Ooh! This is my very first blog and blog entry. Here we go….

Photographing seniors is fun and a gratifying experience. Think about it, these humans are at the foothills of life, looking up to the mountain of their future. Cruising into their final year of high school, fueled with anticipation.

Maybe they’re anxious or excited, or maybe they’re tired, disappointed by covid masks and the like and want to get the final year done already but the thing is, they’re all about to start this final year individually and together, ending chapters, starting new ones- possibly college, a job, a gap year. This is not an ordinary moment in life. Their accomplishment is cause for acknowledgment and maybe even celebration.

I can say with one hundred and fifty thousand percent certainty, it’s never not an honor for me to be asked to capture a person at this pivotal moment. My youngest was in middle school when I started taking portraits for seniors. He is entering his senior year this fall. I’m ready to capture the resilient and remarkable young man he’s become and have portraits of his present self to cherish forever. I remember the days of pre-school and elementary as a blur. I came across a photo of him at four, maybe five cloaked in an adorable yellow hooded raincoat and boots, net in hand, excited by the rain and the reptiles he would find and bring home. Those days of jumping in puddles, catching frogs, adventuring along the top of an old, stone wall that felt as high as a castle happened over twelve years ago. The time has flown.

Today, he stands way taller than me and that stone wall he’d climb onto. He’s achieved and maintained high honors, hoping to make himself as eligible as possible for scholarships. Like all children, he’s experienced joy and hardships along the way. He’s fortified with plenty of good food (his dad’s a chef), encouragement, and life’s lessons. He’s made it to the foothills...of the Cascades.

A little back story: I like to believe he’s actually an Oregonian but born in Connecticut. It’s another story for another blog post about why we moved (during my 6th month of pregnancy) across the country but the timing of our summer plans in 2021 has brought us back to our beloved Oregon. Will’s applying to several schools and the University of Oregon is at the top of the list! We’ve traveled here this summer to visit the campus, our friends like family, as well as the awe-inspiring majestic beauty the pacific northwest is. We began our cross-country road trip/move to the east coast in August of 2003 from Portland. Eighteen years later, full circle. A coincidence that he is considering becoming a Duck? I think not.

Visiting Autzen Stadium, University of Oregon in 2015

A few months back, we started talking about where he might want to take his senior portraits. He’s not much of a beach person so the Connecticut Shoreline wouldn’t appeal to him... could it be on a trail? He’s not a big fan of hiking, either. He does love to ski and fish and plays basketball. I asked him if he had any preferences and he said, “can we take them up on Mt. Hood?” Yes, of course!! Such a fantastic idea and so here we are, getting ready to explore Trillium Lake, Timberline Trail, Umbrella Falls capturing Will at this pivotal time in his life, against the backdrop of Mt. Hood- a place beholden to him that feels like home.

View of Mt. Hood looking from the east, 2016

Documenting people in places, location is very intentional and integral to the process. Location contributes to mood, tone and composition. On location of choice, photo session becomes an adventure for the client. A connection to our surroundings inspires and influences. This keeps it real, to achieve authentic results.

This itinerary is chock full! We’re traveling 90 miles from Central Oregon, to our first location. There won’t be any service once we enter the perimeter of the Mt. Hood National Forest. Need to get all the destinations locked into our GPS at the gas station in Madras. The adventure from start to finish-including continuing down the other side of the mountain heading west into Portland- will take a few hours. An important detail; there’s a teenage boy in the car for a long time, need lots of snacks for post-session, can’t be providing opportunities for scraps of food stuck in teeth! He’ll be ravenous when we’re done.

Always plan an itinerary in advance to account for every minute it takes to travel, park, walk and of course take the pictures before the sun sinks below the horizon. Seniors know their timeline well in advance so they know what to expect. Organization and planning are essential to get us to the right place, in the right light!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure we get to have together! Being in a location that is his choice and personal will impact the vibe and energy of his photos. Have I made a big enough point about how important the location is? If I can give some unsolicited advice if you do hire a professional photographer to capture a moment in life for you, location matters. Be selective about who you want to capture yourself or your child or family and be diligent in vetting them. Then, when you’re ready, find the perfect place to be in your photographs because it does make a difference.

Stay tuned for the results from our photo adventure session of Will, Class of 2022!

Be well and stay kind,

Claudine

A little teaser, purposely darkened 😎 Mt. Hood, 2021