Mara // Class of 2017 // Minneapolis Senior Photographer

Mara is another one of my seniors reps for the Class of 2017. She's a bombshell babe from SPCPA, who is an incredibly talented dancer with a bubbly personality [and amazingly beautiful hair]. 

I love shooting kids from SPCPA because they are all fearless in their own way. Whether that be dancing, acting or musical performance, each student has their own unique voice, developed discipline, and want to be heard. However, they also have interests that go well beyond their love for their art. Their perspective is incredibly different given their untraditional schooling, each with a maturity and independence well beyond what me or any of my friends were at the age of 17. Aka they're like the coolest high school kids ever. 

Mara is no different. She's a poised and beautiful dancer [and pretty freakin' rad], but you already knew that. Additionally, she's involved with student council at her school and says environmental justice is one of her other passions outside of dance. She's always ready to lend a helping hand and is willing to take a risk even if the odds are stacked up against her. That's what makes Mara a fearless senior from the Class of 2017. 

If you are a fearless senior, tell me why. I can't wait to tell your story.  

Hair/makeup: Jen Des Lauriers, as usual

Mary // Class of 2017 // Minneapolis Senior Photographer

Mary, oh Mary. What can I say about Mary?

First, she's a total sweetheart. I cannot even begin to tell you how genuine and compassionate this girl is. I can tell she's the type of girl everyone wants to be friends with simply because she takes the time to want to get to know you, to want to be your friend, and to want to be involved with you.

Secondly, she's a total babe. I mean look at her. Enough said.

Thirdly, she's the exact type of senior I want to be photographing. Yes she's pretty, stylish, and yes she's bubbly, but she's more than just that. She's smart. She's independent. She's involved (SADD, volunteering, basketball, humanitarian work, just to name a few) She works hard and goes for what she wants, but doesn't take herself or life too seriously. I loved working with Mary because she's confident in who she is and isn't afraid of being herself. She and I even share the same pet peeve of when people walk too slow (I mean, okay, have you ever been on a narrow sidewalk and don't know exactly how to pace yourself with the person walking ahead of you?!?!?)

If you haven't seen this kick ass video that my friend Kyle Morgan put together for me, watch it below. It gives you an inside look into how my senior shoots really go down. We're not doing weird poses or anything forced. Instead, we talk, laugh, and I might even sing "Work" to you and attempt to dance along. 

My girl Jen is on hair and makeup, and kills it per usual. Jen does an awesome job at highlighting all your beautiful features without transforming you into someone you're not. She's spunky, wild, and a ton of fun, so you should totally have her along for the ride too. 

I can't wait for the Class of 2017. If you're like Mary and want an individualized, fashion forward, and full of life type of senior shoot, I just might be the photographer for you. I would love to get to hang out with you for a few hours and genuinely get to know you, while you find out all the weird things about me (like how much I love obese cats, have a strange obsession with 90s r+b, and just how ungraceful I really am enough though I was a gymnast).

I can't wait to meet all you babes!

I'd love to learn your story. Let's get chattin'

Jenna // California Dunes

I'm not a spontaneous person, though, I do wish I was. I have to carefully analyze things before I can make a decision, and even then, I still suck at making decisions. Maybe carefully analyze is a strong choice of words, but I do like to think of possible outcomes of my decision. I'm a freak, I know. Love me anyways. 

When Ben Sasso announced his new workshop called Heck Yeah Photo Camp along with the lineup of kick ass photographer speakers, I immediately pooped my pants in excitement. Dylan and Sara. Lara Jade. Jonas Peterson. And my all time favorite, Gabe McClintock. Those are all poop your pants worthy names and some of the big names in the industry that I look up to for inspiration. In this situation, I could have mulled over whether or not I should travel thousands of miles to photo camp in which I know no one and whether or not I'd be "good enough" for it or whatever other crap I thought about for .000002 seconds. Instantly, I knew I should go. "Another graduation present for myself," I thought (I tend to forget I spent $700 on a tattoo and another $400 on a plane ticket to NYC to get said tattoo). 

My girl Jenna Mahr decided to come along 'cause she too couldn't resist the goodness that is Lara Jade, and what a surprise, she instantly becomes the muse of every single damn person at camp. Look at her. She's like real life Khaleesi.

We befriended this rad dude named Kyle and he organized this killer desert queen shoot at the dunes after camp. His rendition of the dune shoot can be found here. Yours truly even makes an appearance or two. Can I call myself the real life Asian Khaleesi? 

I would normally much rather be behind the camera, so in between shots, I took these.

Camille // Class of 2016

This past winter was a bit crazy for me. I was busy busting my butt in order to graduate. I did it. Magna Cum Laude, in fact. After graduation, I busted my butt to apply to countless jobs. I got rejected from countless jobs, but finally found one at an advertising agency downtown. Woo!

Even with a full time job, I am still drawn to photography. In fact, I need photography now more than ever. For me, photography is like my outlet, and while I love my new job, sitting at a desk is something I'm not used to and something I don't ever want to get used to. I need to get out, move, and create in my own way.

I am taking on senior clients this summer and fall, however, my availability is extremely limited. Time is more precious now more than ever, and so I want to be able to spend my free time having fun and doing what I love. I want to be able to shoot with people who understand my style and share my passion for the unconventional. I know my style isn't for everyone, and that I appeal to a certain type of senior girl. These girls need to be bold, vivacious thrill seekers. They need to want more than that one standard yearbook image. Instead, they want a collaborative, creative, and unique experience with images that go beyond the norms of the standard senior photo. 

Camille is the epitome of that girl. What I appreciated about Camille was her assertiveness about the vision for her shoot. She knew exactly what she wanted, and had the style to back it up. During her shoot, I could sense something inside of her that almost reminded me of myself. Her relentless drive to succeed and stand out is something I was drawn to. I've loved watching her grow throughout her senior year, and wish her the best of luck in whatever she does!

I am now taking on clients for the class of 2017! I am also offering a discount for those who book for the months of May or June. Contact me for all the juicy details. 

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