The Dress That Started It All

I'd like to talk about myself for a moment. This year has been about growth. I decided that this was the year I would move forward with all the great and amazing plans I've had for my studio. I wanted to grow my business, as any business owner does. I wanted to challenge myself, as any artist does. I wanted to make an impact, as any hopeless dreamer longs to do. So this year I set out striving to conquer one of the main goals I've had for my studio. I want to use my work, my creativity, and my vision to empower my clients to see the beauty on their outside as well as within. I meet a lot of young men and women each year and they all have amazing stories. I have been blessed to meet talented, articulate, and down right amazing young people from the tri-state area. I design sessions to capture who they are and I hope that my end results do their amazing journeys justice.

This year was the start of my Senior Rep Program for the Class of 2019, The Candid Crew. I carefully chose 4 very different young ladies to take part in some crazy stylized sessions. Did we have an amazing time? Yes. Was I able to accomplish some creative sessions I'd been craving to do for years? Heck yes! Did I realize how special these 4 young women would become? I wasn't fully expecting the impact these girls would have on my heart. I'm sad to say that our time together is coming to an end but I am so excited to see what these ladies continue to do and what they'll accomplish. 

That being said, Miss Emilie is the first of my Candid Crew to have her own senior portrait experience complete. I sat down with Emilie and her mom and was very humbled to hear how this experience has impacted the both of them. I choose to be the "cool photographer" and many of our talking points will stay between the three of us but what I can say is that I'm truly thankful to have captured this young woman's journey. When I met Emilie at the Rep information meeting she was the soft spoken, super tall young lady with gorgeous old hollywood look sitting to the right of me. Session after session I saw the fire ignite in this young lady. She brought the sass to that gorgeous red prom dress. "The dress that started it all," as her Mom would say. A strong warrior that embraced her battles and celebrated her scar with the This Is Me session. And soon the soft spoken, timid, and slightly awkward young lady that I first met will be the "Ringmaster" in our final event. You'll also be seeing her one last time this winter for her snow portraits. Emilie thank you for challenging me to be a better photographer and learning from what makes you different. I thank you for trusting my vision and for being part of this amazing experience. I hope that you love your portraits as much as I have enjoyed our time together. Cheers to your next chapter. I know you will do amazing things!