Six weeks ago I got a call on my cellphone. The conversation started with Hi, Grandma! and ended with Would you like to take my senior photos? OK, so there was more conversation after that request but you get the idea. A chance to spend time with my favorite girl and play photographer? I'm all over that!
Now I should explain that Kayla's school yearbook includes two photos of every senior. One is the formal one taken by the professional photographer hired by the school where the girls have the V-necked drape and the guys have on tuxes. The second one is arranged for and submitted by each senior and it's done by the photographer of their choosing. The overall vibe on the secondary photo is more relaxed and while most are another portrait in casual clothing, some include props that reflect the senior's interests or personality.
So yesterday was picture-taking day and Ieft the house bright and early for my drive to Columbus. Kayla is a planner so she had everything organized, including samples of senior photos she'd seen and liked as well as a couple of outfits for a quick change. She even had a destination in mind...Callaway Gardens. It isn't far from Columbus and offers a lot of variety for back drops so off we went. Despite the heat, we wandered around the gardens for several hours snapping photos.
I've only done the preliminary edits but here are a few of my favorite shots:
This one at one of the bridges on the lake is great of Kayla but the background is over-exposed, the hazard of a sun/shade combination. It's going to take some more work to bring that background out, if I can.
I love how relaxed and natural Kayla looks in this one. We were just looking for different textures in the landscape to give a little interest to the picture without taking away from her pretty face.
Good thing we didn't have Grandpa and his camera along with us yesterday. He probably would have taken a photo of us scrambling up and over a bunch of big rocks to get out to where we could take this picture.
When Kayla showed me this black dress with the tan belt yesterday morning (it was brand new), she said it looked awesome with her tan boots. And when we got to these old log cabins, she pronounced them the perfect background for that outfit. The girl's got an eye.
You'd never know looking at these photos that the temperature was 99 degrees and the heat index had to be 105 or more. While we both bemoaned the heat, she never complained or asked when we'd be done.
The girl just doesn't take a bad picture. I could easily post twice the number as I have and they'd all still be good...but then, I'm prejudiced too. Hopefully, there will be a few that meet with Kayla's approval and if not, we have another session planned. If everything works out right, we'll be taking pictures on the beach at the end of next week.
I think it's pretty cool that I get to be part of this experience with her...I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that Kayla will start her senior year of high school in two weeks. I'm not a professional photographer and have no desire to be one but it's easy to take a good picture when you've got such a pretty model. These are just the shots I liked; we'll see what catches her fancy.
She is a beautiful girl and the photos are awesome! I love her smile.
I agree it is cool you got to be part of this experience. One more memory and I hope to see a couple layouts...hint!
It is hard to believe she will be a senior. I have enjoyed watching her grow up through your layouts from magazines and then your blog.
I can't wait to see the beach photos.
Posted by: Linda | July 29, 2012 at 07:14 AM
What lovely photos! You're right when you say you have a great model there (family bone structure, inherited along with the smile from a certain Brenda, I wonder?). How special that she chose you to take the pictures - something to treasure.
Posted by: Margot/NZ | July 30, 2012 at 03:15 AM
What lovely photographs. And such a beautiful smile. Maybe in 20 years time I will be invited out to California to take similar photo's for my Grandchildren! :D Jude.x
Posted by: Jude.x | July 30, 2012 at 09:09 AM
Oh pretty! I think you did a great job! I'm sure she will love them!
Posted by: Suzeyq | July 30, 2012 at 04:57 PM