I had an Instagram contest several months ago, and my former student Emily walked away with one of the prizes--a free photo session, with all the bells and whistles!
We had a couple different custom hairpieces made for her (Jan Barstad of Thistle Floral Design. She also did
Eden's flowers. She is fabulous). Also, we went to the amazing Tara O'Bannon at Exceptions Salon (she's styled most of my girls since the beginning of last summer) for hair and makeup. Emily also brought along a friend to help her pick out outfits, as well as keep her comfortable and laughing.
**Please read this next part**
I know that senior photos feel expensive enough, so the idea of professional hair and makeup and flowers and ohmy! can be overwhelming, but hear me out. The gift of accentuating your daughter's beauty is a huge confidence builder, and helps make the experience just that--an experience, rather than just a few digital files. There is no part of me that wants to be a part of the "you must be beautiful to have influence or attention" fever that most of our teenage girls suffer from, but at the same time, I recognize that God created beauty, and we often have a hard time seeing that beauty when we look in the mirror. I believe in the vitality of teaching our daughters how to shine.
Therefore, I take pride in working to make sure that the seniors I photograph gain confidence and self-respect both during and after our time together. That means we keep it classy and feminine, yet hone in on her natural glow to showcase her truest self--the girl
you have loved since day one. I don't have a daughter, but hopefully I will one day, and I want her to always know that her face, her body, and her
soul are beautiful and hand-crafted.
I love that many of my seniors get to feel a professional beautician preen over them for over an hour before I coo and cluck for several more. When else does your daughter get such individualized, positive attention? As a high school teacher, I can tell you--even for the most popular girl,
not at school. I believe that this experience--time spent in front of two of her harshest critics (the mirror and then the camera) with incredibly positive results--is one that can overpower the inevitable negativities she has encountered, hopefully leaving her with touchable proof (ahemalwaysprintyourphotoscough) of who she truly is--who you've seen all along. Don't you want your little girl to see herself the way you see her?
So, if the bonus beauty treatment is something your daughter wants...and she understands that she doesn't
need it to be beautiful; she is so beloved that you'd love to give her a
treat...I say, it's worth the extra.
Whew.
So, without any further ado...I present to you, beautiful, beautiful Emily.
xoxo
Bec
