Sessions in the winter are always limited here in Oregon, due to all of the rainfall we typically get. Rain equals mud, so shooting in parks and other natural locations becomes very tricky. Instead of battling the mud, I love to take it to the streets! Urban senior sessions are the perfect solution! Since all of our trees are bare and our skies are gray in the winter, urban environments provide a much-needed pop of color and texture. Working downtown with all of the buildings and awnings also provides shelter, just in case Mother Nature delivers liquid sunshine. Speaking from experience, this happens often.
Winter isn’t a popular time of year for senior sessions in Oregon- at least not for me. I recently purchased the SIGMA 35MM ART lens and I was DYING to try it out! (See the bottom of this post to read my review on this lens!) Since all of my 2018 Senior Models had their sessions done over summer and fall, I decided to reach out to them for some urban winter sessions, just for fun. And it was exactly that. Fun! Despite the bitter cold and relentless bone-chilling wind, we had the best time together! The sessions took place over the course of two days. The girls each selected a day and showed up to shoot at the same time. I took turns working with each girl in a variety of areas and also photographed them all together as a group.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing all of the winter sessions here on the blog. I can’t wait for all of you to see everything we captured! I cannot begin to rave enough about all of my amazing Senior Models. They are seriously the best!! These girls are always so excited, sweet and full of life! Their trust and willingness to try whatever I ask of them, battle the elements and laugh with me is so amazing. To McKenna (and my entire 2018 Senior Model Team) THANK YOU!! I just love you girls all so much!
Sigma 35mm Art Review
I love this lens! There, I said it. To be completely honest, I don’t know how I survived the past eleven years of business without this lens. No joke. I always considered myself an 85mm girl. I would go to a senior session with two lenses in tow- the 50mm 1.2 and the 85mm 1.2. The 85mm would never leave my camera and my 50mm would never leave my bag. As my style has evolved and my skills have grown over the years, I found myself creatively wanting something new. Something more. And less. More of my surroundings. Less in-your-face. More ability to move. Less restrictions. The Sigma 35mm Art lens has provided me just that.
This is the first Sigma lens I have purchased. I am a Canon girl and up until this purchase, all of my equipment was exactly that. After reading tons of reviews, asking peers and much thought and consideration, I made the leap and bought the lens. Hands-down, it has been one of the best purchases for my business and my photography. I love the perspective this lens gives me. I love the end-result, the crisp clarity and high-quality images it creates. This lens is my new go-to for senior sessions.
If you’ve been eyeing this lens and are still on the fence, I say go for it! You won’t be disappointed! Thank you, Sigma, for creating an affordable, beautiful piece of glass! I’m your new #1 fan!
