A lot has changed in just a few short months, We have moved! My new studio is more spacious and light. As always we are in full out work mode, and I am finishing up my class of 2022. Class of 2023 is already in line, and I’m ready for spring already ( ok i know it’s going to be awhile).. The weather has been so strange that flowers are starting to bloom.. they are confused with this Virginia weather.
Every part of your 12th year should be perfect. I know that this class has sacrificed so much..
the one thing that I want to be perfect for them are their senior photos.
Cap and gown photos always bring me the feelz. I either waffle between extreme happiness and excitement, or a feeling of melancholy that my time with my class of seniors has ended. It goes by so quickly these days..
This year has been difficult.. and that’s no joke. These seniors have been in school and out of school and virtual online school, and sometimes they were somewhere in between all these options.. I vote to stamp out Covid as quickly as possible. I know we all want that and a sense that life has returned to normal. For these seniors who sacrificed so much this year. I hope that you have a wonderful summer.
One thing is for sure, I hope that you all know you hold a special place in my heart. I am wishing you all the best in the future, and in everything that life has in store for you.
so this is 2021.. a year in review. We have climbed through trees, across rivers.. into barns.. and it’s true I’ve stuck many of you into flowers and trees.
Always remember and never forget these adventures my adventersome souls. Always remember that you are Gaw-jus, just like you are.
( new work ….. because I’ve totally neglected my blog and website and have been slacking)
These are Nicole’s senior photos..
This girl totally blew me away.. We had fun! I loved everything she wore in the studio and on location, not to diminish the fact that she has a lovely photogenic face and a personality that makes you want her to be your friend. She’s a quiet girl, but she’s the one who if you are lucky enough to know her, she will be your friend for life. Nicole drove an hour and half several times with her mom so we could create her senior photo portraits, and I really can’t think of an honor bigger than that.
Since I write like I talk, you’ll just have to excuse the run on sentences.. typos.. etc.. But, this was a gorgeous setting. It’s historic downtown Petersburg.
When you are photographing in a spot that is over used.. or used frequently, be creative in the choices you make, and for all that is holy, stay off the tracks.
I digress,
a note to nicole..
you are kind .. you are beautiful.. you are what makes this world a better place.. Happy Graduation Nicole.. Now go change the world!
studio days.. are my favorite days.. We have time to chat and visit a little. Covid has changed that somewhat, but luckily I have huge windows in my studio that are open… even when it’s chilly out. My seniors, they don’t complain…
We wear masks until these shots are taken..
I have tweaked my lighting so much over the last years, and I’ve gotten a little more skilled at creating shadows where I want them and highlights where they are desired.
It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly Christmas and I’m just now finishing some of my senior portrait collections. It’s been a wild ride this year. Covid has really changed things and they way I do things. The one thing I think it’s really done is to pull into sharp focus ( no pun intended) that that senior photos are probably the most normal thing about this disastrously dastardly school year. My seniors and I.. we have a had a great year. It started last March and several seniors have rolled over into next spring. In other words, we ran out of time.
This is the time of year that I sit back.. well.. not really that doesn’t happen. ..but I try to take time to reflect on my goals. What is it that I want to deliver.
I want to deliver timeless photography and portraits. It’s that simple. We have the fun photos that are taken and placed on instagram and snapchat.. and all the tik-tok we need.. but at the end of the day, I want you to have something that you can keep on your wall … forever. Like the day that Nicole and I caught the train š
Senior photos and Pandemic in the same sentence? wow… those are two things I never thought I would see. We take the happiest of times and combine it with unsure futures…
I believe that what these hard times teach us what is important. I believe that family, and preserving family memories are important.
My business has taken a hit from this mess.. who hasn’t taken a hit? What I continue to try to do is preserve precious memories for parents who have children who are about to leave home.
Senior photos are special, they deserve a special place where they are highlighted in your home and in your child’s life. It should be an experience that creates a special memory for them and for you. I’ve never had a person say.. ” oh wow.. wish I didn’t have those beautiful prints”.
So, in these times of uncertainty, I am still working.. and for that I am thankful. I am working with safety always on my mind…
My seniors and I remain socially distanced outside… in the studio I have taken all precautions and the cleaning doesn’t stop. We wear masks until we can safely be at a distance apart from one another.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers during these difficult times, but I promise to deliver the best results I can.
Meanwhile, we have celebrated America’s birthday..
I feel like I never have the words to tell my seniors how much they mean to me.
It’s quite the honor being chosen to be the catcher of these last days spent living at home and the memories. This last year is the most important year. Many choices are made that will impact a life for years to come. Where to start college, how to leave friends and family behind.. how to decorate that dorm room..
And for parents, how to leave your child that you’ve raised so closely to your heart somewhere in the complete care of strangers and at a college.
I’m always amazed at how independent these kiddos are. They do big things, think big things. They are smart… and they are driven.
These people make me proud watching them, but for just a small little bit of time, I get to capture these moments before they leave home… and it’s humbling. I am in awe of all of you, I hope that I get that across to each and everyone that I photograph. YOU INSPIRE ME!
Senior photos should be a collection of images that immediately brings the viewer into the personality of the subject .
I so enjoyed taking these Senior photos.. We traveled out to Annie’s treasured home place in rural chesterfield to grab some early morning sunflower photos, and photos on the farm
I’m thrilled that we shot in the morning since the summer temps were 104 that afternoon.. man it’s been a hot summer.
We then followed up with her love of the violin in her stunning red dress. These printed images just arrived and they are gorgeous. Her mom cried when she saw them.. I almost did too š
my favorite time of year.Ā Ā In Virginia fall can take on many forms.. Right now it’s still 90 degrees and we are still working in the morning hours. The air is taking on that certain feeling of crispness, with the promise of those cool, clear, blue skied days.Ā I’m waiting..:)
