Michaela Graduating Class of 2020 | Southern Oregon Teen Photographer

Michaela | Class of 2020

This is my little sister, Michaela. We haven’t done her portraits in a few years now, so my mom asked if I’d do them now that she’s 15, almost 16.

I’d have killed for an awesome big sister who was an amazing photographer as a teenager (heck, I’d LOVE to have ME as a sister. Period!). The teen years can be so tenuous and full of insecurities and self-doubt. I think we all struggle to some degree with that, but having a beautiful portrait of yourself goes a LONG way in seeing your own self-worth and building your confidence.

I photographed this same street just two weeks before for this high school senior session and it was completely green. I drive by this street nearly every day and love how gorgeous these trees look both green and as they change into bright red/orange. Just a few weeks later, and they have already dropped most of their leaves.

It was cold and the clouds were rolling in, but we lucked out downtown and captured some amazing sunlight streaming through the trees.

I always like to chase the light, so we jumped in my van and headed up toward the hills. I pulled off in a business park that had a little field behind it and it was magical! The light was magical – there was actually deer poop every where and it was pretty cold!

I wish I had a pull-back for the bottom two shots. There was a giant wild rose bush next to the parking lot with an old pallet laying on the ground next to it. It wasn’t actually very pretty to just look at this time of year, but the rose hips on it where a very beautiful shade of red. I asked my sister to tuck inside a little open area of the bush and, sure enough, it was awesome!

Michaela Jeanne, I love you to the moon and back! You are amazing, kind, smart and wonderful. Always remember how unique and beautiful you are.

xoxo, Crystelle