Senior Sessions

What makes taking senior portraits so much fun?!  Those are the questions that I am beginning to be able to answer based on the experiences that I have had this year.  There are some REALLY GREAT teens out there...AND, they have some really great plans for their futures.  It all starts with that one question - what are your plans after high school?  That one question opens up the door to learn so much about these unique young men and women.  

So many of the "next steps" for these students are to make a difference in the lives of others too.  It is amazing how God allows you to cross paths with students that share the same passion that I have.  It's that simple - believe in someone, give them a chance, and let them succeed.   Sidebar - Success does not equal lots of money, big homes and nice cars.  Those are just a few of the benefits that may come from hard work.  Word of caution, don't let things define you, you define yourself!

In speaking to these teens, one thing that continues to resurface is their FOCUS.  They have set goals, worked hard, remained focused, and now they are ready for the next chapter in their lives.

Meet Isaiah.   Isaiah is a Senior at Creekview High School.  I have been shooting action shots for several years, but this year made a conscious effort to get to know the players.  One of the first games I was able to get some amazing shots of him doing his "Razzle Dazzle" moves.  the following week I was able to speak to him during a JV game.  During our conversation, he shared that he was looking to play football in college.  In short, he said that one of his top two schools was, The University of South Alabama, in Mobile, AL.  Quickly the conversation changed to questions like:  Have you visited the campus?  Have you met with the coaches?  Do they have recent video of you?  The conversation continued for a while throughout the game.  Before I knew it, we were discussing that I was from Mobile, that I have some contacts at USA, and would love to help you in fulfilling your dream.  We are not sure where this will lead, but, I do know that it led to meeting a great young man with focus, talent, and a heart to share his love of football with young boys.  To top it off, I have had the pleasure of meeting his mom and dad, Arthetta and Hayward.  I feel as if I have known them forever.  

I wish the very best for Isaiah, and the others that I have had the opportunity to photography so far.  I know that each of you possess many different talents that the world will welcome as you transition into you adult years.  

Your success all begins with FOCUS!

The main goal of Stacy Henderson Photography is to help people enjoy their experience in front of the camera, and create some amazing memories.  Additionally, to find out what their talents are.  Ask the questions that may help them reach and fulfill their dreams.  Also, help each of the clients to understand, and believe that they have something to offer.  We all have value.  Sometimes we just need someone else to believe in us, and find push us out of our comfort zone.


Stacy

Be Your Best YOU

Cutting-edge and Creative Shots

     One of the most amazing things about taking pictures is as a photographer you provide time-stamps on a family or individuals lives.  It is important to be cutting-edge, creative, and have the ability to set your business apart from others!  How is that possible?  Are there really that many ways to create captivating, non-cliché shots?  Yes!  Absolutely!  It is about being a step ahead in your originality and throwing the cookie cutter approach out the window.  Well, how do you do this?  Glad you asked.  

     When I am asked to shoot a session, I begin by asking many open-ended questions.  This is very important to me.  It not only makes me a part of the shoot, but it also allows the client to think outside the box too.  The following are just a few basic questions that I feel are important to get the cogs turning.  What kind of session do you have in mind?  Do you have a location that will compliment what you have in mind? If so, what is the location?  What colors are you considering wearing?  When I receive the basic information for the list above, I can begin creating the ideal location and types of shots that are unique and creative. This is not to imply that they have not been done before.  There are many people that think creatively and there may pictures closely resemble others.  This is when I enjoy putting some creativity to the pose, prop, or location.

John - Senior 2014 - Creekview High

     This past week I enjoyed shooting a senior session.  I enjoyed the client having an idea of what they wanted their session to look like.  He didn’t necessarily want the run of the mill, look in the camera portraits. That is fine.  Many people are not comfortable in front of the camera.  That is my job.  I want them to be thrilled with the outcome.  In this particular session, I asked him what he thought about silhouette shots.  As an avid hunter, fisher, and animal lover, we were able to create some very memorable portraits that captured him in his element.  So, we did some silhouette shots, and they turned out super nice.

  

     At Stacy Henderson Photography, my goal is to provide you with the must individual shots that define who you are!  I encourage all my clients to take an active part in the preparation of the shoot.  The outcome of your shoot will only be successful when we collaborate, and have the perfect game plan for an awesome shoot.

YOUR SENIOR YEAR...

We did it!  Our senior year is here.  Memories flood our minds as we recall our journey through our educational timeline.  It seems like yesterday that we took our trip to the store in sheer excitement as we purchased our school supplies for kindergarten. You remember, the BIG crayons, writing tablets, your very own scissors (maybe the ones that you gave yourself a haircut with), and of course your very own pencil bag to keep all your special supplies.  Then it was off to get that new pair of sneakers and your, “first day of school” outfit, or uniform.  Oh and how can you forget your favorite lunch box, with all your favorite foods inside?  Now, there is one thing that you surely can’t forget…you know, that special note that you found in your lunch box or back pack when you opened them that reads, “I love you, and hope you have a great day.”  XOXO 

Fast-forward about five years and you have butterflies in your stomach as you enter the “wonder years” of middle school.  Those three years when you are trying to “find yourself” and balance that first real relationship with academics, sports, band, cheering, chorus and drama, and other extracurricular activities. Can’t you recall some of those awkward moments like, dropping your books in the middle of the busy hallway, and then refreshed when you find a special letter in your locker that reads, “Can I get your cell number?”  Oh, oh, oh, and that first school dance!  Then it’s time to exit those “wonder years” and make your entrance in to, yes, The Promise Land, high school.  

“Hey freshmeat, freshy, frosh, greenie, newbie, get out of the way!”  Yes, who can forget that freshman year?!  I am sure we all wish we could forget certain aspects of that first few weeks of our freshman year.  In the words of Kelly Clarkson, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”  You survived the frosh year and cruised right on in to your sophomore year where you enjoyed getting to hang out with some of the upper classmen, getting your license and cruising thru town.  WOW, you blinked your eyes and you are standing in the gym listening to the representative share to your class that it’s time to order your class ring.  It’s crazy, wasn’t I just in elementary school?  I can’t believe it, where did the time go?  I am getting ready to enter my last year of high school.  (((Bell rings))) schools out and it is our time to shine as you take over the reins as SENIOR 2014.

Keep Calm, it’s our time to shine!  You are a senior and your greatest year is ahead of you.  Live, laugh, and love a lot during this year. You have so many fun memories to make like attending football games, Homecoming, dances, Prom, and so much more.  Oh, there is one more thing that would make this journey complete, your senior portraits.  Make a timeline of your amazing year with pictures from each season: summer, fall, winter and spring.  

Stacy Henderson Photography is offering a unique package for seniors.  We are offering seniors a four in one session, for one price.  For $145, you can receive sessions from an event or venue of your choice during each of the seasons.  You will receive four fun sessions, and a collection of pictures of your senior year journey.  Each of these sessions is a “your choice” session.  Basically, that means you choose the locations within the area.  It will be a timeline of your special year and document special times in your big year.    

The best is yet to come.

Stacy

Here Goes Nothing...

Why Blog?

Well, I have asked myself that same question recently.  However, I do think that it is a neat way to share so much about who you are, and why you enjoy shooting.  I am not one that loves to just sit and type; I prefer to be creating unique settings and capturing special memories...one shot at a time!

Here is one really amazing reason that I love photograpy.  I recently had the opportunity to photography a young lady that lost her mom a few years back while she was in high school.  This young lady never took the opportunity to sort through and grieve properly over the loss of her mom.  After graduating from high school, she felt that moving away to college would help her deal with the pain of loss by not being in the area.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  Like many freshmen that go away to college, Morgan struggled with balancing books and social activities.  It was during this time that she became involved with friends that were able to pull her down rather than build her up.  Really, she told me that becoming involved with these "friends" was to help cover up some of the pain that she was still suppressing.  However, at some point, the suppression of unresolved anger, frustration and bitterness will fester to the point that it erupts.

Several months back, six years of  unresolved life issues became too much .  The brick wall that she had built up for so long was so big that she could not clear it.  Through love, dedication and with the understanding heart of her dad; Morgan wanted to heal.  She agreed that her problem was too big to overcome on her own and she needed assistance.  Morgan took the time needed to move toward healing. Morgan is well on her way to becoming the Godly young lady that she knows God created her to be.

I thought, in what way could I help honor a young lady that has made a complete turnaround?  She enjoyed a, "It's a New Me" photo shoot.  We had a wonderful time catching up and sharing fun memories of her mom, and talking about her new direction in life.  Morgan is a beautiful young lady inside and out.  We all go through tough times.  I am glad that Morgan has weathered the storm well.  She is a gem!

This is just one reason that I enjoy shooting, and now will enjoy blogging, too.

Meet  the new Morgan.

Until next time...

Stacy