Liz, graduate of Gardiner Area High School, was one of the first to participate in my new senior program, where I capture the essence of each senior by focusing on their interests, passions, and important relationships during their final year of high school. Although we had more sessions planned, we were only able to complete three, as senior life can be quite hectic! Despite the limited number of sessions, we were able to create some truly memorable and meaningful photographs that showcase Liz’s vibrant personality and her connections with loved ones.
A Thrilling Twist
Liz is incredibly close with her sister, Kenzie, who joined us for a couple of sessions. With her striking purple hair, Kenzie brought an extra flair to the shoots. One of the most exciting sessions was inspired by Liz’s favorite season, autumn, and her love for horror movies. We created a series of amazing photos where Kenzie played the role of the “victim.” Their mother, Roseanne, looked on in sheer amazement as we poured movie-makeup blood on their hands and used dramatic lighting to enhance the eerie atmosphere. The rest of the blood on their clothing and the horror-style “beheading” of Kenzie were all done in post-production using Photoshop. Liz also invited her best friend to one of her sessions, and I made sure to capture a few photos of Liz with her mother, Roseanne, highlighting their wonderful relationship.
Capturing Generations
One special part of the autumn session was Liz’s request to include her grandfather. It was incredibly heartwarming to photograph three generations of her family in one picture as Liz prepared to move on to the “real world” after graduation. Moments like these are precious, as you never know when or if these special people will be able to gather for a photograph again. My senior program allowed me to capture Liz’s personality, range of interests, and the people most important to her. We chose different times of the year she loves and various locations to showcase Liz’s edgy side, her feminine side, her family values, her love of horror movies, and, most of all, her amazing confidence.
Liz is a beautiful and intelligent young woman, and over the course of the year, I have grown to love her and her family as well. Each session was designed to capture her unique spirit and the support of her loved ones. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this special time in her life, and I look forward to seeing all the incredible things she will achieve in the future!