School dances, now and then | Kirkland Senior Photographer

WOW.. I found this way back from fall and forgot to post it-some pictures from Homecoming (then added MY dance pictures for a little shock factor).

I couldn’t help but remember my days of nails and hair-dos, dates and dresses, dinners and PICTURES, corsages and boutonnieres.  Some things have changed (including home decor in the background) and some things haven’t (like my love for my fun friend).  I especially like the newly painted red manicure and the perfect puffy sleeves from 1992, Christmas Formal.  Do you think it’s weird that we have a real wood burning fireplace in Mesa, AZ?  I do!  I remember it being used all of about three times in the 18 years that I lived there.  AND, those stockings-my mom made those for us and still hangs them to this day.  She made them and we love them!

Deadlines and rain | Kirkland Senior Photographer

Even though it seems as though school JUST started, the seniors are already meeting deadlines, ordering caps and gowns, graduation announcements and modeling for their senior portraits.  The instructions come to the photographer and say things like, “the head size will be approximately 5/8 inch from chin to eyebrow…,”  or how about this one, “neutral background color-traditional mottled gray, blue or brown,” WHAT?  Seriously.  Well, we followed the directions, set up a session and with a gray (ish) background but had no other choice since it was raining.  : )  We shot as creatively as we good given our restrictions and parameters.  She is beautiful with such a sweet personality.  She rallies those around her and brightens the mood wherever she goes.

Rainboots in the sun | Kirkland Senior Photographer

It was an expectedly sunshine-y day and very busy at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens.  I suppose it offered some audience for this senior and her afternoon of modeling?  : )  She brought these rainboots-RED.  Red goes with everything and she sported them better than anybody I have seen.  We had fun dodging people and waiting for others to pass.  The day was wonderful (and I was even sweating… yes, here in the pacific northwest) and she was adorable.  Her mother was every bit as adorable and I can’t wait to do her “senior” photos someday.  :)

Discovery Park senior session | Kirkland Senior Photographer

We were the lucky winners of a special pass to DRIVE down to the water at Discovery Park in Seattle.  There were rules… like you need to be a senior citizen or have young children-none of which fit our circumstance.  Then, she asked about driving because of her knee.  YES!  A special circumstance that may get us down to the water to avoid the 1 mile+ walk.  She had just had surgery on her knee and wasn’t able to walk long distances and short distances weren’t easy.  We asked and we received.  We proudly displayed our disability pass in our window, drove down to the “special parking lot” near the lighthouse and water’s edge and did our session, or much of it, there.  It was another gorgeous day in Seattle as the clouds gently diffused the sun providing some beautiful light.  I was doing quite the acrobatic tricks holding my reflector while the sun was strong without an assistant.  A kind man walked by and asked if he could help but he was about ten minutes too late.  The air was crisp and chilly, the sun was warm and the beach was beautiful.  It made a perfect day for a senior session At Discovery Park!

Senior portraits and her rain boots | Kirkland Senior Photographer

Prom 2011 | Kirkland Senior Photographer

Do you remember your prom?  I do.  I remember my mom getting my hair put together and putting all sorts of pins in it.  I remember wearing shoes that weren’t made for walking.  I remember the day of activities and fun.  How old am I anyway because I feel like my senior prom was just a couple years ago…?

What a pleasure it was for me to enjoy a few brief moments with Breanna and James before they skipped off to a dinner date and prom.  I loved seeing the details of hair and make-up, bracelets and corsages and a suit and tie.  It was impossible for me not to smile and beam with excitement for them.  I’m sure James didn’t sign up for the acrobatic moves and work-out that I was asking him to do (ya know, like run, jump, carry, etc.) but he was a trooper.  : )

Spring Cleaning and Discounts | Kirkland, WA Photographer

Who doesn’t love a discount?  : )  I’m cleaning out, archiving, and offering some savings.  This is good through May 20th.  Any orders between NOW (April 20th) and May 11th will include some savings!

Jumping, modeling, and serious stuff | Queen Creek Senior Photographer

Boys…  I think of sound effects, curiosities, sports, workers, and blue.  Is that stereotypical?  Probably.  My son was born with the capability to do great sound effects with his mouth.  Me, well it sounds like something is dying.  How does that happen?

Girls… I think of fashion, beauty, nurturing, friends and color.  Again-sterotypical?  Of course.  But my daughter fits the description.  : )

Although we grow up and our life experiences change us, don’t you think that our make-up (who we are) remains the same?  I love to meet people, learn about people and hopefully learn from people.  I love to see things in a different way.  I’m always impressed when you meet the ones who know who they are, where they are going and what they want out of life.  Purpose.

These incredible people, high school people, gave me energy.  They had purpose.  They inspired me for different reasons, each one of them.  You wouldn’t know that most of them didn’t know each other before this particular morning.  You wouldn’t know that they were up before 7:00am on a Saturday morning.  You can’t pick out their talents or know their backgrounds by looking at them.  And you don’t know who can jump the highest by reviewing these… or maybe you do?

Kayla and her senior portraits

So, here I am at the Junkyard in Gilbert, AZ again.  Kayla wanted something a little more grunge and not cutesy (like green grass).  The perfect place was The Junkyard!  We toured around the junkyard taking several different shots in areas that I have overlooked before.  She had several changes of clothing and had her besties there to help her out.  Her changing room consisted of a few bales of hay and her friends were the doors.  : )  We were extremely careful due to all the broken glass and nails (and a few chickens here and there).  Kayla didn’t seem to be bothered until we reached the red little house near the chicken coop.  Then, the smell hit her.  Those dirty chickens were very smelly and ruining the photoshoot.  :)  Having her friends nearby was fantastic; they coached her, fixed her clothing, touched up her hair and make-up and encouraged certain looks.  They were able to use inside jokes (and maybe a boys name or two) to bring certain emotions.  I loved her audience and what they were able to do for me and for Kayla.  The way Kayla gently held the old gas pump or slightly tilted her chin made me think she has been in front of a camera a time or two…  I didn’t need to give any guidance-it flowed and was great!   Thanks Kayla for allowing me to be a part of this awesome time in your life.  I love your portraits, you look fabulous and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

High School, Gold Shoes and Doors | Queen Creek, AZ Senior Photographer

One of the best things about photographing high school students and seniors is seeing their ability to put clothing together.  I am always amazed that I am far from having the latest styles hanging in my closet but I get to see individuality in them.  Each one comes with a different flare and spunk, different colors and textures, something that reflects who they are at that time.  Tori had some great shoes that sparkled-ahhh, just like her cute personality.  I loved her sass and her giggles.  I loved her dark hair and fair skin.  I loved her accessories.  AND, I was able to capture different sides of that spunkiness…    Loved this morning with awesome models, beautiful light and fun personalities.  And Tori, maybe I could borrow those shoes?

Make-up by Patrick Brannigan (love this guy!)