Portage Michigan Senior Pictures and Teen Photography: Sweet 16 - Only 3 Summers Left
Meet Allie!
I’ve photographed Allie professionally since she was about 7 days old. I’ve created so many personality filled images of Allie over the years, that I bet her Mom could wallpaper an entire house with all of her favorites!
When she was a newborn, her Mom imagined all of the years ahead and all of the beautiful things Allie would experience as she grew. When you have 18 Summers ahead of you, it seems like you have all the time in the world to enjoy the amazing human being you have before you.
At around 5 years old Allie’s spunky personality really started to shine through in her professional photos. She started choosing her own outfits and ‘directing’ her own prop setups!
There were a lot of years when she would smile and laugh and dance without a care in the world! She was so much fun to photograph!
And she LOVES animals! Think of any pet you could have and Allie has probably had it!
Like most kiddos, there were a couple awkward years, when she didn’t want to show her teeth when she smiled, or just wasn’t interested in taking time out of her day to sit still for photos. So, even though her Mother is a professional photographer (if you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m Allie’s Momma!), there are some spans of time when she didn’t have many professional photos taken.
And, even though I don’t get Allie in front of my camera very often nowadays, it is still amazing to me how much I can learn from her when I ask her to collaborate WITH me on a creative shoot!
The years have definitely flown by - some faster than others, some with more memories than others and some with more photos than others.
Until we arrived here. Just. Last. Week.
Sweet 16.
And with only three Summers left, one inevitably asks oneself ‘Where did the time go?”. This is when one starts thinking of ways to slow the clock down and just soak in every experience with them. And, this is when I stop to look back at all of the photos and memories we’ve created together. Like this Fall shoot below.
These images are from last Fall. We had been talking about doing a Fall photoshoot, and Allie had part of an outfit picked out. I was able to convince her to wear this vintage blouse (minus the shoulder pads), she grabbed an animal print headband, and a corduroy jacket from my style closet, plus my black Doc Martens, and we were off to find the light!
And the light was AAAAAAmazing! It just seeped through the trees and grasses behind her, creating the perfect backdrop for her outfit. Add her own personal sugar and spice, and we both just LOVE how this shoot turned out!
It seems Allie’s generation is hardwired for collaboration, to have a voice, and to share that voice with the world. I believe it is an honor to help bring the next generation of kids’ ideas to life through photography.
I count it a gift to get to celebrate all of their accomplishments and aspirations leading up to that last Summer we have with them. That is why I’ve created a brand new Underclassmen experience for kids starting as early as Freshman year, all the way through Graduation.
I have seen it with Allie, and with so many other kids - the more they get in front of my camera, the more comfortable and confident they become. Once they come in for their official Senior photos, they are practically pros!
Want to see more of Allie’s Underclassmen Images? Watch the Youtube video below and see just how many fun images Allie and I have created over the years - especially if you’re thinking about joining my Underclassmen Influencer team. This gives you a good idea of what to expect when you shoot with me as an Underclassmen!
Class of 2023, 2024 and 2025, I am now booking Summer dates for Underclassmen and Senior experiences through August 2022.
I book up quickly, so if you want to grab a spot, or get more info, click below to get in touch.
