It's the end of childhood, and the first step into adulthood. There are a lot of emotions surrounding your Senior year of high school. It'll be the last of everything you've known, routine wise, Monday-Friday for the last 12, 13 years.
You've most likely developed some amazing friendships and made plenty of awesome new memories; as well as had some pretty exciting opportunities. Whether you've decided to continue your education into a university, stick around town and study at a local community college, or even pursue a trade! Maybe you've already hit it the ground running and are already pursing your passion. The most important memory you'll have of this year is your portrait session. You will look back on these photo's for many, many years to come. So let's make it memorable! (And fun!)
Where should my location(s) be?
Make it unique to you!
Your location can make or break your image. If you enjoy wildflowers and sunsets, pick parks and beaches that you would visually love to see yourself in. The time of the year matters, too. In the Winter everything may be sparkling with white snow, and you can get some gorgeous falling snow scenes. In the Spring you will get lots of new life and plenty of greens with pretty pastels. In the Summer, gorgeous sunsets and a large variety of ever-changing flower life. In the Fall, you can expect beautiful, bold colors and serene landscapes.
If you enjoy city-life and buildings, pick historic towns with plenty of architecture and visual interests such as; parking structures, pretty store fronts, and city-scapes. The season's are ever-changing here, too!
Maybe you're into sports and have played an array of them throughout your entire school life. Going to your local school and sports grounds are perfect for these, too!
Maybe you want a combination all of all of these!
My packages are custom tailored to fit your needs
What should I wear?
Just as each location is unique to you, so are your outfits! Pick outfits and accessories that represent your style. Keep your locations and seasons in mind when picking your outfits, though. Keep your colors more on the neutral side (with pops of colors) so that you stand out from your scene. If you plan on doing a field shoot, I will ALWAYS suggest a long, flowing maxi dress for the ladies! It adds tons of movement for that whimsical, dreamy look! A fun pair of jeans or skirt with pockets are always fun for tucking away cute little flower bouquets too!
Bring a variety of clothing - something fancy, something fun, and something unique to you! Be sure you feel confident in your outfits. Body language is everything in portraits. If you're not comfortable, it will show!
Steer clear of neon's - these colors will cast unsightly color-casts on your skin.
Just say no to logo's - these will draw the attention away from your face!
How should I look?
Keep your nails neat and clean and painted in a pretty, neutral color if you are a girl.
Style your hair neat and clean and keep your face freshly shaven if you are a guy.
Girls, if you like your hair down, leave it down! Give your hair some nice waves, curls or straighten it! We can always throw it up in a bun if you wish for a more casual vibe towards the end of your session.
Accessories are fun, too! Just keep them delicate and dainty. Timeless jewelry is always in fashion!
Girls, I do suggest light makeup if you're a natural girl! The camera and lights will very easily wash you out; taking away from your beautiful features. I always suggest a little color on the cheeks and lips. Mascara doesn't hurt, either - we want your eyes to sparkle!
While tans are beautiful, be mindful of your outfits and tan lines! If these don't bother you, then they don't bother me, either. I highly discourage self-tanning. So much can go wrong and they can't always be fixed! If you must have a tan, do it gradually and naturally, or hit a highly trained spray salon a few days before your session!
What should I bring to my session?
Bring shoes that are comfortable to walk around in, along with your fancy heels/boots. Chances are we will be doing some walking, so you'll want to be comfortable. If you plan on spending time in the tall grasses, bare foot is best!
I always have a pop-up changing tent available to do outfit changes on the go! I also always bring a foldable wagon for all of your outfits and accessories. You will need to bring a parent or friend to help you!
It can get pretty hot out sometimes, so bring water or any other type of snack to keep you feeling energized and hydrated.
Girl's, don't forget your makeup for quick touch-ups!
How should I prepare the night before?
Be sure all of your outfits are ironed/steamed and hung up. Make sure to try on your outfits with the undergarments you plan on using - and check that you don't have any unwanted colors popping through or bra straps showing! Also check in different lighting situations!
Do a checklist of all the items you need to bring: Makeup, shoes, accessories, etc...and place them neatly in a bag so that you can get plenty of sleep the night before! Nothing is more exhausting than having to worry about forgetting something. So let's take care of it now! And trust me, that exhaustion will show up on your face!
Drink plenty of water in the weeks leading up to your session so that your face is glowing!
Take up a good skin care routine to be sure your face is mostly free of blemishes. Although I do edit these out in post-processing, it's so much easier on both of us to make sure we're taking care of our skin beforehand!
Be sure to brush your teeth before you head out to your session. Clean, shiny teeth look amazing! If you have some slight yellowing due to braces, etc, don't fret! I can help with that in post processing, as well.
I also suggest packing a can of bug spray! They can get intense in some situations - especially after rain or during a heat spell.
What if I'm nervous?
That's why you hired me!
Not many people feel confident in front of a camera. People usually feel awkward and somewhat stressed! It takes a good 15-20 minutes to really warm up. So if you're not feeling confident when you first show up, you're normal!
But that is where I come in. I will be here to cheer you on, pose you and prompt you. I will guide your every move so that you feel comfortable and confident. If something feels awkward, it's usually the best prompt and it gets you laughing naturally! Which is what we all want to see and feel in an image.
So rest easy and know that you are in good hands. I promise.
Erica
Hi there!
I'm Erica
A self-taught mother of two. I began my photography journey in March of 2021 - though I've always had a natural eye! I'm a huge animal lover to 3 labradors, 4 kitty's, 2 bunnies and currently 50+ chickens!
My hobbies include, but certainly not limited to: Photography, crochet, and furniture rehab.I enjoy long road trips, with the music as high as it can go, and scouting out cool new locations for my next session! I really, really love old broken down white barns, wildflower fields, sunsets, small towns and antique stores.
Why hire me? I promise to never let you stand there with your hands hanging by your sides and feeling awkward. I will talk to you and try to make you laugh. I also promise to make it memorable, never stressful. I often tell my family, especially all the mom's in my family; someday all our next generations will have are photo's of us! So show up, be present in the moment, and have fun. I've got the rest. I will fix your hair, fix your clothes, whatever it takes to make you feel and look incredible!
My photography style is warm and true to color. I will prompt you with guided movements more than I pose you - my focus is on interaction, not perfection. The best photo's are the ones you weren't looking!
Philippians 1:6