Collection of formal portraits featuring couples in pastel attire under cherry blossoms.

 

From Disaster to Dazzling!


Ok, can we just start by saying that these dresses and kids are just ADORABLE! I never looked this good in high school! I just can't wrap my brain around it. LOL. These guys were so wonderful, so fun and full of laughter...so much excitement and nerves...So, how can you see these images and think that there is any room for "disaster" in this story? Let me tell you, I was in a panic earlier in the day. But I'm jumping ahead of myself...


Let me start out first by saying that as I migrate my portrait business toward Seniors and Wedding photography, I am just captivated by young people and the fresh new starts they have in life. It's a dream of mine to just connect with and give these guys the absolute best photo experience that they never thought they could get. Ha! One way I wanted to serve my high school students and connect, is by offering Prom/Homecoming Mini Sessions. After every big dance, my heart falls when I see parent after parent on FB posting their cell phone shots of their gorgeous kids and I always tell myself "I could give them photos that would make them cry". Cell phones just don't cut it! I have wrestled with how to make this possible, how to format it, price it, provide it. I threw some ideas around with my husband, and was getting ready to throw myself out there, when my dear friend Leighann called me up asking if I could do her son's prom photos.


UM, YES!!!!


Then I just went ahead and word vomited my ideas, and she just started brainstorming with me, and I ended the phone call with a "stay tuned" message to Leighann and my heart and head in the clouds. I knew I had to find the perfect location to make this work. I absolutely wanted to use downtown Benton, Illinois to photograph these kids in, because how fun would that be?! Our downtown is being transformed before my eyes from a dingy downtown to a dazzling one full of updated buildings, amazing eateries, and a very lovely artistic vibe that I want to utilize as much as I can in my work. From Cafe Bloom, Seasonings Bistro, and The Buzz, we can eat real well here in Benton, and I knew some of these kids might be having dinner downtown. So Downtown I went to location scout!


And I found it.


I found my perfect spot! It had a beautiful rail, a beautiful pink tree, and I even used a special app on my phone to track the exact location of the sun when my shoots would be happening so I could have the PERFECT mini session experience! I drummed up my marketing, got some bookings, and we were off to the races!


Then...Disaster.


I wake up on Session day, and I'm all congested. NO! I think it was a combo of cold and insane spring allgergies.


(I will probably regret this TMI moment, but a certain female curse also made its debut on this very day).


I hopped on Facebook only to see a notification from the Benton Commerce about the awesome CAR SHOW going on in the square RIGHT DURING MY MINI SESSIONS! I knew this was bad news for my location. So I took my kids out and drove all around Benton searching for a new location. My kids were getting antsy pantsy while I was ending my trip scouring the park, and I saw this tree where we ended up taking photos. Turns out, this location far exceeded my expectations and I'm glad for the blasted car show now!


Cell phone vs professional photographer


Before we head to the gallery, check out what you see vs what I see!


 

Couple in coordinated pink and navy formal attire pose under blooming cherry trees.
Elegant blue tulle gown photographed in a springtime garden with cherry blossoms.
Formal couple poses in matching blue and black attire under blooming spring trees.
Ethereal photos of a powder blue ballgown with sparkly mask in a spring garden setting.
Behind the scenes and final shots of masked couple in formal attire under cherry blossoms.
Spring formal portrait under cherry blossoms featuring yellow and gray attire.
Close up of gray suit with yellow bowtie and pink boutonniere detail.
Person wearing grey three piece suit with yellow bowtie and pink boutonniere in spring outdoor setting.
Couple in formal attire standing outdoors with cherry blossoms, wearing yellow and grey.
Couple in prom attire posing in spring garden with blooming cherry trees.
Couple sharing romantic moment in formal wear under blooming spring trees.
Couple laughing together in formal attire against spring blossom background.
Formal portrait of couple in grey suit and yellow dress under cherry blossoms.
Elegant braided hairstyle with dangling earring shown from behind in yellow formal dress.
Side profile portrait in yellow formal dress with spring blossoms in background.
Formal couple pose with pink corsage and boutonniere under blooming trees.
Happy couple in formal wear smiling together under spring cherry blossoms.
A person in a light gray suit and bowtie poses against blooming cherry blossom trees in a spring setting.
A couple poses outdoors in formal attire, with yellow dress and gray vest under blooming cherry blossoms.
Three people in formal attire pose together under pink cherry blossom trees in springtime.
Three people in prom attire smile together under cherry blossoms wearing blue, black, and pink formal wear.
Friends pose in formal wear including a blue gown, black suit, and pink sequined dress under spring blossoms.
Three friends share a candid laugh while posing in their prom outfits under flowering trees.
A couple in formal wear embraces under cherry blossoms, wearing navy vest and pink sequined gown.
A couple shares an intimate moment in formal attire under blooming cherry blossom trees.
A couple smiles at the camera in formal wear with pink cherry blossoms in the background.
A couple poses in formal attire with a corsage under blooming spring trees.
Formal couple poses together under spring cherry blossoms wearing pink and black formal attire.
Candid moment captured of a couple in formal wear beneath blooming cherry trees.
Formal couple in pink and black outfits pose close together under flowering trees.
Two friends in formal gowns, one pink and one blue, pose under cherry blossoms.
Two close friends share a tender moment in elegant prom dresses under spring blossoms.
Friends in pink and blue formal dresses pose together during spring photo session.
Two friends in formal attire share joyful moment under blooming cherry trees.
Close-up of pink and blue corsage with roses worn with formal dress.
Formal attire detail showing pink tie and floral boutonniere against black vest.
Person in formal vest and tie poses wearing decorative pink and black masquerade mask.
A couple wearing pink and black formal attire with matching masquerade masks pose together outdoors.
A person in a royal blue formal dress strikes a pose while wearing a pink masquerade mask outdoors.
Close-up of delicate white pointed heels and an anklet on grass in soft lighting.
A person in a patterned blue suit and tie wearing an ornate silver masquerade mask.
Two people in formal attire adjust clothing details during an outdoor photoshoot.
A couple in formal wear assist each other with clothing adjustments under blooming trees.
A couple in formal wear pose together under cherry blossom trees.
A couple in evening wear pose together in a spring outdoor setting.
A person in a silver beaded formal gown poses in a sunlit outdoor setting.
A formal couple poses together outdoors wearing coordinated evening attire.
Formal couple in masquerade masks pose together under blooming cherry trees wearing blue gown and dark suit.
Couple in elegant formalwear and decorative masks stand together among cherry blossoms.
Close-up of delicate silver necklace details on light blue formal dress.
Masquerade-themed formal portrait with couple in blue gown and dark suit under spring blossoms.
Light blue tulle gown with beaded bodice and flowing skirt detail.
Elegant couple in masquerade attire pose against cherry blossom background.
Formal attire with blue mask and sparkly dress holding small purse.
Elegant updo hairstyle with crystal hair accessory and necklace detail.
Formal portrait of person in dark patterned suit and vest under cherry blossoms.
Person in dark suit with masquerade mask poses among spring trees.
Black Cadillac Escalade SUV parked on asphalt with bare trees in background.