I have been hinting around to changes lately.  After photographing families, weddings, children, events…I finally have decided what suits me and my photography style best.  I will now be specializing in High School Senior Portraits.  Now, this isn’t the plain old cap and gown or that drape we had to wear back when I was in school.  Not at all!  :)  My style has always been taking a fabulous fashionable person and find a dirty, not so pretty location and let them pose as if they are in a fashion magazine.  I’m inspired by fashion and editorial style shoots where smiles aren’t always necessary.   What I have learned in the past few years is that my style and what I love to photograph is exactly what High School Seniors want to have in photographs of themselves.

The first most obvious change is the Portfolio page of my website.  I have removed the Children, Family, and Boudoir sections.   I always hear that you should show the work that you want to attract and for me, that is Seniors and Individuals & Couples interested in Fashion & Editorial inspired photo shoots.   The second most obvious change is the addition of the High School Senior gallery to the Portfolio page.  From time to time, you may still see a few family sessions appear on the blog, because I do have lots of friends with children.   I just won’t be focusing on these types of sessions anymore or targeting them as part of my business.

I have also named the High School Senior Portrait side of my business {Twelve}12 and created some new logos to match.  I just wanted a bit of a separation from Tricia Toker Photography.

That’s the big news for now!  Soon I will be announcing the details of the Class of 2012 Spokesmodel program, where Gwinnett County High School Seniors will help promote {Twelve}12 and receive free photo sessions and/or products in return!

This year has been different for me than last year as far as my photography is concerned.

Last year was about starting the business and taking pictures of anything and everything. Now, it is more about finding myself as a photographer and deciding what really excites me and what direction to take my business.  Along with that, I decided I needed to meet other photographers in my area.

While my friends like that I started my business, none of them care about an aperture or shutter speed and I don’t blame them for that at all.   I do want to get out there though and find some new friends that share in my passion for photography.  Earlier this year,  I started looking for local photography groups.  I found a few really cool ones that meet regularly and attended my first one last month.   Aside from meeting a bunch of really cool and talented people, I got to shoot in a fabulous studio, Photoplex Studios in Alpharetta.  Now, I can’t take credit for the awesome lighting setup (thanks to Trent, Evan, and the rest of the team) or the posing.  The models rocked it big time!  I did come away with some new friends and some awesome shots.   Aimee, Claudia, Kayla – hope to see you at the next one!

Shawna Leigh Grasty:

Ashley Rivera:

more Shawna:

Olivia Vranjes on Left / Ashley on Right:

Ariel Betancourt:

Alan Garner:

more Ariel: