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.

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