by Shelly | Jul 22, 2015 | senior guys, senior portraits |
This is another of my lost blog post series. It’s a redux of a post that I feel certain I created and shared earlier this year but which disappeared into thin air.
This session actually took place back in February on a very cold and rainy day, and Nicholas was a GREAT SPORT about his outdoor session.
I love photographing guys who are just a little bit quiet and shy.
It’s fun to see how they relax once they realize that I won’t make them do anything cheesy for the camera, once they realize that they won’t have to smile like the Cheshire Cat until their jaws hurt.
Nicholas is one of those guys
It was his 17th birthday when we met for our session at his family home. Nicholas is quite an accomplished horseman, so we spent most of our time in and around the barn.
And this is Smokey. There’s not much in this world that can compare to the velvety smooth nose of a horse. SWOON!
We wrapped up our session with frozen fingers and frozen toes — and an extra nose rub and hug for Smokey.
by Shelly | Jul 13, 2015 | business, men, senior guys, senior portraits |
A lovely big family moved in to our neighborhood a couple of years ago, and I was just lucky enough to be at home when mom, Susan, and their adorable young daughter came by selling Girl Scout Cookies.
The sweet child waited so politely while mom and I visited — and visited — and visited — and before long, we became friends.
Now, what does THAT have to do with the photos of this handsome young man?
Well, he is a big brother to my favorite Brownie Scout.
Ryan was back in town after his first year of college to spend a little time with friends and family before heading off to Brazil for a year long mission trip with his church, and Mom needed some great photographs to keep him close at heart. As a Mormon Missionary, Ryan’s right at home with a suit and tie — and he does look quite dashing. Don’t you agree?
A couple of his younger siblings, including the Cookie Princess dropped by during our portrait session, and they are BEYOND ADORABLE —
so naturally, they ended up in front of my lens out in the studio barn too.
Ryan’s looking ahead to an exciting year of meeting people and learning a new language. . . .
Portugese. Yep! That’s what they speak in Brazil. Look it up ! How cool is THAT?
No doubt, he’ll miss these little guys, but they’re going to miss him too. Have a great experience, Ryan.
by Shelly | Jan 7, 2015 | senior guys, senior portraits |
All over the United States, high-school seniors take their portraits the summer before their senior year or early in the fall, but here, they like to wait until the school year is really rolling. That means that the school activities are in full-swing and schedules are cram-packed. Then one day, usually during the winter break , they look at the calendar and realize how many exciting and important events have to happen before May.
SO Senior Portrait Season Starts NOW! It Really does.
Now that football season is over.
Now that Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years have all come and gone.
Now . . . Before frantic springtime rolls around. It’s coming FAST TOO!
Will, a Seven Lakes Senior came into the studio a little while back for his portraits and so he has one more task checked off his graduation activities list. We had a great time as I learned a little bit more about him, and I think HE LOOKS GREAT! Don’t you agree?
We started out at the studio where we photographed him both indoors and out in the studio backlot.
Will is quite an accomplished athlete AND a very good student as well. He plays Varsity Football and Baseball, and has received acceptance letters and scholarships from several colleges.
I THINK I know his choice, but I don’t dare say because I would hate to be accused of spreading incorrect rumors. Regardless, he will do great at any school, and they all seem to be doing everything they can to attract him to their campuses.
After a bit, we headed off to the train depot for some iconic images that would incorporate a sense of location.
Years from now, there will be no doubt that Will lived in KATY, Texas when he graduated from high school. The clouds in the sky put on a great show for us that evening too. WOW!
We also wanted to make a fun custom Christmas card for his family to send out this season. So… he put on a bright red Christmas sweater and we conjured up a little Santa-magic.
Laughing all the Way, too.
ALWAYS believe in the magic.
by Shelly | Aug 31, 2014 | musician, senior guys, senior portraits |
For some high school seniors, the year is so hectic and crazy that they get all the way through the year and past graduation without ever slowing down enough to complete a senior portrait session. Keenan was one of those busy kids, so we took his portraits in the summer AFTER graduation — and that is absolutely okay.
After all, the images we created represent him at this particular stage in life — and when you’re looking at heirloom photography that will last a lifetime, what difference is just a few months?
Still, to avoid that crazy rush at the end of the year, it’s a very good idea to go ahead and schedule portraits NOW so that you’ll be ready to play by the time Senior-Itis kicks in. 
Of course any senior fortunate enough to drive an shiny red BMW like this one would want to include it in his portraits, so we shot his entire session at a local park rather than in the studio.
Keenan is a musician who was a member of the Taylor High School Band, but he really excelled and was happiest playing his guitar alone and with the THS Jazz Band!
Of course, I asked him to play for me just a bit while I photographed him. I always do that , and the TALENT kids have never ceases to amaze me.
THEY. ARE. GOOD!
I talked to his mom just the other day, and learned that he is already moved in and settled in his dorm at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. That’s just up the road and on the other side of Table Mountain from the neighborhood where I lived with my boys many lifetimes ago.
I know that if he ever gets a chance to look up from his books, he will love the laid-back Rocky Mountain Lifestyle that Colorado has to offer. I have a feeling that several ski outings are already on his agenda.
Happy Trails to you Keenan! Enjoy your time in college and study hard. You are very smart, and you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. YEP — YOU’VE GOT THIS! 
by Shelly | Jun 27, 2014 | senior guys, senior portraits |
Congratulations to Will on his grand exit from High School.
I first met Will when he was in junior high school, and let me tell you, he started earning my respect from the get-go. He ALWAYS the handshake, the smile, and the , “nice to meet you,” mastered.
Will’s a smiley, friendly, yes-ma’am kind of guy, and I could always count on him to flash me a great big smile, whether it came from behind a tuba on the marching field, during Homecoming Court Introduction, during Senior Recognition Hat Night, or on stage modeling a fine Texas-Style tuxedo during the school’s Spring Fashion Extravaganza.
Will genuinely seems to enjoy life; and everyone who knows him has something great to say about him.
During his high school years, he has been a great leader in the Taylor High School Band, and he’s participated actively in the “Best Buddies” program where he partners up as a friend and mentor for a student with special needs. As I mentioned above, Will was elected to the Homecoming Court last fall, and THEN — he was also voted “Mr. Congeniality” at another event this spring. WHO KNOWS what else he’s done? I’ll bet the list is much longer.
But he is still humble — and oh that smile! BOOM! SWOON!
Now that graduation is completed, Will is enlisting to serve in the US Coast Guard.
I don’t know about you, but I LOVED the movie, “The Guardian.” Yes, it’s become an old movie, but I’m no spring chicken myself. I hope things aren’t quite as dramatic for him as they were for Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner, but it does make me feel a little bit better that we have young men like Will (and Ashton and Kevin) looking out for the rest of us.
Congratulations on your graduation, Will. May the angels watch over you and bless you and keep you safe in everything you do. You ARE a gift to everone who knows you.
PS — PLEASE keep smiling! 
by Shelly | Apr 16, 2014 | musician, senior guys, senior portraits |
Ahhhh Travis, even though he was the very first senior from the class of 2014 to walk through my doors, for some reason I am just now getting around to blogging his portrait session.
Mea Culpa! What can I say?
This is one of the most fantastic guys I know. Not only is he smart, talented, creative, and very handsome, he gets extra points in my book for hanging out in the kitchen and visiting with us one day when his mom had me and a few other women over for coffee. That’s one of the bravest things a guy can do, and I’ve gotta hand it to him.
APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE
Musical talent?
He’s got it. Not only did I get a nice guitar serenade during our session, Travis also plays violin in the top orchestra at Katy High School — a group that performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City earlier this year. Take all that musical talent and tie it in with his love of steampunk and a little time to play around in the studio, and we came up with some mighty fun images for him, don’t you think?
I also LOVE LOVE LOVE his sense of style. With his suspenders and bow tie, Travis joins a long list of notable leaders, celebrities, and commentators who could probably run the world if they chose to.
He’s in good company!
He also volunteers with an EMS team and in a clinical setting at one of our local hospitals.
I’m beyond impressed with Travis and so excited to see what life after graduation has in store for him. THRILLED that I got to be the one who created his senior portraits.
Congratulations, Travis!
