by Shelly | Jul 3, 2014 | senior gals, senior portraits |
Katt and her family traveled a long long way for her senior portraits.
Okay — they were in Houston anyway, but they planned their trip so that it would include time for a senior portrait session in our studio. Oh, my. We had a great time creating stunning images unlike ANYTHING that her classmates back in Midland, Texas would have.
Some of our best sessions begin like this one did . . . with my senior in the magical hands of Rachael Elise Walker of Elise Artistry.
Rachael spends a full hour or more right here in the studio with our seniors, enhancing all their best features and creating a high-fashion look that’s sure to turn heads for the rest of the day
— and for years to come in our heirloom portraits.
Katt looked absolutely SUBLIME in her edgy black and silver-sequined prom dress, especially once she put on those attention-getting yellow platform heels.
WOW! Talk about PUNCH!
Katt rocks her high-fashion look so naturally that, you might be surprised to learn that she knows her way around the barn, too. In fact, we shot her portraits the same day that she sold her two beloved steers.
I was really really proud of her for keeping her emotions in check, because I KNOW I would have been a big blubbering mess if I were the one wearing those yellow shoes.
FFA was a big part of Katt’s high school career, and she especially wanted to make sure that we captured some images to remember an FFA classmate who had lost his life to cancer just a few months earlier. We created a little storyboard for his parents featuring Katt, a sentimental souvenir Batman cape, and of course, her bright orange “Team Chuck” bracelet.
Her aqua lace top looks like it was just MADE for my beach-house, doesn’t it?
Just keeping things cool and breezy! That’s all.
If you think Katt looks familiar, and if you’ve followed my blog for a while, you might actually remember that time I photographed her and the rest of her family a while back.
They are a SUPER GREAT FAMILY, and as an added bonus, we got a guest appearance by her sister, Liz. So whaddaya do with fun loving sisters when they’re in the studio together?
You put them in “THE BOX” and let them play.
Congratulations on your graduation Katt — and best wishes for a super college experience at Tarleton State this fall.
by Shelly | Jun 24, 2014 | senior gals, senior portraits |
The ADORABLE Ilyssa is now officially a Taylor High School Graduate, and I’m thrilled share a few images from her senior portrait session.
You’re gonna absolutely fall in LOVE with this sweet, casual, and very laid back girl.
Personally, I think she was born for the camera. She stepped right into the lights and immediately took posing direction like a pro.
We completed her entire session with several outfits right here at the studio where we offer a quiet and private place to change outfits between scenarios as well as an ever-changing variety of exclusive custom-designed background sets
In just a few short weeks, Ilyssa will head to Austin for Rush and then for classes at The University of Texas at Austin — my own Alma Mater.
Since I tend to think of my seniors as my own kids, I couldn’t be prouder of her choice! Hook ’em Horns!
by Shelly | Jun 17, 2014 | senior gals, senior portraits |
Pretty Fun, that’s how I’d describe Cayla’s senior portrait session.
There’s no doubt that Cayla is drop-dead gorgeous, but she was also so much fun to work with as we laughed and played our way through a recent afternoon.
How I wish I could be all chit-chatty about this lovely girl, but I’m so far behind on my blogging right now that I’m just proud to be sharing her photographs.
A picture really is worth a thousand words, so I’ll just let them speak for themselves.
Scroll right down …
slowly because you won’t want to miss a thing.
In only a few short weeks Cayla will head out of town to start her college experience at Texas State…
but in the meantime, I know that she will be creating smiles and memories for her family at home and on vacation … wherever she goes!
CONGRATULATIONS on your graduation from Taylor High School, Cayla. I know that college will bring you a great experience.
Enjoy — and soak up every joyful moment and every new opportunity. You’ve got this!
by Shelly | Dec 18, 2013 | dance, senior gals, senior portraits |
Elizabeth is a Senior! Oh my goodness, time flies!
I’ll never forget the first time I met this young beauty. It was Halloween and she was just a little toot dressed up like a Houston Texans Football player. Her big brother, Alex, was maybe a 6th or 7th grader, and he was her cheerleader. If I could tell one thing about her and her family that night, it was that this little girl was CHERISHED — and rightfully so.
Several years passed, and eventually in 2010, Alex became one of my early senior portrait clients, so I was beyond excited to learn that THIS is Elizabeth’s year.
Did we ever have FUN in the studio!
Some girls are just born GORGEOUS, and this one certainly was but a little magic by my favorite makeup artist, Rachael Elise Walker never hurt anyone.
I am so thrilled that Rachael will provide hair and makeup for a number of my clients this year. Her skills with hair, airbrush foundation, color cosmetics, and LASHES bring out the best in any woman.
Did I mention the Lashes? OH MY STARS — I LOVE the EYE-LASHES that Rachael brings into the studio for our clients. Maybe someday if I ‘m really nice, I can talk her into a lash application lesson for yours truly. Wouldn’t THAT be a blast?
Elizabeth studies at Houston’s renowned High School for the Visual and Performing Arts where she specializes in ballet.
And it shows. She is so very graceful, slipping into any pose we throw at her. Doesn’t matter whether she’s wearing toe shoes or cowboy boot. 
Elizabeth’s already received a couple of college admissions letters, but last I heard she was still waiting on the one she really wants — so we won’t name after-graduation plans here just yet.
Wherever you go, sweet girl, I know you will SOAR! Congratulations on a fabulous senior year.
by Shelly | May 14, 2013 | event, senior gals, senior portraits, special project |
I don’t know where the year has gone, but it is time for Glamour Splash 2013 — and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. We’re celebrating all the soon-to-be High School Seniors, and doing something VERY special for our community.
Picture this!
YOU… a formal dress.. in the water — YES — IN THE WATER at your gorgeous BEST — for one of the most exciting portraits you’ve ever seen…
AND — all proceeds go to Cinco Charities to help build and operate the Ballard House, a temporary overnight housing facility for families that travel to the Katy/West Houston area for medical care.
Ready to take the plunge? Reserve your session HERE! and then keep reading for more details.
Glamour Splash started last year, benefited a local food bank, and it was FABULOUS… but, between you and me, our timing was a little bit off. We waited too late into the summer, and quite a few of our potential participants were already out of town, so this year we’re not even waiting for the last day of school. In the Katy schools, students get to exempt a number of their final exams based upon what grade they are in, their attendance, and academic performance — so we’re celebrating their achievements and playing HOLLYWOOD while their younger siblings are sitting in finals.
na na na na boo boo!
Glamour splash is open to any girl who has shot her senior portraits with our studio, regardless of the year, as well as to anyone in the class of 2014 or 2015.
The sessions will last 20 minutes each, and you can use your own formal dress or choose from one of ours.
To register, go to http://SPCcreative.bookmonline.com . A minimum donation of $20.00 will reserve your session, and you’ll get a free Facebook/social media profile picture. Additional options are available to increase your contribution to Cinco Charities — and they come with extra goodies. After the session prints and electronic files will be available online — still benefiting Cinco Charities.
Session reservations are non-refundable, but every single penny goes to this great cause.
We highly recommend that you bring your own dress for the session because that will make your session totally personal, but we also understand if you don’t want to take the risk of putting your pretties into a chlorinated swimming pool. We have a few dresses in the studio that you can choose from — or you can wear your own bandeau-style swim top or tube top, and we’ll use fabric drapes to create your special images.
We are also accepting dress donations for future Glamour Splash events!
Should you use your own dress, please bear in mind that you are doing so at your own risk. Most synthetic fibers are perfectly safe in the water as are quite a few natural fibers, but I am NOT Heloise and I will not make any promises. — What I WILL promise is that you’ll get a ROCKIN photo session. We’ll have fun, and you’ll have the coolest summer photos around.
You know you want it!
And to add a little more of your personality to some of your images, you’re encouraged to bring your own hair decorations and anything that will float — EXCEPT GLITTER. We don’t need glitter in our filter. Flowers and petals would be lovely though. If you have other cool ideas we’re ready to hear them!
Oh … and the ooky part: All participants who are under the age of 18 will be required to bring a release form signed by their parent or guardian. You’ll receive the release after registering, and it simply covers the legal mumbo jumbo allowing us to photograph you and put the images into the glamour splash website for preview and order. The release also talks about how we can’t be responsible for your dress or your safety… even though we trust that you’ve got good sense, and we are very safety-conscious over here. Oh… and since your images WILL be gorgeous, we have to cover the fact that they will probably be blogged about right here! It also releases Cinco Charities from any liability…
No release? No shoot for you. So sorry but it’s super important. After all… we’re all in this to do GOOD things.
SO — click here to reserve your spot or to volunteer.
Volunteer? Did you say volunteer?
YEP! We have a few spots for gals looking to add a few hours to their community service log or to just gain some behind the scenes experience at a fashion photo shoot. You’ll be serving as a hostess, helping other girls get ready for their session or acting as a photographer’s assistant, helping adjust dresses and fabrics, moving and holding lights and shade cloths. Call the studio at 281.773.7465 during business hours if you’d like to help out.
Ready to take the plunge? Reserve your session HERE!
by Shelly | Mar 21, 2013 | musician, senior gals, senior portraits |
The first time I met Hannah, she was just a Freshman in the Taylor High School Color Guard. — You probably know the Color Guard as the kids with flags, rifles and streamers during football halftime performances. That’s only part of the story. After football season ends, these kids continue practicing and competing throughout the winter.
I absolutely love photographing official school groups like the CG because it gives me a chance to meet and get to know a little bit about these kids.
It may not be fair to say so, but I always have a few “favorites,” and Hannah was definitely one. I just always loved her sweet smile and spunky attitude — so I was thrilled when she came into the studio for her senior portraits. 
After graduation Hannah will head east to her family’s “home country” where she will attend classes at Louisiana State University as a pre-med student, leaning toward pediatric medicine.
And I couldn’t help but dig out her freshman color guard pictures (below) … She is definitely the same sweet girl I met back in the fall of 2009… Just a little more grown up and college-ready.
