Ella, 16

For her 16th birthday, Ella’s parents gifted her a portrait session. Her mom hoped it would lift her spirits and confidence following two years of pandemic trauma and help bond the mother-daughter pair as the college years loomed closer.

"Ella is a firecracker," says her mom. "Genuinely sweet and caring, she is a natural leader and a varsity athlete. Following two years of 'blah,' I finally see this fierce side of her coming through in her portraits. The images brought back joy for us."

Like most teen clients, Ella was both excited and nervous about her day in the studio. She bravely followed through and quickly felt at ease while her favorite music played and conversation flowed. She left the studio feeling like a pro. At her reveal session, Ella and her family were stunned by the results.

"We are raising Ella to know that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes," says her mom. "When she received her portrait prints, she also realized her own power. We proudly display Ella's portraits in our home as a daily reminder of her strength."