When I photograph my Seniors, it is my goal to give them a few hours where they are able to relax, let go, and be confident in who and what they are, without fret of the future, or the problems that surround them everyday.

Let’s face it, the teen years are tough, and Senior Year is one filled with its own set of unique stressors.  It is marking the end of a lifetime where these young adults knew exactly where they were going next, to being unsure about practically everything coming.  It is having to make big decisions on choices that will have direct impact on their life direction, as they wonder how limited those choices are going to be.  No other time is filled with so many questions, most of which are directly linked to the Senior’s perceived self worth.  Am I smart enough to get into the school I want to go to?  Am I good enough to get the job I am applying for?  How will I find the time to succeed in writing these essays, taking these exams, fulfilling these expectations?  How?  When?  Where?  What if?

 

No matter how much teens are glamorized on shows like “One Tree Hill” or “90210,” even the most confident among the Seniors I photograph have insecurities that they have to overcome.  Even those who are most ready to get away feel the weight of the impending life changes.  Every one of them deserves an escape from it all.

Giving them that break from reality is one of the most important parts of my job as their Senior Portrait Photographer.

When I photographed Leah Proctor, RRHS C/O 2017, I saw before me a gorgeous, sweet girl with amazing blue eyes and an infectious smile.  She has a gentle personality, and is a little on the quiet side, but we hit it off right away.  It was a joy to see her bloom in front of my camera, and when she put her arm on my shoulder to look at some shots from behind my camera, I knew I had made a friend.  The images from her gallery are breathtaking.

You can see the full session slideshow here.

I knew we had a great time both during our session and her reveal night, but it wasn’t until I saw her mother’s words to me that I realized the full value of what it all meant.  The prints and albums will one day be family treasures, but the experience was what left the biggest impression.

“Through every step, you made my daughter feel beautiful and respected as a young woman. You had a great rapport with Leah, and made everything all about her, while at the same time valuing my role as her mom. That was EXACTLY what I wanted.

“The reveal night, the products- awesome. BUT, the number one thing…YOU. YOU gave Leah a wonderful experience that she is still talking about. YOU made her feel incredible and special! I see her beauty every day, you brought it out during the shoot and through the photographs in a way that SHE was able to see how beautiful she is!”  ~Brenna Carpenter, Leah’s mom.

Each of my Seniors is uniquely amazing.  They are enough.  They are worth it.

Thank you for letting me show them.

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