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.

I never know what new Passion I’ll be capturing in portraits. When I heard from Tatia’s mom regarding “Senior” portraits of her daughter, I was excited to learn that her passion was for the Bassoon.

Tatia had missed getting her traditional senior portraits while still in high school and was heading off to her sophomore year in college in NY state. So in August, between school and a trip to Austria (performing at a music festival), we squeezed in a sitting at my Denver studio.

Our stylist Lisa, prepped and pampered Tatia with a natural approach to hair & make-up that suited everyone. During that time, I reviewed posing and dress options with her mom. I have to admit, posing a young woman and such a tall, narrow instrument took some thought and experimentation.

Tatia warmed up to the camera quickly, and the resulting collection of images really reflected her love for her instrument . Our Leather Box Print Collection made for a perfect collectable for her family here in Colorado as they prepared to say goodbye to their busy daughter. The digital images were also suited to Tatia’s growing portfolio needs.

Tatia’s level of expertise is impressive. She is attending the incredibly selective Eastman School of Music , part of the University of Rochester, N.Y. If you’d like to see and hear Tatia performing at the age of 15, visit Youtube. Such an inspiration!