I stopped pursuing the senior market and began to focus on my littler subjects. But when the school year started up again and I started receiving more senior portrait inquiries, I took them, knowing that I always enjoyed being able to play with light and photograph a subject that actually listened and took direction without having to bribe them with candy.

At Danielle’s session earlier this fall it all clicked for me. What I love is portrait work. Wikipedia’s definition sums up my vision for my photography and my business perfectly. A portrait “is an artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer.”

This is what I love to photograph. While some photographers adore elaborate scenes or love capturing the interaction between family members, what I really get excited about is an engaging portrait–one where  you can experience real eye contact and real emotion. So whether it be a newborn image where you can almost feel that newborn baby skin or a senior session where you are taken back to that excitement of being a teenager on the brink of adulthood, portrait work is where my heart is and I hope it shows.

The location for our session was just perfect and I love how this is an example of finding the right place to photograph with the light available. When we first arrived the sun was still pretty high in the sky, so we started with some open shade under a huge oak tree and in the walnut orchard (images in the white dress). Then we headed over to the truck parked in an open field and I was able to use the actual vehicle to provide some shade while also still getting some great backlight. As the sun started setting we headed to the shed and were able to capture some incredible golden light streaming in through the windows of the building. Then, for the last five minutes before sunset we got some great backlit images before heading back to the orchard for a different perspective with Danielle facing the sun for the first time during our shoot.

This is only about a third of the images from her actual gallery, but I wanted to give you all an idea of how just one session in just one hour can provide such a variety of bright, bold images, hazy sun-washed images, and gorgeous golden light shots. Don’t be afraid to try different things with lighting–if you’re an open shade shooter step out into an open field and play with backlighting. If you’re strictly a golden-hour photographer, schedule your session one hour earlier than usual and play around for the first half of the session. Push yourself to learn a new technique and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Jenn, I had a fantastic time with you at your photoshoot! You are about to embark on an amazing journey and I wish you all the success in the world–you deserve it, girl!

I’m looking for a few outgoing students from local high schools who love to be in front of the camera. All applications must be received by May 15th and selections will be made the following week. To apply, click here to complete the application.

I know it’s that way for the class of 2011 right now. One thing you don’t want to miss out on is getting your portraits taken. Last year I was completely booked toward graduation and had to turn several grads away (which I hate doing). So if you are wanting your senior portraits done, even if you’d like a late spring session, it’s definitely not too early to get on the calendar.

Thanks Jared! I had a great time at your shoot–I’ve got so many more images for your gallery. In the meantime, enjoy your sneak peek!

And 2011 graduating seniors, if you haven’t booked your session yet, be sure to contact me soon. It’s the beginning of senior portrait season and my calendar fills up quickly!

• You have your biggest fan cheering you on. It’s just more comfortable to have your BFF around. Let’s face it, the first ten to fifteen minutes of any photography session can be awkward. It’s hard to totally relax and get in modeling mode, but with your best friend around to help calm your nerves, crack a joke, or remind you how beautiful you truly are, things just feel more natural.
• You have your personal stylist at hand. Not sure what to wear? Having your BFF there to help advise in your wardrobe selection is a huge plus. She can give you that extra confidence you need to rock those red heels or wear that amazing dress.
• She’ll actually save you money. Since you’re taking your senior portraits during the same two hour session, you’ll be saving big on your session fee. Instead of paying the $150 fee on your own, you’ll split it, so you’ll both be saving $75! (The BFF session has one session fee, but the digital packages will be ordered separately. Each girl or guy will have their own individual gallery of 20-25 images to select their pictures from).
• It will be an experience you both will remember for years to come. Taking your senior portraits is a big deal. They represent who you are your final year in high school before you embark on one of the biggest journeys of your life. Sharing it with your best friend just makes it that more memorable.

The BFF session will only be offered for a limited time, so be sure to contact the studio to get your date on the calendar! And because a blog post just isn’t complete without a picture, here are a few recent ones from the amazing lighting workshop I attended this past weekend with Ali Hohn.

Jessica on her own is absolutely stunning and Crunch the horse was a perfect fit for her look and what we were going for. I love the way these images turned out and can’t wait to see how everything translates in film. It’s going to be amazing!

I love the fair–it really has a little bit of everything. Gorgeous gardens. Yep, they’ve got that. Bright, bold colors. Oh yeah, in abundance. Crazy carnies? Of course. Adorable vendors who supply you with teeny, tiny guitars (are those ukuleles?) as props? Yeah, he was there. I felt like a kid in the candy store during this session. There was a brand new backdrop at every corner, so many pockets of gorgeous light. Oh yeah, and thousands of people. Literally…thousands.

But I’m loving the way these images turned out. You really would have no idea how crazy chaotic it was (Note to self: don’t schedule sessions on dollar ride night at the fair). Katelyn was gorgeous and up for anything and was so much fun to hang out with. And my mom even joined us as my assistant and schlepped my gear around all evening–thanks Mom! All in all it was a perfect night at the fair.