The air was thick with anticipation. I kept sweeping the studio floorboards to keep my mind and body focused. The soft rhythmic rustling of the stiff straw strands of my broom against the floor’s grooves has always soothed my thoughts. I’d never met my client or her daughter - the one being photographed - in person before. We’d talked over the phone and through emails but we’d be meeting face to face for the first time. It’s always exciting to meet someone new for the first time. A streak of light flashed across the floor where I was sweeping. I looked up, out through the sheer curtains to see a car pulling up.
April entered first, Sophia slightly behind her. Their soft presence was lined with their own anticipation. As we sat to talk, Sophia’s meekness became apparent. She was quieter than a mouse - not even figuratively. In fact, I barely heard her speak two sentences the whole time I spent together. Her intent, listening eyes were left to tell her story. April was great about asking Sophia questions, relaying information and reassuring her. I considered the best ways to bring a level of comfort to Sophia’s nerves.
We walked through her leotards and decided on the best one to start with first. Sophia chose a simple black leotard to wear and went to change. April suggested she stay out of sight while Sophia danced and I agreed that if she wanted, she could make herself comfortable in our salon. Then Sophia came out, ready to start.
Within seconds, Sophia’s reserved, meek disposition melted away and the bold, strong girl she is revealed herself. The moment she began to dance, she was a thriving, lively spirit. She threw herself into every dip and twirl with grace and strength. It was mesmerizing. A few times I just took in the movement of her dance to truly appreciate the heart with which she danced and watch to capture it the next round we did. Her strength, boldness and confidence shown in every move. It was beautiful to see such riveting contrast in one human - spectacular in all forms.
By the end of her session, Sophia returned to her meek demeanor, though the confidence she’d connected with could be clearly seen. She stood shoulders squared, intently watching. As they left, not an inkling of anxiety was left, nor a need to be soothed. I did, however, return to sweeping the floor - because great sessions always create messes!
A familiar face came back to our studio recently. For those of you who may not know who Robyn is, she came to us last year for a Glamour Experience. (Click Here to see her experience) This time, she needed two new headshots.
She had two separate needs - a casual look and a professional look. Her most important consideration was to appear trustworthy in her portraits. Below are the final two portraits she selected.
““People describe me as elegant and fun.”
Serving another photographer through my own photography is always a treat. Maria is a wedding photographer based out of Greensboro, North Carolina who recently went through a total rebrand. She was at the stage of changing her website and she and her web designer realized she needed new “About Me” style portraits to match the total rebrand.
“People describe me as elegant and fun,” Maria said as we were discussing the tone of her new brand. Now, I’ve had the privilege of knowing Maria for about seven years now. So, I had my own perception of her. However, I wanted to step outside my own perspective and hear Maria as if I was meeting her for the first time. Then, only once I’d heard her new vision, would I marry what I knew about her into her photographs.
As a wedding professional, it was important to Maria that she appear as competent in the photographs as she is in real life. She also wanted the elegance of her new branding to translate, along with the approachable personality she has.
Her new colors were bright white, gold and black - very sleek and refined. After sending me a variety of outfits, we decided on four simple arrangements of white and black attire on which to focus. We both love how her portraits turned out!
To see how her portraits look on her newly branded site visit www.mariasollecito.com
Nervous about how she would look, Anna, a young dancer, entered our studio quietly. It was easy to see that she was special. In moments, she eased into herself. When Anna put on her first leotard and her instructor, Kay of Juxtaposition Studios, began coaching her through her first pose, she unfolded. Her elegance and spunk perfectly balanced. She was giggling in one breath and gracefully flowing in the next. She was beautiful to watch. People like Anna, who you know have had to face obstacles, posess a quiet strength; a resilience that makes them shine from a deeper part of their soul. She's proof that you can overcome and, even in her initial nervousness, you could see she had a this beauty.
"Dance is a poem where every movement is a word."
Pop into our Winston Salem, NC studio for Anna's dance portrait experience.
