Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have a glamorous, self-indulgent portrait session with me?

While every session is different and unique, my dedication and commitment to my clients don’t change. I will make you see yourself in ways you never have before!

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful and talented young lady. Her name is Emma, she is a high school senior at McHenry High school, the editor of her school paper, loves to read, and is a fan of Harry Potter. I asked her to share the experience of her senior photo session with me and what I got back is a beautiful essay that made me cry.

I’m humbled by her words and honored that she chose to hire me as her photographer. It means the world to me when my clients not only have fun during their portrait session but also receive one-of-a-kind images that they love.

Here is what she had to say.

Part 1 - The Consultation

“When my mom asked me about senior photos, I didn’t even realize that it was something seniors normally did. I didn’t know what I wanted my photos to look like, when I wanted them done, or what I wanted to wear because it wasn’t something that I had ever thought about. Suddenly though, I was presented with all of these questions and all of them needed answers that I didn’t have. 

Eventually, I decided that I wanted to try and get my photos taken in the fall and the race was on to try and find and book a photographer that could do my senior photos before the weather got too cold and miserable. 

Seeing as I didn’t even know where to begin looking for a photographer, and my history with procrastinating, my mom researched photographers and found Mariela Ryan Photography. We scheduled a consultation and thus began the process of an experience that exceeded the expectations of my wildest dreams. 

On the day of the consultation, my mom and I logged onto a zoom call with Mariela Ryan. Neither of us had ever met Mariela before but she greeted us like old friends with enthusiasm and warmth. That call was the beginning of my photoshoot. 

Mariela knew exactly how to work with my hesitation and lack of ideas. She took the time to ask me questions and get to know me. As I revealed more and more about myself, Mariela gathered those small pieces of me and put them together to paint a vision of my photoshoot; she used the things that I was passionate about as her inspiration. Right then and there, Mariela brainstormed ideas and encouraged my input on how to photograph not just me but also, my personality. 

We discussed wardrobe, hairstyle, makeup, setting, accessories, location, and so many other small details that I would not have thought of, or even realized I had an opinion on until Mariela talked me through it. She really guided me through the process step by step and was determined that I had the photos of my dreams even if I had not dreamed of them yet. 

>> I left that consultation with a tiny flame of excitement for getting my senior pictures taken, a vision of how I wanted to be photographed, and a photoshoot date for two weeks later. <<

Before the day of the actual photoshoot, we sat down with Mariela for a hair and makeup consultation. At this time Mariela shared with us an entire mood board that she created specifically for me. She used all of the information she gathered from our initial consultation and put together tons of inspirational images to help me visualize my photoshoot. Looking at that mood board I was able to see what I wanted my senior pictures to be for the first time. 

Mariela helped me choose my makeup, hairstyle, and wardrobe. I was able to show her some of my favorite clothing pieces and Mariela would tell me what would look best in my photos. By the end of this second meeting, I had a list of what outfits, accessories, and props I would need to bring to my photoshoot. 

>> At this point, my little flame of excitement was growing and I was feeling confident about my senior pictures”<<

Make sure to follow Emma’s story next week when she shares >>part 2<< of her experience during her photoshoot.

With love,

Mariela