2015 52 Week Project // Week 18: Living vicariously through teenagers. (With Before & After)

Ahh, it's here. Tis the season for prom photos! If you guys have been following my work for a while, you know that this is one of the shoots I look forward to every year. I've been shooting prom photos for Maggie & Emma for 4 years now, and this was our last hurrah. With Emma being a graduating senior, and the youngest of the Tate family, we had to go out with a bang.

This year, unlike all the others, was actually pretty laid back and stress free. In previous years, I've done both girl's hair and makeup (after getting off a 5 hour shift at work) and taking their photos, in a matter of around 3 or 4 hours. Yes, thats TWO formal hairdos with makeup and detailed run throughs of pictures for each couple! However, this time around, Emma's hair was super short, making it easy to run a curler through in 10 minutes, and with just her makeup to do, it was a breeze. Here's what was not a breeze though: rushing to Deer Park to take 7 more couple's pictures. 

Yes, that's correct, in total, I photographed 8 different couples! Photography has taught me to think quickly on my feet in crunch situations, but this one definitely gave me a run for my money. When we arrived, I had to find a place to shoot them all, and fast. Finding a spot with good natural light (open shade, because it was still to early in the afternoon to shoot in the sun) without any distractions of cars, houses, other things proved difficult. We eventually settled on a small spot in the back yard, mostly clear of any less than photogenic elements, and I began to snap away.

I will say, it's hard to be creative when you're trying to crank out so many shots in a limited time. I made sure to get all the basics, and then we did some group shots, and some goofy ones to change it up. The girls and guys filed through and got all their requested shots, and we were on our way!

I'm so glad that I got to spend a little longer on Mark and Emma's photos, though. Every year, we always shoot some down by the lake at the Tate house, and so it was only fitting to do them down there again. This little spot in their yard never fails me for pretty light and a pretty backdrop! And of course, it helps that these two are adorable with each other; that always makes for better photos. 

It's kind of interesting to watch these guys getting all hyped up to go to prom. When I was in high school, I went once, to my junior prom with a friend. It was a great experience, don't get me wrong, but it's so fun to see these younger couples have these moments together that I never had. At one point, I told one of the girls that I was having fun just living vicariously through them by taking these photos! It makes me happy to see these guys having awesome experiences in their high school years, and I'm glad I got to be the one to capture those moments. These are the photos I wish I'd had someone taking for me when I was going through all of these things.

Here's a gallery of all the photos from prom this year! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!