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Happy Saturday! While we are all waiting on springs arrival, I thought it might be fun to do a walk though of a session done completely at our Studio Back-lot last summer. With a session booked at our popular studio there is no worry about having to drive from location to location wasting valuable shooting time. This is our custom built, organic, fun filled, relaxed, indoor outdoor studio where we do most of our senior photo shoots. Nine sets were used during this awesome August SuperModel session with lots of outfit changes for loads of variety. If ever in doubt about what to wear, it’s always a good idea to bring a few extra outfits and we can help you decide.
Meet Lauren. She is a gorgeous girl and a 2012 senior at Avon High School. Her mom booked an appointment with Christy- our amazing staff make-up artist. She is mad talented and does some 275-300 make up applications during our summer fall season, so she knows just how to make you look your best for our cameras and lighting set ups. We recommend that all of our clients book with Christy as it really adds a finishing touch to your final images and really gives you that model for a day experience for this once in a lifetime session.
After make-up, Lauren and I went back to her dressing room to plot our plan of action and find out which outfits and sets might be her favorites. To start, we decided on a casual look for our BEACH SET, no ocean but lots of sand, textures and options to give you that fun in the sun look! Sundresses, shorts and pretty lace tops, jeans and T-shirts, natural fiber tops, sweaters, jeans and of course bare feet are always great choices for the beach set. Next we did a quick change by just switching tops and keeping on the same shorts and we took walk out to the tall grasses in the field of our back-lot property.
Since dance has been such a huge part of Laurens life she brought a couple of her dance outfits. It’s always nice to bring something personal like dance, cheer and sports gear, a guitar or other instrument, books, props, anything that is meaningful to you that we can work into your portraits that brings out your personality and interests. We chose to mix her tutu and point shoes with one of our vintage automobiles out in the FIELD for some funky and fun posing opportunities. We did a few quick shots in our fashion walls in her warm up clothes with her 2nd dance outfit.
Next we chose to stay in one of our shaded indoor | outdoor areas of the back-lot and our hand-painted TIN WALL SET. This area at the entrance to the backlot has texture and rich colors in teals, greens and purples. Our popular vintage styled editing is nice with images taken in this area. Lauren used one of our hats from the dressing rooms… we have lots of jewelry and accessories available for you to use during your session. Doesn’t she looks so adorable in that hat?!
A classic black dress was our next choice off Laurens dressing room rack. We decided the classy CHANDELIER SET was the place to shoot, we used the ornate silver chair and got some classic beauty shots in this natural light area. There is lots of soft light in this area that houses another of our tin walls, reclaimed antique windows, shutters, over sized silver scrolled mirror and of course chandeliers. Great place for prom or party dress shots and a special pair of shoes.
Our rustic BARN SET paired with a sassy shorts outfit was up next. Texture is a high priority in this set with rustic barn wood, doors, rusted steps gives lots of depth and posing opportunities. We have a huge variety of props we change out frequently to mix things up so our images stay fresh and never become stale and boring. Sundresses with cowboy boots, jeans and shorts are always a great choice for this area.
The WILLOW TREE was our next stop on the agenda and if we’re lucky a soft breeze will greet us and offer to cool us a bit from the heat and humidity of our central Indiana summers. You never know which one of our unique chairs or vintage sofas might be found in the shade of it’s lush green branches.
As an add on to her SuperModel session Lauren and her mom decided cooling off in our new RIVER FALLS was a perfect way to finish her fun and fabulous session. You can stay dry to start or go for it and get your hair and clothes wet as Lauren did for a little more variety. You can bring your own flowers or use one of the few we might have lying around here or there. We have had everything from bathing suits to cute shorts outfits to prom dresses in this set. It’s been a popular new addition at the back-lot this year.
So what are you waiting for? Call and book your session so we can have fun creating what will be some of the most beloved images of our life. We can’t wait to meet you!
PHOTOGRAPHER: MARCI RALPH
SENIOR: JEREMY GENTNER- CENTER GROVE HS
We know guys need their senior pictures and we know they don’t always like to get them done. And that’s okay! We have 1, 2 and 3 outfit sessions that work out perfectly for guys who just aren’t into the process. Take Jeremy for example, like a lot of guys he is really just getting his done for his mom. Although he was really into the hockey portion of his shoot.
Jeremy has been playing hockey since he was 4 years old if I remember correctly. He brought every stick he has ever owned and a pile of jerseys that you could hide a small car under!!! He admitted at the end that it wasn’t nearly as painful as he thought it might be and he did end up having a really good time after all. I love the shots that we got and this 3 outfit mini (plus hockey jersey) is a really great representation of what we can do with a limited amount of time and outfits. Mom got the shots she wanted, we didn’t torture Jeremy too horribly long in the hour we were shooting and every body got senior pictures they can be proud to show off.
When I first met Isabelle it was spring 2006, she was just getting ready to start her freshman year of high school in the fall. She had traveled to Indiana with her mom from Switzerland to visit her older sister who was a foreign exchange student not far from our studio at Avon High School. When her mom called I learned that her youngest daughter, Isabelle, had a dream of becoming a model, walking in runway shows and shooting high fashion work for famous designers. So why call me? She had told her mom that on thing she would really like to do while here in the states would be to have a photo shoot with a professional photographer. So they had searched for the best photographer in Indianapolis and had decided I was the lucky one! (blush) I was more than happy to oblige and we booked the session for her.
Upon arrival to the studio, as we unloaded the car and began to get acquainted I was unaware of the magic that was about to unfold. This seemingly quiet and shy beauty, who definitely did not look at all like the typical 13 year old, had me wondering what she might be like in front of my lens. Once we had talked about what was expected during the session and decided on her outfits… she was dressed in her first outfit. We began to shoot I was quickly realizing not only does she dream of being a model but she quite naturally has some skills, as well as the assets to make it work. I can safely say we all enjoyed the time spent talking, laughing and capturing images of Isabelle. She was truly a joy to work with.
As usual at the end of a shoot, especially one where we have such a great creative connection, I was sad that it had to come to an end and you can see why when you look at a small sample of the images we captured that warm spring day.
Let’s fast forward 4 years…
I have kept contact with Isabelle through the wonderful world of social media we all have come to know and love as Facebook. Recently I noticed a big change on Isabelle’s profile page! No longer is she listed to be at Downers Grove in Switzerland but as living in Manhattan, NY! WHAT?????? and as a model signed with one of the top modeling agencies in the world, BMG Models! WOW although not at all surprised. Being a bit of a sleuth (stalker) I quickly find the lovely Isabelle on the cover page of the BMG agency page. NICE! and with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week descending on New York City this week … I see that Isabelle is walking for Project Runways Olivier Green HOLY COW!!!! as well as starring in the new video release Blue with Big Bang, THE hottest band in Asia! This video is listed as most viewed, most popular, most talked about and with more than 3 MILLION views within 24 hours of it’s release! I have to wonder what other new and exciting things Isabelle is up to!?
One more favorite from my session with Isabelle back in 2006. Seriously, she does not look 13!!!
Sooooo. Isabelle Bianchi,
If you are reading this… Congratulations on your success so far and making your dream a reality! I hope we see you in magazines and fashion shows wearing the latest greatest designers and living it up and having a blast! I wish you much love and happiness! and if you ever happen to be in Indy, give me a call and let’s shoot again! 
XOXO
