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.  :)

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!)

High School, Tennis, and Walls | Queen Creek, AZ Senior Photographer

A tennis player and a good sport… meet Josh.  Josh came on this cold Saturday morning with JD and I’m certainly glad he came to play.  I really don’t know what I was expecting but this group of high schoolers were amazing.  Josh let us mess with his hair, he played tennis for us and jumped a million times with hopes of getting a higher or better shot than the previous jump.  He even played the part of asking Jaci out on a date for the love of a good photograph. I’m sure he is a great student and athlete.  I’m sure he is a great friend. I’m sure he is a great son and treats his mom with love and respect. I can’t imagine anything else from Josh.  AND, he is quite handsome.  Josh, thanks for climbing on the trash cans, jumping again and again and playing tennis with the boring opponent named The Wall.  Thanks for giving up your important sleep to come and shoot these images!

High School Models continues | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

Skyris could be one of the sweetest teenagers I have ever met.  Have I ever told you about the teenagers that I grew up with?  The other teenagers in my home?  I love my dear family BUT let’s just say I am NOT excited about raising teenagers-or I wasn’t until I met Skyris. There is hope for darling AND sweet teenager-ness.  It seems that Skyris is unaware of how darling she is.  Shall we talk about her eyes?  Yes, let’s do.  There is a smile even within her eyes that I loved.  We always hear, “smile with your eyes,” and I understood it when I saw her.  Her shy approach toward photographs really works for her.  She did a fabulous job and was ready and willing to go for round two in the afternoon (what other teenager would want to do that?).  Thank you Skyris for coming and sharing your Saturday morning with me.  You are beautiful.

Her hair was styled by Tami Rhoton and her hair by Patrick Brannigan, who were both wonderful.  If I could always work with people as prompt and reliable and talented as those two I would be truly blessed!

I am keeping up with Photo A Day.  Amazing (if I do say so myself).  The weekly photo challenge is great, when I do it.  : )  Visit my Flickr Page to see the latest happenings…

High School Models Continued | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

This group was nothing short of talent.  One minute I turn around and the skateboard action is happening.  It was hard to decide where I needed to focus my camera.  Have you ever heard the term, “I have eyes on the back of my head,”  mostly when your parents try to convince you that they can see what you are doing even when you think they can’t?  Well, I was wishing I had eyes on the back of my head and a camera to go along with it.  Josh was one that I was trying to capture a REAL smile.  What is a real smile when you don’t know the person?  You know that smile that either leads to a laugh or is just at the end of a laugh?  We were teasing him about a cute girl walking by in the background at which time, my sister/assistant says, “yep, she is here,” and walks behind me.  We got him to laugh and me too.  Clever Lindsey!  I will have to try that one again.  What I learned about him is that he was able and willing to do anything I needed-with a real smile.  : )  He is witty and quite talented on the skateboard. He and his brother JD were great and I feel lucky and blessed to have them be a part of the crew on this particular morning!  Thank you to their dear mother who is passionate about pictures like me.  Without her, I could not have these fabulous boys to shoot!  Also, thanks to Ami for the referral/suggestion.  She said they were awesome boys and she was right!