Teen Portraits - Prom Season is Just Around the Corner

If your child is heading to prom in the next couple of months I'd say there is probably no better time than now to have portraits created of your growing teen. With the purchase of a new (and probably expensive) outfit wouldn't it be nice to capture this milestone with a portrait created by a professional.

Across the pond this is a hugely popular time to create portraits, and although I am not American (I'm Canadian) I wholeheartedly agree that this is a special moment to record. My prom was a key memory in my teen years and in fact I myself had professional portraits created also. I think I'll go dig them up if I can, though admittedly I think my mother has them back in Canada. I wonder if I can get her to scan one for me.

My daughter is currently making plans for college and in the running is one that will move her away from home, as many others are probably experiencing for themselves, particularly those who are 18. This makes it all the more important to create something special before they move away, possibly not living under their parent's roof full time again. This is a portrait that marks the final stages of their childhood.

As such, in addition to portraits in prom outfits I also like to create something that is about them. Something that can be looked back on to show what this child was about at this time in their lives. These portraits will become hugely valuable in later life. For them to have something they can use not only to remind themselves of what they were like when they were young but also to share with their own children, when they need to let their kids know they were once young too. I sometimes think our kids don't believe we were ever once just like them.

There is so many possibilities when we introduce the things teenagers are interested in. I love incorporating those things for so many reasons. First and foremost is the memory it captures. What a special moment in time we are recording that will forever be a reminder of what was such a big part of their lives and quite probably a big part of the entire family's lives. Not only this though, by bringing in their interests it makes it so much easier to create something natural and real. Its not all about a forced pose or smile. Its about them being themselves and relaxing doing something they enjoy. These are always my best and most interesting portraits and the ones they enjoy creating and seeing the most.

I do have one obstacle however, that I am finding these days regarding portraits sessions for teens which both shocks and saddens me. Its that teenagers are afraid to have such sessions because they are afraid of what their friends will say. I can't believe they would want to pass up a great opportunity out of fear of what other people think. I can't seem to combat this fear and I certainly can't offer assurances that people won't mock them for creating portraits such as these. But what I can say is that I only publish work if I have permission to. While it will break my heart to keep something wonderful a secret I would happily do so if it means teenagers still book these sessions.

So if you are interested but are worried about what others will think please be assured that no one else has to know. You can still have precious memories and beautiful portraits that you cherish in private. Either that, or you just don't let what others think bother you. People shouldn't live in fear of what others will think.

I hope to get the opportunity to create more unique and special pieces for this year's teenagers. Its my favourite work to create by far. So far this year's challenge that has been presented to me is water polo. Still haven't quite figured out what or how I am going to create my masterpiece but I know I'll make it fabulous.

If you would like to get in touch to see what we can do my contact details are as follows:

Email: christina@christinalauderportraits.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/christinalauderportraits
Instagram: www.instagram.com/christinalauderportraits
Website: www.christinalauderportraits.com

We can have a chat over the phone or you are welcome to arrange a consultation in our studio where we can meet in person and you can see the studio and products we offer. There is no cost to this consultation and no pressure to book while you're here.

Oh yes, and I almost forgot. Here is a couple of my portraits created just before my prom. My mother was able to scan the first one below for me and I had the second one here. These were taken in 1989 at the Old Masters Studio in the town I grew up in, Streestville, part of Mississauga in Ontario. I was chosen as Prom Queen that year, an honour I have never forgotten.

Comments

I am Still Me: A Story about a Transgender Boy

Meet Leo. Leo is 15 and currently going through an epic transformation that has momentarily turned the lives of himself and those around him upside down. A mum who once had the daughter she always longed for is now coping with the realisation that she will be living the rest of her life with a son instead. When your child is born you have certain expectations of the typical life they will lead but most of us know and accept that it won't necessarily end up the way we imagine. Not every person wants to marry, have kids or be involved with the opposite sex. Most of us have come to accept this and can adjust to whatever comes our way relatively easily. But few of us have expected to have to deal with a change in sex. Its not that we've hoped it won't happen, but just that it never occurred to us that it might. This is a new adjustment that we as a society are being presented with today, just like so many others that have come before. When I first heard that Phoebe ...

Winner of the Master Photographers Association's UK Family Portrait Award

This year for the first time I decided to join the MPA (Master Photographers Association). As a qualified member this entitled me to compete amongst other professionals throughout the UK. Last night the awards ceremony was held at the Hinckley Island Hotel (amazingly close to home for a change) where I received the news that my family portrait won its category. I am over the moon that it was a unanimous decision from all judges who felt it stood out against all others in the category making it the clear winner. And to have John Stoddart, a man who has photographed a great number of A list celebrities, present the award telling me this is a fantastic image was the icing on the cake. I'll admit that I have never really regarded family groups as my strong suit. They are hard work and not always the most challenging creatively. Until now that is. This project which I consider to be a joint effort along with my clients involved much planning and creativity. Together we came up...

My Associate Panel

As I mentioned in my last blog, I achieved my Associateship in Portraiture with the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers). I just thought I would share with you the panel I submitted. Having sat through the assessment I see that there are a couple of images that I wish I hadn't chosen, more so due to not having enough variety rather than the lack of quality. but overall I am pleased with my submission. I always thought that once I achieved my Associateship I would be done with qualifications. Working towards a Fellowship just seems so unattainable. I don't think I can just sit here not striving towards a goal though. Besides, my husband has already set 5 year plan. So I guess I've not seen the end of qualifications just yet. But don't be expecting any news on this front for quite some time though. A fellowship is on an entirely new level and its going to take a lot of work.

More Newborn Portraits of a Lovely Baby Girl

I am really loving everything about creating newborn portraits. For a start, I usually get a good cuddle at some point during the portrait session and/or the viewing. It has been wonderful holding such tiny babies again (my baby is nearly 10 years old now). I also enjoy the challenge of getting the pose above, baby propped on elbows. I think it is such a cute pose that seems impossible to achieve. But with a little patience I've been able to get the pose every time I've tried (of course I've probably just jinxed myself now). I can't stress enough though, that this pose is really only achievable in about the first 2 weeks. The little girl in these images is only 8 days old. The older they get the lighter they sleep which makes it difficult to keep them asleep while we pose them and more difficult to move them when we want to try different setups. Probably the most enjoyable aspect of my work lately is when I am ab...

Playing Dress-ups and Creating Fine Art Portraits with These Lovely Young Ladies

Now this is exactly what I like to do. This was not only a fun and creative session but it was also quite relaxed and low stress as each of these girls were old enough to both be patient with me and follow instructions. This allowed me to use my skills to pose and direct as needed, rather than what can happen with very young children who either don't understand the instructions or who really just want to do their own thing. Although the very young bring their own magic to a shoot, like a cuteness factor that can't be beat, being able to take my time and direct my subjects means I can create the vision that is in my head. Probably what is most frustrating about the very young is that I can often see exactly what I want to create but without a little help from the child its not always possible. In this case all four girls worked very well and I think they all enjoyed themselves too, even the youngest performed beautifully and I couldn't be happier with all their portra...

Christina Lauder Portraits

Search This Blog