Chandler is the last (but certainly not least!) of my 2011 Senior Reps. We met up a few weeks ago on a stifling hot evening. Chandler was looking for a really woodsy feel, and when I stumbled upon this gem of a location I knew it would be perfect! It was nice that we got to stay in the shade, but that also meant we were getting no breeze – I’m amazed that Chandler managed to look so fresh the whole time! And can I just say that I would kill to have her hair?!? Oh my, the light was just hitting it so perfectly this evening. I also got to use the vintage suitcases I’ve been stockpiling, and I was really pleased with how they came out. Chandler is an amazing singer and performer, and I LOVE that she brought her “faces” of theater for some fun shots. That just goes to show that you don’t have to be an athlete or play a musical instrument to use a cool prop! I really look forward to working with you this year Chandler, enjoy your sneak peek!

Riley and I met up last month bright and early in the morning for a session with one very cool prop.  The beautiful vintage Corvette you see below was actually Riley’s father’s car when he was in high school.  They finished restoring it just in time for our session, pretty cool, huh!  Riley is also a fantastic musician and his sweet guitar made for an excellent addition to the shoot!  Riley had some great ideas too – I love it when my clients jump in and get creative!  I’m really looking forward to working with you this year, Riley!

Rachael and I met up last week at one of my favorite urban locations.  Rachael just oozes personality, and I absolutely love how she chose outfits that really reflect her unique-ness!  We walked all over downtown McKinney and found some really killer spots.  Rachael was always up for anything – I just love it when my clients trust me!    She also has a tradition where she gets a new pair of Converses each year – so she brought her Freshman through Senior year Converses to include in some fun shots.  The only downside to the evening was that I lost a lens cap AND locked my keys in my car during a wardrobe change.  Eek!  Luckily I had all of my gear on me, so we could finish the shoot while my poor husband came and drove the 25 miles to bring me a spare key.  I almost forgot to mention, Rachael is the first senior I’ve photographed from Frisco High School and therefore qualifies for my brand new “Trendsetter Bonus”!  The first senior that I photograph at any given school will receive 50 FREE senior rep/411 cards to pass out to their friends.  How cool is that?!?  Thanks so much for a fabulous session Rachael, enjoy your sneak peek! 

After a rainy reschedule, I met up with Ryan last weekend to take his senior portraits.  Ryan was my last Class of 2010 senior to photograph and proof that it’s never too late!   He told me that he originally wasn’t going to have senior portraits taken, but then decided that this time in his life needed to be captured, and I couldn’t agree more. As I mentioned in a previous post, there is likely never going to be another time when you have a photo shoot dedicated to you and you alone, so make the most of it!  Ryan’s awesome wardrobe coupled with a great location made for some really nice images.  I told Ryan that I can see why he wears (and brought) a lot of blue - wow, does it make his blue eyes pop! :)  Thanks for a great session and for your patience during our bizarre Texas weather.  Enjoy your sneak peek!

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Katie and her brothers last week at one of my favorite locations.  I know Mom has really been looking forward to getting some shots of all of her kiddos, and they were real troopers on another very hot evening.  I have had such a great run of siblings who get along so well together, and they were certainly no exception!   After we got some sibling shots, the boys were released from duty and Katie and I got to work on her senior pictures.  She actually graduated in May (class of 2010), but it’s never too late to get your senior pictures!  She brought some AWESOME outfits AND her guitar.  I got so excited when I heard that!  She even gathered an audience while playing her guitar up on our little hill there at the end of the night – that gorgeous laughing shot was right after someone asked her to sing too!   Thanks for being so fun and laid back, I had such a great time!  Enjoy your sneak peek!

Jett is the first of my Class of 2011 Senior Reps that I photographed this summer.  We had a great session on a cool post-rain evening, evenings like that seem like a distant memory at this point!   I’m really excited to work with Jett this year.  Not only is he an awesome football player, but he’s also a very accomplished actor and singer – I’ve seen him in action!   Not surprising that one of his favorite TV shows is Glee.    The only hiccup to our session was when a stray cat surprised us on top of the shed we were shooting in front of.  How do cats sense that you hate them, and why do they torture you?!?  Thanks for a great session Jett, and I’m looking forward to working together this year! 

I met up with this very brave family last weekend on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year here in Dallas.  Yes, when I pulled up, my car thermometer said 107.  No, that is not a typo.  Luckily, you would have never known it by the way they acted.  We had so much fun – what an awesome carefree bunch!  I’m horrified of the teenage years, so it’s always so refreshing to see families with teenage (and a little older) kids who are so sweet and good-natured.  These two were certainly no exception.  They even brought along their family dog who posed for a few shots and then {happily} waited out the rest of the session in the AC.    I loved working with you guys, and in all honesty, you turned what could have been a miserable night into a memorable one.  Bravo!  Enjoy your sneak peek!

With a busy fall senior season just around the corner, Kelly of Kelly V. Photography couldn’t have put this one together at a better time!  So, for all of you moms of senior boys scouring for ideas, just remember that it’s most important that they be themselves!   Let them take a peek at this post … they might even start looking forward to it!    Here’s what Kelly has to say:

“Since the class of 2011 is scheduling senior sessions in full force, I thought I’d offer some suggestions for the guys.
I think a common misconception is that men don’t care how they look, when really, most of the guys I shoot bring just as many outfits to their session as the girls. Although you’ll naturally gravitate toward your favorite things in your closet, be sure to choose a variety of looks, too. Even one dressier outfit will help round out your photos.
In the first outfit below, I took a classic button-down shirt and made two completely different looks with it. One is dressy, one is more casual. For the casual look, I’d recommend rolling up the sleeves. But if you choose to go the more formal route and you’re looking for funky ties, check out the shopping list. I found a site that’s FULL of them.
While you’re packing, don’t forget to choose something that’s just, well, you. If you wear crazy graphic T-shirts, bring a few. If color is your thing, don’t shy away from it.
And be sure to bring a variety of shoes, too. Different looks need different finishing touches. Ties just don’t go with flip flops. Unless that’s your thing!”

OUTFIT #1
Casual version
Shirt: Gap, $32.99 (sale)
Tee: Gap, $16.50 (two or more $12.50 each)
Jeans: Gap, $64.50
Shoes: Sketchers, $59.00
Dressy version
Shirt: Gap, $32.99 (sale)
Khakis: Gap, $44.50
Shoes: Sketchers, $54.95
Tie: Zazzle.com, $31.75

OUTFIT #2
Jacket: Abercrombie & Fitch, $100
Plaid shirt: A&F, $60
Jeans: A&F, $98
Belt: A&F, $48
Sandals: A&F, $48

OUTFIT #3
Hoodie: Old Navy, $24.50
Reversable shorts: Old Navy, $15.00 (sale)
Etnies tee: Pac Sun, $28.00
Shoes: Journies, $59.99

When I got an email last night from Michelle Moore (one of my photography heros – see Inspiration tab above!), it just about made my year!   One of my super fashionable senior sessions is being featured today over on her teen fashion blog Salt & Prep.  I can not tell you how excited I am about this – this was a career aspiration of mine that I can now check off the list!   I’m really honored and humbled to be included among some truly talented photographers over there, and big thanks to Rachel for such a fabulous session.  Make sure you go check it out!  And you senior gals will want to bookmark this site – it is FULL of awesome style and wardrobe tips for your senior session!

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to ease back into shooting after my vacation then working with Lauren and Adam.  Apart from the fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk heat, it was an absolutely wonderful shoot.  These two were so at ease and sweet with each other, it made my job all too easy.  You could tell immediately how close they are and how well they get along, and I hope that comes through in these images as well.  They brought some great outfits too!  They each came with lots of options and then we spent the first few minutes of the shoot choosing outfits and making a plan of attack.  If you ever aren’t sure about wardrobe choices, feel free to do the same!  Thanks Lauren, Adam, and Mom for enduring that unforgiving Texas heat – I hope you’ll think it was worth it too!