Senior Spotlight: Jack - McKinney Christian Academy Class of 2016

Jack is one of those guys that is just really fun.  He is a guy's guy - plays almost every sport, loves to fish, and drives a hot car.  You would think he would be too cool for school, but  he is actually a really nice guy with a great sense of humor.  The two things he wanted to incorporate into his senior session were his car and his favorite hobby: fishing. 

I always encourage my seniors to bring along their BFF.  One of Jack's great friends just happens to be Tori Grace, one of our senior models.  Between Tori Grace and Jack, we laughed a lot.  She helped me convince him to pose with a statue and taking a selfie.  Every time I look at the images (below) they make me laugh.

Oh...one last thought - Jack asked to take some photos in his favorite fishing hole.  He neglected to mention that the grasses and weeds were about 4 feet high, so I didn't bring my boots along.  As were were making our way through lots of brush, I told him there better not be any Copperhead snakes in the grass.  He assured me that they live in the water - ha ha ha - even I know they don't live in the water.  Let's just say I heard some rustling in the brush and I moved really fast.  It was probably a mouse, but I wasn't hanging out to find out.  It was worth it though...we got some AMAZING images!

 





Trend Alert: Fun Hoseiry

Eeek!  Yes...I did say eeek!  Fun tights and socks are one of my FAVORITE things about fall.  There are so many different cute options on the market right now.  If you are doing your senior session this fall, I thought I might make it easy for you and show you some great ideas for incorporating fun tights or long socks into you senior pictures...or just to wear every day this fall.

Tights are a HUGE fashion trend for fall 2015.  Black is getting tons of press, but if you are more of a risk taker, take a look at some of these ideas.

Sonali had her senior session in late October.  She was the first senior out of the gate to wear textured tights.  Note how she combined them with a cute dress and combat boots.  Great style!

 

 

Following Sonali's lead, grab some cable knit tights for a warm and fuzzy look.  This monochromatic look is simple and classy, with the boots and tights to bring a 2015 flair.

 

Knit by lorantin featuring a mini dress

 

 

Another huge trend for fall is thigh high tights.  This is a cute idea with lots of style, but a comfortable look as well.  You can always wear a longer skirt to cover up more leg. :-)

 

...Throw away your false eyelashes... by klaudia featuring leather shoes

 

 

Lace and cutout designs are huge for tights this fall as well.  If you have a bit of edge to your style, consider a classic red dress with patterned back tights and a biker jacket. 

 

Red Cable Knit Sweater Dress with Lace Tights and Black Leather Biker Jacket by danihope featuring a red dress

 

Do you love color?  Colored tights are all the rage.  If electric hues are too much for you (and they are too much for me for senior pictures....just sayin') grab a pair in fall colors.  If you are going to go more monochromatic in a color like red, be sure the reds match.  You will look hot hot hot!

 

Oxblood pattern by maria-kuroshchepova featuring clip earrings

 

 

Last thought....if black is more your style, go for it.  Think about picking up some cute pattern play in your skirt or scarf. 

 

Pattern Play. by s-elle featuring black ankle booties

 

Any way you go, you can't lose by bringing a couple of pairs of tights along to your senior session.  If you need more ideas, talk to me at your consultation.  We will plan some amazing outfits for you!

 

Aimee

 

 

I Heart Faces Pets

I love viewing the submissions and winners of photo challenges.  I Heart Faces is a website that has photo challenges weekly.  I just love seeing the work of other photographers around the world.  I am just not someone that ever takes the time to actually make a submission to the challenges.  This week, however, the challenge is pets.  I just feel compelled to enter this time with my sweet Buddy.  Buddy is simply the sweetest, most obedient dog I have ever owned.  He is a 9 year old Longhair Dachshund.  We rescued Buddy 2 1/2 years ago from a couple who was divorcing.  Neither one had a place to keep him so we were able to bring him into our home.  We were told that sweet Buddy had spent his entire life in a crate.  He was purchased to be the pet of the father's children from a previous marriage.  The children came to stay with him every other weekend.  With the exception of the 4 days a month the kids visited their father, Buddy lived in a small crate and was only let out to go to the bathroom.  Yes...he even ate in his crate.  He came to our home very meek and full of anxiety but we surrounded him with love and attention.  It is so much fun to see more and more of his true personality come out all the time.  He is such a dear little dog.

I took this image of Buddy about 6 months after he came to live with us.  I wanted to capture him as the regal king that we feel he is. I wanted to share the image so that I could share his story.  He has had a difficult life, but he is certainly loved and spoiled now. If you are interested in the rest of his story, I have more below the image...  I titled this image:

Dog Show Winners Have Nothing On Me

A few months after I took this image of Buddy, he fell victim to IVDD (a degenerative disk disease fairly common to Dachshunds)  We let him outside in our backyard and he didn't come back in.  We found him in the back of the yard at the bottom of the hill.  He was paralyzed in the lower half of his body.  I had such a crazy mix of emotions.  I was devastated for him but I was also really angry that this poor dog that spent most of his life in a crate now couldn't walk. 

We are blessed to see a holistic vet, Dr Ward at Plano Animal Clinic.  Dr Ward uses cutting edge treatments for these dogs to get them to walk again.  He uses lasers, nutrition, and natural supplements to heal the spinal cord.  We had to bring Buddy to Dr. Ward three times a week.  Did I mention Buddy's injury was the week before Christmas last year?  Well....it was the week before Christmas.  Dr. Ward and his staff came into the office even though they were closed for the holidays just so they could treat Buddy and another Dachshund who also had IVDD.  I can tell you that it was a process and it didn't happen overnight, but our Buddy is now walking and running again.  He just recently has gotten strong enough to jump on the couch again.  I would say he is about 95% of where he was before the injury.  I never thought he would walk again, but our sweet boy had an inner resolve and he never gave up.  He now runs and plays with his brothers just like he did before.  We are so thankful to Dr. Ward and his staff. 

I have a huge portrait of this image of Buddy in my house.  Whenever I look at it, I think of the determination it took this sweet dog to overcome a meaningless life for 7 years, and then to overcome paralysis after he had only been free for 18 months.  He is a model for strength, determination, and never giving up.  Like I said...dog show winners have nothing on Buddy!

Aimee