She shared her thoughts with me and it was a major league a-ha moment (or in my case, a “duh” moment).  There are major points in our lives when we are photographed (as a baby, school pictures, graduation, wedding, and then as a family when our kids are young).  Why does it take a major event for us to get in front of the camera?  Why not get in front of the camera at any age?  I wish I had more images of my relatives throughout the years, something more than just a snap shot, something that could give me a view into who they were at that moment.  To paraphrase Debra, she basically said she won’t look this way forever, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to celebrate the person that she is right now.  And that was my a-ha moment.

I had another a-ha moment when photographing Debra.  If you’re a woman reading this, you’re going to laugh and say “ya think?”  Here goes.  Girls, regardless of where they are in life ask 1 question before getting in front of the camera.  There are many questions that are asked, but they all lead back to 1 thing.  “Will my photographer make me look beautiful?”

As a photographer, why do I sweat the details?  Why does light matter so much?    Why does the way a person “pose” matter?  Why is it important for a person to feel at ease?  It all matters because I want each girl to look at their images and say “I look beautiful.”

Debra, thanks so much for a fun session and for helping me think differently.  I love that.

BT

As it turns out, Micah is indeed going to be a senior.  I, however, am staying the same age and showing no signs of getting older!  Thanks to being around young people, I too am able to stay young (or so the theory goes).

Micah photographed well when I worked with her before, so when we started the session she already knew what to expect.  But, there was something else happening.  She had grown up!  She was confident and I could tell that she put a great deal of thought into what she was doing.  I don’t know what other photographers call it, but Micah has incredible “range”.  She has a great range of expression and can pull off many different looks.  What a treat to work with her!

Micah, thanks for a fun shoot.  Can’t wait for your full session this summer.

BT

For the mini-session we wanted some urban elements and then in the summer we will photograph at a relative’s farm for something with a rural flavor.  I can’t wait to shoot in the country!

When Paige, her mom and one of her friends arrived for their session, Paige was beaming from ear to ear.  We had a perfect day to photograph and I could tell that Paige had been looking forward to this for a long time.  As a photographer it make me want to do even better.  This is more than just pictures, this is a girl’s chance to play dress-up and be a model for a day!

Paige, thanks so much for a fun time on location.  Enjoy your sneak peek!

BT

For her shoot Ashly requested the lakes and a bit of Uptown.  We started along Lake Harriett, then did some thing along Lake Calhoun, and finally a couple things along Lake of the Isles.  Each of the places where we photographed were new to me, even though I’ve photographed at the lakes dozens of times.

I always love the way photo shoots start.  People are a little bit nervous, a little apprehensive, and then they are off and rolling like a pro.  Ashly SAID she was nervous, but I don’t buy it for a moment.  She was a pro for sure.

Thanks for a fun shoot Ashly.  Enjoy your preview!

BT

Bridget was not photographed on one of those days.  Come to think of it, we did get rain that night, so technically she was photographed on a rainy day, just not while we were shooting.

Enough weather talk.  I don’t like weather talk, except when it impacts the light when I’m on a shoot, which is most days.  Hmmm

Bridget is headed to the University of Dubuque and will be playing Lacrosse.  She is just under 6 feet tall and a total force to be reckoned with!  But, when she doesn’t have her game face on, she is a total knucklehead.  I just laughed at her most of the time.

Her mom and sister Megan joined us on the shoot and I have to say, the whole family is a bit crazy!  They are my kind of people.  I really need to start writing down some of the one liners that fly around during my sessions and compile a top 100 list for the year.  Seriously funny.

Originally we were going to have Bridget’s session almost 2 weeks ago, but it wasn’t meant to be.  Bridget was playing lacrosse and the field was pretty gnarly.  She planted her foot, her body turned but her foot didn’t.  “POP”….  Next week she will be having surgery on her ACL.    So, be sure to keep miss Bridget in your prayers.  With her outlook on life, I can’t imagine that her knee will keep her down for long.

Bridget (and mom & Megan), thanks for a fun shoot.  Can’t wait to see you guys tomorrow night!

BT

The rusty door was something that Madelyn’s mom requested, and I’m sure glad that she did.  The texture and color of the door was a perfect fit with her hair color.  Simply amazing.  After that Madelyn had requested the red brick with black iron accents.  When she stepped out of the changing room in the black dress, heads turned everywhere.  Nice job.

For me, the last outfit in the field really clicked.  I could tell right away that Madelyn loves that dress and loved to watch as she came alive in it.  Having perfect end-of-the-day light was an added bonus.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  That light is like crack cocaine for photographers.  It is totally addicting.

Madelyn, thanks so much for choosing me as your photographer.  I’m thrilled with the images and hope you are too.

BT

Annie is a class of 2013 ambassador.  During her interview she told me that in 8th grade she decided she wanted to go to Tice Photography for her images.  For her there was no other choice, in 8th grade!  Last spring when I was starting to post class of 2012 ambassador images, she contacted me about the ambassador program, this would have been while she was still a sophomore.  How about that for enthusiasm!

Yesterday we photographed in St. Paul using some of my favorite places.  Wardrobe was impeccable.  Every detail was carefully thought through and all I had to do was photograph her.  What a treat.

Anna Maria, thanks for an awesome time on location.  A huge thanks to your mom for assisting.

BT

Carlie’s dad is that man in the Navy doing his duty.  The cool thing is, I get to be his eyes while he is away, showing him his daughter that is all grown up, in the best light possible.  Brian, I had an awesome time working with your wife and daughter last week.  You must be very proud.

For her shoot we worked in St. Paul exploring some new areas and revisiting some familiar places.  Crab apple trees were in bloom and it was a perfect day to be on location.  Most of last week was a wash, but this day was a little gem in the middle of it all.  Carlie had total confidence that the day would be awesome and it was.

Thanks so much for a fun session Carlie.  A huge thanks to Carlie’s dad for all that he does.  We are blessed.

BT

For her shoot, she wanted rustic things and natural elements.  The first location was a place that I’ve used 1 other time along Dayton Road.  I love that part of the world.  It is beautiful countryside and still close to the city.

Personality?  Taylor doesn’t take life too seriously.  I always like to bring out a range of expression as much as possible, but for Taylor, she is at her best with a big beautiful smile.  There is nothing else needed when you’ve got that going for you!

Thanks for a fun time on location Taylor.  Enjoy your preview!

BT

I hear from many photographers who follow my blog and I know there are many more out there that I never hear from.  I huge thanks for checking in.  Great to hear from you all.

Every time I shoot at the Guthrie I have to pinch myself.  This awesome building is open to the general public every day.  I can walk in with my camera and photograph someone there and they charge me nothing.  I am grateful for places like the Guthrie where I can take advantage of the architecture, the light and everything that makes it such a cool place.

To the photographers out there, any time I’m shooting on location I always leave the place better than I found it.  Trash laying around?  Yep, I pick it up.  At the Guthrie if I’ve moved any furniture around, everything gets put back exactly the way I’ve found it.  Oh, and always always always….ask permission.  Restaurants, coffee shops, any place where there is an owner trying to make a living in the place you would like to photograph, ask permission.  And then, say “thank you!”  Buy something.  Mention them in your blog.  Do anything you can to support their business.  There are a bunch of knucklehead photographers out there who give the craft a bad rap.  Don’t be a knucklehead!   

OK, off my soapbox.  Miss Hailey!

I loved that Hailey came with a specific vision.  There was a style she was looking for in her images, something contemporary, sophisticated and refined.  The Guthrie provided that.  After the Guthrie we worked in and around the downtown area looking for things with a softer feel too.  Even though I’ve photographed in these places before, I was able to find new ways to use the places.  I love location work!

In photographing Hailey, I really wanted her eyes to reach out and grab you.  She has that all-American girl look to her that really comes through.

Thanks for a fun session Hailey.  Enjoy your preview!

BT