Light & Shadow Seniors

Hanging Out Downtown

2009-10-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

I had to supreme pleasure of photographing this beautiful senior's older sister three years ago. She was actually in some of her sister's photos, so I was excited to get to work with her again! She decided upon a more metropolitan atmosphere and so we headed to downtown Portland. I tried to do my "dramatic" posing with her, but it just didn't fit. She has such a free and easy-going personality, she needed to look as cheerful and full of life as she is!

I loved her clothing choices: three very distinctive looks which are all part of her personality. The blue shirt, cream-colored cords, and black boots looked amazing next to the red brick wall. She had told me earlier that she wanted to bring her long board. I love the photos of her and her sister with their boards. I had them ride them in front of a Federal Building and I was sure the FBI or someone like that would cart me away! Just kidding!

We ended up with her simple black dress. The teal wall and then the marble columns of City Hall were beautiful backdrops. I love the photo of her twirling!

Here you go "M". You looking amazing!

At Water's Edge

2009-10-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous 2010 senior is the sister of one of my 2009 seniors. I absolutely love working within families! You have to take just one look at those eyes and you are blown away! Her smile is to die for too! I had such a delightful time with her. She is taking a full load in school and is a cheerleader. Her easy-going and cheerful personality just shine in her photos.

She chose colors which really highlight her skin tone and beautiful eyes. I love the shots of her down by the water. She was totally relaxed and comfortable there. The shot of her with sandy feet is a definite favorite of mine!

Well, "A", I hope you love your photos. You are stunning!

Beauty in the Back Yard

2009-10-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to work with this senior, because she was giving me a new location I haven't been to before - her back yard! It was amazing! We first of all started with her adorable little dog which I kind of wanted to take home with me.

She has the most gorgeous eyes, hair, smile - pretty much everything about her is stunning! I love the bright colors she chose to wear. They have an incredible garden with a bronze gate which has "Secret Garden" written on it. I could spend hours there, reading, watching and breathing in all the glorious fresh air! The yard couldn't have been better if a photographer had planned it just for photos.

"K" was completely delightful. She can carry off the dramatic side to her personality as well as the beautiful sunny disposition of her relaxed and happy side. It was a pure pleasure to work with her. By the way, those are her goats on the last photo! There were a few others in another pasture, one particularly, who reminded me of what a "Billy Goat Gruff" would look like!

Here you go, "K", I hope you love these as much as I do!

Stilettos in a 'Vette

2009-09-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

This senior was so full of energy and fun, I could hardly keep up with her! She has the most incredible smile and her eyes just glow! We went down to the water front for her photos. I loved her green jacket over the purple top. The colors just pop! We then pulled some weeds for a bouquet to go with her stunning prom dress! I love the shots of her in her bare feet on the beach. Then we parked her vintage Corvette in front of the park and grabbed some photos! Her red stilettos were perfectly matched to the red leather interior of that amazing car. The light was fading quickly so we ran down to the beach and caught some incredibly unique and wonderful images with the full moon and Portland's lights across the river. The balloons and her raincoat were such a fun addition to those photos. It was so dark by the time we finished, we had to walk very carefully by the light of the moon back to the car!

Here you go "N"! You look absolutely gorgeous!

Ballet Beneath the Freeway

2009-08-28T15:08:00.001-07:00

I was so excited to try out a new location with this senior! My husband and I scouted out the beat up areas located beneath the 1-5 freeway in Portland and found some wonderfully grungy spots!

When she came in with her mother (a gifted watercolorist) for her consultation, they were just brimming with ideas for props and accessories. She brought balloons, which I adored! Then she let a bouquet of flowers droop and die a few days before and we used those when she was in that watercolor ballet dress! What's not to love about the juxtaposition of the graceful ballerina amid the grunge of the city?

We headed up to Pittock Mansion and she brought out the cowboy hat and sunflowers! The red dress was fabulous and then she put on her tutu. It was exquisite! I played around with an off camera flash to get some dramatic shadows in the fading sunlight. There are some shots of her which definitely take my breath away!

We ended up at my studio. I love the ones with the graffiti backdrop and her legs in crazy positions. The one with her green dress on my new red backdrop is stunning! All in all and wonderful photo shoot!

Here you go "B"! I hope you love these as much as I do!

Senior in the Spring

2009-06-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

I always feel like it is kind of a shame that all of my seniors have to get their photos taken so early in the senior year for their yearbooks. You really just feel like an "old" junior at the beginning of the school year. I always have a few seniors wait until Spring for their photos.

This gorgeous senior was one of them! We went to downtown Portland on a gorgeous day with late afternoon sunshine. I loved her first outfit with the hat and boots! She looks so fresh and full of life! Then she put on a breath-taking blue top with high heels. For those of you who know me, I kind of love high heels with jeans. The trees and bushes were covered in flowers and everything looked fantastic! Every outfit she chose looks so unique and distinctive. When she put on her Scottish Highland kilt, I went bonkers! I learned the "Highland Fling" when I was a teenager! We headed back to the studio and captured some incredibly artistic and dramatic shots of her with highly contrasted lighting.

Here you go "L". You look absolutely fabulous!

Bombshell!

2009-05-13T00:21:00.000-07:00

This senior was amazing to work with! I could have taken photos of her for days and days! She posed herself with little or no help, she did her own hair and makeup and she created completely unique and imaginative looks for herself. Whoa! She is gorgeous! Everyone who knows her tells her she should be a model. Is there any question?

I absolutely love the shots of her in her vintage fur stole and dress! We were at the Pittock Mansion for some of them and she just fit the place. The ones in the studio take my breath away! She wore a teal dress her mother had designed and made for her and it was stunning. As you can see, we got around a lot and had way too much fun!

Here you go "K". I hope you feel gorgeous after seeing these!

Freezing in the Sunshine!

2009-04-14T13:55:00.001-07:00

I had a fabulous time with this senior last month! It had been storming all week, but on photo day, the sun came out so we could go outside. It was completely freezing, however! I was sure grateful I wasn't the one in the royal blue evening gown! We tried to capture many sides to her personality. She is playful, fun, spontaneous, plays sports and very committed. I loved the rain boots, the green coat, the blue shirt with the green scarf and that incredible gown! She wore lots of hats which I love as well!

We tried to do something different for her "sports" photos and I love them! So after freezing our butts off, we came out with some incredible images!

Here you go, "C", I hope you love these! You look beautiful!

Beauty Runs in the Family!

2009-04-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

This beautiful girl is the sister to the "International Beauty" of my previous post. She flew in from Germany to visit her sister for a week. I loved getting her into my studio! She is in her twenties, but I thought I would post her photos here, next to her sister. We first took some shots of her with her sister and host mom. I got to use my newest acquisition, a beat-up gold chair! I've been looking for one for a very long time! I just love the way it compliments their blue tops! We then took some "sister" photos. They are both just so gorgeous I could have kept on taking photos!

I then got to work with her alone. She is a natural model, with flawless skin, shiny hair and beautiful eyes! I love the outfits she chose to wear, the little black dress which fit like a glove, the purple top and jeans, and then the gorgeous red dress!

She was an absolute joy to work with! So here is my 2nd German beauty. Boy, they really know how to make them gorgeous over there!

International Beauty

2009-03-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

This senior is here this year for Foreign Exchange from Germany. I have the pleasure of being good friends with her host family. I was excited to have a photo experience with her because I knew she would look absolutely gorgeous! Her beautiful eyes, full lips and long legs were a lot of fun to play with and accentuate.

She brought unique and distinctive clothing so each of her outfits brought out different sides to her personality. I love the shots of her black hat with my graffiti backdrop! The bold colors are very cool with the black outfit. When she walked out in her red dress, she looked like a bombshell from the old movies! The color really makes her skin glow! She takes guitar lessons and wanted to get a photo with her guitar, but she had left it at school, so we had to settle for my son's guitar! My kitten snuck into the studio and she grabbed a few shots holding him. Then came the evening gown! Wow!

I sure hope you love these "L", because you looking amazing!

Sun-Kissed Curls in the Park

2009-02-02T15:23:00.001-08:00

This is my last official senior of this season! We squeaked her in just in time for her yearbook deadline! This senior had been transplanted in the Northwest from Georgia her senior year. I'm sure it was a huge culture shock for her. I'm not sure what she thinks of all of our cloudy cold days.

She came dressed in a beautiful teal blouse and red jacket. The sun was low in the sky and created such a beautiful back light to her incredible blonde curls. I took advantage of it as much as I could. It makes her hair glow! I loved the red jacket with her hair and skin tone. The teal brought out her eyes as well. Those eyes of hers are crystal clear and breath-taking!

She then put on a beat-up jeans and a wonderful headband! I love how her hair frames her face with the wide headband on. The brown sweater and orange cami created such a warm feeling of Autumn. I had some fun posing her on that great bridge many of you have already seen.

Then she put on a black skirt and red top which made her look feminine and playful! She has a quiet regal personality and I had a wonderful time with her!

Here you go "A". You look stunning!

Old Time Glamour!

2009-01-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

When this senior brought out this dress, I was incredibly excited! I could just see the folds of the dress playing with the light and shadow in my studio! She then told me that she had designed and sewn the dress herself! I was very impressed. We were able to create some fabulous shots of her in the studio. I just love my green couch, the brocade fabric on the wall and that glorious dress! She had a necklace which ran down her back and I kept playing with ways to photograph it. There is a photo of her laying on a leopard pillow looking up at the camera which takes my breath away! She is lucky enough to have an honest to goodness beauty mark! My mother had one and I have always wanted one. I love it!

We then headed to downtown Portland. She was wearing a vintage orange sweater which had been her grandmother's and a cameo brooch. I loved those paired with some jeans and black sneakers. The fall leaves were in full color and really made her coloring shine. She also had a wonderful yellow scarf with a high waisted skirt and boots. And then out came the Harry Potter glasses which were definitely a necessity!

The Pittock Mansion is where we ended up. She had a gorgeous red dress, vintage black hat and pumps to die for! It was absolutely frigid up there in the wind, but we were able to capture some great shots. I had her standing on window sills, sitting on cement blocks and twirling in the grass. The wind kept blowing her dress up, so in keeping with the vintage glamour theme, we had to catch one "Marilyn Monroe" shot!

All and all, I had a completely wonderful time!

Here you go "F"! You are simply gorgeous!

Tap Shoes

2009-01-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

We are nearing the end of Light & Shadow's seniors. To tell you the truth, I hate it when "Senior season" is over. You are my favorite clients in the whole world, and I miss you when we're done.

This senior is an incredibly talented dancer. She brought some killer tap shoes to be in some of her shots. She told me they were a major investment and I was very impressed by them! We had to grab some shots of the underside of her shoes to show them off! We played around with her hat and various artistic poses. I love the ones of her on her toes! She looks so happy and full of life. These photos are probably my favorite ones because I think they represent a large part of her life right now. She just glowed when she had them on!

She also brought along a fantastic yellow jacket and "dangerous" little black dress! She looked stunning in everything she wore. The yellow jacket looked marvelous with the red brick and changing leaves on the Academy building. It just pops off of the page and really brings out the beauty of her skin and eyes. Then she put on the black dress. I love the photos of her on the grass! She looks "Old Hollywood" glamourous! She was completely delightful to work with. I enjoyed every minute with her. I love it when I am given free reign to be as creative and funky as I want to be!

Here you go "L". I'm excited for you to see your photos!

Opera with Harry Potter

2009-01-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

I have seen this senior perform and he is an amazing tenor! His future plans are to become a solo tenor in the world's major operas! While we were driving to the Art Museum in Portland, we discussed various operas and composers. I tried to find some acceptable opera music to play with his slideshow, but I had to settle for one of his favorite composers and the Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. Every time I see him, he has a smile on his face. In his photos, the people who know him may not be too sure about the serious shots. I, however, wanted to capture the serious, dedicated side to his personality. He is a serious student and performer and I think I will be hearing great things about him in the future.

He has a killer smile, however, and I absolutely love it! He looks amazing and right at home in his suit in Portland. He is relaxed and personable. I had him trying all sorts of crazy things, and he was a great sport. He has incredibly long legs and I tried to show them off every time I could! I love the shots of him slouching over with those legs stretched out in front of him.

One of the things that has followed him throughout his school years is the fact that people think he looks like Harry Potter. I, for one, think he is much more handsome than Mr. Radcliffe! At first, it used to bother him until he embraced the "Harry Potter" in himself. He decided to play upon his "fame" and brought along a Harry Potter book and a stick! I was giggling uncontrollably when I had him pose as the young wizard! I'm sure the passers by must have thought we were crazy. I think you will agree, he is way too much fun! "W", I told you I might try a little fancy photoshop work on that stick to make it look like a wand. You'll have to let me know if you like it.

At the end, we went over to the Art Museum and I had him jumping off of the cement blocks. He really got some air in those photos. He was a very patient with me, when I kept saying, "Try it one more time", because his hand had come out of the frame, or I clicked the shutter too quickly or it was blurry...

So here you go, "W"! I loved working with you!

A Break in the Weather

2009-01-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

It was pouring rain when this senior had his appointment with me, and he couldn't really find any other time to come, so he decided to have me take his photos in my studio. When he drove up, however, the rain stopped and the sun even peeked out from behind the heavy clouds for a few minutes. We ran over to the field by my house and got some incredible shots of him. I love that old white barn. The leaves on the trees were an unreal shade of yellow!

He was delightful to work with. The ground was soaking wet, and yet he let me make him lay down on it! His knees got a little wet, but Photoshop took care of it! I love the shots of him leaning against the barn and also laying on the grass. He looks so relaxed and at ease. His killer looks helped out a lot too!

When he changed into his dress shirt and tie, we were able to grab a few shots of him on my black chair outside, but then the rain came back and we were forced inside. I really like the photos of him in my studio. I used some dramatic lighting which really brought out his facial features. He was anxious to get out of the dress clothes and into a t-shirt, so I pulled up my "Graffiti" backdrop and love the shots of him in his bare feet! When we were finished, I laid down on the ground and grabbed a shot shooting straight up at him. You can see the ceiling and clutter of my studio, but, personally, I love the shot! It's kind of funky!

Here you go "C". You were an absolute pleasure to work with and you look amazing!

A Cold Morning Downtown

2009-01-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

I had spent so many of my photography days in the sweltering heat, it was a change to have cold weather for this senior's photo experience. We met in the morning because he had football practice after school. There was a biting wind, but the sun decided to creep up over the buildings and give a little warmth. The surrounding buildings created a lot of shade, though, and you all know I love shade!

This senior has definite style! He looks comfortable and relaxed in all of his photos. I could see some of these shots in a magazine. I'm sure he doesn't find that too amusing being a tough football player and all, but I thought I would mention it! He wore varied outfits which brought out different sides to his personality. I enjoyed working with him and I think we both were able to be pretty creative and artistic with a few shots! I love the photos of him by the red wall, in his lettermen's jacket, and with the most awesome t-shirt I've seen. I think it's one of his favorites and I can see why.

Here you go "K"! I had a wonderful time working with you!

Long Flaxen Hair and Beautiful Eyes

2009-01-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

I hope you are all enjoying my enormous vocabulary and my usage of the word "flaxen"! I impress myself!

This senior has the most beautiful long blonde hair! As you will see in her photos, I had way too much fun with it, draping it all over her shoulders! And if the hair wasn't enough, when she looked into my camera, her eyes were breath-taking! We went to McMenamins for her photos and found some great places for backgrounds. I love the colors she chose to wear. They really brought out her flawless skin and bright eyes. They made it very easy to make her look good!

I definitely enjoyed working with her. She was relaxed and easy-going and ready to do whatever my crazy creative brain decided to do at any given moment. I even captured a few photos of her laughing because I really came up with some strange poses for her, and she was willing to try anything. There are some shots of her in the teal green top at the beginning and then in the royal blue top at the end which are simply stunning.

I hope you like these "B"! You look absolutely amazing!

I want to be a Princess

2009-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

I tell all of my seniors that when they come to their consultation, they can bring photos they have seen in magazines or the internet to show me which kinds of photos they like. When this senior came to my home, she brought one photo. It was one of the Annie Leibowitz photos which are part of Walt Disney's advertising theme with the movie stars photographed as each of the Disney princesses. I have loved all of the photos since I first saw them. I think the one she brought was of Charlotte Johanson as Cinderella. I took one look at it and said, "I can do that". I have a fantastic bridal gown I use for the "Trash the Dress" photos of my brides and it looks just like a princess dress complete with incredibly huge puffy sleeves. She tried it on and we knew we had to use it!

We went to the Pittock Mansion for the fairy tale atmosphere. I took some photos of her before the dress with her hair back in a green scarf headband. She had had her hair and makeup done for the occasion and she looked stunning! She was at ease and comfortable with the camera and it shows in her photos. When the dress came on, we headed toward the back of the mansion where the winds can be wicked. They were especially cold this day, and she had goose bumps all over herself! You would never be able to tell how frozen she was as she posed with her arms up in the air like she was going break into song any moment. There is one photo that I was tempted to Photoshop a little bird on her finger, but I thought it might be a little hokey!

She then put on this to-die-for red dress and I can't believe how gorgeous she looks in it! Definitely a Bombshell! She brought an apple and we played around with the snow white theme, but I think the photo turned out to be a little more "Twilight" than "Snow White".

Here you go "A". I hope you love these photos as much as I do!

Eyes like Crystal

2009-01-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

I had taken a photo of this senior before and so I was excited to work with her again. She has the most beautiful eyes, crystal clear and striking! We met at McMenamins on a nice day way back in October. She wore a chartreuse top for the first photos which looks wonderful with her light hair and eyes! I love her black checked Vans. She then put on a hooded jacket which I love photographed against the wooden door of the "Black Rabbit House". McMenamins has such a large variety of locations, I'm sure I haven't discovered all of them yet.

I love the photos of her in the little flower garden. The sun shining behind her hair just glows. She climbed through some flowers to a "garden" of birdhouses and I grabbed a shot of her with them. Then we went up by the white barn, the red door, and the huge field of green grass. She had a wonderful black pea coat with her vivid purple top and looks gorgeous! She was so much fun to work with!

So, I'm finally finished with your amazing photos, "M". I hope they were worth the wait!

Evening Dress and Jewel Tones by the Water

2009-01-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

This was another one of those days where we weren't sure the weather would cooperate, but it stayed dry for us. This beautiful senior had to get a little wet rolling around in the grass and sand, but any sacrifice for the sake of a great photo is worth it. Well, at least, that's my motto!

This senior had her family come along for some photos before we began her shoot. Her grandparents came as well. It was so nice to get to know them all. Her mother and sister stayed behind to help with the "portable dressing room" which is needed down there by the Columbia River. She had a beautiful black evening dress which was a lot of fun to work with. I had her posing all over the teal-colored playground equipment! She has a set of the most gorgeous legs and the shot of just her legs is one of my favorites! She had a sapphire top which looked stunning on her as the water seeped slowly onto her back while I had her on the grass. Then she put an orange jacket on and I loved it with the blue shirt - complimentary colors. She was so natural and comfortable and it really shows in her photos. She looks great serious and smiling. In fact, I don't think I was able to take a bad photo of her!

We ended up at the beach. The water was down a little and so we were able to venture out a little further than I have been able to to the past. There was a huge tire which is usually covered in water. She made a giant heart with some special initials in it and she got way too muddy but we had a lot of fun!

Here you go "L"! You are one gorgeous girl!

Sweet Ride, On the Field, Water's Edge

2009-01-08T12:05:00.001-08:00

This senior was a delight to work with! As you can see from his photos, he has an incredible smile. He was funny, easy-going and adventurous! You know me, I am always coming up with weird and funky ways to pose you guys, and he was a great sport! We started out by his Mustang. He looked right at home in his "James Bond" dress clothes leaning against his car. We had to take him out of school, because he could miss classes, but NOT football practice! He got his letterman's jacket on and brought along a baseball bat and football. He is definitely a multi-talented athlete. We went down by the Columbia and grabbed some great shots of him on the beach. I made him get into the water and sit on some incredibly uncomfortable rocks, but he still didn't complain. I really like the shots of him with his dress shirt and jeans on the cement pilings and on the pathway.

We ended up at my studio and grabbed some nice dramatic shots of him with some of my funky backgrounds. I love the shots of him all in black with bare feet in front of my graffiti backdrop.

Well, here you go "T", I think you are looking pretty dang good!

Darth Hamlet, Dick Tracy and The Spirit

2008-12-30T18:05:00.001-08:00

Once in a while, I come across a senior who knows exactly what they want. This senior was way too much fun! He had seen my victorian chair before and asked me if we could use it. He wanted to have it out in the middle of a field with an end table and a lamp! He had a tux and top hat and looked right at home in his "study" reading his Star Wars books. I love those shots! You can tell I had a lot of fun posing him with that outfit; just so many possibilities! And then, when I didn't think he could get any cooler, he brought out the red tie, tan overcoat and killer black fedora! Oh, and he had leather gloves, too!

He looks like he fell out of a 1940's Film Noir production! He is a real Star Wars fan and his mom brought along the (original "Dark Lord's") helmet. When she mentioned Hamlet, I burst out laughing and of course, had to try out some shots of him talking to his dead father's head! Those shots in his coat and fedora are classic! I just went to see The Spirit last night, and so I had those incredible graphics in my head when I worked on these photos. I played around with one photo to stylize it like in the graphic novel, and then, of course, I had to make a Dick Tracy, photo!

This senior plays percussion in his school's jazz ensemble, so I thought this music would be appropriate. The last time I saw him perform, he was making some very impressive "music" with a cow bell! Well, "J", I don't think there is a cow bell in this song, but there is a bell, so listen closely!

Here is "J", one very creative and imaginative guy! I definitely could do this all over again!

Evening Dress, Golf and Acrylics on Canvas

2008-12-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

I met up with this gorgeous senior at the Pittock Mansion. She has such varied and multiple talents and interests, so I told her during the consultation to bring them along. We began with shots of her with her adorable brother. He was working and was able to come up for just a few shots. You can definitely tell they have a lot of fun together. She wore the most beautiful jewel-toned outfits and she looks simply stunning. I especially like the ones in her black evening dress with her incredible black hair pulled up on the sides. I also love the shots of her and her long board. The vivid coloring and details on the board create some great photos. She then pulled out her paints and canvas. I love posing you guys with your stuff! Being able to capture who you are, is so much fun for me.

At the end, she pulled out her golf gear. She wasn't sure she wanted to get cheesy photos of her golfing, so I tried to make them fun and interesting. As we were heading back to the car, I grabbed some shots of her in front of a tree. The vivid green of the tree behind her stark white top are some of my favorites.

So, here you go "A". You don't know how to take a bad picture!

Dictator of the World!

2008-12-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

This senior was a joy to work with. She is full of life and has the most beautiful smile! We met by the Portland Art Museum. I love that place because there are so many picturesque buildings surrounding it. She brought some jewel-toned scarves which add a bright pop of color to her photos. I love the shots by the old church's doors and her purple scarf. I made her lay down in some orange leaves and she got a little wet and messy, but the shots are worth it!

We ended up by the Schnitzer Concert Hall and I posed her under the marquee. She chose the words to go on her personal marquee: E is Dictator of the World! I blurred her name out of these photos on my blog, but the original photo has her name on it. Her name already in lights!

A few weeks ago, she invited me to watch her perform in her high school's production of Scrooge. She bounced all over the stage and even sang one of the solo pieces. She was absolutely delightful!

So here you go, "E", it sure was a pleasure spending time with you!

A Soccer Ball and a Mini Skirt

2008-12-20T11:47:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I am finally back on track after getting everyone's Christmas needs met. I so appreciate all of you who have been waiting patiently for your photos. You are the best!

This senior was a lot of fun! When she came for her consultation, she had all of these beautiful feminine outfits but she has a sports side to her which she wanted to explore as well. I thought it might be fun to combine the two, so she wore a denim mini skirt with her soccer ball! I love the contrast and the shots of her sitting in the middle of the crosswalk!

She also chose some beautiful colors, blue, red and yellow. I love how she changed her hair with each outfit, even taking a little extra time at McMenamins to straighten her hair in the middle of the shoot. Her eyes are the clearest dark blue I have ever seen! They take my breath away! We played until the sun went down and were able to grab a couple awesome shots in her adorable blue coat with the sunset in the background.

Well, here you go "M", these photos are stunning!

Guitar in the Garden, Pearls at the Beach

2008-11-22T11:24:00.000-08:00

Here is one of my marathon photo experiences! This senior had so many creative ideas and various outfits, I just couldn't stop taking photos! We began at Pittock Mansion with her black top, plaid skirt and great black fedora! She had her fingernails painted black which I thought was very cool and funky. Then she changed into a beautiful purple sweater with an amazing brown floppy hat! I love it! She brought out her guitar and I captured some photos of her playing it. Those are some of my favorite ones. That purple made her look stunning! Her long hair was waving and extremely shiny. I loved being able to play with it. She has these most adorable freckles and I wanted to make sure I didn't get rid of them with my Photoshop madness. She may not agree, but I LOVE freckles!

When she put on the teal green sweater, it made her complexion and eyes sparkle! I absolutely love the photo of her in the doorway with her legs going in different directions. She looks like a rag doll!

After we pulled ourselves away from the mansion, we headed to the beach. Her pink "girly" dress with pearls is the perfect contrast to the sand and water. There are some photos of her walking along the water's edge which take my breath away. We finished with her in a royal blue sweater with a red scarf. There is this big log pole sticking straight up on the beach. It was fun posing her with it.

Well, "C", these photos are amazing! I hope you love them!

Red Car, Grey Skies, and Crystal Blue Eyes!

2008-11-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

I was able to go to this senior's home to take her photos. Her house is hidden away in plain sight! I drove into a tree lined driveway which led up to the most beautifully manicured gardens! The day was overcast, which always makes the colors pop, and she looked stunning!

When I work in Photoshop, I usually lighten the eyes up just a bit, so they look a little more luminous. Well, I didn't have to do a thing to her eyes. They are a light iridescent blue in the center and have a dark navy outline! She has porcelain skin and beautiful dark hair. The perfect Snow White!

She had a neighbor who owns this wonderful red barn and I love the photos of her in front of it. She also has a rope swing in a crusty old tree her dad built for her when she was a little girl and so, of course, we had to grab some shots of her on the swing. One of my favorite settings was this old bright red gas pump! The green grass, the red pump and her black shirt look fantastic.

Her father has an incredible refurbished car he drove out onto the grass for photos. While my senior was changing clothes, I was able to grab a few shots of the amazing car. I've included a few photos of the car below.

Here you go "A"! I hope the wait was worth it!

MVP

2008-11-13T00:13:00.001-08:00

When this senior walked into my home for his consultation, I was a little surprised and blurted out "Whoa!" without meaning to. I'm sure he gets that reaction from a lot of people. He is 6'7" and growing! He is an accomplished Center for one of our high schools and was kind of "dragged" to me by his mother. Actually, this happens with most guys. They think of all those horrible times when they were forced to sit still and say "cheese" while they were growing up, so they look at me like I'm might be planning to torture them.

I'm not sure he had the time of his life, but I tried to keep the torture to a minimum! Actually, he was great to work with, easy-going, friendly and a lot of fun. We discussed his plans for the future and it sounds exciting. I probably should have asked for his autograph while he was still young and not yet famous. His mom came along and she was extremely helpful and supportive. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them both.

Well, "S", I hope I didn't embarrass you too much with this post....you are looking awesome!

Pirouette

2008-11-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

In a previous life, I was a painter. I loved working with oils and one of my favorite subjects was ballet theatre. I had the distinct pleasure of working with this accomplished ballerina for her senior photos. She was so graceful, both in the way she carried herself and in her manner. She looks beautiful surrounded by the flowers and green grass of the Pittock Mansion. I don't think she could have come up with a better place to take photos. The day was beautiful, although, windy. For those of you who have had your photos done there, you know how wicked the wind can be!

She wore some beautiful jewel tones which were perfect for the surroundings. She has such a beautiful smile and sparkling eyes! I really like the photos where the sun is behind her and highlighting her hair. I also like the ones on the grass with the signature "Light & Shadow" poses. Every time I do those poses, however, they look different on each person.

When she put on the tutu which her friend's mother had made, it took my breath away. I'm sure she was getting tired by the end, because I couldn't help but come up with more and more ideas of how to pose her. That dress, that mansion, and her gracefulness were superb!

Here you go, "M". You are beautiful!

Down by the River

2008-11-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

This senior was a lot of fun! She was easy-going and down to earth. It was a perfect day at the riverside, the sun was high and warm and we had the place to ourselves. She chose some unique and different looks and I loved them all. We started with her flirty dress and fabulous white boots. I especially like the ones with her in the field of grass. The sun is a great big back-light and her hair looks beautiful.

I love the photos of her in black with the sun at her back and also laying on the huge cement pilings. There are a few of those close-ups which take my breath away! We tried to head to the beach, but it was still a little too sunny, so her mother stayed there soaking in the sun and we went back into the trees. Her red sweater and gold scarf look stunning against the dark green foliage, and as I've said to so many of you, I love the long sleeves!

She had a great black hat to wear on the beach and we grabbed some wonderful images of her by the water. She also had a t-shirt which belonged to her mother when she was in high school. It was a U.S. tour from 1982! I loved it! Those are my days! Yes, I know I am old!

Well, "J", I hope you love these! You look amazing!

Suave, Debonaire, and Completely Hilarious!

2008-11-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

Here is the last set of twins I had the pleasure of working with this year. They were definitely an adventure! I don't think I have laughed this much in any other photo experience I have ever had. Their family came along and we spent a hot sweltering day at McMenamins. They came first in their tuxedos which looked very handsome on them. They both play instruments in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and we had a great time trying to come up with some artistic shots of that. Their father plays the sax and in another post I will show some of the photos of him with his sons.

They are both Eagle Scouts and are very proud of the fact, as they should be! They wanted some shots with the flag and I love the ideas we came up with. Their silhouettes behind the flag is such an awesome shot!

One would be changing his outfit while I worked with the other. Believe it or not, they are identical. I didn't believe it until I worked on their photos. When you see their faces up close and personal, you can see the similarities. They have completely different personalities, but they complement each other wonderfully. They definitely find humor in almost everything.

We were all hot and tired after we finished at McMenamins, so they decided to go out to eat with their family and then call me when they were ready to come to the studio. I drove home and promptly fell asleep! They tried calling and didn't hear anything from me. I was so embarrassed! We were able to get together a few days later in the studio. I absolutely LOVE the studio shots! I played around with some very dramatic lighting and the mood it creates was amazing. While I was working with "T", "M" decided to try on one of the tutus I use for my little clients. He put on a pearl necklace and grabbed a teddy bear. I told him to get in front of the camera and look as "GQ" as possible. Those shots still make me laugh out loud!

I'm not supposed to enjoy my job this much! Well, here you go, "M", and "T". I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed working with you!

Swim Team Captain by Day, Princess by Night!

2008-11-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

This was one of my marathon days! This senior and I played at the Pittock Mansion, the Rose Garden and then back here to my studio. She was definitely exhausted being beautiful for so long! Her images are amazing! She wore royal blue, plum, teal, pink, jade, and black. All of these colors are definitely my favorite. (Hooray for jewel tones!)

I think she is used to see herself smiling in all of her photos up until now, and I can't wait for her to see the dramatic side to her personality. She brought along a stunning jade prom dress and I had fun with her on the balcony at Pittock. It is usually freezing there with gusty winds, so it's always a challenge to keep your hair in place. It was a good thing she had her hair up!

I just love the way she looks in all of this photos...so bright and alive! It was a pleasure working with her!

So, "N", come see yourself!

Dark and Brooding!

2008-11-03T19:51:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun with this senior. I could tell that he was much more comfortable smiling, but I tortured him and made him create some dark and brooding photos! Actually, he was a very good sport. It was really quite hilarious to watch him try and mimic what I was doing. He definitely does not take himself to seriously, and he looked at me like I was crazy when I had him twist his body this way and that. I couldn't help myself, but when I would ask him to be serious, I would peek around the edge of the camera and lift my eyebrows up. He would start to laugh, and I would ruin the shot. It's just that he was so much fun to tease!

There are some amazing images here. His yellow shirt just pops as does his blue one. It was a pretty hot day, but we just kept it up. By the end while he was at my studio, he asked me how much longer it was going to take! I guess I tired him out. Well, "K", it was definitely worth the marathon! You look great!

Sister and Brother!

2008-11-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

I have had the distinct pleasure of working with 3 sets of twins this season. If you've read my previous post, you'll know that I have a tender place in my heart for twins.

This was originally going to be a photo shoot of just the girl, but she and her mom persuaded her brother to meet us for a few shots. I was able to talk him into a few more shots than that, and I don't think he totally hated it! He was a great sport!

I spent the majority of the Photo Experience with her, though, and we had so much fun together. As you will see from her photos, she has the most beautiful smile! I had her take a few serious shots, but she is much more herself when she is smiling. We played all around McMenamins, and then headed to the beach! I loved her purple striped sweater. I know I tell you guys to avoid stripes, but the colors on hers were very similar and the purple looked beautiful on her. I like the ones by the water tower, even when everyone was staring at her! There is a little red brick building around the back and I love the shots of her in purple next to the building. At the beach, we were able to create some great images. I especially like the ones where she is in the water. It was the busiest I have ever seen the beach, but it is still a quiet and secluded spot.

Introducing "A" and "A" to you!

Two Beautiful Sisters!

2008-10-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

I don't if many of you know this, but I have a twin sister. We are fraternal and don't even look like neighbors! So I kind of have a soft spot in my heart for twins. When my sister and I had our senior photos taken, we went separately so we could have our own time with the photographer. These beautiful twin sisters wanted to do their session together. I had such a delightful time watching how well they got along with each other. It was obvious that they are the best of friends.

We went to the Academy building and to the park for their photos. At first, they wore similar outfits and I was able to have fun posing them with each other. They wanted to do the Charlie Angel/James Bond photo, and it turned out great! They think they are identical, but I was able to tell them apart right away. They have very distinct personalities which complement each other. They took some fabulous photos! I love the different looks they came up with which brought out their uniqueness. We ended up at the park with their lettermen's jackets. At the end, I told them to wrestle because I had the sneaking suspicion that they had done a little of it in their lifetime. One sister definitely had the upper hand and pinned her sister down! My twin sister could always beat me up...but I taught her how to fake burp the alphabet!

Introducing "A" and "A"!

Let Down Your Golden Hair

2008-10-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

When I have my consultation with all of you, I tell you to create unique and different looks with your outfit choices. This senior definitely did this! She began with a jeans, a t-shirt and a colorful scarf. I went bonkers over her long blonde hair! I got to play with it to my heart's content. She mixed photos with her glasses on and with them off. I love the look both ways.

She then came back with a completely different outfit and era! Her Victorian hat, vest, blouse, skirt, shoes and cane were perfect at the Pittock Mansion! I love the ones with her on the balcony. She looks absolutely beautiful!

At the end, she donned a funky and fun black dress with red and black striped stockings! The shoes she wore, believe it or not, were the same in each outfit. She got them from someone from my generation and they were perfect for each outfit!

"A", these are stunning shots! I think we created what you were looking for!

Brown Eyed Girl!

2008-10-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

This beautiful senior is the daughter of one of my dearest college friends. Her mother and I planned to take the world by storm way back in the day! I can't believe it's been over 20 years since I was in college! Wow I am so old!

As you can see from these photos, this senior didn't know how to take a bad picture. She has the most beautiful brown eyes. We played in downtown Portland. It was overcast, so we could go anywhere. It usually takes a little while for my seniors to relax and enjoy themselves, but she was into the groove by the first photo. In fact, she chose the first photo for her yearbook. I loved her red sweater and ripped jeans. I had her laying on wet grass, posing by a smelly bathroom, and finally laying in a doorway with her legs straight up in the air. I don't think any senior has this shot of themselves with their flute! I am always trying to come up with new and unique ways of posing everyone with their instruments. I love all of them.

We then headed to the Academy Building in downtown Vancouver. I love her brown sweater next to the green leaves. She had brought a wonderful bright orange purse with her, so I made her pose with it. While we were there, the sun decided to peek out in the west and we were able to capture some fantastic shots of her next to the building with her dark shadow behind her. I really like the warm mood to these photos. I even took a photo of her shadow on the wall. Way too much fun. It reminds me of Peter Pan! She brought a bunch of classic books and I was able to capture her reading them.

At last, we headed to the studio. I love the dramatic lighting I am able to achieve there. Her turquoise sweater with the brown backdrop looks stunning. I have a leather rug I had her lay on and I love its color and texture. Then I broke out the white backdrop and we took some high-key photos of her in her pink sweater. I grabbed some pearls and draped them around her shoulder. This video wasn't able to include all of the photos, but I love every one of them.

So "T", I hope you love these as much as I do!

Make Me Look Good!

2008-10-03T14:30:00.001-07:00

When this senior came to see me for his consultation, I asked him what kind of photos he would like me to capture for him. He said, "Just make me look good." After giggling, I thought that was a great request! That's my job, isn't it! I told him not to worry and that he would love his photos.

We met at the park in downtown Portland on a great sunny day. He brought his girl friend along and she wore some different outfits to coordinate with his. He was in a great mood and it was easy to get him to smile! He pulled off a lot of different looks, with hats, t-shirts, jeans, shorts, a nice fitted black shirt and pants, and more. I love the shots of him in his dress shirt with bare feet on the amphitheater.

We headed to the Pinebrook Gardens and grabbed some quick family group shots with his parents and sister. The daylight was waning and we tried to squeeze out every bit of light until we finally gave up and headed to the studio. I love working in the studio because I can control the light and we can create some very dramatic photos. His family was waiting and hungry in my living room, but he was still going strong until the end! My seniors are usually worn out after a marathon day like this. I had a delightful time with him!

Well, "M", I think we got what you wanted. You definitely are looking good!

In the Storm!

2008-09-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

We decided to risk going into Portland on what was a rainy day. The weather cleared just enough for us to get some great shots downtown. I loved the cheerful blue and white checked top this senior wore for her first outfit. It looked great in the funky red brick amphitheater with the white marble circle in the center. When you stand in the center, sound travels back at you. It's pretty cool. There is also this weird white statue (?structure?) next to a pond with plants and rocks and stuff. It's always fun trying to pose yourself on that thing! It's not very comfortable. I love this red brick women's bathroom which is covered with ivy. I had her stand next to the window and did some fun special effects on the shot. Then she got into a beautiful purple dress with a yellow scarf. There is another weird structure at one of the Federal Buildings which is a kind of an orange color. I love the shots with her in purple next to the orange. The scarf was a great accessory.

During the shoot, we would have to run under the trees and wait for the rain to calm down and then dash out for a few shots before running for cover again. Finally, it decided to rain for good, so we drove back to my home studio and grabbed some wonderful shots here. I love her black hat!. She was a great sport considering the rain and I love the shots we were able to capture. By the way, this senior has submitted a few photos to my contests and I think she may be a budding photographer, herself!

Well, "E", I hope you love these!

Polka Dots, Fire Chief, Classical Diva!

2008-09-24T14:44:00.001-07:00

This senior is a good friend of the previous senior. They are both very accomplished vocalists. This senior was the lead in her high school musical, "The Sound of Music". I was able to see it and she was superb!

She and her mom had planned a little treat for her dad. Dad is a Vancouver Fire Chief and they wanted to surprise him with photos of his little girl dressed in his gear. They snuck it out of the house, (no small feat, as I hear), Mom drove it to the park and we grabbed some classic shots of her with her "Daddy's Little Girl" shirt, helmet, boots and suspenders. When we were done, Mom secretly went back home to replace the gear so Dad wouldn't find out! It was quite the covert operation!

She looked gorgeous in the colors she chose, pink, red, purple and black. She also brought some to-die-for polka dotted shoes. I almost stole them from her! It was actually raining that day, so we had to take time out under the trees a lot, but we were able to get everything we wanted before it began to downpour.

Here you go "S", I hope your dad is surprised!

Blue Eyes, Blond Hair, and Beautiful!

2008-09-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

This senior is a very accomplished classical vocal musician. I've heard her sing and her voice is amazing - crystal clear, and she has perfect pitch! She chose the place we met for photos and it was beautiful. It is a vineyard in Ridgefield and the grounds are immaculate with green grass, lots of flowers, a pond and much more. I loved being able to capture so many sides to her personality. She is fun and has a great sense of humor, and she also has beautiful eyes which were fun to play with by covering them in part with her natural curls. That hair, wow, it looks stunning on her and I loved getting it back lit by the sun! She brought some of the music she sings and I enjoyed being "artistic" by spreading it around her. I hope you love these photos as much as I do "A"!

Picture Perfect Smile

2008-09-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

This senior has the most beautiful smile! She came to my studio first with her hair curled and we captured some stunning photos of her with a red background and then a clean white backdrop to show of her yellow dress. She then straightened her hair and we headed out to the Pittock Mansion. That place is breath-taking! The formal flower gardens and the beautiful staircases and balcony are so fun to on which to work. I love the photo of her leaning on the ledge with the blue sky reflected in the window behind her! To keep the fun going, we ended up down town for a more urban look. These images are amazing!

Long Legs, Crazy Faces, Spear Throwing!

2008-09-03T10:13:00.001-07:00

As you will see in this photos, this senior was full of energy and fun and was wacky to work with! She definitely does not take herself too seriously and I had a delightful time goofing off with her! Every time I asked her to be serious, she broke out in giggles! There is one classic shot here where she is sucking in her cheeks to keep herself from smiling. She had to do that a lot so I decided to grab a shot of it! Those beautiful long legs of hers were fun to pose and to drape over everything. I love the shots of her by the "Red Door"! That door just stands in the middle of the field for no reason. I'm not sure why it's there, but I love it! At the end, she brought out her spear. I loved how she looked with that oversized piece of steel paired with her feminine floral dress! As we were getting ready to leave, the sun burst into a glorious sunset and I grabbed some silhouette shots of her. She picked her own music, by the way. I just LOVE it! Every time it starts, I can't help but smile!

Polka Dots, Yellow Hot Rod and Twirling

2008-09-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

There have been very few days of heat this summer, and this photo experience happened on one of them! We were all melting! This senior took such beautiful photos! Her clear porcelain skin next to her dark hair really stands out. She had these brown polka dot wedge heels that were adorable. I got of few shots of them. Her uncle brought a yellow hot rod (I think it's a Camaro, but I'm kind of a nerd about cool cars!) This senior loves this car and even though her uncle had a red Mustang completely finished, she wanted this one. It looks great! She put on a white skirt at the end, which was definitely a twirling skirt! These are beautiful images! Lots of fun!

Downtown!

2008-08-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

I went to downtown Portland to spend some time with this beautiful senior! She chose such different outfits and we were able to capture various sides to her personality. I especially loved the black leather jacket with the frilly purple dress! It was so "urban"! The black and white outfit looked wonderful against my favorite red wall! She was so much fun to work with! I could get her to smile and then go to my favorite dramatic looks! For those of you who know me, I tend to get a little carried away with the drama! You have to remind me to let you smile once in a while! This senior's mom came along and she was delightful. She told me that when her husband saw his daughter in all of these outfits, he wondered where his little girl had gone! She is definitely beautiful all grown up!

Jewel Tones

2008-08-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

This senior brought the kind of colors I love to photograph! Those bright jewel tones just pop right off the page. We were at McMenimins in Edgefield and had way too much fun. She had the most gorgeous long silky hair! We went all over the place and were able to capture many different looks for her. There is a garden where they have these tiny wooden seats and a table. It looks like a place where little gnomes or fairies would meet for lunch. I love the photo of her sitting backward on the chair with her legs draped over the it! It reminds me of "Alice in Wonderland". The photo of her laying on her back on the stairs is another favorite. Actually, I can't choose a favorite image, so "P" I hope you can! Good luck choosing!

Poet in the Park

2008-08-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

This was a senior with a plan! She had some definite ideas of the kinds of photos for which she was looking. She had a list and we put our heads together to create some amazing images! The jade green top in the first photos made her skin glow! Then she donned a beautiful gold vest and a poet's blouse. She is a writer and wanted some images depicting her this way. She had an old-fashioned pen and leather book to complete the look. I have this gold chair on my porch and when she came for her consultation, she said she loved it, so I brought it along! We ended with her period hat and pocket watch. Her outfits were unique and delightful.

Well, "M", when we get together, we can create some incredible things! I hope you like these!

Playing Soccer on a Broken Leg!

2008-08-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

This senior is a avid soccer player. He broke his leg this summer and is waiting impatiently for it to heal. He wanted some photos of himself playing soccer, so he had his friend come with him to get these great shots. I'm sure his leg was killing him! I really enjoyed working with him. He could pull off the "serious-GQ-look" as well as having a great smile! I love the ones with him by his car in his sunglasses. Bond, James Bond....

Here you go, "T"! I hope you like these!

Red Mustang!

2008-08-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

This senior was a lot of fun! He definitely had a sweet ride in that red Mustang! Life can't get much better! He had such an easy manner and was incredibly easy to get to laugh! I love the shots of him in front of the pond looking at the ducks! I got a little artistic with sun glare and shadows. I love the colors of these images! Everything just pops! Hey "N", I hope you like these! You are sure looking great!

A Ballerina's Secret

2008-08-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have known this senior since she was a little girl and was taking ballet lessons with my daughter! She has been dancing pretty much her entire life and is very accomplished. She told me that most of the people in her high school have no idea she even dances. She said they all think she is kind of clumsy! I can tell you, there is nothing clumsy about this graceful beautiful girl! I love the photos of her incredible pink tutu with her jeans! The contrast of the jeans with the tutu fits her personality. I saw the bridge and asked if she could do something like a ballet bar, but realized that it was too high. She promptly climbed up on top of the bridge and we got some funky and fun photos of her! So, I guess the secret's out now "L". Everyone reading this will know that you secretly don the costume of the ballet theatre and dance in front of audiences! She changed into her green prom dress and I love the artistic poses and locations of those photos. I think we were able to capture many sides to her personality. She is in Germany for the next month, but I hope she can check her e-mail to see these great photos!.

Dancing to China!

2008-08-01T19:58:00.000-07:00

This senior was days away from going to China to dance with her High School Dance Group for the Olympics! What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! She was very excited. I told her to send me some pictures of her way over there. We had a wonderful time in Pinebrook Gardens. She had this electric blue top and a pink sweater which just pop! She definitely was more comfortable smiling, but I snuck in a few serious shots! She has such beautiful brown eyes. I got a little artistic when she put on her dance clothes. Her calf muscles are rock hard! When she leapt for me, I had to include the entire space below her in the photos to show how high she was getting! I hope you are having fun in China "K"!

Sunglasses, Prom Dress and Crew

2008-07-26T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here is my first official Senior from the Class of 2009! We had a lot of fun. We started at Esther Short Park and there was some kind of concert/fair going strong. It was quite the challenge to get photos without all the people in the background. My senior brought a variety of clothing which gives her photos such different looks. I had her crawling around in the bushes right at first and I think she wondered what she had gotten herself into! She is around 6 ft tall and has the most incredible-to-die-for long legs! After we had played downtown, she wanted to go to where the Vancouver Lake Crew team keeps its boats and where they practice. The place had been completely destroyed by the Tornado early this spring. When she told me the story, it made my heart hurt! It's amazing how they were able to rebuild after such a tragedy. I especially love the photos of her down on the dock with her green dress. You can tell that she is very comfortable down there by the water. She had a chest full to medals to prove it! The scenery was absolutely beautiful.

Eyes to Die For!

2008-07-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

This beautiful senior just squeaked by with getting her senior photos done! She is now my official last 2008 senior! We went downtown Portland for these great images. She brought her friend who is my makeup artist along with her. They had fun coming up with different looks. The last outfit was supposed to be "Emo and Dark", but she is just too gorgeous to pull it off! When I had her sit on the purple steps, she lounged herself and then put her feet up. I love the shot with her in the doorway. I think you will agree that she has got killer eyes! She just had a new tattoo put on her back when she graduated and we got some wonderful shots of it. She is going to be moving out of state this summer (sniff, sniff) I wish her all the best!

Last Senior of 2008!

2008-06-25T03:18:00.001-07:00

This senior wanted to wait until her braces were off before she had her photos taken. We had way too much fun at the Academy Building. She wore some vivid colors which pop right off the page! She is an artist, so she brought a paint brush. In one of the photos, I had her stand in front of a wooden panel holding her brush. I was then able to go into Photoshop later and create the wonderful graffiti on the wall! I love the ones where she is walking toward me in her skirt and fun scarf. I think we were able to capture many aspects of her unique and wonderful personality.