Graduation Portraits in Studio | Okotoks Photographer

Have you ever thought about your graduation portraits in a way that is about capturing what your high school means to you instead of just capturing this one day in time? Almost every one of my graduation portrait clients come to me with this idea that they would like portraits on the day of their graduation, but that is so limiting in so many ways. You have minimal time on an already stressful, jam packed day to fit in a portrait session. That time typically happens in the middle of the day when light is not at it’s best. Not to mention that gives you so little control on the location because you cannot predict the weather ahead of time. Anyone who has been following me for awhile will know that I am a big believer in having your graduation portraits on a day that isn’t your actual graduation. This allows for you to have another opportunity to wear your amazing dress. It also allows you to think outside of the box when it comes to your graduation portraits.

For this young lady, we were able to have the session in studio and get through 3 different outfits—a favourite everyday look, a look to commemorate her time involved in high school sports, and, of course, her gorgeous gown. The session was super chill and relaxed. We didn’t have to worry about the weather and we created a series of images that would create an amazing album for her to look back on in the future.

Backyard Adventure Session

My very favourite types of sessions are the ones where you just show up as yourselves. You might have heard me say it before, but I really mean it—I want to see your TRUTH…the real you. Because your life is beautiful…reading books in your baby’s room, playing with bubbles and walking to the neighborhood park are the moments you wish you would have properly documented. Even though the days are long, the years are short and it will be over before you know it. Don’t get me wrong, portraits with nice clothes are great, but these are the images you will wish you had. Portraits of a snapshot of a certain time in your life. Give yourself the gift of a pressure free portrait session and let me show you how beautiful your everyday life looks.

Branding Photography with Erin Thorp | Calgary Photographer

Erin came to me looking for images that she could use on her website and social media channels to promote her work as a speaker, author and a coach. We set up the studio in colours that worked with her branding, brought in a hair and makeup artist and started in the studio. Since then, we did a second session on location to add some variety to her image library. Now, we are looking at a third session to promote her new podcast!! It’s great working with a repeat client as it allows for us to create an image library that works well together. Plus, the more we work together, the more comfortable we are with each other which allows for more relaxed and natural imagery.

If your brand needs to expand their image library, I’d love to chat with you to see if we are a good fit.

A Very Special Graduate | Calgary Graduation Portraits

This very special graduation session happened in 2022—I’m just awful at keeping up with blogging(I mean, I haven’t even blogged my son’s graduation and he was in the class of 2020). These images are from my favourite niece’s graduation day. Anyone who has been following me for awhile will know her as she is my daughter’s BFF since birth ;) She allowed me to follow her around for the day so that we could get some more documentary type images, portraits of family, and some fun images of just her(and some with her bestie who got dressed up for the occasion as well). These were taken in Edmonton on the provincial Legislature grounds and at the Muttart Conservatory.

So proud of this kiddo as she is now studying dance at the University of Winnipeg. We miss her greatly though and I am so excited for her to come home for the holidays.

SCROLL DOWN for part two of this session where we did a Day After session…well, maybe not exactly the day after, but we did a session a little while after where she was just herself in her dress and her converse runners. Because this auntie believes you can never have too many images of yourself in the most beautiful dress you have ever worn!!

Those were all taken on the actual day of her graduation in Edmonton. The ones below were taken later that summer at my home in Okotoks. I love that she allowed me to take images of her with her every day hair and make up as the sun set across the street from my house.