Grace is probably the bravest senior client I have ever had. The forecast was calling for it to be 110 degrees for Grace’s session. 110!! In Portland, Oregon!! Has that ever happened before? Grace wasn’t concerned at all. I was sure she was going to email me and be like, “Uh, so about this forecast…” but she was game no matter what.
Well, it didn’t end up being 110 for Grace’s session…because of wildfire smoke. The smoke kept the temperature at a cool 103, ha! But Grace was undeterred. She was ready for her senior photos and nothing was going to stand in her way! She was such a trooper and didn’t complain at all. Her makeup and hair stayed perfect (shout out to the beauty team! This is why all of my sessions come with professional makeup!).
The highlight of Grace’s session (which included downtown, the beach, and a field) was the very last outfit. This overalls plus hat look was so perfectly playful and we frolicked through the fields chasing after cows. Yep, cows. Grace really wanted to find a cow.
When I was trying to find a photographer it took me a long time to find the perfect one for me. I found some photographers on Instagram, Facebook, and from friends that took them before me. I ended up finding Olivia through a friend that had gotten her senior pictures done by her. When looking at photographers I was very picky and they needed to capture the personality of the senior. When I found Olivia she captured exactly what I was looking for. She shows each seniors personality just by the pictures she takes of them.
When planning my location for my photos I knew I wanted to have some sort of water incorporated because I love the water. I also wanted some pictures in nature. It was the perfect balance of what I wanted. Then we planned out my outfits for the location. Since we were taking the pictures in the summer I picked clothes that would good for the warm temperature. I ended up having 4 different outfits which was a good number because it wasn’t too many changes but just enough.
When I got to Olivia’s studio I met with the makeup artist and the hair stylist. I felt like a celebrity. I had someone doing my hair and doing my makeup at the same time. It was amazing. Then we headed to take the pictures.
Taking the pictures was probably the best part of the whole thing because you go from planning all of it to it being everything that you’ve always wanted. The photo shoot took about 3 hours but time flew right by. Olivia made the experience really laid back and not stressful. We were continuously laughing and it made it really easy to smile. The only hard part was for when she told me to be serious, now that was hard because I couldn’t stop smiling. Olivia made me feel comfortable and relaxed which should be hard with a camera pointed at you for a few hours but it wasn’t at all. If you choose Olivia as your senior photographer you will not regret it!
With love, Grace
Olivia frequently works with high school seniors in Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and SW Washington and is currently booking Class of 2019 Senior Sessions. Contact to book your own modern senior portraits. Her boutique studio provides full service, custom sessions for each client (including professional hair and makeup) that capture each individual senior’s personality.You can follow Olivia on Instagram to stay up to date with her work.
Not a senior but still want to be photographed by Olivia? Olivia also offers studio portrait sessions for women and teens!
Images copyright Olivia Renee Photography 2023