UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : MILES

Ohhh - Senior Portraits. If I had a wish? I would get to shoot these again & again. They are my absoulte favorite!! The excitement, the anticipations...the FUTURE. It just brings me so much joy & I am so thankful each & every time I get to work with a Graduating Senior! This time was even a little more special to me personally...we know Miles through the local Performing Arts School - a place very near + dear to our Family. I was THRILLED when he chose us to capture his pictures for him!!

Miles is pretty laid-back...he's kind & gentle...I wanted to capture that in his photos - because, as you will see in a bit - he's also positively hysterical!

 There is nothing more stunning than someone that doesn't even know how amazing they look in front of the lens...soooo handsome!

 Miles specifically picked SPACE to shoot at - it becomes a Home away from Home for their Students...

 Home away from Home - your Castle? Whatever...! OWN IT! 

(catch that? Shout-out to the Troop!)

...get back over here, silly!

 Miles - Thank you so much for the joy + laughter you have given our Family. Thank you for the time + energy you put into being the best that you can be - and, most of all - never stop reaching...growing...wanting more. It's yours for the taking, my dear...and, Momma - you've done a BEAUTIFUL job raising that young man of yours. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!! xo

BRIAN : UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : HOPLAND

It's been a VERY long time since I've taken my own Senior Portraits...2012 marks 20 yrs to be exact! I recall heading to an indoor Studio in a ladies' home out in the Albion area somewhere...not sure, exactly, what to expect.

I'd actually NEVER taken professional photos of me - outside of those silly School ones in the gym!

With a couple horrific outfits in tow...a positively scary hair-style done up...the rest is now documented for all eternity! I'm sure some of you out there still have that photo-copied Wallet picture floating around somewhere...as I just couldn't afford to order many from the Photographer herself...wow...times have changed!

Now? We have FUN! Well, maybe I'm the one having all the fun - - but, it's GREAT!!

An extra special THANK YOU to Brian & his mom, Debbie, for sharing the day with me! We 1st met back in June of 2011 when Niels & I shot his big-sisters GORGEOUS Wedding at Brutocao Cellars! So, for me, it's really fun to get to see each other again & feel like part of the Family! Baby Brian's all grown up! xo

Sorry it was sooo cold out...77' on Fri...58' on Sat!? Who knew? But, THANK YOU for being such a Trooper!

Oh! Heck...for those of you just dying to see...here's mine! Go Timberwolves! "-)

Ms Alissa : Ukiah High Senior Portraits : Class of 2012

We all have our Comfort Zone...right? Perhaps it's at the pinnacle of the Roller Coaster - or hanging out holding all the bags with me on the ground...(yup! wussssyyy!)

In Photography, I refer to it as our 'Niche'.

I often suggest you find what you really excel at - wether it's Commercial, Landscape, Families, Babies, Weddings, etc. - and put your focus there. I believe it's the best way to insure your Clients are getting the best quality product & that you'll fully 'rock it'.

With that said - I've often shied away from Portrait work.

(Which always means Maternity & Newborns MUST meet with Photography by Hollie Nass. Not only does she excel at it - she PERFECTED it!!)

But, I have dabbled in it from time to time between Weddings. What makes it all the more amazing every time I actually do? The People. My Clients. I love them.

Alissa was BEAUTIFUL & fun - always laughing - up for anything! Makes me wonder what the heck I've been shying away from all this time - is it always THIS easy!? xoxo

I'm so glad I went a little out of my Comfort Zone (again) - it allowed for me to meet one of the sweetest young Ladies & make a new friend! THANK YOU, dahling!! xo

(PS - LOOOVE your Sr Yr - and all your friends...enjoy every moment 'cause before you know it...it's time for that 20 yr Reunion & you're staring in the mirror going 'wha-whaat!?')

Ms Taylor : Ukiah High Senior Portraits : 2011

Ohhhh - - Taylor - - you are positively INFECTIOUS!!! Your upbeat & easy-going personality is just....YEAH!!! I LOVE it!! Okay - I realize I only knew you about an hour - - but, I just wanna squeeze you & bring you home w/ me!! "-)

Thank you Thank you Thank you for an amazing session - you made my job so easy!

Oh! And I must say - for a girl that doesn't really like to take pics - - you sooo ROCKED it!

Enjoy this World that's just opening up to you, girl - - there's some pretty inspiring adventures out there to be had!

Hmmm - maybe I just need to post them ALL - I can't pick FAVS!! xo