The past couple of months have been busy at the studio! In other words, my big blogging plan went out the window for a whirlwind of sessions, orders and deliveries.
So as I’m catching my breath here at the end of 2018, I’m sharing some highlights from some recent shoots.
Dominique Hair and Makeup by Michael Patrick
Dominique, a busy young professional, came to me ready to have the whole Signature Shoot experience. At our consultation, she even knew she wanted to bring her mother and sister in for the last part of the shoot to get some shots of the three of them together.
Dominique intuitively seemed to know that she was at an important stage in her life and wanted to capture her various aspects and family relationships.
Besides being fun to photograph with a fabulous energy and a dynamite smile. she has an intelligent confidence that I’m sure will always serve her well in all her endeavors!
Lisa Hair and makeup by Bjohn Beauty
Lisa is a chaplain in the US Army. She was temporarily located at Fort Lee in Petersburg, VA for Field Grade Officers’ training. She was fascinating to talk to about her experiences. I was blown away by all that she was studying in her coursework in a high pressured situation.
She came to me for a much needed respite and perspective in the middle of her intense course work.
As she waits to hear how she did on her final exams, she wrote to me and said that through working with me she wanted “to always remember there was beauty and joy and tenacity in the midst of struggle and ashes where it seemed no good thing could come from the experience.”
I love it that I could give something that powerful to Lisa and that perhaps I somehow reminded her exactly who she is in this world. In return she gave the exact same thing back to me.
She reminded me that we can all be brilliant whirls of light even in our most challenging moments.
Originally from California, Lisa told me she was drawn to the “East Coast” look of my photography. This cracked me up. It also got me thinking.
I recalled the specific moments that the seeds to take up portrait photography again were planted. It was over 10 years ago while on a solo trip to New York City.
I remember standing in front of a portraits by Whistler and John Singer Sargeant at the Frick and the Metropolitan and thinking, “Wow, if I could only paint!” I moved along, not giving it too much thought.
But ever since I’ve been a bit obsessed with late 19th century art, particularly portraiture and the effect of light on faces. And now looking back at my work and looking forward in the future, I appreciate having this concrete idea of “East Coast” to reflect on, which is a lot more specific and quite different than simply saying “Rembrandt” style.
But whatever it is, I know what I love love than anything depicting women as powerful, yet soft; and fancy, yet down to earth. I like implementing the fancy and frivolous, even if – and maybe even especially if, it’s not part of a client’s everyday existence.
Eleanor Styled by herself, me and and her mother
Eleanor is my niece and she is all that, the bomb, awesome AF, lit, totally chill – you fill in the blank with whatever phrase the youth of America are using today. (I know even if I get it right, if the youth were ever were to read this, they are cringing right now.)
I photographed Eleanor over Thanksgiving when our coming and going paths briefly crossed. She is gorgeous and funny. She lives in Memphis, but has also lived in Asheville, NC, Cleveland and Atlanta. I admire the heck out of her. She plays lacrosse and has Type 1 diabetes. She is the most popular person I know on Instagram. In the above image on the right, she is wearing her Omnipod insulin pump.
Patty Hair and Makeup by Michael Patrick
I know! She’s just lovely, right? But, yes, even the stunning Patty needed some convincing. An eye doctor, Patty is great at looking closely at others. undoubtedly meaning she’s also great at looking closely at herself with her discerning doctor eyes.
A high school friend, she came to me for family photographs and to design her family holiday card. I convinced her that as long as we were at it, she needed to come in earlier — alone — and experience a full Signature Session.
Many of my clients don’t immediately understand exactly how valuable both the experience and photographs can be. Until they see the photographs.
Patty has an equally adorable son and spouse, who no doubt, will enjoy having these Patty-worthy photographs of her.
In my next post, I’ll share Patty’s Christmas card and the wall art she creatively presented and gave to her husband!
I hope you are having a wonderful last week of 2018!
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