Today on my blog, we have the third themed session with my 2018 senior models. Every year, I try to come up with creative senior portraits for my senior models.
My 2016 models had color inspired sessions and the 2017 models had icon sessions. We had a blast planning and photographing those but for the class of 2018, I decided that I wanted to change things up. I picked four different creative senior portrait sessions and I let my models pick the theme that they liked best. The first theme, Warrior Women turned out great!
For the second themed session, we chose Old Hollywood/Film Noir. I love everything about that genre of film! Everyone back then looked so glamorous and elegant and you know I’m a fool for dramatic lighting.
All four of the models had their hair styled by the always fabulous Mary Neifert. I love working with her so much! I showed her a few examples from my Pinterest board and she went to town!! Look at how fabulous these guys look! The UVA Darden School of Business was kind enough to let us have out session there so a big thank you to them!
Sydney – FCHS | 2018 – Makeup: In addition to being one of my models, Sydney is also a fantastic MUA so she took care of her own makeup
I wanted Sydney’s look to be ultra glamorous. We chose a super sparkly dress and a fake white fur stole I had. With the fabulous hair, makeup and styling, she looks every bit the part of super fancy lounge singer! I feel the need to mention that the cigarettes used were fake! I’m certainly not trying to promote smoking but the cigarettes really went with the style we were creating.
Brittney – OCHS | 2018 – Makeup: Courtney Durrer of Lost Cause Beauty
Brittney’s look is more classic. I wanted her to look like a rich socialite, ready for a night out on the town. We gave her a fake fur shrug, long gloves and a cigarette holder. The styling along with her hair and make up really pulled everything together. She looks so beautiful and I could totally believe that she stepped out of a different era!
Nayalith – MHS | 2018 – Makeup: Courtney Durrer of Lost Cause Beauty
For Nayalith, I wanted to stick with the socialite vibe but tone it down a bit. We gave her a dress that was more casual but we glammed it up with fancy jewelry and a fur. Her hair and makeup were super classic Hollywood beauty. Check out her eyes and cheekbones…over the top beautiful!!
Shaun – FCHS | 2018 – Obviously Shawn didn’t need any makeup but Mary did style his hair for him.
Shaun was the easiest one to style. His mom bought a white shirt and pants and found the suit coat at Goodwill! Add in a black tie and pocket square and he was done. I think he looks 100% the part of an old school Private Eye.
I wanted the shoot to look like stills from an old movie and I think we accomplished that. Everyone looked so incredible and though it was a long day, I had so much fun photographing them!
Last weekend I photographing the Victorian Gothic (which I’ll be sharing soon) and then comes Vintage Fashion so stay tuned!!
Ali Johnson is a portrait photographer specializing in senior portraits in Charlottesville, Crozet, Keswick, Albemarle and Fluvanna County VA