This year is the first year that I shot professionally. I shot for both people I knew and people that I didn't. Looking back, it really was an exciting year as I took some risks and learned a TON. About photography and, maybe even more importantly, about myself.
My first senior portrait was Brendan. I can't thank Brendan and his mom enough. I threw myself on his mom's mercy and offered (begged) to do his portrait. I'm so happy that they took me up on my pleading since he was my first senior portrait and the first "professional" pictures that I felt comfortable blogging about. I really had no idea what to expect or what I was doing. But taking his pictures gave me a confidence that until that point I was sorely lacking and I can honestly say that I'm not the same person that I was before that.
Next we had Ryan. Ryan was a trip for me because I was a high school classmate of her mom's. So it made me feel just a little bit old that she now has kids that are older than we were when we met. Ryan was terrific, such a good sport and GORGEOUS!!
Ryan referred me to her friend Alyssa who was also gorgeous and an absolute sweetheart to boot. I view a referral as the best compliment that I can receive. It means that I've pleased someone enough that they now trust me to take care of one of their friends.
Then came John who hates having his picture taken although I don't know why since he is such a handsome devil. Coincidentally when we arrived at the spot that we wanted to start, some of his classmates were there. We had a moment that we thought it would all fall apart but he was unfazed and just worked his best American Eagle/Abercrombie model look.
My final senior of the year was Sean. Sean is my neighbor down the street and he was as polite and nice as he's always been since I met him 14 or so years ago. Sean is also responsible for one of my favorite compliments of the year. When we finished, he said, "Hey that wasn't so bad". May not sound like much but it was music to my ears.
Thanks again to all these seniors (and their parents) for placing their trust in me!!
