I’m doing something a little different today and just sitting in front of the camera and sharing some thoughts with you all over on my YouTube channel. Forgive me if I’m not fantastic at this – I’m an introvert by nature and talking isn’t my strong suit. Writing has always been a far easier way for me to bring my thoughts out into the world. But I think this is something I would like to do more often with all of you because it feels more real and maybe helps you hear my voice and tone a little better than just my written words might.

For those who would rather read… I figure I’ll still include some written thoughts here too.

I was recently on one of my photographer forums, and a photographer posted about a dilemma she had encountered. She had just had all her senior models in for a fun model shoot. They got their hair and makeup all done and got dressed up in fancy gowns. She then had the girls and their families into the studio for a viewing party. She was so proud of her work and excited to show the girls. It was shortly after the viewing that she started getting emails from parents. These parents were disappointed because they didn’t feel the pictures looked like their daughters. This is a little more extreme example of why I choose not to include professional hair and makeup in my senior portrait sessions, but it serves to explain some of my thoughts about this.

So first – when I was a high school student, I had incredibly low self-esteem. I could not see my own beauty or self-worth. I think high school is hard and I want to create an experience that centers around showing these senior girls how beautiful they are, exactly as they are. Now if I tell you that you need to purchase this session that comes with professional hair and makeup – then I’m already starting by telling you that you’re not good enough, that someone needs to fix you to make you look better. And that is the exact opposite of what I want to do. Plus if you come with your hair and makeup done (which is totally fine) then I’m going to have a lot harder time convincing you that you – on your own – are absolutely stunning. It becomes much easier to write it off by saying – well that’s just because a professional did my hair and painted my face. Again – I don’t want that.

Sure – I use photoshop in my portraits. But it is primarily used to enhance the images by bringing out color, tone, or contrast. I also use it to fill in light where needed and to eliminate blemishes (because I was plagued with acne as a teen and it really bothered me). If you have freckles… AWESOME! I love freckles and we’re going to let them shine! Got curly hair? FANTASTIC! Let’s capture it in all it’s curly glory! Have some extra curves? Let’s celebrate your beautiful, strong body exactly as it is! There’s no reason to mold you into something you’re not! Because who you are, every day, is so SO loved and so SO perfect! My job is simply to help you see it!