Oh, the Places You'll Go!

I remember it all so well. The photo by the fake window. It was in my senior year of high school and my mother wanted nothing more than to provide me with beautiful senior photos. At the time our definition of "beautiful" was quite different. Being camera shy and never one to conform, a debate ensued in our household regarding how I would be photographed in these very important images. Traditional head shot...FINE. Outdoors and looking happy...FINE. Standing in front of the fake window and looking wistful...NOT FINE!!!

For some reason, I was violently opposed to this particular setting that my Mother was just in love with. What was I looking at? Why is the window....a fake window? The debate raged on until I found myself standing in front of the this false view. Then in the studio, under hushed tones, a deal was set. If I did the "fake window photo", I would be granted a heavy reward. I don't recall what the terms were to this day, but they must have been pretty good! I agreed to the verbal contract. The first photo you see below is physical proof. I am certain my Mother had the best intentions with her wish. All that she hoped for was pictures of me that she could share with friends and family, a visual way to express her pride. How can you deny the beauty in that?

If I could do it all again. I wish those photos reflected more of my individualism at the time. On the verge of the rest of your life and embarking upon all that is exciting and new. There is so much opportunity to capture the essence of a young person.

My only hope when I do senior photos is that I produce images they will be happy to look at for a lifetime. A documentation of that moment in time. The moment before it all changes. I was more certain of who I was at 19 than I could ever be now. Even though that person has gone and changed and I might cringe at the ideas she had. I still wish the moment was captured so that I could see her face a bit more clearly. So that I could see her eyes shine.

I have a wonderful time getting to know my sassy, senior friends and feeding off the energy they give. An all time favorite session was with the brilliant Cameron Alman. I hope his new journey is as fearless and open as he approached his photos. A wonderful soul and a joy to work with.

THIS IS BAD....



THESE MAKE ME HAPPY!!!