Featuring: Senior portraits--Blake Duarte

When Blake's mom called to inquire about senior portraits, we spoke for some time and I learned so much about her relationship with her son.  And when we ultimately met to photograph him, I was able to see their amazing relationship first hand.

I can't imagine yet what it's like to have your only child ready to venture off to college and conquer the world, so I watch and learn from the wonderful mothers of the seniors I photograph, so that when the time comes and my own little bird flies from the nest, I might be just a little more prepared.  Maybe.

Thanks to his parents, I feel confident that Blake will be soaring.

Dreaming about the things that could be.

Photographing high school seniors is like standing on the precipice of the world.  I don't even know if that makes sense, I just know that when I'm photographing them, the feeling of the world being wide open for the taking is just palatable.  

Last week, photographing this young woman, with her infectious giggle and beautiful smile, made me think about all the things that could be.  Sophie, you've got this!

Want to see more senior sessions?  Here, here and here.

Are you a high school senior standing on the edge of the world? Let's create images that really show who you are--there's only a few weeks left!  Talk to you soon!

Featuring: Senior portraits!

With the holidays behind us, it's time to think about your Senior portraits.

It's funny, while Senior portraits have changed a bit from when I was in high school, I think back to the studio that I worked for when I WAS a senior and realize now just how cutting edge we were.  We were the preferred senior portrait photographer, because instead of shooting with a traditional in studio backdrop, we shot in our own gorgeous back lot, filled with long flowing grass, trees and even a wagon wheel.  Being in Southern California meant that we often went on location to the beach (which was almost within walking distance) or a park filled with pine trees just down the way.

Nowadays, it's de rigueur of course to shoot outside, (minus the wagon wheel!) especially here in the West, but even in the East--in the snow!  And I find a brainstorming session with my senior clients on new locations and ideas for their sessions some of the coolest consultations around.  We talk about everything they need to think about to prepare for the session--from a to z!

Whatever your thing--hockey, water polo, dance, swimming, theatre--whatever you feel like--jumping in the pool with your tie on, wearing your letter jacket, being gorgeous on a gorgeous beach--let's find just the perfect location and ideas to compliment who YOU are so you can ROCK YOUR senior portrait!

Give me a call and we can start brainstorming!

Water portraits!

Last week, I had a super cool senior session. As Mom and I discussed clothing and locations, we settled on the pool--a natural setting for this avid water polo player.  As the session neared, it hit me...I've been photographing my friend's kids in our pool for many years now just for fun and love how much the kids enjoy posing for me underwater, their goofiness and the bright colors of the sunlit pool.  I've been wanting to transfer that fun into my portrait sessions and this session was the perfect fit.  I asked if Taylor would be up for being in the pool and added the kicker--in his dressy clothes.

He was in.  Literally!

So, I took all the "dry" images I wanted.

Then he practiced his jump into the pool by jumping off the bleachers, while I set up my shot and the lighting.  I knew I'd really only have one chance at the perfect image.

BOOM goes the dynamite!!

And, icing on the cake, we shot THIS underwater.  

I've been talking about it for the last several years and am now excited to offer a limited number of pool portraits!  Pool Portraits can be done in swim suits or with clothing and props.  Our heated pool or the pool of your choice.  Let's dive in!  Drop me a line and let's book your session!