Image Evolution
Prior to yesterday, I was photographing my chickens during this crazy time called Covid. I could have dragged my kiddo into the studio, but I just wasn’t feeling motivated to do that. We have five grown chickens and got four more baby chicks about a month ago, so we spent our time at home playing with them…and of course, making tutus for them to be photographed in. :) But, yesterday, not only was I motivated to go to the studio to shoot, I decided to revisit a session from last fall. This 2020 senior was one of my favorite sessions to date! Her elegance, beauty, and movement was so inspiring to me, and I wanted to capture her in as many poses as I could before she left the studio. The images filled with movement were some of my favorite, but I also love her static poses because she just knows how to make sitting look so glamorous!
I never know where an image will end up when I start editing. It all depends on the mood i’m in, the music i’m listening too, the time of day, and of course the image itself. With Grace’s images I just felt a vintage vibe coming through and I let that lead my editing. I feel her images are timeless and I wanted to portray that. So, on the left is this image pretty much right out of camera…and the image on the left is where my edit ended. I love the rich, warm tones and think they compliment her outfit, the background, and her posing. She is an absolute dream to photograph.
The image on the left is unedited, with the final image on the right. Grace Lennon, Class of 2020.
This next image is of my beautiful niece, Delanie. She was gracious enough to come to my studio yesterday because I just needed to photograph someone. She’s a 2021 senior, so I figured we might as well get started on her senior images. The first outfit she modeled was a lovely vintage nightie set I purchased recently. It was just perfect for a few day light photos before the sun was too low, so I put her near one of my studio windows and she looked just stunning. Delanie has learned to relax in front of my camera and she is now one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Her face takes on this peaceful quality that I adore capturing on camera. After editing a few of her images, I decided to turn one into a digital painting. I’m still very much learning to paint in Photoshop, so this is far from perfect, but I’m happy with it. Sadly, from a distance I don’t know that one can even tell it’s a painting, so I do want to learn to paint with broader brush strokes. There’s always a goal for my next image! For now, I’m just so thankful I was able to get back into my studio. I’m hopeful that soon I’ll be able to welcome clients back to Nicole Mills Photography! :)
2021 Byron High School Senior - Nicole Mills Photography
The original edit is on the left, and the digital painting is on the right.
Nicole Mills Photography specializes in photographing girls and women of all ages. If you live in SE Minnesota and are looking for a photographer that is dedicated to her craft and will provide you the most amazing portraits you've ever seen of yourself, then please get in touch with Nicole Mills Photography to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Located in downtown Pine Island, the Nicole Mills Photography studio offers everything you need to make your portrait experience one to remember forever. You'll find a full studio wardrobe to choose from, including beautiful gowns, casual separates, and even unique, custom designs created by Nicole for a one-of-a-kind portrait you and your family will treasure forever.
Nicole Mills Photography offers fully stylized sessions both in her Pine Island studio and outdoors in Rochester, MN and surrounding areas. Whether you're looking for senior photographs, maternity, business head shots, or simply some beautiful images of you and/or your family, Nicole Mills Photography provides unparalleled service, quality of work, and unique artwork you'll want to hand down for generations to come.
Now serving: Rochester, Pine Island, Byron, Kasson, Mantorville, Oronoco, Stewartville, Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Eyota, St. Charles, Elgin, Plainview, and more.