To be honest, I had never done a senior portrait session before I worked with Ericka. I just haven’t known anyone really that needed (or knew someone that needed) them.  I have been admiring the recent trend in Senior Portrait photography though. Unique, on location images that allow the subject to let loose and play model for a day, compared to the stuffy studio portrait that I had to take when I graduated (Class of 2004, baby).   When I was contacted by Ericka’s aunt for a senior portrait session, my mind automatically went to “oh crud, I don’t have any fur or a fake class robe”.
But as it turns out, I didn’t need any of that hodge-podge.  Ericka and her aunt had come upon Dawn’s bridal session from a few months ago and decided that they would jump on the boat of some fun, on location senior portrait photographs. So we chose a family location in the Hayward Hills for a backdrop. Old cars, beautiful sunsets… and the random pile of cow poop. I pretty much love when I am given a location that I am completely overwhelmed about all the potential shots I can get. The light was perfect – as it was a day after a heavy rain. Ericka was able to totally let loose and trust me to make her feel absolutely beautiful.  I wanted to not only get those smiling portraits for the whole family… but photographs to make her feel and look like a pro model. She worked it and I am pretty thrilled to finally get these edited to share.

Also, on a random note related to this session : as it usually happens, Ericka, her mother and her aunt added me on facebook so they could more easily get previews and share the photographs with friends.  I was looking at Ericka’s mother, Lynette’s page to see all the amazing feedback that was being posted about my images. (I’m shameless). I was surprised to see, that their family was friends with my Grandfather and his wife since before I was even born. Small world!