Sometimes I get an idea and I just can’t shake it and I KNOW I’m supposed to do something with it. I often walk our dog in the back part of our neighborhood early in the morning. There are quite a few empty lots back by the water, and it’s quiet and shady so we like it back there. I have loved watching the early morning light stream in through the trees making it look like a secret garden area. Molly barks at the squirrels and the dogs while I daydream about shooting in this gorgeous light. The contrast of the soft light and the mysterious shadows mixed with the beautiful green underbrush and tall pine trees make my photographer’s heart go wild!!!! I have learned that what I see and what my clients see are often not one in the same. When others see a scrubby vacant lot, I see a wooded wonderland, instantly imagining a beautiful girl in a sparkly gown wandering through the trees. Often times when I want to try out new spots, I’ll enlist the help of our girls…begrudgingly of course. Trying to get them to cooperate is like pulling teeth! Seriously, most kiddos would LOVE for their parent to make them the subject of gorgeous photo shoots..my girls roll their eyes! Hahahaha…however, I will say that Grace was up and in hair and makeup at 6am for this shoot and did an fabulous job!

Speaking of hair and makeup….oh my goodness…Jessica Dillard is AMAZING!!!!! For this shoot I really wanted it to be glam. I love the contrast of a rustic location with the subject totally dressed to the nines!!!! Grace wore her prom dress and full makeup including lashes. Jessica is such a sweetheart and knows what she’s doing!!!! She and Grace were like two school girls ooohing and ahhhing over makeup. And Jess knows all the best places to get great makeup finds. Grace has loved Jessica forever and it’s so nice to be able to collaborate with her!! Let me know if you want her contact info….she offers my clients a discount on hair and makeup for their sessions. 🙂

Now why the fancy dress you may ask. I LOVE it when my senior girls wear their prom dresses for their session!!!! Seriously, when else will you ever wear it? You spend TONS of money on this impeccable gown to only wear it once. You have your hair and makeup done on pro night, but rarely have professional pictures done (unless you book a mini shoot with me on prom night…then you have fabulous pics with your date and friends) But truly, you never wear it again…why not pull it out of the closet for one of the looks for your shoot?

So a little behind the scenes honesty…it was hot for this shoot, even at 8 am…gotta love southern summers! However, her makeup held up nicely because it was professionally done! And yes, she was wearing her rain boots…she thought I was crazy when I told her we were going in the woods and she would need to wear the boots to protect her feet….let’s just say that Grace is not crazy about creepy crawlies or hiking in the NC woods. But she braved nature and only screamed once when there was a HUGE and I mean HUGE spider in the center of it’s 4 foot web….yes, we measured!!! And no, I didn’t make her stand by it…I was afraid she’d bolt, so we moved down a little. Hahahaha But we did get a lot of great images and she helped me make my daydream come true!!

Enjoy these baby girl…I did have another sneaky little reason for this session….as we get ready to begin her senior year I’m realizing how quickly this year will pass and she’ll be going away to college next year. I feel like this special time with her is slipping away so fast and I simply can’t believe she’s almost 18 years old….she was just wearing big bows in her hair and playing barbies…how is she all grown up now?!?! We are so proud of the young lady she has grown into!!  I’m not ready for this stage….but I will admit that I am enjoying it as much as I’ve enjoyed all the other stages. She laughs at my inapproriate jokes, catches my bad language (remember, I love Jesus but I swear a little), comes home and tells me all about her night, seeks my advice, and sends me crazy texts at all hours of the day. I so LOVE being her mom, but I’m seeing how we’ll be great friends too!!

Love you doodlebug!!

xoxo
Mom