and unique beauty of my seniors into their sessions. 

​  We spent about 10 minutes of our session dancing....well she danced, this happy valley photographer took photos. Her cellular phone was set off to the side playing some beautiful classical tune inspiring this sweet ballerina, Emma to dance.  Her mom shared with me that this is a hobby of hers, putting on her cell phone and dancing.  Isn't it a beautiful one?  



Dancing is like dreaming with your feet - Contanze

​
Another thing I loved about this senior photo sessions is that I get to capture so many different personality shots.  I love seeing so many different smiles and expression emerge from my seniors.  

Congratulations Emma!  June is just around the corner.  I can not wait to see what you do next and can not I wait to purchase tickets for your next ballet.

Often I am asked by both customers and other photographers how and why I specialize in high school senior photography.  Many times I have heard, "Especially girls!  They are so much drama."  Hmmm....I am not sure about that drama thing.  Possibly I have just been  super, fantastically lucky to have had only clients that inspire me to do my best, try new things, and like to have fun.  How lucky am I?  My time with my girls truly makes my heart sing and honestly, who doesn't want their heart to sing all the time?  I know I do.

In all seriousness though, let's talk senior photos.  For example, let's take mine.  Now I do not want to age myself so I will not go into too many details but I will reveal that wore a navy blue tennis sweater....which was very much in style that year...I think???  Whatever, okay so I wasn't very cool.  I am getting of track here.  The whole point of this blogpost is that my high school senior photo experience left me feeling self conscious, creeped out, and embarrassed.  Thanks for choosing the weird, lonely photographer man in his 50's to take my photos, Mom. (Yes, that was sarcasm.)  I am not saying that he was at all inappropriate or asked me to do anything out of the ordinary.  I am simply saying that I did not feel comfortable and all of the photos reflect my uncomfortable feelings.  Bummer...senior photos happen only once.

I love watching my girls transform from unsure to confident.  To their unique selves in front of the camera.  I try my best to keep my sessions light and fun.  I spend the extra time getting to know each and every kiddo because I really do care that they enjoy their photo session.  It is important, it happens only once, and it should reflect your real smile.  It should be fun and make you feel beautiful.  

I love a good wedding.  You know the ones....where you can just feel the love coming off of the couple.  That bright eyed, dreamy gaze the bride and groom have for each other.  How both Moms tear up when watching their kiddos get ready for the big day.  Oh geez, my heart is seriously getting mushy just thinking about it.  

Justin and Alice tied the knot this summer at Rossi Farms in Portland, Or.  Justin's Mom handmade all of the flowers used in the wedding ceremony and we are not just talking about the bridal bouquet. She covered an entire arch with them.  It was incredible!

This year I decided to expand my Senior Photo program and make it bigger.  I started a year long experience that allows for my girls to get comfortable in front of the camera while modelling for fashion boutiques.  I call it the Senior Model Club.  

Our first fashion experience was for Grapevine Fashion Boutique in Lake Oswego.  Their expert staff assisted my high school senior model team with styling.  Each girl selected one dressy look and one more casual.

Professional make up and hair is an absolute must for completing the fabulous looks!  We started our day in Southeast Portland getting pampered by the ever talented Kelli Thomsen Beauty.  Kelli worked her magic using her natural skin care products, adding false eyelashes, and giving the girls the camera ready looks.

Next we spent a melting hot evening in downtown Lake Oswego taking fashion photos and having a ball doing so.  We completed our first experience with ice cream...because ice cream simply makes everything better!

One of the many things I love about photography is the learning opportunities.  There is always a new lighting technique or something else to learn.  This year I have made it my mission to conquer the world of off camera flash.  I bought myself some new strobe lights and have been experimenting all winter.   My photography bag is now a wagon.  LOL!  Bringing lights, light stands, props, and my camera lenses and gear is not a small feat.  However the results are spectacular!

One of my my favorite quotes about sisters and one I believe truly captures the essences of this photograph. 



"When traveling life’s journey
it’s good to have a
sister’s hand to hold on to.”


These two sisters are so sweet.  I could tell by the way they interacted with each other how much love and respect they have for one another.  Having fun, making each other laugh.  I was so honored to be able to provide photos to capture their relationship during their teen years.  The relationship between them is so sweet and they brought their smiles.
I love the way my new light modifier adds the perfect little catch lights in their eyes and provides such flattering light without looking unnatural.

Wedding days can be full of shenanigans.  That is just one of the things I love so much about them.  I love the silliness, the fact that everyone looks absolutely amazing, the excitement, the sentimental moments both large and small.

That is one of the reasons that I got so excited to travel from Happy Valley to photograph the wedding of Tim and Sarah at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course.  I had already gotten to know both the bride and groom in our consultations.  I saw how in love they are and how relaxed and laid back they were.  

It is truly an honor and a delight to be part of a day so full of joy.  Just one more reason that I love my job!

This year I entered my first photo competition.  I was both nervous and excited as when my photo came up for judging.  I could feel the butterlies in my stomach. I had no idea what the photos of others that entered the contest looked like, only that I loved mine.  All of the questions self doubt entered my head. Would it be anywhere close to good enough?  I thought so and now that I was seeing my photo up for judging I was uncertain.  Was I naive for entering a print competition with real photographers to judge?  

​ The contest was for high school senior photos only.  I saw my photo displayed with a medal.  Needless to say I was beyond thrilled.  Here is my Sync Print Competition Award of Excellence winning photo.

Owning my own photography business can be tough.  Times like this make it exciting, and getting to know my clients make it impossible not to love.