Category : Senior Photography

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH THE YEARS | GILBERT PHOTOGRAPHER

Like branches on a tree we grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Each of our lives will always be a special part of the other…

When Bethany and I began Lamar Studios in 1993, our mission was to take beautiful pictures and create lasting family remembrances.  We’ve accomplished what we set out to do and have taken thousands of heirlooms-quality portraits.  Yet, at the time, never could we have imagined what ultimately has been our greatest reward:  The privilege and honor we feel from  families who have trusted us over and over again with their family’s portraits.  It has been such a joy to see children and families grow through the years, and we are deeply grateful when families call on us time and again for their fine portraiture.

The Hagens are one such family.  We photographed them when the kids were younger, and they returned for their daughter’s senior portraits.  Recently, we welcomed the Hagens back again to our Gilbert studio for another family photography session.  We captured these pictures in the park-like setting of our outdoor studio and utilized one of our many sets in the shot of the siblings.

Thank you to the Hagen Family and all the families who continue to trust Lamar Studios with their portraiture.

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography

Wild Horses | Senior Pictures

Recently, I did a senior photo shoot with a wonderful young lady named April. She brought along her horse and I took photos of her in a grove near studio. As you can see, it turned out spectacular! The horse behaved and so did my subject. It was plain to see her and her animal companion had a real connection and I believe it translated on to the pictures quite well. It can be a challenge working with animals but they are such a part of the family that I love when they are included.

Her parents loved this shot so much that they are making a large canvas wall hanging of this one and another. What a great way to preserve the memories of their daughter and her love of horses.

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Posted under : Senior Photography

Arizona Mountain Biker | Senior Pictures

I love it when people have a passion for some sport or hobby. It makes it fun to photograph when they are eager to share that passion with me so I can capture some notion of them. Nick is one of the top mountain bikers in Arizona in his class. We shot everything near my Agritopia studio since I didn’t know he was bringing his bike and gear. It would be fun to go on location some day and get some action shots too.

These are a few of the ones I like.

 

 

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography,Uncategorized

Bass Playing Senior | Gilbert Photographer

When Cody walked in the door with his bass, I thought, what are we going to do with that huge thing. I had never had a bass in the studio before so I had him get it out of the case and then I had an idea for what to do with that huge thing. I love the beauty of the wood in string instruments and wanted to show it off but this photo was about Cody and how music is part of his life.

Cody and his dad were so easy going and helpful and went along with my ideas even though they had no idea what the end photograph might end like. I think we (the team at Lamar Studios, Cody and his dad) got some great images that they can enjoy and share for years to come.

Here are a few of my favorites.

 

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography,Uncategorized

Fun Senior Shoot | Outdoor Photography

It was hot outside but living in the Phoenix area I expected that. What I didn’t expect was how much variety we would get out of just one outfit. Sometimes it’s hard for me to visualize what I want from a shoot but Gabrielle and her mom brought in  some layouts from another shoot that they had seen. The layouts gave me a starting place but I have to make it my own and it’s also hard to duplicate what someone else has done and where is the creativity in that. I also worried that Gabrielle might not be able to pull off the look we were after but she was like a pro. I was impressed how she could get the right look without a lot of direction.

It is so rewarding to see the results of what can happen when it all comes together in a photo shoot. I love shooting the seniors.

Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography

Playing With Swords | Senior Pictures Chandler

When Ricky came in for senior pictures he brought a few changes of clothes and seemed like any average seventeen year old boy. In some ways he was a normal teenager, but when I started talking with him and asking about what he likes doing, he said he was into fencing. Yeah, that’s right, with swords.

How cool is that, swords. That was every boy’s dream growing up. We would make a sword out of anything. So here was this guy in my studio who is competes in sword fights and he didn’t want to bring his sword fighting gear because he thought it was weird or something like that.

We kept talking and I told him I thought it was the coolest and I wanted him to come back so I could make some great shots of him in his fencing gear. I told him it was for me and I had some ideas and would he do it for me if not for himself.

He came back and we did a bunch of shots and I’ve posted a few that I like. When he and his family ordered his senior pictures the majority of them were from the fencing shoot.

Rod Stewart sang “Every picture tells a story” which is true but I often find that when I know someone’s story it leads to a picture.  When I take the time to find out even a little bit about someone I am usually blessed and go away richer for it. Thanks to Ricky for sharing a little bit of who he is I had more fun shooting and got some cool images for both of us.

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography

Corey’s Senior Pictures | Gilbert Photography

I love photographing high school seniors and Corey is no exception. I could tell when he came in that this was not what he would choose to do with his free time. He was really nice and very polite but like a lot of high school boys didn’t relish the idea of getting his picture taken.

I came to find out that he likes being behind the camera and is a cinematographer and likes shooting and editing. After I found out that we had something in common, we started talking shop and I was asking him all about his passion. Although I like cinema, I don’t know that much about editing so Corey shared his experience with me.

As we talked, I was able to shoot a more confident Corey and got some great natural shots of him. Once I heard he was into video I knew there was a shot I wanted to get. I’m glad he brought his camera because it helped me tell a story. I envisioned a sort of backlit slightly mysterious photograph leaving a lot the interpretation up to the viewer. Only after we finished shooting and I was prepping the images for viewing did I get the idea for the “cinema verite” poster. It just seemed to fit and had a very sixties look.

I am often inspired by the seniors who come in and are open to sharing a little bit of their lives with me. It always helps me in my photography and I love learning what they are into.

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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography

Meredith’s Senior Pictures | Senior Portraits Queen Creek

Today my wife is visiting with one of her favorite friends, which reminded me of the senior pictures we did of her daughter Meredith. Although she graduated a while ago and is at college now I wanted to write about her.

Meredith loves horses and would work at a stable just to have the privilege of riding and taking care of the horses. When we set up her photo shoot we wanted to tell a story of her and her love for those magnificent animals.

We wanted to do the shoot on location and ended up in a great place even if it had some limitations. As you may know, it’s not always easy finding greenery and barns in the Phoenix area. I am always amazed by what we can pull off with the right lenses and equipment to make it look like there is so much more there than really is.

This photo shoot was truly a team effort all the way from the actual photography to the right clothing to the people getting the horses to look the right way.  My wife had the idea for the shot of Meredith swinging while the horse grazes in the background. I am so jealous of those mid west photographers who have lots of greenery and room to photograph but we made it work and that’s what great shoots are all about.

All in all I was really glad we could pull it off with everyone’s help. Thanks to Meredith, Bethany, Frank, Sandy, Linda, Jerome and whoever else was there.  You all helped capture that special time in her life.


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Posted under : Family,Senior Photography

Caleb’s Senior Pictures | Senior Portraits Mesa

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senior portraits mesa
I had a lot of fun photographing Caleb. Senior Portraits Mesa is another website I am trying to produce just for seniors in and around the Mesa area.

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Posted under : Senior Photography

Seton Class of 2010 | Senior Pictures Chandler

We had the pleasure of photographing the Seton graduates the day of their Baccalaureate rehearsal.  We do this every year and today we photographed the largest class to date, almost 140 kids.  We also photograph individuals of any of the kids that want a solo photo and we do a photo of the entire class inside the church.  Now mind you, these kids are D-O-N-E with classes, graduation is tomorrow, so, if anyone had cause to be… as you might expect… suffering big time from  “senioritis” it should be these guys.  But what we had was 140 really great, fun, happy co-operative kids.  They were excited and easy to work with.  We had to incorporate about 30 or more bodies than past years, so it took a little while to arrange everyone properly for the shot.  They were patient and flexible, we were amazed and grateful. They gave us smiling faces and zero attitude.  Really, I don’t know what to say but, thank you!  Thanks so much to the Class of 2010 Seton graduates!  You guys are a pretty impressive group! We will miss you.

Jon and I wish you all the best and may God Bless you in your endeavors!  Here are a couple of photos of these extraordinary teens.   ~Bethany

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Posted under : Senior Photography

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