Melissa and the Flowers – Senior Sunday Portraits
Meeting Melissa was surely one of the highlights of my Class of 2016 photo season. Her energy, her smile and that twinkle in her eye made for an instant connection with me and the camera.
Melissa is a fan of flowers so when we talked locations, I was super excited she liked my suggestion for a little rose garden out in St. Paul. I was even more thrilled that she had spent some time at the Dahlia Festival and brought breathtakingly gorgeous bouquets to use throughout her session. The flowers were such a beautiful touch of color to those sunset images in the field.
In the fall, Melissa will be moving on from Sherwood High School to Oregon State University. I know for certain that her future is bright in Corvallis. But for now, Melissa is embracing her last few months of high school with new and old friends. She has also begun the hunt for the perfect prom dress. This girl has style, so you know it’s going to be a stunner. I couldn’t believe just the amazing shoes this girl had for her senior photos (see below). Melissa has dreams of one day owning a dress boutique and helping to make every girl’s prom one to remember. Perfect!
Hitting the Town with Hayden – Senior Sunday Portraits
I’m always so excited when clients pick urban for the their Senior photos. The textures and colors are amazing. And, I feel like a bit of a bubbly tour guide for my clients showing off the hidden gems around each corner. You really see that “same old town” with new eyes when you are taking portraits.
There is one itty bitty negative. I’m usually starving after a session in the city after smelling all of the great restaurant food steaming through the back alleys.
Hayden was a super fun Senior to work with. So relaxed and totally engaged in his photo session. It was pretty neat to meet and get to know him at the start of such a big year…I don’t think I’d seen him since he went to preschool with my oldest son. Yikes! Hayden’s a smart and thoughtful one, and it will be fun to track the fabulous things he’s sure to accomplish in the years to come.
Got any super cool, beat up blocks for me to check out? Leave a comment…I’m always looking for fun buildings for photos.
Park Tripping with Tiffani – Senior Sunday Portraits
Some photo sessions just fly. This was one of them. We had a gorgeous evening at one of my favorite parks, and Tiffani is a delight to work. We laughed a lot. Especially at her kah-RAZY black lab who literally ran circles around us.
And, it’s always fun as a photographer when you get a gorgeous pair of bright blue eyes and a natural beauty to work with!
Tiffani is excitedly jumping into the Spring of her Senior year. Her final tennis season is sure to be memorable as her love for the game HUGE. I just might have to catch a match to see this girl in action.
Tiffani will heading to the University of Oregon this fall. Go Ducks!
The Mendricks Trio – Family Fun Friday
I love having a pre-session “date” with clients at my favorite coffee shop, Sherwood’s Symposium Coffee. We get to chat, get to know each other, make eye contact (without a camera in my face), pick a location, have excellent coffee, and get creative. Meeting Kelly, I knew I had a kindred spirt. She loves capturing her little girl and it was clear that the annual photo session was going to be fun. I mean, seriously, we decided to bring bubbles!
I have some special locations that I love to take families. Places where kids can be kids. Parks with walking trails and fun things like ponds and rivers and tall grasses to play in. If kids are busy and having a good time, they really don’t worry all that much about me and the camera. The park we used for this photo session is wonderful. I find something new every time I visit. And, it really says something that we could get such interesting backgrounds and scenery in early December. There is eye candy all year round.
Do you know of any great parks or recreation areas near Sherwood, Newberg or Tualatin that offer up interesting textures and nature in the winter? Leave a comment because I LOVE scouting out new locations.
Golden Highlights of Marisa – Senior Sunday Portraits
Marisa is gold. Her personality is so warm and she shines so bright in her Senior portraits. And I doubt I even have to point out those gorgeous, sun-catching golden highlights in her hair!
Marisa’s portrait session was one of my first of the Senior portrait season in late July. Her portraits are a great testament to booking in the summer. It was warm, sunny and relaxed. No school stress. No rain worries. No chills.
Spring of Senior year is almost upon us and Marisa’s final months of high school will be filled with completing her art portfolio and kicking some booty on the tennis courts. She will also be making the big decision of whether to be a Duck or a Beaver – Go Ducks! – I may be a little biased. No matter the school, Marisa has the right perspective. She’s excitedly awaiting the next chapter of her life and says, “I just want to be happy and healthy for the rest of my life!”
Senior Favorite – Erin and the Light
There are two ways of spreading light… To be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it. – Edith Wharton
Erin is a kindred spirit. She is a light chaser. She is a beauty seeker. She is a photographer.
Erin is often the mirror reflecting someone else’s light with her camera. But with me, she got to be the candle.
It is always special to create images for someone who knows the craft. I have known Erin for quite a few years now and we could chat effortlessly and probably endlessly about locations and colors and lighting. I have so enjoyed watching Erin’s work progress over the years.
Erin’s mom chose this image as her Senior Favorite because, “The light is beautiful and so are those brown eyes!” Love that. It is so sweet when moms appreciate and nurture the confidence these young women need as they walk off into their futures.
While Erin is a talented photographer, she is also an excellent student and a skilled athlete. Erin will be attending George Fox University in the fall and is planning on studying Physical Therapy. She will triple jump for the track team and is hoping to also play volleyball. I’ve photographed one of her volleyball games and she definitely has what it takes.
Senior Favorite – Sam Himself
Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay. ― Dalai Lama XIV
As parents, we are somewhat prepared for the anguish of Senior year. We know they need to go. But please, I swear that 18 years was really 18 seconds. I mean seriously…what just happened?
The biggest surprise, and what I was NOT even remotely prepared for, was how attached I would be to my son’s friends. He picked really, really good friends. And, he let me get to know them. Especially Sam.
Ben and Sam have been the best of friends for many years. They chose each other. They truly take care of one another. It has been pretty cool to watch.
The reality of Sam not being at my house for lunch – like almost every day – is sooo unacceptable. Ouch. And no more pictures of Sam on the baseball mound? Say what?
I will miss how Sam’s eyes light up after recording for The Macks and when he’s telling me about some hijinks he’s orchestrating at school and when he’s filling me in on Prom-posal strategies.
Sam can be serious and complex and creative. He writes poems and some have become song lyrics for The Macks. Sam can also just be a one-liner man and pretty dang funny. I have laughed so hard at the many videos written and produced by Ben and Sam. All of this is perfect for his next adventures at the University of Oregon pursuing a marketing and advertising degree.
Sam chose this image taken in a local park as his Senior Favorite. I actually remember what he said right after we took it, “Yeah. That felt like a good one.” He was right.
Sam would most like to be “Myself” when he grows up and is inspired by these words from Tyler, The Creator, “I am the cowboy on my own trip and”
Senior Favorite – McKayla and the Red Dress
This girl is so ADORABLE. I have know her since she was about three years old. Her grandpa, Julius, was our our realtor, who became our friend, who then became our neighbor. He would bring his little red-haired McKayla with him everywhere…it was so sweet. I loved how McKayla jumped right in to play with the crazy number of boys on our street…she was seriously outnumbered. I have always been struck by how friendly and upbeat and, of course, absolutely gorgeous she is.
McKayla’s mom and I both struggle to pick a favorite image from her session. She looks amazing in all of them and shows off her many moods and expressions. But, Goose (aka McKayla) knew exactly which one she wanted to share…”her vogue one.” McKayla really mixed it up from a cute blouse and boots, to a sweater, to her Dutch Bros. beanie, to “the red dress.” When her mom showed me this dress, I knew exactly where I wanted to shoot, and McKayla sure delivered the pose.
McKayla loves this image because “it represents her looking off into her future…and ready to ride the journey of the next steps.”
McKayla will be focused on nursing at University of Arizona in the fall (she’ll wear lots of red there). She wants to help others, in a fast pace environment and is thinking of pediatric ICU, emergency, or surgery.
I am so gonna miss her smiling face at Dutch Bros. after this summer, but I am so happy to watch her following her dreams.
McKayla’s senior motto is “Put some red lipstick on and live a little!”
Senior Favorite – Robin and her Beagle
I was pretty excited when Robin came my way. I have lived next to her grandparents for over 10 years…her grandfather and I swap garden stories regularly over the fence. Getting to know Jerry’s granddaughter was pretty special.
Robin has so many fun interests. I loved talking and taking pictures of her with her beautiful sheep. I also photographed Robin on the football field, as she was a drum major for the award-winning Sherwood High School Marching Band. Soon I hope to take some pictures of her with a refurbished VW Bug that has been a labor of love for her and her dad this year.
Robin’s Senior Favorite image is with her beautiful Beagle puppy. What a cutie. Robin loves this image “because the composition and lighting looks so beautiful! Plus I love my puppy.”
Robin’s plans for this Fall are to study at Oregon State University and pursue a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She would love to be a marine mammal/zoo animal veterinarian, hopefully working at a zoo, aquarium or rescue shelter.
Robin is inspired by this Eleanor Rooosevelt quote, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Senior Favorite – Laurynn and Annabell
So you would like to bring a circus to the park for your Senior Photos? Okay, I-am-so-in!
Laurynn is magic with animals. She hauled her dog, her pony and her horse to meet me at a park one early morning for photos. They all clearly adore Laurynn. Her patient and calm nature made it one of the easiest sessions I have every shot.
Laurynn’s Senior Favorite image is of her and Annabell. I love this one as well, though I don’t think I could take a bad photo of these two beautiful girls. Since this was taken, Annabell gave birth to some of the cutest puppies I have ever seen. No surprise that Laurynn chose to add one permanently to her family. I wonder if little Grace was in Annabell’s tummy when this was taken?
Laurynn plans to attend Walla Walla Community College this fall. She would love to continue working with horses and pursuing a degree in Farrier Science. Laurynn will also have the opportunity to ride along side the WWCC rodeo team.
