Have you ever had that bitterswet feeling of immense gratitude, with a dash of sadness and a little overwhelm?
That’s exactly the whirlwind of feelings I experienced as I was planning Stephen’s graduation portrait session… You see, Stephen holds a special place as the youngest in a family I’ve had the privilege of photographing for the past 11 years.
It all began in 2013 with a heartwarming family session, journeying through graduations and family milestones with each child: Lauren, Benjamin, Stuart… and now, Stephen.
It’s funny how, as we began planning Stephen’s session, being ‘the last’ brought a bit of pressure for both of us. Thoughts raced through our minds—’How can we possibly surpass the amazing sessions we had with his siblings?’
It’s a trap we all fall into, isn’t it? Comparing ourselves to others and feeling like we’ll never measure up to our own past work. Right? Right? Please tell me I’m not alone in this!
That’s when I knew I had to give myself a little pep talk, put on the hat of a Calgary grad photographer, and do what I do best: bring his vison to life!
I started by asking Stephen a few key questions and creating a mood board to inspire us both. It was important for him to see his uniqueness and creativity reflected in our plans. And, of course, I made sure to involve his mom, because every great session needs water and snacks on standby!
I firmly believe that a photo session is a collective effort
That’s right! From the graduate, to myself (aka the grad photographer), to the indispensable helper (let’s be honest, it’s usually the moms when it comes to graduation photos!). When everyone embraces the vision and trusts the process, the resulting photos become more than just images—they transform into works of art, offering intimate glimpses into one’s essence and ultimately becoming cherished family heirlooms.
Without further adue, here are Stephen’s graduation photos!
Stephen has been an active member of the Calgary Fiddlers Association since 2018, with playing violin deeply ingrained in his life. Naturally, our focus was on his passion for music. We divided his portrait session, first highlighting the fiddler within him, and then infusing a touch of grunge and moodiness into his violinist portraits for added depth.
Check out my latest work on Instagram: @claudiatphotography
Want to see more graduation photos done by Calgary grad photographer, Claudia Tecuceanu? Click right here.
