Senior Session at Golden Hour | Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island

The weather was perfect the day Jack and I met for his senior photo session at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island.   We started about an hour and a half before the sun went down.  It was gorgeous “golden hour” light with the sky turning orange and red as the sun inched it’s way down the horizon.

Starting his senior year at International High in Bellevue, Jack is happy to be part of the class of 2017.  It was great meeting him and his mom and having the opportunity to work with him.  He was excited to have his picture taken and was a natural in front of the camera.  I loved his custom designed long board and the fact that he was willing to let me get a few action shots of him riding it.  The ruins at the park were the perfect backdrop for photographing a senior guy and I was able to take some amazing pictures.

Bellevue Tween & Teen Photographer | It’s a Great Day For a Photo Shoot

The Saturday  I met Sophia for her photo shoot it was a gorgeous Spring day and we couldn’t have gotten better weather.  It was a wonderful day to be outside and enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views that Mercer Island has to offer.  We decided to meet at Luther Burbank Park which is one of my favorite locations to photograph.  It’s really the perfect place to have tween and teen photo shoots because not only is there great scenery, there’s a playground, trails, grassy areas, a fun beach, and of course the boat dock.  The other thing I really like it the old abandoned Mill down by the water which makes for a great backdrop.

The day we decided to go was really busy and I actually had to wait for a while just to get a parking place.  So if you decide to go on a nice day:  go early!  Otherwise, plan on parking in the overflow lot which isn’t as conveniently located and a short walk away.  Unfortunately, that’s where Sophia and her family had to park.

After we finally were able to park and meet up, we had a really fun photo shoot.  I have know Sophia for several years but this was the first time I had ever photographed her.  One of the reasons why I love tweens (ages 10-13) is that the are always up for trying something new.  Sophia was so excited about having her picture taken at a “real photo shoot”.  I think she was a little surprised when I got out my blue tooth speaker and turned up the music but as a tween and high school senior photographer I really try to make the experience fun and memorable for my clients.  And I have found that playing music not only puts people at ease it turns the photo shoot into our own little party.  And who doesn’t love a party especially girls Sophia’s age.

It was a really fun day and an awesome photo shoot for my tween model Sophia.  We were able to get some amazing images of her in the natural setting of the park in a casual outfit she picked out herself.  And then, because she loves to run and is in Cross County, she changed into her gym clothes and I got some images of her running.  It’s really important to me as a photographer, especially of this tween and teen age group, that I take images of them doing the things they love.  The things that represent who they are at this particular time in their lives.  So because Sophia loves to running, I got pictures of her running.

Bellevue Senior Photographer | Fun Tween Photo Shoot

One of the cool things about being a photographer that specializes in photographing high school seniors is that I also get to photograph tweens.  You know that age group (10 to 13 yrs.) where your body is changing, your teeth are still coming in or your wearing braces, and your need for independence has kicked in.  It’s that age when some of us struggle socially while we figure out how to be ourselves while fitting in at the same time.

The tween years are also the time in our lives when we are photographed the least.  I mean think about it.  Every mom out there has tons of photos of their babies and little kids.  But as their kids get older the novelty has worn off and by the time their kids are 9 or 10yrs most moms don’t think about taking pictures unless it’s for a special occasion or holiday.  They are no longer taking pictures on a regular basis to document their children’s everyday “life”.  Pictures that speak of who they are at that very moment.

It’s for that very reason that I felt honored to have the opportunity to photograph Samantha  who is ten and is a fifth grader at Eastgate Elementary here in Bellevue.  She is a fun and upbeat girl who is beautiful both inside and out.  This year she is learning to play the violin too so I not only did I want to capture her beautiful smile I also wanted a few images of her with her instrument.  Now Samantha and her family will have amazing images to remember this special time in her life:  the year she was ten and played the violin:)

Visit to Sammamish High: Day Two

If you’ve read my last blog post, you’ll know that I was invited to Sammamish High to be a guest presenter in Mr. Burlingame’s class.  He teaches the photography classes there and he asked me to come in and talk a little about myseld and my business.  It was wonderful to have the opportunity to go in and meet the students face to face and explain what it is that I as a high school senior photographer.  There were actually a few students there whom I have connected with on social media so it was nice to get to meet them in person.  We also had a couple mini photo sessions so the students observe me while photographing and have the opportunity to ask questions.

Located here in Bellevue, Sammamish High has 90 minute block classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays and the class schedule is different than normal.  Because 7th period didn’t meet on Wednesday, the first day I went.  I got to go back on Thursday and did the same thing.  Only this time, I got to work with Nina as my model and we had so much fun.  She was a natural in front of the camera and we got some fun images.

I am confident that after visiting Mr. Burlingame’s class and having spent some time with me,  the students have a better understanding of the high school senior photography business in general and qualities to look for when it’s time to hire a photographer to take their senior pictures.  Of course I am hoping they’ll remember me and call Shannon Pope Photography.

Visit to Sammamish High School | Photography Class

I was so happy when I received the email from Craig Burlingame inviting me to be a guest presenter for his photography classes at Sammamish High School.  When I went last semester it was so much fun and I was hoping to get invited back again.  The kids were learning about portrait photography and Craig wanted me to come in to talk about my photography business and how I photograph high school seniors.  We were even going to do a couple “mini sessions” during class so the students could observe me in action.

It had raining for several days but lucky for me it was clear when I unloaded my van in the school’s parking lot.  I was happy had my wagon because I brought lots of fun props, including several floppy hats and scarves, as well as, a fun animal print chair that I planned on using.  After checking in with the front office I made my way down to the photography classroom.  And for those of you who aren’t familiar with Bellevue and Sammamish high school in particular, it is huge.  So believe me when I say that I am thankful that I arrived early and that I had my wagon.  Yes, I do love my wagon!

It was Wednesday and sixth period was just about to start at 10:45am.  Wednesdays and Thursdays the classes are in 90 minute blocks so I we would have plenty of time for me to introduce myself and show the class my website and some of my products that I am currently featuring.  We were even able to view one of the custom made slideshows to music that I used this season in one of my clients sales sessions.  Because the client in the slideshow was currently a senior at Sammamish high this year some of the class recognized her too! So that was fun.

The last part of the class we moved out into the atrium area of the building where we had our “mini sessions”.  Because of the sky lights in the building there was wonderful lighting and big tall neutral walls made for a great backdrop.  My two models during sixth period were Stephanie and Vanessa and they were both really excited to be photographed.  The class was able to watch me photograph the two of them and see how I positioned the reflector to manipulate the light.  One student even hooked his I-Pod up the the school sound system so we had great music in the background.  Which, by the way, I think is a great way to help my clients feel at ease while I’m photographing them.

I had tons of fun visiting the class and getting to know Stephanie and Vanessa a little better while I worked with them.  We were able to get some great images and I hope that after my visit the class now has a better understanding about me and my photography business.  I really tried to give them a glimps of what a senior session would look and feel like.   Hopefully, I’ll see some of the students again in the future when it’s time for their senior pictures.

Bellevue Senior Photography | Bellevue Club Swimmer

It’s the time of year when all the high school yearbook photos are coming due and this years senior season is more or less coming to a close.  It’s the time of year when I find myself slowing down and having the chance to take a deep breath.   Now I have time to play!  Conrad, who swims on the Bellevue Club Team, met me at the pool one Saturday afternoon and I was able to capture these images of him.  He’s been swimming “since forever” and has plenty of medals to show for his winnings over the years.  I just love photographing seniors doing the things they love and being themselves.   When that happens everyone relaxes and true personalities come through in my images.  As the years go by, it is a wonderful thing to be able to look back at ourselves in the prime of our lives just being ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conrad swims for the Bellevue Club and I am really looking forward to going to see him compete in one his swim meets where I’ll be sure to bring my camera!

 

Blog In The Making

As I continue to hone my photography skills and grow my business it is increasingly more evident to me that I really need to improve my website and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  I want people who are interested in High School Senior Photography in Bellevue, WA to be able to find me when they do a Google search.  In fact, I want to come up on the first page and at the present, when I do a Google search for High School Senior Photographer or High School Senior Photography in Bellevue, WA I don’t even come up.  That has got to change friends!

After reading several articles and taking a few classes on SEO I have learned that SEO is all about words and type.  So it is really necessary for me to create and learn to Blog about myself and my business if I am going to be found online.  I am not looking forward to this because I am not the world’s best writer nor am I very technical when it comes to things like this.

So this Blog will definitely be a work in progress……thanks for your patience!

Bellevue Children’s Photographer: Three very sweet kids

Today I finished processing a session I did for a family that recently was blessed with a baby girl.  After two boys, Becky and Nate were hoping their third child would be a girl.  Every one was happy when Eliza was born.

Three very sweet kids!

Bellevue Maternity Photographer: It’s a great day for a photoshoot!

Shannon Pope Photography

I am so excited to have the opportunity to photograph Justine and Tyler today.  They are the sweetest couple!  Their baby is due to arrive in April and we wanted to take some images of two of them together before the baby comes.  Justine has the cutest baby bump ever and I am happy that she is giving me the opportunity to capture that for her.  These type of maternity photos are always cherished by us moms, especially years later.