Angela | Mt Juliet High School Senior Portraits | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors Photography
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Our first location was a park &campground where Angela had some special memories! She actually was there to celebrate an elementary school field trip in the past as well as camping there before. It was a beautiful spot along the Old Hickory Lake in Mt Juliet, Tn with a sweet beach and gorgeous fall colour trees.
The only thing we did not find at the campground was a golden field- one of my favorite portrait locations for warm, glowy skin and bright, contrasty highlights. So we drove down the street a bit to a super glam spot- right behind a gas station! Some interesting details, haha, are just cropped out of frame. With a beauty like Angela however, all you see if her surrounded by soft buttery light.
Kendall Part Two | Magical Senior Session | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors
/Remember the first part of Kendalls Senior session at the carnival?
How do you top a session so full of fun? Kendall knew she wanted two different locations for her senior photos so we split up her session for two distinct looks. And she has a certain happy place she likes to go whenever she can...
Enjoy these sneak peeks and see if you can guess where we we visited!
Beech High Bucanneer Brigade | Marching Band 2016
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Obist Kendall, of Miss Musical Dreams Youtube fame, performing in the first home game halftime show
I asked some of the members and directors of the Beech High School Marching Band in Hendersonville, Tn to give me quotes about what band does and brings to their lives and community. So much research has been done again recently on the positive benefit of music to lives and character everyday, and specifically its relationship between academic performance and cognitive ability.
So what is it about this crazy marching band life that appeals to folks anyway?
“Well marching band has been a huge part of my life for 5 years now, and anyone that knows anything about band knows that it certainly takes up a ton of your time, but I feel the time I have spent marching has been better spent doing what I love and am passionate about rather than something else that will not benefit me outside of high school. I’ve learned a lot more than how to march and play at the same time, both as leading and following. I find unique perspective in knowing what it like to be a first year nobody and what it’s like to be the drum major. Band has certainly taught me how to be a part of something bigger than just individual people doing one thing, learning how to work together to achieve a common goal is extremely important, especially as society evolves in a way that, in a way, discourages face to face interaction. I feel that without the experiences I had with the Brigade, I wouldn’t have had the same skill set that makes me more likely to be successful. In a society where the arts are frequently forgotten or neglected, the lessons learned from being in an ensemble like that are increasingly rare and valuable. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have been offered because of marching band and I think anyone would benefit greatly from doing any sort of music, marching band especially.”
“Our last competition...it’s like Christmas, but a whole lot more stressful.”
Marching band is team work. There are few other things that take the team work required to have a successful marching band and it's because of that team work life long friendships are made. A marching bands' goal is to have unified thoughts and actions throughout the season. To get each and every band member to think this way connections to each other have to forum and leaders need to encourage and guide the band. When a new marcher steps into band camp all they know to do is follow the veterans lead try their hardest to succeed. Aside from the basics the best friendships are formed during this time. It's almost unavoidable to forum at least one friend between the approximately 57 practices, many many football games, and competitions. I do not regret for one second joining marching band. It has dominated my life for the past five years and rarely throughout the season did my mind focus on much else. It has taught me how to be a leader and follower, how to encourage others and myself to be the best that they can be, and most importantly how to be myself. I have met so many people through marching band and have had friendships that I hope last a lifetime. Now that my seasons are over I'm not sure how to enjoy the end of my summers without practices and conversations of the latest show theme is, but as mentioned before I do not regret investing my time and energy into the Beech Buccaneer Brigade.
Music means so much to Kendall- check out her Youtube Miss Musical Dreams here!
“I think our red balloon, unpopped, all the way up in the sky, is God telling us that it’s okay we didn’t make finals.”
“Marching band practice is a lot like a sewer; when you get out of it you really smell.”
Band practices start in July, and the season concluded in November. During an average season students practice between 4-9+ hours in temperatures ranging from 100-30 degrees, rain or shine.
Marching band has brought my quiet daughter to a place of confidence and pride in her work. She has learned to speak up, lead, and work hard toward new goals. As a parent, I take pride in knowing my child is part of a great organization, and we spend many Friday nights and Saturdays together at football games and competitions. The community spirit we feel from other families with children in the band is like a large family, and although volunteering for the band can be hard work and long hours, I wouldn't change it for anything. -Kim Waltenbaugh
The Brigade performed at Cornerstone Church for a Back To School special focusing on community and mascots.
2016 was the first year for Beech Buccaneer Brigade Alumni Night. Organized by the Band Booster fundraiser team of Jana Allen Smith and Lori Newbern Johns. every graduated band member-ever- was invited to come back to play in the stands and open the game festivities. The event will be annual so get out your instruments!
“That trophy is just a physical object, and that’s not what matters. It’s about the progress you make, and what’s in our hearts is what matters.”
One of the last events in the marching season before the transition into concert performance season is the Hendersonville Christmas parade.
“The 2016 season ended confirming some of my most deeply held beliefs regarding the pageantry arts - if you give the students at Beech a challenge they will rise to it and surpass your expectations. After losing several seniors, many felt this season would be a “rebuilding” year, but the staff decided to treat it as a “continuation of excellence” year. We gave the students a story where they had to become artists and bring life to the story, and they surpassed our expectations.
The Pageantry arts is the name given to Marching Band, Winter Guard, and Drum Corps. Many schools offer their students a very basic exploration of the pageantry arts, affording them a very limited box in which to perform, but we are grateful that the Beech community can provide our students a deeper understanding where they can become artists and perform for a supportive audience. Developing the whole performer, our students become a character in a story, transforming halftime from a mid-game break into an anticipated performance you don’t want to miss.”
The Beech Buccaneer Brigade
Beech High School in Hendersonville, TN.
Directed by Creighton H. Miller and R. Adam Clark
2016 Leadership and Officers:
Field Commanders:
Tom Herschberg and Allison McMurtry
Band Captain: Josh Whited
Line Captain: Jeremy Lanas
Flutes: Savannah Wright
Clarinets: Tyler Marion
Saxophones: Kendall Smith
Trumpets: Jimmy Ownby
Mellophones: Joey Matherly
Low Brass Captain: Emma Waltenbaugh
Contra Captain: Megan Chambers
Guard Captains: Tanea Rogan and Sarah Beth Young
Percussion Captain: Nicky Tackett
Front Ensemble: Gloria Cortes
Aubreyel | Nashville Senior Portraits | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors Photography
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The first thing you notice about Nashville Class of 2017 senior Aubreyel is her infectious, gorgeous smile. She is a smart, vivacious, and beauty with a strength that has pulled her through difficult times. I had a jaw ache from all the smiles and laughter after this fun session in Cumberland Park downtown! Aubreyel dedicated her session to her mom, who her sister and her recently lost to breast cancer. A tragedy like that would be difficult to endure to say the least especially in the flurry of activity that a senior year involves. This lady knows her mom is watching over her, and beams that love and warmth bright enough for her to see in heaven. Nothing embodies fight like a girl like refusing to let anything steal the joy of moms legacy!
Nashville Writer & Theatre Session | Emily Class of 2017 | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors Photography Hendersonville Tn
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Short Creative Humorous
Two seniors this chose the same favorite verse! Both are outstanding people who are true to the William Shakespeare quote:
Although she be but little she is fierce
Emily is planning to attend college at Carson Newman University, in Global Education
The summer after graduation she will be working & traveling to prepare for college, and as always, will be active in theatre, reading and writing! Don't you love her vintage 'keyboard' ;)
What was your biggest fear or worry about prior to the photo shoot?
I felt like I was going to look uncomfortable and awkward in every photo. The outcome was different. I enjoyed the photos and I had a fun time.
What is one piece of advice you have for other seniors preparing for their senior photography session?
It's not as awkward as you may think. Just be yourself and act natural.
Fashion backdrop session | keeping studio sharp | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors
/Goofy and fun loving as spontaneity journalistic natural light photography is-and I obviously adore it- I am also a long time fan of stylish, classic, painted backdrops and the elegance of famed photographers Lebowitz and Emily Soto. That's why I never can have just one type of lighting- I want em all! Natty and gritty to flash and poised, the more lighting styles one is comfortable with the more opportunities to play and get exactly the look you want. While my simple backdrops are certainly no Oliphants, I love creating them so I can learn more and playing with studio style strobe lighting at home! Thankfully my daughter indulged my Christmas vacation set up with her favorite outfits and her prized vintage marching band shako. Photographers kids y'all, enduring the well documented life to say the least!
Softbox, Calument 400 @ level 10, Sigma 85mm 1.4 at 2.5, 1/160, iso100. About 5 feet from backdrop?
Shutter drag! While I LOVE Photoshop as well as my 5DM3 in camera Double exposures- this ain't either of those. Check out Ben Sasso lighting tips for how to play with this technique!
Ah, so glad she still puts up with me!
IG @nashvilleartisticseniorphoto
^ Follow <3
Happy sweet sixteen to my favorite girl!
Class of 2017 Highlight Slideshow | Hendersonville & Nashville Tn Senior Phortraits | Anjeanette Illustration Artistic Photographer
/Class of 2017 highlight video is published! I am still hard at work getting blog posts of all of my 2017 seniors, but feast your eyes on these gorgeous people while ya wait.
Cannot wait for Spring Prom photos and more fantastic seniors- book NOW Class of 2018 because yes, spots are filling up! :)
Look at these amazing people poised to take over the world!
Downtown Nashville Musician Session | Delaney Class of 2017 | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors Photography
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Loyal Motivated Optimistic
After high school 'Bama born beauty Delaney is headed to University of Alabama, to major in Music Education. In the meantime she stays more than busy musically having earned positions on a few different orchestras! The Nashville Youth Orchestra, a division of The Nashville Symphony, and The Williamson County Youth Orchestra both chose Delaney as a performer. Additionally she was in marching band and concert band at her school. Recently, she was also awarded a spot on the All State Band! A National Beta Club member, Delaney is also a member of the Science Club. She spends any free time she finds after that hanging out with friends and at work. So honored to have taken Delaney's senior portraits!
Delaney is an active member of her high school marching band.
Delaney had concerns that she wouldn't look like herself in her session- I mean it can def be awkward to have someone basically staring at you and posing you for over an hour! There is so much excitement about these photos that sometimes seniors also worry about what to wear, how to pose, even what location to pick for a senior portrait sessions.
That is why I feel its so important to tell a senior portrait photographer about your ideas, dreams and activities so they can tailor the session too! Don't feel too shy to ask about all of that, and share you concerns or passions. Not being afraid to think outside the box, and enjoy yourself! I am always excited to hear about creative ideas and plans- and to do everything I can to make them happen. Of course, no matter how much planning that takes place being flexible and keeping that excitement up is also important- the day of Delaney's session downtown Nashville threw us for a few loops with an unscheduled fair at the capitol, and then LSU's homecoming by Nisson Stadium! what followed was a 45 min race to keep the light around downtown searching for parking in the crowds!
We had some challenges, but we still ended up with fantastic photos! The outcome was fantastic. I was so EXCITED when I saw the sneak peek! ~ Delaney
So glad we were early, and allowed some cushion. Despite the urban chaos,, a beautiful soul makes for beautiful photos, and we had great helpers on Delaney's team - her mother and boyfriend- to capture the high school finale of a talented and passionate young lady!
“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.”
Faithful Hendersonville Musician | Bryce Class of 2017 | Anjeanette Illustration Seniors Photography
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"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Bryce is a 2017 senior planning to attend college at Wittenberg University in a Psychology; pre-seminary track. All of his activities are surrounded in music, at church, band camp, and even during vacation he is working on his Trombone or bass guitar. Faith and music are so important to him we actually held his portrait session at his first choice location- his church St. Timothy Lutheran in Hendersonville! I love finding out locations FROM seniors, not because I am completely lazy because (I have a ton of favorite spots)
It is because I want this to be as MUCH about the senior as possible!
St Timothy’s prayer path, pictured below, is a favorite spot at church for Bryce.
According to Lord of Life Lutheran in Minnesota “The prayer path is a profound devotional tool. It can be a source of healing, creativity, self-knowledge and connection with the holy. Typically, the prayer path meditation involves three stages”. Learn more about it by clicking here or go ask at St. Timothy!
“I chose my church because of its importance in my life. Ms. AJ did a great job of incorporating music too.”
While I love that he thought his session was “pretty cool” ( this is sincerely the highest praise from a guy- I know its perhaps not the biggest or most favorite highlight of your year? HA!)
My favorite response from Bryce about his session is his advicefor other seniors preparing for their senior photography session- to “Just say, "yes, mom". It's makes life much easier”
Excellent! This young man is so funny, talented, and wise!
Fun fact: Bryce is the only one in his family that doesn't have brown eyes!
Ricky Class of 2017 | downtown Nashville Senior style setter | cumberland Park
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Ricky is a v hip city senior, with an feed of intelligent instag tags like "the search for something more" and "The message is simple but it ain't easy". His easy going fun personality made portraits a blast at one of my favorite versatile spots Cumberland Park. We spent more time navigating the hectic Beyonce at Nissan Stadium parking situation than photographing because he was ready and attentive- and always GQ. Ricky's sister even helped photograph some BTS and Instagram portraits while we were out!
Enjoy this set!
Station Camp Marching Band Invitational 2017 | Gallatin Tennessee | Anjeanette Photography Seniors Phoenix Arizona
/25 Dynamic Marching Bands...
... competed a few weeks ago at Sumner county's own Station Camp High School. The marching invitational is sponsored and run by the Station Camp Thundering Herd under the direction of Jim Reed, and The SC Band Boosters. In addition to the hard work of parents and vendors, this invitational would be impossible without the hundreds of hours put in by the Thundering Herd band students, led by Drum Majors Brian Mason and Ashley Leininger. Frankly, it was a brutally hot day, yet the bands performed artistically & wonderfully despite heat advisory warnings. Band kids are TOUGH! Marching bands condition long hours in the middle of the day through the summer holiday months to prepare- but I have to say I was so impressed at how effortless they made it look to carry several pounds of weight, doing intricate choreographed performances in 100 plus degrees.
Both The White House Connection and The Hendersonville Standard covered the event as well! click the papers names to see...
Here are a few photos from my favorite performances!
BEECH HIGH BUCCANEER BRIGADE
CLARKSVILLE MARCHING BAND
COLUMBIA CENTRAL MARCHING BAND
DICKSON CO. MARCHING BAND
WEST CREEK MARCHING BAND
WHITE HOUSE MARCHING BAND
HENDERSONVILLE HIGH MARCHING BAND
MT JULIET HIGH MARCHING BAND OF GOLD
TULLAHOMA MARCHING BAND
SUMMIT HIGH MARCHING BAND
STATION CAMP THUNDERING HERD EXHIBITION PERFORMANCE
AWARDS!
JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE AWARDS-
MORE photos of shows and awards CAN BE VIEWED AT THIS LINK (email required):
Thank you to Station Camp Thundering Herd for asking me to cover your awesome contest! Congrats on a fantastic day & show!
Courtney's Future Farmer Senior Session | Private Farm Gallatin Tn | Nashville photographer Anjeanette Illustration seniors
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I was excited to meet up a few weeks ago with dedicated and motivated Future Farmers of America student Courtney- class of 2017!
Courtney and her pup Leo were bubbling- like literally bubbly- and charming! Surrounded by her multiple years worth collection of FFA shirts and awards or gable, you could see how important her role as her chapters treasurer is. Courtney judges many local events at fairs and beyond, yet she is just as comfortable playing in the creek and posing with tractors, Courtney's beautiful blue eyes sure lit up the warm late summer afternoon!
Hunter's Hendersonville Tn Senior Horseback Portrait Adventure | Class of 2017 | Photographer anjeanette Illustration Seniors
/Tennessee cowboy Hunter is a class of 2017 senior who works at one of the top horseback riding destinations in Middle Tn- Juro stables. Hunter wanted to incorporate his passion for the outdoors and adventures at the job he loves with his favorite folks- a lot of whom have 4 legs!
This Senior Sunday session was the day after a large stormy afternoon with heavy rain. One just never knows what the Tennessee slate summer weather will bring because we could not have been blessed with a more gorgeous and sunny day! I feel like I had a mini vacation hiking in the woods with Hunter and the beautiful Maggie.
This image of the beautiful stables landscape was a popular one on my Instagram feed- what a fantastic friendship!
Present is in the mail for Julia- for
recommending two friends who booked!!!
Thank you so much girl! Enjoy your 11x14
canvas...of you!
Follow me on Instagram
@nashvilleartisticseniorphoto
Beech High Senior Session | Kendall's Split Session at the Fair | Hendersonville, Tn senior picture photographer Anjeanette Illustration Photography
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Kendall helped me hit SEVERAL of the items on my summer fair to do list last week all during part one of her Split Senior Session!
1. Go to the Fair!
2. Ride all the rides-especially the carousal!
3.Have Fun
4. Popcorn, Cotton Candy, and Smoke Bombs
5. Smiles
What's a split Senior Session? Oh, funny you should ask, lemme just copy paste my Instagram description of Kendall's:
“When a senior can’t decide between favorite seasons so we shoot them both! Divide up your session for more of what YOU want”
So whats on YOUR summer fun list???
There is much more to come from Class of 2017's Kendall! I will be sure to update when her part two is ready! In the meantime check out her Junior Prom photos :)
Additionally- I have had the pleasure of knowing Kendall and her family for a few years and they have been with me since I first started out on my own in the photography business - so I have some images from a model shoot and her freshman year band photos!!! And my, can't you see my growth ;)
Enjoy-please don't kill me Kendall!
Cannot wait for fall and part two of Kendall's senior session!
Book your session today!
Hendersonviile, Tn Senior Pictures by
Nashville Artistic Photographer Anjeanette Illustration Photography
http://www.anjeanetteillustrationseniors.com
TEXT (615) 944-1356
