Alisia Rowley - Senior Photos

Last week on Friday I took Alisia Rowley's senior photos. Alisia is another upward bound student and I loved taking her photos! We took them at the Wapsipinican State Park in Anamosa - such a beautiful park. 

Take a look: 

Talia Marie White - Senior Photos

Five days ago, on Tuesday, I worked with a young lady named Talia. It was a very great experience, more so than I ever thought it was going to be. The reason is, Talia and I have something in common: we are both connected to Upward Bound. I graduated from the Coe College Upward Bound program in 2007, and this year Talia will be graduating from the Coe College Upward Bound program. 

Upward Bound had such a huge impact on my life. It helped me get over my fear of staying the night places, it helped me with my shyness, and it helped me start to have a taste for travel. I think travel is one of the most important things. I think this because one of the criteria for Upward Bound students to enter the program is the financial situation of the students parents. Upward Bound helps children with low means rise and get to college, when situations at home might not be able to get them there on their own. Not to say parents of Upward Bound students don't try their hardest - mine did - it's just sometimes help is what a person needs. Upward Bound offers that help. 

Anyway, to get back to my point, if you come from a family with low means, you usually don't get to see the world as much as you otherwise might. Upward Bound takes you places. Explores your opportunities. Makes your mind expand to places outside the city you grew up in. Makes you dream. At least, Upward Bound did this for me. I appreciate Upward Bound so much more than I can express. 

Well... as I started to explore my photography business more and more, I decided to offer a promotion: free senior portrait sessions for all Coe College Upward Bound students. 

So far I have three Upward Bound sessions booked, with a fourth trying to get situated on a date. Talia was my first Upward Bound student. 

Every photo I took of her was better and better. She is entirely photogenic, and made it easy and comfortable to get up close and get great shots! There was hardly a bad photo in the bunch that I took of Talia, leaving me with well over 100 different shots I LOVED (and hopefully she will love as well!). 

The best part was the end of the session. Talia's mom, Kathy, looked me in the eyes, shook my hand, and thanked me for my free services. Then Talia ran over to me and gave me a big hug. I could tell she had a really great time. Everyone was a little teary eyed as Kathy said they wouldn't have known what to do without the free session - Talia might not have gotten her senior photos.

I wasn't expecting to feel so good about donating my time and services. Sure, I was happy to do it, and excited about the photo session, but I wasn't expecting such a heart-warming moment. It felt good. It felt really, really good. 

And now... I really can't wait for my next Coe College Upward Bound photo session! 

Location #18 - North Ridge Park - Coralville, IA

North Ridge Park is a polished park made specifically for natural sustainability. It has water fountains, flower gardens, trees bent over into benches, beautiful stone walls, tall grasses, and multiple bridges.

Tonni Jane - Baby Portraits

This past weekend I photographed Tonni Jane, a cute little almost-six-month-old girl who has the best little smile. I've been friends with her mom since our mutual boredom in ninth grade science brought us together, passing notes instead of paying attention in class. Needless to say I've been looking forward to this photography session for weeks!

Tonni is so precious and in the photos below you can really tell how much her mom and dad love her. Everyone smiles radiantly and they can't take their eyes off their little bundle of rosy cheeks.

Babies are a fun subject to photograph - you never know if they are about to wiggle, or scream, or when they're look directly at the camera and crack a smile. Especially Tonni. She was a wiggler. But I was able to capture a few photos that caught the beauty that is Tonni, a sweet little almost-six-month-old baby girl.

Location #17 - Jones Park - Cedar Rapids, IA

Jones Park is a family friendly area. It offers wide open grasses for large groups, ponds and bushes for cute close up shots, and mature trees that are perfect for leaning against. This area is amazing for portraits with infants and toddlers because of the level ground and the easy access. It also has unique spots for senior photos and head shots.

Location #16 - Railways - Cedar Rapids, IA

Railways are a fun place to take senior photos, especially since you never know what you may capture. Each day railways have new trains pausing, so graffiti on train cars is always fresh and new to the individual person. Colors are vibrant and the angles are unlimited.

Location #15 - Ellis/Quaker Oats Area - Cedar Rapids, IA

The Quaker Oats Area is an industrial section of Cedar Rapids that is great for grudge type photos. This area is perfect for a senior or couple who wants an urban feel to their photos, full of rust color, greens, oranges, and an overall arching view of downtown Cedar rapids, and the giant Quaker Oats plant.

Location #14 - Brick Walls - Cedar Rapids, IA

Brick walls are a great backdrop for almost any photography session, adding interest and character. Here are a few of my favorite wall backdrops in Cedar Rapids. 

Ainsley Cooper - Senior Photos

Last Saturday I took my Canon XTi and cleaned every surface. I even used a Q-tip for every nook & cranny. I polished every lens. I charged every battery I had. Everything was packed in my camera bag ready to go, and I was excited.

Saturdays photo shoot was with Ainsley Cooper, an energetic senior who was great to work with! With this photo shoot I used a 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 lens, and the fluidity worked well for capturing the many poses we shot. Ainsley was wonderful at finding her own poses, but also took direction well, which made the photo shoot fly by!

The location used for this photography session was Hickory Hill.

Here are a few pics from the photo-shoot!