When I shoot a Senior Session, I’m visualizing a Display Book featuring that senior. I see the chosen outfits laid out in my mind like a catalog. And when the moment comes, and we get that great close up shot, I’m seeing the Display Book cover in my mind’s eye, with their name in a fancy font, with a glossy coating and I can hear their friends saying how awesome it looks.

I think all visual artist are like that. We tend to see the final product long before it takes shape in real life. It’s like the difference between dreaming in black and white and dreaming in color. Sure I can buy the same ingredients at the grocery store as the gourmet chef, but I haven’t a clue how to get from package to product with the skill, ease, and vision of a real chef. Give me a camera and a little light, and that’s something I can work with. Going from pretty picture to wall art. It’s all in the vision of the camera holder.

Meet Kayla Bridgers, Senior Model Representative for the class of 2011. We completed most of her session at the beautiful LuMil Vineyard. She’s one of those people that you instantly like. It really shows through in her senior portraits. She’s a little silly, reserved, relaxed, and has a great attitude. All of that wrapped up in a girl that doesn’t seem to know exactly how beautiful she really is. That’s my favorite kind of beautiful. One that’s natural and kind, and shines the best when it comes from the inside out. Some of the favorites are below the video.

Before you play this video, please turn of the website music by clicking on the small note in the top left hand corner of the blog. Videos here always include their own music. And my wonderful Senior Model Reps take a copy home for free!

Tera had already begun volleyball practice a few days before our session. If you could have seen the deep blues and rich purples she wore so proudly, you would know she was a dedicated player and a tough cookie. Since we can’t have our lovely model on display with all those bruises, a little crafty editing was used to erase the evidence.

Before you click play, please click on the note in the top left hand corner of this blog to end the blog music. If you’re internet speed is a little slow, there are a nice collection of still images below the video. Enjoy!

Mom said, “I love them all! I just can’t decide.” Here are a few of our favorites, like this next one that mom decided was her absolute favorite.

The most ordinary of places can make great images. I love everything here…her eyes, the lines on the wall, the color of her shirt, and the way the color of her hair stands out against it all. (Yes, I asked about her hair products! How shiny and healthy!)

She had no idea there would be a yellow wall that exactly matched her shirt. Perfect!

I fell in love with these blue doors a few years ago. Tera was the perfect accessory for them.

The studio black and white.

The magazine cover…

A little action.

If you’ve not yet noticed the hairstyle change, go back and take a second look. I’ve never seen natural curls turn out so beautifully straight. It’s every girl’s dream to have the best of both worlds.