Class of 2020 Instagram stories | The details changed- your accomplishments haven't!!!
Cap and Gown sessions are some of my favorites. This year they are so bittersweet. This year...whew.
I am sure you are sick of hearing that you are resiliant, that you will overcome, that you will be stronger for it.
That is all true- but honestly? This year sucked. And this was supposed to be THE year right? You worked hard for 12 years and certainly deserved better. You should be celebrated and cheered. Cheering from the internet just doesn’t feel the same. I def feel a little lame typing encouragement from the couch instead of jumping up and down in a school auditorium or stadium- but I really really DO believe in you.
This class, this generation that won’t meekly sit by and ignore injustice. This generation that gives a you-know-what about each other and the earth and everything. So yeah maybe I sound like a rambling mom cheerleader but damn, boy- you rock! All of you!!! I do think you will prevail above and beyond complacent survival. Yeah yeah surviving is important. I don’t want just surviving for any of you. I want you to thrive. You will be stronger because of everything that has been and to bring better things out of these ashes.
To heavily copy/paste from “5 Ways Tragedy Makes You A Hella-Strong Person”
by Aly Walansky: “We never want to experience tragedy or see anyone we care about have to go through it, but it's undeniable that those who do suffer tragedy emerge even stronger and have a better grip on true happiness.
A study in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that exposure to adverse experiences may foster mental resilience and may make people less affected by recent adverse events. This goes to show that, in moderation, whatever does not kill us may indeed make us stronger. “
Congratulations #classof2020 Now go kick some ass!
Check out the full Class of 2020 Insta puzzle on my profile.
Click below!
Jason Class of 2020 | Anjeanette Photography Senior Anthem, Peoria, North Phoenix Arizona
It’s gallery delivery day! As Jason’s mom said I was absolutely teasing them with sneak peeks on Instagram of Jason’s senior picture session- I am so excited about how great Jason did and some of the images captured for him! We had a warm but gorgeous Arizona day last week when we finally got o to have Jason's rescheduled senior portrait session. Starting at the ASU Grant street studios and ending at Papago, I got to know this dynamic senior and his family amidst the reopening of our city and state. Jason impressed me with natural smiles and ease in 100+ temps- never let em see you sweat! While Jason did a fantastic job for his portrait session we were all the most excited to get to the track for some sport action shots of Jason biking! Jason's ride looks like a mountain bike with killer suspension, giant tires, and the ability to dirt jump and basically drop off of ...MOUNTAINS! Crazy being right next to a bike falling that far and fast when it whooshes past. The course he uses has trails with tight curves, rough and smooth transitions in terrain, and multiple hard-packed dirt ramps that he propels over to fly through the sky- all overlooking the skyline of Phoenix. Luckily for me, we got a fantastic sunset at the end of his session so I was able to get a variety of sky colours as he shot off of hills and ledges! Congratulations Jason, on your accomplishments graduating from high school and on finding something you love like biking- doing what you love is one of the greatest gifts. It's obvious how much time, hard work training, and effort you put into making soaring through the air look effortless. Keep that passion for life wherever you go on this adventure of life!
With the stay at home order lifted in Arizona, hopefully, we reduced the curve to allow for better care for all and are all better equipped to fight this pandemic and win....the news can be scary and overwhelming, but I am constantly uplifted by stories of people helping each other, lifting each other up, and the essential workers from health care and first responders to grocery employees who are saving lives! In all the shuffle to prepare and social distance, the Class of 2020 experienced a tremendous loss. Health and safety are paramount- but the memories of a senior year lost have also been traumatic. Senior year memories are something many folks carry with them their whole lifetime. These seniors won’t have all of them. They shouldn’t have to lose all of their senior year experiences - I am so thankful that with a long lens outside I am able to provide one important of the big year- senior pictures 🧡 Stay safe 2020- you matter no matter what has happened. Your achievements have NOT changed just because the circumstances around them have!
Harrison & Kylie Shadow Mountain Class of 2020 | Anjeanette Photography Senior Anthem, Peoria, North Phoenix Arizona
What a year 2020 has been- and it is only March! WOW, when we were taking these we had no idea what was to come in the next few weeks! The worries were far away and spring break had just begun... So thankful I was able to go ahead with this long ago scheduled duo senior pictures session before Covid-19 social distancing quarantine began! So much uncertainty and worry. Despite all the challenges we are facing now and may face in the near future, memories of our most valuable moments are important- they are worth holding onto.
Kylie and Harrison are high school sweethearts who wanted their senior pictures taken together. We walked around the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens on a golden light filled afternoon, capturing portraits of each of them separately and together in the cactus blooms of spring. We had fun laughing and posing, and smiling in the bright sunshine. While some things may be uncertain in the immediate now, in the fall these two are headed to ASU and the Navy with bright futures ahead! Their bond and these moments will not be forgotten. Both families are good friends, so joint sessions together was an obvious choice for them, making sure to ask me for photos of them altogether.
Class of 2020 -Hang in there. No words can replace prom or the end of your school year, but know that there will be light at the end of this terrible tunnel we are in. The future is yours and you will ROCK whatever comes next.
I love you all!
“There are fields of Gold behind the little house
Filled with the greatest of treasures
Bronze, Gold and Silver
Do you remember?
Remember our childhood, Our life’s
The shinning Silver sparkling in the skies
The brightest Bronze hidden under the ground
The greatest Gold glimmering through the fields
Can you see them?
Picture it in your mind
All the times we danced
Every time we laughed
Where we used to love
Or have you forgotten?
Forgotten the good, Forgotten the bad
Every memory
Every moment
Every word
I wish you’d remember
To turn back time, So you could take me
Take me to the gold
To the fields on a summers day
To our fields, our treasure
The Silver, The Bronze
The Gold
But the treasures gone
The house still remains
The fields just as empty as the day we left
Times have changed
Our life’s have changed
Our Silver gone dull
Our Bronze all rusted
Our Gold long forgotten
It was never there
The winds of time and turns of the earth have seen to that
But I remember
I cry for the children who found the greatest of treasures and those who lost it so soon after
And I dream of dancing and singing and running and laughter, of the treasures that lie in the fields of Gold.”
Teagan Class of 2020 | Anjeanette Photography Senior Anthem, Peoria, North Phoenix Arizona
It is no secret that one of my favorite places to take senior pictures in Phoenix is the Desert Botanical Gardens- the gardens are so good to clients and photographers! Even popular spots become unique, even nooks and crannies that are my personal favorites are made new - the personality of each senior shines through! Teagan was no exception- her bubbly light and big gorgeous smile outshone the sun on this fantastic Arizona spring day! Teagan came ready with a plan, her mood board, and four awesome outfits, as well as her own camera so that we could capture senior year memories to express her artistic journey to graduation. Love that I get to be creative for a living - which is why I had so much fun meeting Teagan for her portrait session -she is a photographer and artist too!
Glowing Teagan and sunflower in the Desert Botanical Gardens Herb Garden.
“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." Maori proverb.
Steven Class of 2020 | Phoenix Senior Pictures | Anjeanette Photography Arizona
Steven is a kid after my old early 90's chick heart- at home in the city surround by sick art, hanging on garage buildings with friends messing around with cameras, skateboards, and ideas dreaming about the future. He is into authentic fashion and vintage clothing so he had some great pieces picked out- and yep I must be vintage because they were clothes many of my North Detroit friends would have worn 'back in the day'. I def think he has an awesome eye for threads!!
When they started looking for photos to match his unique rad personality, Steven and his mom looked to Insta for artistic style senior pics. I love Instagram- all the pretty photos- less of the drama and politics. So glad they found my seniors only IG in all the amazing Phoenix senior photography options! Steven and his family were fantastic, I am so happy to meet them and honored to capture some cool shots to celebrate Steven's last year of high school!
Amy SDOHS Class of 2020 | Phoenix Senior Pictures by Anjeanette Photography Peoria Az
We started with overcast desert vibes under hazy warm skies...to coffee shoppes, cityscapes, & smoke grenades in downtown Phoenix! Fantastic senior picture session with bubby and charismatic Amy! It was pretty obvious right from the start that Amy has a solid theatre background, she had all the best poses and smiles! I am here to help if needed, giving ideas or examples for seniors during the session without looking too 'posed' or fake of course… Amy did not need very many prompts at all! She flowed through a variety of looks in seconds which made my job of culling down the number of images to a reasonable number that takes less than a few months to look through rather tough! SO. Many. Awesome. Shots!!! Check out the Instagram profile puzzle with more of Amy's sneak peeks here- and don't miss her senior session video is right above! #starstruck
Ben Class of 2020 Shadow Mountain High | Paradise Valley Senior | Anjeanette Photography Az
Awesome senior portrait session and awesome conversation. Great meeting up with Shadow Mountain Matador Ben for his senior session this month! We checked out the Scottsdale Civic Center plaza area with the incredible Contemporary Art Museum, a very, VERY, green grassy quad, and one of my favorites for golden honey light- the parking garage with an amazing view of historic Olde Towne Arizona! I met Ben a few years ago through the SMHS Marching band, where he is an accomplished trumpet player. Ban's band is a fantastic organization where kids learn, laugh, and find a home with music. For this year's Band Senior banners we designed custom posters on vinyl to hang in the stadium. We went for epic and determined expressions on blue to partially match their show theme of space- and it was no surprise to me when the Marching Matadors qualified in State Competition to moved onto Super States! During his session, I enjoyed chatting about cameras and gadgets, and hearing about Ben's adventures in New York with his family, his music, and GCU plans for the future! A bright future ahead for this sharp kid!
Autumn Class of 2020 | Phoenix Senior Portraits by Anjeanette Photography Peoria Az
Amazing senior picture session with the amazing Autumn! We had been planning this session for a long time- Autumn is lifelong friends with one of my Class of 2019 grads Morgan, and her mom Christine and I had fun planning the perfect session for her! This lady is so poised and polished, with a gorgeous glowing smile and flawless looks- she sure made my job super easy! Such a pleasure meeting Autumn finally in real life, your a wonderful young woman and I am happy for all the future success you have headed your way girl!
Jake Class of 2020 | Roosevelt Row | Phoenix Senior grad portraits Anjeanette Photography Peoria Az
Jake is just really effortlessly cool- like a little bit fashionable B0RNS, a little bit rock n roll- and classical pianist twist. Had a fantastic time shooting his senior portraits in downtown Phoenix at BeCoffee and hitting all the new the RoosRow murals. Awesome backdrop for an awesome guy!
His mom Kerry is an accomplished photographer as well, (check out Native SKy on IG) and we had a blast walking around posing him and setting off Enola Gaye Smoke bombs. How GQ IS this guy??? Great session Jake- thanks for choosing me as your senior photographer!
Oonagh's Image featured on 7Seniors.com | Phoenix Senior Photographer Anjeanette Photography Peoria Arizona
Thank you 7Seniors for the Epic Picture Award!
So excited to be a part of 7Seniors.com
a website directory of America's Top Senior Photographers!
Project Lunacy | Shutterfest Photography conference | Anjeanette Photography Phoenix
Took a few days off for the Project Lunacy photography conference sponsored by Shutter Magazine & Shutterfest created by Salvatore Cincotta Photography. There is always more to learn and new ways to grow by challenging your work as a photographer and artist through photography education, connecting with vendors, and networking with other professionals. I brought my own gear, but everyone also had an opportunity to use the Profoto B10 & B10 Plus - and while I love my Flashpoints it was nice to experiment with some other industry leaders in off-camera flash.
I had the chance to spend the first day in small groups at the Superstition Mountains with Sal himself, as well as ProPhoto reps and instructors, then spent day two soaking up Photoshop knowledge and gel lighting tips with instructor David Byrd. A fantastic way to get reinspired and amped up for part two of the fall & holiday season- and cannot WAIT to hone new techniques in this springs Senior season!
Models in order as pictured:
Madison Rieck (lights)
Te’Aria Jones (Blue/Purple Gels)
Emily Trosclair (blue)
Malia (black lace)
Anna Paula (magenta Pink)
Ladiluhve (red)
Project Lunacy sponsored by Shutter Magazine and Sal Cincotta
David Byrd of Reality Reimagined
Prophoto lighting and gear
Sofia Class of 2020 | Roosevelt Row Senior Session | Anjeanette Photography Peoria Az
I was so excited to capture some downtown Phoenix artistic senior portraits with Sofia, future graphic designer and all-around cool kid. Now she is making this look like a professional shoot- she is flawless and effortless in her modeling. But let me tell you- it was HOT. We planned a session for after the heat and wouldn't you know it was a surprising high temp day. Hey even in PHX we have our cool months and normally plan for less intense days, it should have been high desert 70s- it was a shocking 100+. None of that phased how these photos turned out, Sofia KILLED her session!! We explored the Roosevelt Row murals and even came upon a Helvetica type font tag to match her gorgeous hair that made this art students designers day!
Rylie Class of 2020 | Phoenix Senior Portraits by Anjeanette Photography Peoria Arizona
Athlete Rylie visited her favorite state Arizona for epic senior pictures this month while on a whirlwind tour of gymnastic competitions and clinics across the Southwest. She is expected to excel at a top level in all areas of the demanding sport, but she says her favorite parts are uneven bars, balance beam. Her hard work and training were really evident in every effortless movement from walking, to posing, to leaping on top of a mountain barefoot she made it look so easy! A fun session full of smiles and grace!
Press Play above for Rylie’s Phoenix Arizona
Senior Pictures Portrait Session video!
Will | Desert Mountain HS Senior Portraits | Peoria AZ photographer Anjeanette.Photography Phx
Will totally crushed his senior portrait session in downtown Phoenix last week! I couldn’t wait to get these photos uploaded and edited. And the folks over at Indie Senior Magazine noticed too! About 2 mins after I posted Will’s sneak peeks on my Instagram- they re-grammed them and featured his pictures on their Instagram page!
Congrats Will! Fantastic job and have a great graduation!
Will was Featured on Indie Seniors! | Phoenix Senior Photographer Anjeanette Photography
Haven’t even finished editing his gallery and Will was already chosen as a fashion feature on Indie Seniors Instagram page! Ever have one of those sessions when you had a pretty good idea it was going to go well right from the start? Well check out this one below, clocking in at about 10 mins after just meeting Will in downtown Phoenix for his senior portrait experience!
Much more to come when I finish Will’s gallery this week!!
Thank you Class of 2019! | Anjeanette Photography Senior Graduation Portraits | Phoenix Arizona
Had such a fantastic first full senior season in Arizona- ALL because of these fantastic seniors! Go get the world Class of 2019! Thank you so much for choosing me for your portraits! Thank you seniors and parents.
Alright #2020 let’s get ready!!!
Don’t stress worrying about getting announcements in time by waiting to the last minute- Schedule early in the fall or winter for your first pick of the best senior session dates!
Isabel Class of 2019 | Phoenix Senior graduation portraits | Anjeanette Photography Peoria
Another fantastic senior session with Isabel at the Desert Botanical Gardens! Izzy danced and posed, and twirled in blue smoke- so many great memories to deliver to her and her family this week!
Jayde Perry High School AZ | Phoenix Graduation Pictures & Senior Portrait session | Anjeanette Photography Peoria Az
I am so blessed to have met Jayde! I didn’t know that I had already met her twice- or at least my camera had- at WGI winterguarde competitions the past two season!
She is a fantastic young person, gorgeous in every way, and she did such an amazing job at her senior session with so many lovely looks and her spunky personality!
Faith Class of 2019 | Heritage Square Senior Graduation Photos | Anjeanette Photography Phoenix
Had such a great time meeting up with Faith and her folks down on Hermitage Square for her high school senior portrait session! Downtown Phoenix is an adventure of colours, and great photo textures- and sometimes adventures in finding parking spaces!! But Faith’s smiles lit the city up brighter than the sunshine :)
