The Walt Disney Concert Hall’s outdoor exterior has been an eye stopper for anyone who has ever had the chance to stand in front of its marvelous reflective architecture. Its mirror-like surface produces aesthetically pleasing reflections when taken at the right angle of view. It’s easy to gravitate to the entire outside grounds as it offers advantageous opportunities for portraitures. This proved to be so while taking a few shots of Steven for his high school senior portraits that showcased him with his guitars. After, we also visited the Music Center and was equally pleased with the outcome of his portraits and my use of sunset lighting to enhance its background with some bokeh, etc.
It is with happiness and pride that I share how blessed I felt to have had the chance to create these portraits of my son Steven. Moreover, I knew that his high school senior year was going to be essential to creatively document. After all, it is during this milestone where he had to make many important decisions. Among them was deciding on a college that would best support his major and career goals. Also, including some of these portraits in his graduation announcements was just one more way to celebrate all his hard work and accomplishments!
Steven began playing the guitar at the age of nine. He was inspired by the music of the Beatles. Later, in his teenage years, he took interest in Jazz, specifically to Bill Evans, Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius (he has written a piece in his honor). Steven has always put heart and soul into everything he thrives to accomplish. I know that for him to see himself at the end of his high school Senior year would be a bittersweet moment. He gave a very heartfelt commencement speech for the class of 2016, close friends, staff and parents at the Academy of the Canyons Middle College High School Graduation! Steven received his High School Diploma as well as an A.A. Degree in Music Composition and an A.A. in Jazz Performance. I want to wish him the best as he continues his journey at Chapman University where he will be double majoring in a B.M. Music Composition and in a B.M. Guitar Performance at the Hall-Musco Conservatory at Chapman University. We are very proud that he has earned himself a Presidential Scholarship at Chapman University and aspires to one day compose for acclaimed Chamber & Orchestral Ensembles across the world, as well as music for television and film. In addition, Steven aspires to one day head a Composition department at a major conservatory or four-year university. However, he is not all studies-his other interests include collecting vinyl records, shooting film photography and songwriting.
It is with great gratitude that both his father and I congratulate Steven for being the studious young man he has become. May his dedication to his craft bring him many more blessings and joyful experiences, as he begins his journey into adulthood. He is our pride and joy and we love him beyond words.
