High School Senior Photo Sessions | July 6, 2018

4th of July in Florida usually means one thing, rain! So a 4th of July photo shoot at the beach or the lake can definitely be a challenge, add 16 kids to the mix and you are asking for a miracle. A miracle is exactly what I got, twice!!

I love themed photo shoots, and try to do a couple of these for my senior rep team each year. So this year, we decided to do a 4th of July theme as one of our group sessions. In order to give as many team members a chance to participate as possible, we scheduled two photo shoots a week a part.  The first one, which we are talking about in this blog, took place at the beach.   Part 2 will cover the lake shoot.

4th of July-part 1 took place at New Smyrna Beach.  I was beyonds excited when Malia showed up in her jeep.

Unfortunately, we only had about half an hour before they kicked all the cars off the beach. We didn’t let that stop our fun!  We pulled out the 4th of July props and shot away.  We had time for several individual and group shots.

One of my favorite pictures from the beach shoot is of the girls taking selfies, and the look on their faces when they are checking out their pictures.

As the sun dropped on the beach the sky and the water turned various shades of pink and orange;  this is my favorite time of day at the beach.  I love those soft pretty colors!

This is the perfect time of day for 4th of July sparklers!! Once we got everyone in place and posed we handed out the sparklers.  You could just feel the excitement in the air, sparklers on the beach, how cool is that?  Not cool at all. The wind was not our friend.   Every time we tried to light the sparklers,  the wind would blow out the flame.  So we decided to move the party off the beach.  Then we had another surprise,  we found out it wasn’t just the wind ha ha, the sparklers were duds! Thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Cleveland and Mrs. McKown and a lot of patience we finally got them lit long enough to take one picture.

The 4th of July adventures continues in part 2 which is all about our lake shoot.  In the mean time to see more 4th of July pictures, be sure to follow me on:

Instagram:traceydawkinsphotography

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traceydawkinsphotography/

More photo adventures to come…..

November 3, 2017

As a High School Senior Photographer in Oviedo FL, you have to prepared for little interruptions such as, a hurricane.  Kaitlyn’s  senior session took place shortly after Hurricane Irma came to visit.  A lot of places in our area that we usually go to for pictures were damaged or had trees down etc.  Despite trying her best Irma couldn’t keep us down, Kaitlyn and I still managed to have a blast during her session.

We started at Rollins College in Winter Park, one of my favorite places to shoot.  Some of the paths around campus were damaged and the dock was under water, but we were still able to work in the rose garden, where Kaitlyn rocked her little white dress.

I love the light in the late afternoon at Rollins College. If you time it just right, the light bounces off the ancient buildings and gives them almost a gold glow.  A perfect backdrop for Kaitlyn’s session.

I am in love with this outfit!!! The blue and white striped shirt white jeans and shoes to match!  To die for!  And to make it even better that blue is Kaitlyn’s school color Hagerty Blue.

More beautiful afternoon light to light up the field where we were shooting. Kaitlyn picked the perfect dress for the field, a flowy white halter dress.  I just love the golden hour glow.

Despite the hurricane aftermath, I had a fabulous day with Kaitlyn and her Mom Stacey.  The weather was Wonderful, and it was good to be out enjoying the day instead of preparing for a storm.  If you would like to see more of my work please check out my Senior Experience video:       https://youtu.be/DJP0vCCVXS0

August 23, 2017

As an Oviedo Photographer,  I feel so blessed to have such a great group of seniors to work with.  In addition, there are some beautiful locations practically in my backyard.  Ashley’s session is a perfect example of both of these blessings.  Let me introduce you to Ashley. Ashley is a beautiful and talented class of 2017 graduate from Hagerty High School.  She has a passion for swimming and is also brilliant.  As a result of being a champion and scholar, Ashley is attending college at the the Naval Academy, where she is on the swim team.  Consequently, I know her parents, family, teachers and coaches are extremely proud of her.

As an Oviedo Photographer, one of my favorite places to shoot is on or around Park Avenue in Winter Park.  Pretty fountains, iron work and upscale streets make it a perfect place for a senior session.  Ashley’s first outfit was a perfect choice for this location. Ashley chose a pretty blue t-shirt dress, boots and beautiful  scarf to pull it all together.

After Park Ave we moved on to Rollins College, another gorgeous location.  Ashley changed in to a black strapless romper, and added a statement necklace creating a dramatic and sophisticated look.

Jean shorts topped by an off the shoulder green shirt and strappy wedges, were the perfect compliment, to the lakeside location where we ended part one of Ashley’s session.

Part two of Ashley’s session took place where she feels most at home, a swimming pool right here in Oviedo.  This was a first for both of us, a swimming photo shoot, we had a blast!

A couple of posed shots, along with a couple of action shots, and I think we captured Ashley’s passion for her sport.  She had some fabulous ideas, and I’m grateful that I was able to have the opportunity to shoot some swimming pictures with her.

We used a combination of natural light and some off  the camera flash to add some drama. I love teaming up with my seniors to capture both the drama, and the fun, that is a reflection of who they are.  As I am writing this, Ashley has just finished up Plebe Summer and is starting her academic year at Annapolis.  I am wishing Ashley much success on her first year as a Midshipman.

High School Senior Photo Sessions | July 6, 2017

As a Central Florida Senior Photographer, I must be prepared for anything.  With all the excitement, crazy weather, and just a busy life in general it is likely that there will be obstacles.  This is exactly what happened at Carly’s session.  She was coming straight from a cheerleading get together and with everything going on, she forgot the bag with her shoes in it.  The only pair of shoes she had with her, were her little ankle boots (adorable by the way).

Carly was disappointed of course,  but after discussing the options (going shoe shopping on the fly or working with what we have) we decided that most of her outfits would look fine with her ankle boots.  When I told Carly we would be doing an extra session, a beach session, she felt better immediately.

We started Carly’s session in and around Park Ave. Winter Park.  I love the upscale backgrounds, the  unique doors, stairs ways and fountains of this location.  By the way, as you can see Carly rocked the ankle boots.

After Park Avenue we headed over to near by Baldwin Park.  Baldwin Park changes every time I’m there, but never disappoints.  As a Central Florida Senior Photographer, I look for places that have a lot of different looks and this is one of those places.  The pictures above represent the soft side of Baldwin Park, pretty flowers and weeping willow trees, just gorgeous.

The second part of Carly’s session took place at the beach.  A lot of photographers shy away from sessions at the beach.  I embrace them!   I grew up near the beach and love the natural beauty of the beach.

We started in the afternoon when it was still bright and sunny out,  and made the best of a beautiful day.  I love this picture of Carly with the dune in the background, one of my favorites of the session.

Carly nailed her outfits for the beach session.  I am so in love with this little crocheted vest.  It adds texture and interest to her photos.  And the little white dress is to die for.

As a Central Florida Senior Photographer, I love that we have access to some beautiful beaches.  One thing I look for when choosing a beach is a A pier, it is a must for any beach session.  The wave action and the piles that support the pier always add interest to the photograph.

This little white halter and the ripped jeans brilliant!  i would have never thought of this as a beach out fit but it was awesome.

The end of the session took place in the water and it was cold!! Carly wouldn’t come out until we got the perfect shot.  Looking at the photos, you couldn’t tell she was cold at all.   Carly was a trooper and we had a blast with her senior session.   The best time for a beach session is late Summer and early Fall when the water is at it’s warmest.  If you are looking for senior picture at the beach now is the time, give me a call or fill out the form below.  Hope you enjoyed pictures from Carly’s session and I wold love to work with you on your own senior session.

XXOO  Tracey

June 16, 2017

My clients love their Senior and Family photos and love displaying them.  There are many ways to accomplish this, here are some of my clients’ favorite products:

The Connectible

Out of the box, straight to the wall, so easy.  The best way to have a collage of your favorite pictures. Made from 12×12 or 6×6 Canvas Blocks, Canvas Connectibles are connected with sturdy, high quality aluminum hardware to hold your photos together for years to come! Easily add more sections for a full wall display. Choose from several different arrangements.

Metal Prints

Give your fine art prints an edgy, contemporary look and feel with Metal prints. Vibrant color or black and white images printed over a white basecoat on a modern metal surface gives depth and richness to your photographs. The one in the video is a 24 x 24 and is a choice in  Collection 1.

Solid Metal Wall Mount hanging hardware with a Satin Silver finish are available as a mounting option and a quick and painless way to hang your Metal Prints.

Or, mount using the Hanging Cleat: Hanging cleats allow you to easily mount your fine art prints to the wall. This durable hardware will keep your Metal Prints level and mounted. The ½ wooden cleat is placed in the back center, giving a floating illusion of the print off the wall. Step by step instructions included in each order.

All Metal Prints are also available with no holes and no mounting hardware.

The Album Block (the Dad’s Favorite)

Having trouble choosing just one photo?  The album block is the answer!

Show off an album’s worth of high quality photo prints in one rotating display of Fine Art Mounted Prints, stored on a beautifully crafted solid wood base. Available in four colors or stains (black, white, brown stain, or natural). A solid styrene mount for your prints that won’t warp over time allows your clients to keep images out in the open where they belong.

Size depends on your collection the First Collection’s Album Block has 20 8×10 prints.

The Shelfie

A contemporary / classic way to display your photos, best of all no frame needed!

Display 3 Metal Prints or Fine Art Mounts on a solid wood base with our PhotoShelfies! The interchangeable image options makes this versatile product perfect for contemporary or traditional home decor and office spaces. Three pack of replacement prints available at discount pricing. You can order a PhotoShelf with Fine Art Mounts and a spare set of Metal Prints; they both fit in the same base!

Acrylic

Give your Images a Depth and Richness that will Last a Lifetime.

Super polished with straight or round corners  a free standing 1″ thick piece finished with a durable matting on the back to prevent scratching even when displayed in high traffic areas. Or choose to order your 1/4” Acrylic print as a Floating Print with our standard sturdy cleat hanging hardware.

The Signature Photo Book

Made from premium quality materials with the finest press paper, the pages lay flat for full page spreads.  Matte press paper features a soft texture with beautiful matte tones. Its hefty weight and premium quality printing is perfect for every occasion 10 spreads(20) pages in various sizes 10×10 is the choice in Collection1.

Some of my clients have more than one favorite product.  Usually people are wall art people or the love photo books and albums. Tracey Dawkins Photography’s Collection 1 gives you the ability to have both.

I love it when my clients send me thank you notes with pictures of their favorite products on display in their homes.  The best thing is those products will be there for may years to come and even passed down in future years.  What are some of your favorite ways to display your photos please leave a comment and let me know.

Warm regards,

Tracey