How often is it that a High School Senior gets to celebrate Senior Prom? The question is obviously a rhetorical one. But what’s not so obvious is the amount of enthusiastic effort that goes into finding the perfect prom dress, which makes the whole event all the more fun! Designing a portrait session that showcases the prom dress is a special way to ensure a series of creative and stunning portraits that document the High School Senior Prom tradition with an elevated touch of elegance.
Part of designing a unique portrait session is finding the right background to create in. I am more often than not in a photographer’s mindset; always observing and admiring nature and waiting for the opportunities to document nature and its wild beauty. As a result, while planning and designing Marisa’s portrait session I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to photograph her in a wildflower field that happened to be near her home. I was so excited when I first spotted this field filled with Arroyo Lupine, a beautiful purple and white wildflower native to Southern California! Instantly, I could imagine the results of her standing backlit by the late-evening sunset and front-lit by fill light (using the Profoto B10 lighting system to bring an extra pop to the scene).
Indeed, I just loved the whole experience of being able to work in an outdoor floral setting! It was fun seeing our vision come together as we all took a few peeks at the camera’s image previews. Marisa’s natural ability to take direction, adapt to changes, and be open to spontaneous suggestions, made the portrait session a total success! I can proudly say that there was a seamless flow to the session! It was nice to see how well Marisa executed the poses and the graceful placement of her hands – Hand placement is what gives a portrait its elegant touch and one I like paying close attention to!
It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to create beautiful memories not only for her but for her proud parents too! A big congratulations to Marisa, who will be attending the Dodge College of Media and Arts at Chapman University in Orange, CA. While at Chapman she will be studying PR, Advertising, and Entertainment Marketing – with a strong desire to enter the filmmaking business! I look forward to seeing some of Marisa’s creative movie posters and/or movie trailers too! As a way to begin her journey in film advertisement, she will soon be joining the Public Relations and Advertising Association. In the meantime, Marisa is excited to have several opportunities to take masterclasses and workshops from industry professionals. Additionally, she also has intentions to continue to pursue her passion for dance while at school, perhaps in clubs or as a degree minor! I want to thank Marisa for sharing her plans and goals and wish her the best as she excitedly goes forward into her next big milestone while at Chapman University!
