What are your values? It both amazes and humbles me when clients share the intimate pieces of their lives with me. They are typically bittersweet or heart-crushing stories; pieces of their lives that often bring me to tears.

Why do they share this with me? I think it’s because they know we share some of the same values.

Values: a person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.

These are my values.

Personal Connection

Without connection, a personal conversation, it’s a transaction. I prefer speaking to you on the phone or a zoom call from the get go. Creating an experience that you’ll remember forever requires connection. It means taking the time to get to know each other. Senior pictures with me is NOT merely a TRANSACTION.

Trust

This follows personal connection. It takes time to build trust which is why I have so many touch points with you before I even pick up a camera. Do you trust your photographer. If you don’t, you definitely will NOT get images filled with emotion. The type of images I’m known for.

Kindness

Always, always, always. This world needs more kindness. End of story.

Experiences: Live adventurously

This is a big one for me. Life is short and can be so full IF you push out of your comfort zone, take chances, live adventurously and experience everything it has to offer. It’s scary, incredibly freeing and expansive. How does this circle back to a photoshoot? Being in front of a camera can intitially be uncomfortable but I promise you, having a photoshoot with me will be one of the best experiences you’ve ever had, as long as you’re willing to be adventurous and step outside your comfort zone.

Emotions

I’m the first one to admit, I’ll cry at a drop of a hat and laugh just as easily. I’m all about emotions, not, smile for the camera – that’s not emotion. I mean keeping it real. During a senior photoshoot you’re going to have images that are full of personality, running the gamut of emotions and expressions unique to the individual because it’s real, not manufactured. I’m known for candid, natural, emotion filled images. It’s because I care and know how to keep it real giving teens the space to feel all the feels.

Hope

After a photoshoot She/he has just had an experience that most teens don’t know is even possible. I see the joy and confidence build, during the photoshoot, afterwards and again at the gallery appointment. I can see it in her eyes and hear it by how she’s talking about her images. Guess how she’s going to feel every time she looks at her images, even years from now? Hopeful, reminding her that anything is possible. I’m speaking with personal experience on this one. You can go here to read more.

Memories: Time is fleeting

What’s the first thing we’d grab in a fire? Photos. What’s the first thing we go looking for when there’s been a death? Photos. What’s one of the few things in life that are guaranteed to increase in value every year? Photos. Photos are memories. They are our legacy, an imprint of who we are and where we’ve come from.

Shared Values

The clients who have sat in my office, the ones who have endured tragedy, loss and felt life’s delicate balance as well those who have not, are in my office celebrating life. They know all too well that time is fleeting and photographs are one of the most enduring ways of capturing memories and feelings.

My clients remind me of my values and my why.

Capturing your teen’s personality and creating images that you FEEL is who I am and what I do. DO WE SHARE THE SAME VALUES? If so, get in touch to book senior pictures or a teen photoshoot.

I’d love to know what you value. Leave a comment below.