Getting the call from Madeleine’s mom to schedule her a portrait session, my heart leapt when she said I’d be photographing 15 year old Madeleine with her harp. How new, exciting and potentially gorgeous! We needed to work out some logistics, harps are large and cumbersome instruments and my studio is on a 3rd floor. No problem, I was just going to move the studio down to a 1st floor space, just for that session. The South Broadway church, where I am based, often has spacious rooms I can use in a pinch.

We proceeded to coordinate wardrobe and posing ideas online. I even had the opportunity to see Madeleine play her harp on this Youtube Video, giving me a helpful preview of her skill level, mannerisms and a feel for her style.

When the big day came, the two ladies wheeled the blonde harp into the building and we were set to go. With about an hour of make-up and hair styling immediately followed with an hour of photography, the resulting portraits were everything we had hoped for. A mix of posed portraits & candids, while encouraging Madeleine to actually play her harp, made for a really enjoyable musical experience. It also provides a more authentic feel to the portraits. Never having been in a portrait studio with her harp, I think this also helped with Madeleine’s comfort level.

Soon after the sitting, the family was presented with a splendid collection of portraits to choose from. The final Mounted Print Collection and digital imagery is a wonderful celebration of Madeleine’s passion, especially as she quickly transforms from childhood to adulthood!

If you would like to see more from this portrait session, please visit our Facebook Page Video Post.