Alex | RED DEER PHOTOGRAPHER | GRAD 2016

Today on the blog is Alex's turn! This one (as well as many of my clients!), makes me feel even more sentimental about how fast these years do go by. I think I met Alex's family around 10 years ago, but it seems like yesterday. And here she is graduated and onto a new chapter. As amazing as it is to watch our kids grow up and become their own 'adults', sometimes it doesn't make graduation any easier on us moms and dads!

Alex has been kind enough to share with us some extra, super helpful, tips and advice for all of you upcoming graduates. Thank you for taking the time to do this Alex!


CLOTHING
DRESS: Jovani purchsed from Prom Affair, Edmonton, Alberta
Some great advice from Alex: "This was the last store of the day with the dress I had “pictured and chosen” so I was pretty excited but when I tried it on, it did not really suit me!  Though I was a little discouraged the staff there was fantastic and encouraged me to not only try on different colors but also different styles that I had not really considered.  In my mind I went there shopping for a slightly edgy black dress…and in the end I went with elegant baby pink!!  I have never worn or owned anything pink before!  Try on everything you only get to graduate once, enjoy the experience and don’t get caught up in what you or others had imagined, have fun with your dress shopping!"
SHOES: Le Chateau
ACCESSORIES:  I went with simple as the dress is simple and elegant.
OUTFIT #2: The cream lace dress I ordered from China for the Winter Formal and loved it so decided it was a good choice for the grad pics! Shoes were from a shopping trip during dance competition season.  My style is definitely random, a mix of soft and edgy for a unique look!
OUTFIT #3: For the casual shot I went with my everyday kind of look, comfortable and relaxed.  Jeans are Levi’s, basic white tee, choker and a light oversized scarf….one of Leigha’s "let’s try this with it" suggestions!  Boots, again were something from the closet that was comfortable and my “go to” favourites.

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Nathalie Gzrech, Faces by Nat, Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Advice from Alex: "Nat was great she just seemed to know what would work!  She also did Grad day before cap and gown at my house...she's amazing...the makeup stays all day!  "
Hair: Karly and the Worx
Advice from Alex: "Go with what you are comfortable with, you are wearing it all day for grad!  For your pics mix it up a little try hair up and down for some different looks."

"Book hair and make up on grad day in advance...like now!! The day goes by very quickly try to time hair and makeup right after ceremonies and don't overbook your day there is not much time."

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED
Notre Dame, Red Deer, Alberta

FUTURE PLANS
Alex is studying Bachelor of Science at MacEwan University in Edmonton, living in Residence. 

ADDITIONAL ADVICE FROM ALEX
"Take some time to think about what kind of pics you want…I coordinated my picture time with my best friend and even though we did not pick outfits to compliment or match each other it worked great! These pics are some of my favourites and it will be a fond memory for me to have spent this time together since we are across Canada from each other now.  Leigha has great ideas and is very talented, she tries to capture something unique about every Grad so that their pictures are special.   Have fun!!   "

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MAKENNAH | RED DEER PHOTOGRAPHER | GRAD 2016

Today on the blog, featured is Makennah's 2016 Graduation session. I had met Makennah for the first time when she visited the studio with her mom and sister for the Mother's Day Event - and couldn't wait to have her visit again for graduation!

If any of you know what springtime is like in Central Alberta, you know the weather can change in minutes.  And that is just what happened halfway through Makennah's session. So, along with capturing a few moody images with the storm clouds, we ran inside the studio once the rain rolled in, brought out the studio lights, and went to plan B. Creating a few editorial style, edgier looks.  Which we all loved.

CLOTHING
DRESS: Bliss purchsed from Durand Bridal and Formal Wear, Calgary, Alberta
GREEN OVERALLS: Hat and outfit from Aritzia
BLACK OUTFIT: Shirt, Aritzia; Booties, Steven Madden; Jeans, American Eagle; Necklace, Stella & Dot

HAIR AND MAKEUP
Janine Lachance, Beauty Mark Pro, Sylvan Lake, Alberta

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED
Notre Dame, Red Deer, Alberta

FUTURE PLANS
Makennah is attending Red Deer College and pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

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KADIE | RED DEER PHOTOGRAPHER | GRAD 2016

I'm so excited to feature Kadie's Grad Session today on the blog. When I met Kadie for her pre-session consultation, she knew she wanted an in studio, editorial style shoot, with a touch of confetti for good measure. And that's just what we did. 

Also, after having a peek at her beautiful dress, and learning she had a love for interior design, I knew a few shots with the floral backdrop (wallpaper) I had on hand would be fun to play with. This is why I our pre session meeting is so important. A chance to collaborate on unique ideas that are really YOU.

CLOTHING

DRESS: Alyce Paris and was purchased from Elite Bridal in Lacombe, Alberta

CREAM CASUAL DRESS: Free People from

JEANS AND FLORAL TOP: Grlfrnd jeans and a Wilfred tank both from Aritzia

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Nathalie Gzrech, Faces By Nat, Sylvan Lake, Alberta

HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDED

Notre Dame, Red Deer, Alberta

FUTURE PLANS

Attending Mount Royal University in Calgary and taking Bachelor of Interior Design

Dates for 2017 Grad sessions will be announced to newsletter subscribers on February 1st.  Sign up prior to then to have the best selection of limited dates and times.  Remaining dates will be announced to the general public on February 15.  Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this post!

CARLEEN | RED DEER PHOTOGRAPHER | GRAD 2016

I had worked with Carleen's family a couple of years ago for her sister, Shaelynn's graduation portrait session and couldn't wait for Carleen to visit the studio.

One of the options I always give my grad clients is to book their session on the same day and time as a friend.  This gives you an option to not only have your full indivdual portrait session, but also images together.  And memories to share! Carleen and Alex decided to take me up on this offer, and I will publish those images in a seperate blog post.

Carleen knew that she wanted a combination of inside the studio and outdoors.  During her pre-session consultation, we went through her clothing selection and I went to work designing a custom experience just for her.

DRESS: Carleen purchased her amazing dress from Prom affair in Edmonton.  Her review was that they were very  helpful and had a nice selection. Her dress design was Paparazzi.

PINK BLANKET:  Urban Outfitters

WORDS OF ADVICE:  Book pictures , hair and make up artist early .  There is very little time that day for make up so the good times get taken up quickly .  Nice to get professional pictures well ahead of time and trial the dress and hair and makeup!  Professional pictures are so worth it as they are long lasting memories! 

HAIR: Lindsey from Crop Hair, Red Deer, Alberta

MAKEUP: Nathalie Grzech, Faces by Nathalie, Sylvan Lake, Alberta

HIGH SCHOOL:  Notre Dame, Red Deer, Alberta

FUTURE PLANS: Carleen is attending Ryerson University in downtown Toronto .  She is in 4 year degree for BFA in Performance  Dance.  Research  which universities for the field you love that are highly rated and live your dream !  

Dates for 2017 Grad sessions will be announced to newsletter subscribers on February 1st.  Sign up prior to then to have the best selection of limited dates and times.  Remaining dates will be announced to the general public on February 15.  Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of this post!