Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of photographing a fellow American named Kevin, right here in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. Kevin is now embarking on his final year of high school, and he was interested in having his senior photos taken in a place where he's spent most (if not all?!?) of his summers from the time he was just a little guy until now - his family's camp!
Now, I don't usually do senior photos, but through this process, I learned that taking senior pictures is not really a thing in Canada (or at least not here in Sioux Lookout!), so, being a photographer living in Canada, maybe that's why I haven't ever really done it before!!
In the States, we have casual, typically outdoor, photos taken the summer prior to our senior year of high school in addition to the posed formal graduation gown type photo. It's a huge deal, and parents spend HUNDREDS of dollars on these casual photos. And then the seniors pass those casual photos out as wallets to their friends and family members, put them into graduation announcements, etc. Here in Sioux, though, it sounds as though people just stick with the formal cap & gown photo and call it a day! So interesting how even similar, neighbouring countries have slightly different cultures!!
Regardless, here are some of my favourites from my session with Kevin, who braved the mosquitoes (they were pretty bad and I actually came home with a bloody arm from one of them!!!) for some photos!
Of course we had to showcase some of northwestern Ontario's finest... rock that's part of the Canadian Shield!
Kevin's mother was with us for the session, and she made a special request to have a picture with Kevin and "his tree". She went on to explain that she planted this tree as a tiny little seedling when Kevin was just a baby, and that every year she would take a photo of Kevin with his tree, simply to see the progress of growth. Well, that little seedling has far surpassed Kevin in height (it's maybe about 2xs his height now??)! This is their 2017 photo of Kevin with "his tree".
The family's camp is in such a beautiful location that it wasn't at all hard to find nice backgrounds for the photos!
This one is probably my favourite...
Congrats, Kevin, on a lot of hard work to make it this far with your education!! Best wishes for finishing out this year on a good note and for whatever life throws at you in the future! Thanks for being a good sport and for smiling for my camera!
"And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed. Kid, you'll move mountains." Dr. Seuss
Athena Marie