Cait W. | Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

One day earlier this Spring I opened my e-mail to a really unique inquiry that included the words "sorority" and "rush package." I was in a sorority in college (don't act surprised- it was awesome!) so to say I was intrigued is an understatement! The difference was: the school I attended did not require a "rush package" so I was a bit at a loss for how to proceed.

(cue the frantic google search!)

 

As I got to know Caitlin and her mom and learn more about what they were needing it quickly became clear why a rush package and professional photos were necessary: Caitlin is PROUDLY going to attend The University of Alabama-- Southern sororities are far more serious and a challenge to get into than Northern sororities; so the need for these photos and what we would need to produce together became a lot more clear!

 

Fortunately for Caitlin she has GORGEOUS looooong brown hair that is thick thick THICK- so big, curly "Southern hair" was a MUST for this session.

 

 

We also wanted to try to evoke a sense of Southern hospitality and pride so Caitlin wore sweet summer dresses and colors of blue and white.
 

 

Isn't she gorgeous?!

 

 

 

 

I have to admit I'm surprised we got ANY decent shots since we laughed throughout almost the entire session! Caitlin is so sweet and has such a great laugh that I know she is going to have a TON of houses to choose from (for those not in the Greek Speak world she's going to have a ton of sororities accept her and she will have to choose between them).

 

 

Best of luck at 'Bama, Caitlin, and I can't wait to hear which house you end up in!!
Best,
Sarah

You Did it! | Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Oh my goodness this is SUCH a huge week! Can you believe the school year is OVER?!?!

I'm kind of in shock. I'm not going to lie, I do like the summer because-well-i live near a school and not having to hear the bells go off for each class change is a little nice ;) But I can't believe it's already here!

I just wanted to take this blog post to say THANK YOU to the Class of 2014 Seniors whom I had the absolute pleasure of getting to work with this year.

 

Each one was so fantastic in their own way and provided me with incredible memories and experiences. Each Senior is heading toward their own path- from college to active duty military service to sports teams! It's incredible how driven and talented this year's seniors are!

 

Cait, Rebekah, Lindsey, Stephen, Kristin, and Cait: I can't thank each of you enough for stepping into my life this year and for allowing me to capture one of your most exciting times! I wish EACH of you the very very best and can't wait to see all the incredible things you all do with the rest of your lives :)

Congratulations Class of 2014!!!

Best,
Sarah

Stephen P. Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Did you ever have a time where someone said something to you just to be nice? "Oh we should get together some time" or  "I'd love to do that when it gets warmer" or how about "Oh we should definitely have you do Stephen's Senior photos next year!"

That last one? That last one came true ;)

Last year at ALMOST the exact same time I had the fantastic opportunity to do an extended family shoot for Stephen and his family while his grandparents were in town for Thanksgiving. His family was hands down one of the funniest sessions I've ever shot- they were just so full of laughter and jokes and knew exactly how to push each others buttons (and by the end of the shoot the grandpa had figured out how to push a few of mine, too!)

So when Stephen's mom, Desiree, said at the end of the shoot "We'll definitely be in touch to have you shoot Stephen's Senior photos next year" I thought to myself "that's so sweet of her....but that won't happen."

Fast forward to a couple of months ago when she contacted me and I JUMPED at the chance to work together again! So now, here is Stephen in all his Senior year glory!

Stephen is just as fun as the rest of his family and we were laughing and poking fun the entire session. I do however have to submit a formal AND PUBLIC apology for calling him pretty after some of his shots. He just looked so nice and handsome and the word "pretty" just came spilling out!

Stephen, I am sorry. You are not now nor shall you ever be: pretty. You are handsome and rugged and all things Abercrombie and Fitch.

One really neat thing about Stephen is that he already has everything all planned out and knows exactly what he wants to do and where he wants to head after High School. If the sweatshirt is any indication then you guessed it, he is going to enlist in the Air Force!

My favorite one ^^^

Did I mention he brought his dad's purple Challenger to the shoot? HOW NEAT IS THAT?!

Good luck in the Air Force, Stephen; I know you will be a fantastic addition to the U.S. Armed Forces and I know your dad must be so proud!

Thanks again for putting up with me ;)

Best,
Sarah

Rebekah T. | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

I am THRILLED to introduce you to Rebekah, Grafton class of 2014!

You want to talk about a confident, independent High School Senior? This is your gal! She plays Lacrosse, is part of a military family (which means she helps out an extra bunch when dad is gone), is super focused on her studies, and loves to try out unique (what I like to call: "before it's cool") styles. She's also just one of the sweetest, most caring people you'll ever meet.

So, when Bek booked the Red Carpet package for her session I was stoked for her to be able to have some pampering and be treated to professional hair and makeup. And when she told me she wanted to mix it up with a relaxed loose curl coupled with a heavy dramatic eye? I was in heaven!

I couldn't decide which I loved more about Bek's session: her goofy personality, those gorgeous eyes, her awesome combat inspired ankle boots, or her beautiful nod to her family and love for photography (bonus points!) by incorporating her grandfather's vintage camera in to the session.

I think I love it all!

The cherry on top of this awesome sundae? Bek's parents booked a family session to follow her shoot! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?! I'm in love with the fact they feel High School graduation is a big deal for the whole family- so much so they wanted to document it with family photos! I was so inspired by their shoot together that I am now OFFICIALLY offering a mini-session option for the families of my Seniors to add on to the end of the Senior session! :)

Best,
Sarah

Lindsey F. | Hampton Roads Senior Portrait Photographer

Hi!

Wait until you see these! I mean... seriously, wait until you see them!

Lindsey is my Poquoson Senior Agent which means she represents Sarah Elle Photography in her high school and she represents her high school at Sarah Elle Photography! We shot her first session at the end of her Junior year back in May and from that day forward I knew it would be a LOT of fun working with her!

Lindsey is full of jokes and if you can get her to laugh she has a smile that just won't quit (you'll see what I mean in a bit).

*WARNING* I'm about to get a bit mushy: Despite being in contact with Lindsey throughout the summer and into the school year I was NOT prepared for what I would find when I showed up for hair and makeup on the day of her Senior shoot. Lindsey had somehow grown up over the past 5 months! Not even kidding she looked like an adult and even carried herself in more of an "adult" way (although if asked to define what that is I would fail). I felt a bit nostalgic when I saw her and began to wonder where the girl from the May session had gone!

Take a look!

See?! That's that infectious smile I was talking about :)

I couldn't get over her super cute boots! So we snagged a shot ;)

I am so proud of Lindsey as she goes on her college visits and chooses her path for the future.
Lindsey, it was my pleasure getting to work with you and watch you grow over the past few seasons. I am proud to call you a Sarah Elle Photography Senior Agent, class of 2014!

Best,

Sarah

Senior Session: Cait H.- Grafton Class of 2014 | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

Hi!

Remember a couple of months ago I blogged about an in-person consultation and mentioned that you would seriously want to stay tuned because the client's session was going to ROCK? Well this is THAT SESSION!

Working with Cait was sincerely a BLAST. She was filled with smiles, had tons of energy, was willing to get all up in the sand just to get the shot (and because I asked her pretty please), and was AS EXCITED, if not more excited than I was about the shoot! 

Plus, she CRAB-WALKED across the sand for me. Yes, I said "crab-walked." I had gotten up out of the sand to show Cait where I needed her to move for me and all of a sudden she's crab-walking over! I was SO BUMMED I wasn't ready at the shutter!

Ok enough chatter, here are some images of this beautiful Grafton High School Senior!

LOVE her pink pants!

So right between THIS shot ^^^ and the one below, there was some crab-walk action happening.

 

So this is where I have to stop and take a minute to tell you something about Cait. Cait is a Colorado girl at heart- she even went back home there to get her driver's license (does she have the coolest mom, or what?!). Because of living in multiple states and attending multiple schools Cait had to be on multiple swim teams (oh, by the way, Cait is one kick-butt swimmer- she is the only female on this year's SEVA National Swim Team and is choosing colleges based on their swim team options)- Cait lettered at BOTH High Schools she has attended- both here and in Colorado.

So of course we had to capture it. :) Cait's kind of a rockstar.

Thank you, Cait, for a great session and for making my job super easy and SUPER enjoyable!

Best of luck picking schools and I can't wait to see you swim in the Olympics one day!

Best,
Sarah

*Hair and makeup by Fatal Beauty Hair and Makeup Artistry