Styled shoots are a fun way to get your creative ideas out.  In this session below, photographer Hailey Kemper of Wildflower Photography in Charlotte, North Carolina wanted a vintage, backyard garden party.

“I just loved the idea of girlfriends dressing up and having a little afternoon tea together!” said Hailey.  “My goal was to capture the fun interactive shots of the girls, along with individual portraits that catered to each of their personalities.”

Check out this styled shoot below and read what else Hailey had to say about it.  Thanks for sharing your work with Seniorologie Hailey!

Website:  www.wildflower-photography.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/WildflowerPhotog

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
My initial inspiration for this shoot was documenting friendship… taking time out to do something special together and having a good time. But as an artist, I wanted the images to convey a positive, fun vibe not just through expressions but also through the colors and theme. With the help of some awesome stylists, I think we managed to do just that.

Where did this photo shoot take place?
It was held at a private location in the Lake Norman area of NC.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
The girls trusted my vision which of course is every photographer’s dream! 🙂 They knew the theme and were really excited about it.

I did collaborate with two locally owned boutiques, Vestique (www.vestique.com) and The Jewel Box (www.jewelboxonline.com) to come up with adorable outfits and coordinating accessories for the girls.

I’m also so fortunate to have an amazing hair and makeup artist, Sarah Eckard, who always does a fantastic job with my clients. As for the food, we had a local bakery, La Patisserie(www.lapatisseriebakery.com), provide beautiful appetizers and desserts for us.

All in all, it really came together well, and I’m blessed to have worked with some amazing vendors.

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
I used my Nikon D700, 50mm 1.8, and 85mm 1.4. I also had a couple of assistants helping me with a large reflector.

What time of day were these taken?
Early evening, about an hour and a half before sunset.

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
I like to keep my edits simple, however I did warm the wooded shots up a bit to give them a softer feel.

What is your favorite thing about this session?
I loved their energy together! The entire afternoon was filled with laughter and selfies and positive vibes. They totally embraced the shoot, gave it everything they had, and it shows in the images.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
I love tapping into that inner gorgeousness that each senior possesses. These girls are all beautiful, but my goal was to capture exactly who they are at this moment in time. Life moves quickly, and people change. This is such a short albeit fantastic time in their life, and I believe it should be documented as best and thoroughly as possible.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
Have FUN! While I obviously keep a level of professionalism, I also don’t take myself too seriously, and I think that helps the girls relax. The more open and carefree they are, the easier it is to capture the true essence of who they are.