Jumping, modeling, and serious stuff | Queen Creek Senior Photographer

Boys…  I think of sound effects, curiosities, sports, workers, and blue.  Is that stereotypical?  Probably.  My son was born with the capability to do great sound effects with his mouth.  Me, well it sounds like something is dying.  How does that happen?

Girls… I think of fashion, beauty, nurturing, friends and color.  Again-sterotypical?  Of course.  But my daughter fits the description.  : )

Although we grow up and our life experiences change us, don’t you think that our make-up (who we are) remains the same?  I love to meet people, learn about people and hopefully learn from people.  I love to see things in a different way.  I’m always impressed when you meet the ones who know who they are, where they are going and what they want out of life.  Purpose.

These incredible people, high school people, gave me energy.  They had purpose.  They inspired me for different reasons, each one of them.  You wouldn’t know that most of them didn’t know each other before this particular morning.  You wouldn’t know that they were up before 7:00am on a Saturday morning.  You can’t pick out their talents or know their backgrounds by looking at them.  And you don’t know who can jump the highest by reviewing these… or maybe you do?

Kayla and her senior portraits

So, here I am at the Junkyard in Gilbert, AZ again.  Kayla wanted something a little more grunge and not cutesy (like green grass).  The perfect place was The Junkyard!  We toured around the junkyard taking several different shots in areas that I have overlooked before.  She had several changes of clothing and had her besties there to help her out.  Her changing room consisted of a few bales of hay and her friends were the doors.  : )  We were extremely careful due to all the broken glass and nails (and a few chickens here and there).  Kayla didn’t seem to be bothered until we reached the red little house near the chicken coop.  Then, the smell hit her.  Those dirty chickens were very smelly and ruining the photoshoot.  :)  Having her friends nearby was fantastic; they coached her, fixed her clothing, touched up her hair and make-up and encouraged certain looks.  They were able to use inside jokes (and maybe a boys name or two) to bring certain emotions.  I loved her audience and what they were able to do for me and for Kayla.  The way Kayla gently held the old gas pump or slightly tilted her chin made me think she has been in front of a camera a time or two…  I didn’t need to give any guidance-it flowed and was great!   Thanks Kayla for allowing me to be a part of this awesome time in your life.  I love your portraits, you look fabulous and congratulations on your upcoming graduation!

High School, Gold Shoes and Doors | Queen Creek, AZ Senior Photographer

One of the best things about photographing high school students and seniors is seeing their ability to put clothing together.  I am always amazed that I am far from having the latest styles hanging in my closet but I get to see individuality in them.  Each one comes with a different flare and spunk, different colors and textures, something that reflects who they are at that time.  Tori had some great shoes that sparkled-ahhh, just like her cute personality.  I loved her sass and her giggles.  I loved her dark hair and fair skin.  I loved her accessories.  AND, I was able to capture different sides of that spunkiness…    Loved this morning with awesome models, beautiful light and fun personalities.  And Tori, maybe I could borrow those shoes?

Make-up by Patrick Brannigan (love this guy!)

High School, Tennis, and Walls | Queen Creek, AZ Senior Photographer

A tennis player and a good sport… meet Josh.  Josh came on this cold Saturday morning with JD and I’m certainly glad he came to play.  I really don’t know what I was expecting but this group of high schoolers were amazing.  Josh let us mess with his hair, he played tennis for us and jumped a million times with hopes of getting a higher or better shot than the previous jump.  He even played the part of asking Jaci out on a date for the love of a good photograph. I’m sure he is a great student and athlete.  I’m sure he is a great friend. I’m sure he is a great son and treats his mom with love and respect. I can’t imagine anything else from Josh.  AND, he is quite handsome.  Josh, thanks for climbing on the trash cans, jumping again and again and playing tennis with the boring opponent named The Wall.  Thanks for giving up your important sleep to come and shoot these images!

High School Models continues | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

Skyris could be one of the sweetest teenagers I have ever met.  Have I ever told you about the teenagers that I grew up with?  The other teenagers in my home?  I love my dear family BUT let’s just say I am NOT excited about raising teenagers-or I wasn’t until I met Skyris. There is hope for darling AND sweet teenager-ness.  It seems that Skyris is unaware of how darling she is.  Shall we talk about her eyes?  Yes, let’s do.  There is a smile even within her eyes that I loved.  We always hear, “smile with your eyes,” and I understood it when I saw her.  Her shy approach toward photographs really works for her.  She did a fabulous job and was ready and willing to go for round two in the afternoon (what other teenager would want to do that?).  Thank you Skyris for coming and sharing your Saturday morning with me.  You are beautiful.

Her hair was styled by Tami Rhoton and her hair by Patrick Brannigan, who were both wonderful.  If I could always work with people as prompt and reliable and talented as those two I would be truly blessed!

I am keeping up with Photo A Day.  Amazing (if I do say so myself).  The weekly photo challenge is great, when I do it.  : )  Visit my Flickr Page to see the latest happenings…

High School Models Continued | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

This group was nothing short of talent.  One minute I turn around and the skateboard action is happening.  It was hard to decide where I needed to focus my camera.  Have you ever heard the term, “I have eyes on the back of my head,”  mostly when your parents try to convince you that they can see what you are doing even when you think they can’t?  Well, I was wishing I had eyes on the back of my head and a camera to go along with it.  Josh was one that I was trying to capture a REAL smile.  What is a real smile when you don’t know the person?  You know that smile that either leads to a laugh or is just at the end of a laugh?  We were teasing him about a cute girl walking by in the background at which time, my sister/assistant says, “yep, she is here,” and walks behind me.  We got him to laugh and me too.  Clever Lindsey!  I will have to try that one again.  What I learned about him is that he was able and willing to do anything I needed-with a real smile.  : )  He is witty and quite talented on the skateboard. He and his brother JD were great and I feel lucky and blessed to have them be a part of the crew on this particular morning!  Thank you to their dear mother who is passionate about pictures like me.  Without her, I could not have these fabulous boys to shoot!  Also, thanks to Ami for the referral/suggestion.  She said they were awesome boys and she was right!

High School Models | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

More of these beautiful high school models…  I have found a new favorite niche.  Although, everything is my favorite.  Everything I get my hands on-even outside of photography, becomes my favorite.  : )

Anyhow, so there I was photographing this gal, completely stunned that she knew exactly what to do before I even needed to say anything.  She moved, shifted weight, tilted her head, held poses and moved on.  I was looking at these high school students thinking I wasn’t too much older then they were (or at least that’s how I felt) but the truth is, I was in high school many moons ago.  I watched them have fun and laugh and hang out together all while I was feeling that high school was just a few months ago for me.  : )

I left clothing up to the models.  I told them to let their style shine.  I’m glad I did because I could never choose what they chose for themselves.  Don’t you love her choices?  I am in love with color and when she showed up with her colors, I was thrilled!  Mykee is a dancer too.  I should have guessed since she had the movement thing down so easily.  She is darling.  DARLING.  It was a privilege to spend the morning with her.  It was a blessing to have her with the group.  I learned from her as she comfortably stood there showing me what it is like to be a model.  I am excited to share these photos with her!  Thanks Mykee for being a part of this for me!

High School Models | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

High school. choir. skateboard. friends. style. dates. Facebook. roofs. talent. weekends.

Meet JD.  He was referred to me during my high school model search and I couldn’t be happier.  I didn’t know JD before this chilly Saturday morning but I feel like I got to know a piece of him.  A very small piece of him.  Clearly he had done this thing a million times before, been in front of the camera!  He was casual, relaxed and was able to strike up a phone conversation on demand.  Now, that is skill!  He had confidence and photographing confidence is a fun experience.  (Ya know, if he would allow me to-I’d love to meet him at a skate park and follow him around.)   I loved the shots, with the shadow, and wished I had more time to watch him try out his tricks and awe his audience!  What I now know about JD is that he can be friendly to anyone-even if it is 8:00am on a Saturday morning, he can skateboard with ease, he is a singer, he is a great brother, he is not a fan of make-up, he has an easy-going personality and enjoys hanging out with friends.  Thanks JD, for giving me some time on your busy Saturday morning!

So, what do ya say about my skate park idea? : )

Babies | Queen Creek, AZ Photography

What is better than perfect skin, bright eyes, and baby giggles?  Ya know what I love about this age?  They can’t run away.  : )  I get my fair share of chasing kids (I have two of my own) so this was a nice break.  She sat perfectly-mostly in her own world, watching the park goers and leaves blow by.  She had some drooling here and there and loved it-some may clean it up, clone it out of there but I thought it said, “I am a baby and I drool.”  :)  These were taken on a beautiful March day in Queen Creek, AZ at Power Ranch.  One of the greatest benefits of being a Queen Creek photographer is scheduling sessions during spring and fall in Arizona is the chance to take a break from the cold and soak up the sunshine and eat at some of my favorite places.

I used my 24-70mm lens because packing all my favorite stuff wasn’t an option.  I really wanted to bring them all but I am not keen on checking anything with camera equipment in it.   I love that lens!  So, here is this darling baby girl-proud to be sitting up and posing for her photos!

For an update on my Photo A Day project, check on my Flickr page!

High School Models | Queen Creek, AZ Photographer

High School. Style. Hair. Make-up. Friends. Weekends. Texting. Shoes. Sports. Cars. Dates. Fun. Talents. Sleep. Work. Play. Laugh.

I am searching my brain for more words but I am drawing a blank there.  I recently did a photoshoot with several high school students and the first to make it on the blog is this darling girl.  She is spunky, as a matter of fact I think her nickname is Punky!  She has a contagious laugh, her hair is a gorgeous brownish red and she has got serious style. She is a dancer (probably since she was three) and is sweet to all those around her.  I love those curls and have wished several times since this photoshoot that I could sport that with my hair but apparently 2 inches isn’t much to work with.  She woke up early for this fun morning and patiently sat while Patrick, our make-up artist, completed her make-up and lashes.  My goal with this photoshoot was to back-up.  I have a tendency to get tight crops.  All the time.  I wanted to be certain to capture her shoes-that would mean that I was backing up!  I used my 70-200mm and loved the flexibility of the zoom.  You may think (like her mother) there is added red but I assure you there is no boost in color!  : )   I did a custom white balance before each model to be certain I was on target with colors!  Those red bricks really show off her red tones!  She is adorable!

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