Miss Haley

Hayley has got one of the best serious faces EVER!   Seriously, this girl can work.it.  For this reason, she was crazy fun to photograph.  I met her when I did the varsity cheer shoot last year.  When I saw her again this year, I couldn’t believe how much she had grown up and come into her own.  What a beautiful person she is, both inside and out!  Thank you so much, Haley, for letting me take pictures of you and capture that beautiful personality!  

boots complete the ensemble and accentuate her small waist

backlit by a flash blonde girl fiercely looks at camera

view of red rocks behind a smiling teenage girl in scarf

church surrounded by forest is perfect for weddings

black and white dress with red heels outside of church

senior girl sitting in field with=

Complimentary Colors~ Guest Blogger Meredith Ryncarz

I am so excited to have the amazing Meredith, with Memories by Mere, guest blog for me.  I always try to educate my clients on how to make sure they don't mush into be background... but now you get to hear it from someone else!  (YAY!)  ;)  Without further adieu... Meredith:

I often have clients ask me what they should wear for their photography session.  While the quickest and easiest answer is to send them a “what to wear guide”, you may still be shooting yourself in the foot.  For example, if I was photographing a senior session in a meadow and really wanted her to stand out, a green dress or top would blend in while an outfit with a pop of red would make the image more visually interesting.  This is due to something called complimentary colors and they can be found opposite each other on the color wheel.  In the case of the photo below, the red vest and pirate headband add visual point of interest to an otherwise very green image.

 

Pirate1

The three major complimentary color groups are green and red, orange and blue, and purple and yellow.  By using this knowledge you can bring visual interest to an otherwise blah picture location.  Let’s face it, while you may not be able to always control what your clients wear, you can control where they stand.

 

 

 

 

Yorktown Childrens Photographer 14

In the case of this little boy, if I had placed him in front of a green meadow or the blue sky, he would still be cute.  By paying attention to what he is wearing and his eye color, I can plan for a more visually stunning effect.  I noticed an old orange brick wall where we were and had him stand in front of it.  By scouting my location ahead of time, I can map out where and what I want to photograph.

 

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Whether you photograph children, landscapes, or objects, knowing your complimentary colors can vastly improve the look of your image.  The photograph of this historical home was done at night as I experimented with HDR for the first time.  The yellow stucco of the walls played will with the purple blue of the sky and made the home stand out from its surrounding brown Texas landscape.  For your next photo session why not try implementing this element of art.  It is one widely used in painting, marketing, and other art forms.

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Meredith Ryncarz holds a M.Ed. in Art and has taught at several universities.  She currently is the owner and principal photographer at Memories by Mere Photography.  When she isn’t busy snapping photos or mentoring, she can be found chasing after her two crazy kids and trying out new foods with her foodie husband.

 

Emily

I met Emily at my make up night  a few months ago.  I knew right when I met her that I liked her.  She has such a kind heart.  I was SUPER excited when she chose me to photograph her senior pictures.  I also got to take pictures of her at the Patriotic cheer shoot I did for her Varsity Cheerleading Squad  in June.  Thank you, Emily!  I had SOOO much fun!!!! kicking the water a stunning girl smirks at camera

friends play in a stream and laugh together

water green tank top and accessories completes pictures of beautiful teen girl

head shots in green tank with blond hair

woman leans against metal wall which contrasts against soft skin

standing in front of a tunnel a girl looks sassy towards the camera

girls smiles at friend off camera whiles standing in shallow water

teen girl runs her fingers in shallow water to cool off

laying on a blanket in a yellow flowerbed

sassy looks from senior girl posing for the outfit

animal print strapless shirt shows off beautiful girls figure

looking over her shoulder girl in red dress sits by water

blond teenager poses and laughs in red dress in tall grass

Blazers

I love layering for your Senior Session.  Why?  Well, it's simple.  You can get several looks without really changing.  Blazers are a great way to do this.  You can assemble a really darling outfit with a blazer and take pictures.  You can then take the blazer off and take more pictures!  You can then quickly throw on a scarf and take MORE pictures.   Three looks without even changing.  Taylor did this for her senior pictures and it worked beautifully!  It's genius, really. striped blazers, solid blazer, summer blazer, leather blazer

Black Blazer

Black and White Striped Blazer

Red and White Striped Blazer

Light Blue Blazer

Black and White Tailored Blazer

Black Lace Blazer

Burgundy and Cream Striped Blazer

 

 

Cheer Friends

Every year after the cheer pictures, I offer to the girls who are still there, to do a few friend pictures.  Just them and a friend hanging out.  This year we had a few girls left over after the end of all of the individual and group pictures so I was able to snap a couple of quick pictures.   I love how these girls are so much more than "on the same cheer squad". They are friends.  They are there for one another.  They love each other. girls sit on wood road hushing and posing for a picture

three sheer captains pose with American flag while laughing on small bridge in forest

friends sit overlooking water and chat about life

friends and coaches sit overlook fake lake and bond

Sweet Chelsie

I cannot begin to tell you how much I like Chelsie.  She is so kind.  She has a lot of friends and rightfully so.  I first met her at Addilyn's 5th birthday party.  I then met her again... and again... and again.  I really enjoyed my time with her and am REALLY excited that she is one of my Senior Spokesmodels for the Class of 2015.  That means I get to so another session with her at the end of her senior year!  Woot!  

cream sweater blue jeans boot socks and orange scarf

field of flowers surround senior cheerleader while she sits and smiles

orange scarf and braided hair complete a look

head shots of beautiful teen girl

beautiful girl lays in field wearing pink pants and white strapless top

girl sits on blue crate and smiles while she blows bubbles.

plaid shirt wearing girl blows confetti while sitting in a green field

crouching in a field of flowers girl in white shirt looks around

balloons fly away from senior girl while she looks on

girl rides skateboard while she holds bushel of balloons

girl in blue and white striped shirt wears red bubble necklace

Sophomores and Freshmen

When I was growing up the local varsity cheer teams had ONLY juniors and seniors.  Period.  There just weren't underclassmen on the varsity teams.  This cheer team has shown me year after year that it's not your age; it's your talent.  I can't image how nerve racking it must be to be one of the youngest on the team... but it doesn't seem to bother these girls much.  They can definitely hold their own. group of sophomore girls talk and laugh together in forest

shy blond bob teenage girl smiles in forest

blue ruffle tank top and red bow in long blond hair and braces

sitting in tall grass teen girl laughs and enjoys black forest

crouching down high school sophomore shows off toned arms

laying in tall grass with legs in air teenage red head has serious look

Girlie Summer Outfit

I love it when girls go super duper girlie for one of their outfits for their shoot.  Every girl has a wee bit of girlie-girl in her so why not flaunt it every now and again? I tell my seniors that if they would like their hair up for part of our session together to get their hair done so it looks great down, then have their hair stylist do it up BEFORE they leave her house!  That way we can start with it up and let it down later in the session.  It's really hard to put your hair up during the session... not to mention the valuable time it takes!

Also, I'm sure you're thinking, "Why have a hat AND put your hair up in a bun?!"  Well, the hat doesn't have to be worn.  You can use it as an accessory... something for your hands to do.  Play with it.  Throw it up.  Use it to kind of hide behind while giving me a fun, flirty look.  So many choices!

a bun with a bow accents a shirt dress with heels and accessories

Bow

Shirt dress

Pearls

Hat

Bracelets

Blue Heels

Coral Watch

Gold Watch  (In case the coral one isn't your thang!)

Gold Earrings

Super Cute Bun

Class of 2016 Cheerleaders

It seems like high school girls grow up a lot between their junior and senior year... but they also really grow up once they become upperclassmen for some reason.  These girls are no exception.  Some of them I have been taking pictures of since they were wee little freshmen.  They have really come into their own.  They are so sweet and really fun!  I'm sure I'll blink and they'll be seniors! junior girl strikes pose with red bandana and patriotic clothing

tall pine trees surround teenage cheerleader and tall wheat

red shirt and blue skirt beautiful asian cheerleader holds one arm with the other hand

juniors pose together laugh in tall green grass

white bobble necklace and a read flowy shirt shows off teenagers figure by pine trees

Patriotic Class of 2015

This group of girls are so well rounded.  They seem to have their heads on straight.  They're spunky.  They're fun.  They're good role models to the rest of the cheer squad.  I am really excited to work with several of them this year as they are my Senior Spokesmodels and clients.  What a great bunch of girls I have been able to photograph the last 3 years!!  

senior girls walk towards and away from camera while holding hands in forest

cheerleaders pose on dirt road with friends in forest

ten girls pose in forest showing sass wearing red white and blue

stunning blond on rock with reflection of water behind her laughs

blond cheerleader holds American flag high showing her patriotism

plaid shirt and cowboy boots  on sitting red head

red shirt and blue shorts on female leaning against tree with flowers in hand

Using accessories senior girl in park poses for in blue tank and jean shorts

four girls pose in Americana clothing using USA flag as accessory

long brown hair and bandana on senior girl leaning against tree and smiling at friends

Floral Fashion

Totally loving this outfit for a Senior Session!  Check out the stores below to find each piece of clothing.  I know I say this CONSTANTLY but ACCESSORIZE!  Can't you just see here how the accessories MAKE the outfit?  You don't even have to wear the glasses.  You could play with them or bite on the edge of them or just hold them!  A lot of these items are on the pricier side but it's so easy to just snag the look without breaking the bank! red shorts floral blouse jean jacket and glasses

Floral Blouse: New Look

Necklace: 1st Dibs

Ring: Kelly Wearstler

Earrings: Annette Ferdinansend (you're going to want to find a knock off for these ones!  YIKES!)

Glasses: My Theresa

Shorts:  Mango Red Demin Shorts

Stackable Bracelets

Chucks: (I love me a good pair of AllStars!  They go with EVERYTHING!)

Belt:  Maison Boinet (I have a massive crush on this belt!)

Jean Jacket: Scotch and Soda

Make Up Night!

A few weeks ago I had a make up night at my house!  I had my super awesome make up artist come and teach high school girls how to apply make up.  They got to practice on a friend and follow along as Tabetha did one of the girls' make up.  The girls seemed to have a lot of fun… and so did I!  They went home with a beautiful, sparkly eyeshadow attached to one of my business cards… hint hint!  ;)  I think this needs to be an annual party! brunette with scarf shows off pristine make up

Professional make up artist applies make up to a senior girl

Putting make up on friends eyes while sitting on a counter

Sisters putting eye shadow on one another.

Applying make up to a friend in order to learn

Everyone gathered in the kitchen learning about make up application

heavy blush is a veery important part of picture ready make up

Preslee Pie

This little girl, our little caboose, has got THE most contagious personality.  She is so funny (on purpose!), silly, smart, a dancing-queen, a singing-princess, smart-alecky, compassionate, and such a great sister and our baby girl!  I just want to freeze her!!  I have to breathe into a brown paper bag every time I think about her leaving me for the big, bad world of kindergarten next year!!  (Insert me doing the ugly cry <here>.)  This child holds my heart. P.S.  Her last day of preschool is taking place as we speak!  :(

 

little girl Jumping around in the snow and laughing

little girl kicking snow in pink boots in the forest

black mittens and hat accent a cute outfit for snow pictures

heart sweater and black hats in the snowy forest

The End of the Road

There are not words to express my love and admiration for this little man.  He is courageous, sweet, brave, smart, silly, funny, and an amazing brother and son.  Not a day goes by that Bryan and I don't thank our Father in Heaven for allowing this sweet boy to continue living here on earth with us.  We would be lost without him.  This Friday will mark the last day of his long, LONG, LOOOOONG fight against Leukemia.  I remember blogging about this every step of the way when he first got sick.  I would use my blog as a form of therapy.  I could get stuff off my chest.  I remember blogging that he would nearly be 9 when he would be done with his treatment.  And now here we are… he's almost done with his treatment… almost done with cancer… almost done with third grade… and almost 9.  Carter, you have touched so many lives throughout the last 3 years, two months, and 5 days.  It has been a rewarding journey in so many ways but one I pray you will never have to relive.  

8 year old boy in blue sweater smiles in snow

sweet smile from a cancer fighting boy in the snow

 

Wear It Wednesday {Colorado Springs Senior Photographer}

I have decided that I love assembling outfits.  It's fun!  It's like shopping but without spending money!  And you look cute in everything!  ;)  I have thrown together a few outfits to serve as inspiration for you when you are trying to plan what to wear to your Senior Portrait Session with me! red shorts floral blouse jean jacket and glasses

Floral blouse:  New Look

Necklace: 1st Dibs

Ring: Kelly Wearstler

Earrings: A wee bit pricey but you could easily find knock offs!

Glasses: My Theresa  (again, find yourself some knock offs!!)

Shorts: John Lewis

Shoes: Converse (I love my Chucks!)

Bracelets: These ones are super affordable!

Belt: I'm in love with this!  It's from Far Fetch but I've seen ones like this at Target and Forever for much cheaper.

Jean Jacket: Scotch and Soda

 

I hope this has encouraged you to think outside the box which is your closet and to be cute, funky, and creative for your shoot!