Studio Senior Portraits | Charlottesville Senior Photographer

Holy cow, the school year has flown by!! Fluvanna County High School just had their graduation for the Class of 2016 and the other schools in the Charlottesville area are coming up soon. It may seem hard to believe but it’s time for the Class of 2017 to start thinking about their senior portraits!

Did you know that you have a choice when it come to your formal senior yearbook photo? The schools in our area allow you to use whomever you’d like! If you allow me to take your yearbook photo, rest assured everything will be taken care of!

After you’ve selected the photo you love, I’ll edit and resize it to the precise yearbook specifications. I’ll also deliver the file directly to the yearbook adviser. You don’t need to worry about a thing.

I’ll be taking yearbook photos through out the summer but they are by appointment only so schedule your session today!

You have two different options for yearbook sessions.

Senior Yearbook Photo – $40 15 Minutes In Studio Drape or Tux outfit provided One image provided via download (print release included)

Senior Yearbook + Studio Session – $150 30 Minutes In Studio 3images (Yearbook photo + 1 additional images) provided via download (print release included)

I understand that not everyone wants or needs the outdoor lifestyle sessions that I offer. Sometimes you just want a few great photos that you can send out along with your formal senior yearbook photo. That’s why I also offer the Senior Yearbook +Studio sessions.

Over the past year, I’ve added tons of new backdrops (and a few floors) to my studio so I thought it was finally time to photograph them all. Last weekend I had my 2017 models come to the studio to test them out. This way you can see the different options I have to offer when selecting your outfit choices!

First off we have Savannah and Lindsay modeling two of my favorite urban backgrounds. I love the fact that I can swap out the background and floor and get two different looks!

I also had Lindsay try out a new floor to see how it looked when shot from above…I love the results!

Cameron and Aurora tested out one of my newest backdrops. The pattern on the backdrop adds just enough interest without overpowering the photo.

Matt and Emily were next with another new backdrop of mine. I may be biased but I really think it looks like a brick wall not a fabric background!

Another example of how changing up my settings, totally changes how a photo looks! Emily and her awesome shirt really stand out against the bricks!

Megan and Gabby modeled another backdrop and floor combination. The pattern on this green is so subtle, it will go with both prints and solids!

Next up is Grace. Though I’ve had the backdrop for a while, both the floor and the chair I found at Goodwill are new. That chair was such a great discovery!

Charlie’s shirt went perfectly with this blue backdrop that I’ve had for while…that blue color really makes his eyes pop!

Kristen tried out both the blue backdrop with my new floor and this awesome black & white screen paired with my dark wood floor.

So glad we had the thought to photograph her on this floor while wearing this hat…such a fantastic look!

Another backdrop that I’ve had for a while. It’s one of my favorite colors for a backdrop and I use it all the time! It looks so great with Toria’s beautiful blonde hair!

The rich brown tones of this backdrop totally compliment Leanna’s hair and eye color…so gorgeous!

I love using this black background, especially for dramatic shots where you want your subject, in this case the lovely Sadie, to be the main focus.

Ema, one of my FCHS reps wasn’t available when I shot these so I saved one background out for her. I’ll be adding it to this page soon though!

I’ll be announcing the dates for my yearbook photo sessions in the new few weeks so stay tuned! I’ve also begun scheduling fall outdoor portraits, and my schedule is filling up fast! Have you scheduled your portrait session yet?

It’s never too early to get on my fall calendar, contact me today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

Ali Johnson is a portrait photographer specializing in senior portrait photography in Charlottesville, Crozet, Keswick, Albemarle and Fluvanna County VA

 Senior Portraits Charlottesville – AJP 2017 Senior Models

Graduation is right around the corner and summer is coming fast. I’ve loved working with the Class of 2016 but now it’s time to pass the torch to the class of 2017!

I absolutely love taking senior portraits in Charlottesville but I’m even more excited than usual because last week I had my group session with my 2017 senior models! We had to postpone our session THREE times due to the weather. I actually thought we’d have to reschedule this time too but we braved the wind, humidity and impending rain and had SO much fun!

I’ll be photographing this awesome bunch throughout the school year (including our icon themed studio sessions) so stay tuned!

First we have the up and coming seniors representing Fluvanna County High School in Palmyra, Va.

Aurora – FCHS | Class of 2017

I’ve never met Aurora before but when she walked right up to me at our first session and gave me a hug, I knew she’d be a wonderful person to work with! She is a sport manager at FCHS and LOVES cats! 🙂

Cameron – FCHS | Class of 2017

Cameron runs Track and Field and Cross Country for Fluvanna and photography is actually one of her hobbies! She is super sweet and is actually good friends with one of my 2016 reps!!!

Charlie – FCHS | Class of 2017

Charlie plays baseball and golf for Fluvanna and is a welcome addition to the team. This year I actually have two guys as reps and I’m super excited!

Ema – FCHS | Class of 2017

Ema runs cross-country and swims for FCHS. I actually followed her on Instagram a few year (and loved her photos) so I was really happy when she applied to be a rep!

Emily – FCHS | Class of 2017

Emily cheers for FCHS’s Football and Basketball Team and she dances too. Welcome to the team Emily I’m looking froward to working with you this year!!

Lindsay – FCHS | Class of 2017

I’ve known Lindsay and her family for years. I actually took her sister’s senior portraits a few years ago! Lindsay is very involved with school activities, is a cheerleader and has played soccer for Fluvanna County High School since she was in the eighth grade. She’s also a member of an elite travel team too!

Matt – FCHS | Class of 2017

I’ve known Matt’s family for quite some time too. His mother was my older son’s first grade teacher and Matt played soccer for FCHS with my youngest son. He’s also an absolute natural in front of the camera!

Megan – FCHS | Class of 2017

Megan is a baton twirler (really looking forward to photographing that!) and is another rep whose family I’ve known for a while. I even took her brother’s senior portraits back in 2013!

Savannah – FCHS | Class of 2017

Next up is Savanna. Not only is she my wonderful assistant and loves photography, but she’s also involved in the school plays, is on the speech team and she sings too!

Toria – FCHS | Class of 2017

Last but not least from FCHS, we have Toria. She plays volleyball, softball and she cheers. She also has been a weightlifter for FCHS’s power team for the past three years!

Leanna – CHS | Class of 2017

Leanna goes to Charlottesville High School and she is involved with art, softball and swimming. I took her brother’s senior portraits a few years ago and am very happy to have her on the team!

Gabby – LCHS | Class of 2017

Gabby attends Louisa County High School where she is a cheerleader. She’s also been dancing forever so we’re definitely going to incorporate that into her one of her sessions!

Grace – GHS | Class of 2017

Grace attends Goochland High School where she cheers for the football team and is involved with athletic training. She is very outgoing and I’m looking forward to having her as a senior rep!

Kristen – WMHS | Class of 2017

Kristen goes to William Monroe High School and has a long list of activities she’s involved with. She is a ballerina, a swimmer and is a Girl Scout too. She also sings, acts, paints and reads poetry!

Sadie – MHS | Class of 2017

Last but not least we have Sadie, from Monticello High School. She hikes and rides horses and one of her sessions will involve her horse…I can’t wait!

What a fantastic group of kids!! I am thrilled to have you all on the team and really look forward to our sessions throughout the year! Thanks again for a great afternoon guys! I had so much fun and can’t wait until next time!!

It’s never too early to get on my fall calendar, contact me today! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

Ali Johnson is a portrait photographer specializing in senior portrait photography in Charlottesville, Crozet, Keswick, Albemarle and Fluvanna County VA

Christopher | Fluvanna County High School – Class of 2016

I hope everyone is having a wonderful spring! After all of the crazy ups and downs we’ve had with the weather, I’m so glad that it’s actually beginning to feel like spring! My senior portrait sessions are starting up soon but before they do, I’m hoping to get caught up with posting some of my fall senior portraits! Yes, I know it’s a little late but better late than never! 🙂

Today I’m happy to share the session I had with Christopher, one of my senior reps from Fluvanna County High School in Palmyra, Virginia.

I’ve known Christopher’s family for about 15-16 years! Our boys played soccer together back when they were 5 or 6 years old…and he even played soccer at FCHS with them. It’s been so great watching the boys grow up over the years and I even took Christopher’s twin brother’s senior portraits back in 2012!

When I began looking for senior reps for the class of 2016, I was happy to see that Christopher had applied.  There was no question that he was going to be on my rep team!

For our very first session, we started out with the traditional yearbook photo then took a few casual shots. You can check out that session here if you’re interested. Maybe it’s just the haircut but I feel like he looks so much older from July to November…way more than just the four months that had passed!

We spent his session in downtown Palmyra. It always cracks me up to say “downtown” Palmyra. In some cities the downtown area is a collection of buildings and has typical bustle of city life. In Fluvanna County though, the downtown area is a tiny little area that consists of some houses, one or two business and the courthouse. Unless there is a parade or function of some kind, it’s almost always super quiet. I’m not complaining though, I love this place. For such a tiny area, it offers a ton of variety!

We had the session in October and the leaves were absolutely beautiful! Everywhere I turned, there was gorgeous fall foliage…I loved it!

Speaking of love, how adorable are Chris and his girlfriend Lindsay? 🙂 I’ll be taking Lindsay’s senior portraits in a few weeks and I can’t wait!

At the very end of the session, we moved over to the Courthouse to try to add tiny bit of an urban feel to the session. No graffiti unfortunately but I still took advantage of the brickwork and steel door!

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Christopher and Diane! I’ve loved working with you guys over the years and look forward to your upcoming soccer sessions. I can’t believe the school year is almost over…as is my time photographing your boys!!

CLASS of 2016 – Have you scheduled your cap & gown photo yet? For more info click here or contact me! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

Ali Johnson is a portrait photographer specializing in senior portrait photography in Charlottesville, Crozet, Keswick, Albemarle and Fluvanna County VA

Sarah | Fluvanna County High School – 2016

I hope everyone is having a wonderful new year! I really enjoyed my Christmas vacation with my family but now it’s time to get back to updating my senior portrait blog posts. This has been my busiest fall ever and I am honored that so many people in the Charlottesville area have chosen me as their senior portrait photographer!

Tonight on my blog we have Sarah, one my amazing senior reps for Fluvanna County High School’s Class of 2016. I’ve photographed her quite a few times before (if you haven’t seen her gold color inspired session or her snow ballet session, you need to check them out!) but this was my first time having an outdoor session with just Sarah as the subject!

Though most of my senior portrait sessions take place in Charlottesville and Fluvanna County, I am always open to trying out new locations! When Sarah suggested we have her session at Maymont in Richmond, Virginia, I was beyond excited!

I hadn’t been to Maymont in years (and that time we mostly stayed in the farm area) so I wasn’t sure to expect. Holy cow, that place is so beautiful…and huge!! I could probably have five or six different sessions there and they’d never look the same!

We started out in the Italian Garden where I was super happy (and surprised) to find many flowers still blooming. Since it was October, I wasn’t sure what to expect but they even had some roses bushes with blooms on them!

I fell in love with the columns and all of the stone work. I probably could have spent hours in just this one location!

Sarah changed her outfit (Thank goodness I had my pop-up changing room with me. It was a long walk back to the bathrooms!) and we continued on with the session. Sarah is such a joy to photograph! No matter where I placed her or how I asked her to pose, smiling or serious, she totally nailed it and looked absolutely beautiful!

Um and speaking of beautiful? Sarah, you are killing me with your gorgeous eyes!! Seriously, you should always wear blue!

I absolutely love my lights and use them at every single session. This was one of the few times that I almost I wished I was a natural light photographer. Beautiful as the area is, there were tons of stairs and no ramps! Super big thanks to Sarah, Cheryl ( her mom) and Erin (her sister and former AJP assistant and rep) for helping me carry all my stuff up and down the stairs!

After walking down what seemed like a million stairs, we were down at the Japanese Gardens. Here it finally looked like fall!

This place was amazing! I was super impressed with how different this garden was from the Italian one. Even though it was fairly crowded, it still had such a tranquil feel to it. Okay, back to Sarah’s eyes. Am I crazy or are they the same exact color as the sky in this photo?

There weren’t any flowers down here and some of the trees had incredible fall foliage on them. It was like we had traveled to another place, not just walked down a bunch of stairs!

Time really flew by and before we knew it, the park was almost ready to close! We rushed over to this amazing bridge so we could get a few shots before closing time. We probably made quite the spectacle of ourselves! Erin & Cheryl were holding my light up as high as they could while I was balancing on a rock at the edge of the water. It’s incredible that no one fell in…especially my light!

It was so worth it though! Sarah, between the bridge, the waterfall and your gorgeous self, this is one of my favorite photos from the session!

Thank you so much for a fabulous afternoon Sarah, Erin & Cheryl! As always, I had so much fun with you guys and it was extra wonderful to get to see you again Erin! I’ve really enjoyed having you as one of my 2016 reps Sarah and I look forward to your next session!

CLASS of 2017 – Have you applied to be an AJP spokesmodel yet? If you’re interested, find out more information here.

CLASS of 2016 – Though I do have a few winter openings available both in the studio and outdoors, if you’d prefer a spring session it’s never too early to get on my calendar. Contact me today to schedule your session! | 434.906.0418 | photos@alijohnson.com

 

Ali Johnson is a portrait photographer specializing in senior portraits in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Louisa and Fluvanna County VA