Emily | Monticello High School – 2016

Things have been so busy around here, I’ve fallen way behind on my blog posts! I’m not complaining though, I love senior photography and am honored that so many seniors in the Charlottesville area have chosen me to document this time in their lives!

I have so many wonderful session to share and today, allow me to introduce  Emily, one my wonderful senior reps for Monticello High School’s Class of 2016.

We had Emily’s mini-session back in June, at one of my favorite locations in the Charlottesville area. It’s such a beautiful spot and every time I go there, I seem to find something a little different. These flower are a perfect example of that…I was so excited when I saw them!

This was also my first time using this awesome stone wall. I actually shot this photo using natural light. That may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I use my lights during every single session so it was really something different for me! 🙂 One of the benefits about using natural light is the incredible catchlights you can get in your subjects eyes. Emily’s eyes are beautiful on their own but with natural light and a reflector? They looked over to top gorgeous!

Since this was a mini-session I had to keep it short but I could have photographed Emily all day long. She is so much fun to work with and I am in love with her beautiful curly hair! Speaking of beautiful, check out these sunset photos…the colors in the background were so amazing that night!

Before I knew it, October was here and it was time for Emily’s fall session with me! I first photographed her back in March with the rest of my 2016 reps and then again in May when we had her color inspired, session but this was my first time having an outdoor session with just Emily! We had the session in their neighborhood in Charlottesville and I have to say, it’s a fantastic location! By the way, you look absolutely adorable in this hat Emily!!

I took Emily’s sister’s senior pictures the year before in the same location. Even though I’d been there before, I was able to find totally different locations to use this time!

Emily’s personality is so bubbly and happy! I usually try to get a few serious dramatic shots, but it just didn’t seem right this time. Her sunny outlook kept shining through! Seriously, how cute are these?

Thanks again for a fantastic afternoon Emily!! I had such a great time with you and am super happy to have you as one of my reps! I always have so much fun photographing you and I look forward to next time!

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

Mariah | Monticello High School – 2016

I’m slowly but surely getting caught up on adding my 2016 Charlottesville Senior Portraits to my website. This has been my busiest fall ever! I love what I do and am honored that so many seniors in the Charlottesville area have chosen me to document this time in their lives!

I have many wonderful with the Class of 2016 and today, I’d like to introduce to introduce Mariah, one my fabulous senior reps for Monticello High School.

We had Mariah’s mini-session back in June, at one of my favorite locations in for senior portraits. This was my second time photographing Mariah, (this first time was back in March with the rest of my 2016 reps) and as usually, she was a delight to photograph! She’s so sweet and happy and holy cow…what a fantastic smile!

Every time I go to this location, I seem to find something a little different. These flower are a perfect example of that…I was so excited when I saw them! Although it was pretty hot that night and I was a sweaty mess but Mariah managed to look stunning throughout the entire session!

Since this was a mini-session I had to keep it short but I was having so much fun with Mariah, I didn’t want the session to end! At the end of the night we were lucky enough to have a gorgeous sunset. Check out the colors in the background…they were so amazing that night!

Before I knew it, October was here and it was time for Mariah’s fall senior portrait session with me! I’ve photographed her in groups and when we had her color inspired, session but this was my first time having an outdoor session with just Mariah! We met at a beautiful farm in Charlottesville where she rides her horse Faith. Man what a gorgeous place!

It was such a beautiful fall day and the lovely golden light was spilling everywhere!

I always try to find interesting and unusual elements in the locations I use. When I saw a huge pile of these trees and branches laying on the ground, I knew I had to try it out for a few shots!

It was a tiny bit of a struggle getting Mariah situated on the branches, I even had to clip a few of them out of the way! Yes, I bring pruning shears with me to my sessions.  You never know when you’re going to have to get rid of a dead branch! 🙂

It was way worth it though! The colors in her outfit perfectly compliment the background and I love the pop of color her red fingernails give! She looks absolutely amazing and the photo became one of my favorites from the session!

A quick outfit change and we moved on with the session. I loved how the light looked streaming over the trees and onto the pond. It was all so beautiful! Um and speaking of beautiful, how about Mariah’s eyes? They must change color depending on the surroundings because they seem to be the same shade as the trees behind her!

We then decided it was time for Faith to make an appearance at the session!

I know almost nothing about horses, (actually I think Faith might be a pony) but it’s obvious that Mariah loves her and she returns the sentiment! You can tell by the photos that they have a strong bond.

We ended the session with a beautiful pink sunset and some acrobatics! Not really but I did have Mariah jump in the air a few times. 🙂 I also took a few photos of Mariah and one of her closest friends.

Thanks for a fantastic afternoon Mariah!! I had such a great time with you and am super happy to have you as one of my reps! I always have so much fun photographing you and I look forward to next time!

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

Breanna | Monticello High School – 2016

Things have been so busy around here, I’ve fallen way behind on my blog posts! I’m not complaining though, I love senior photography and am honored that so many seniors in the Charlottesville area have chosen me to document this time in their lives!

I have so many wonderful session to share and tonight, we have Breanna, one my lovely senior reps for Monticello High School’s Class of 2016.

We had Breanna’s mini-session back in June, at one of my favorite locations in the Charlottesville area. It’s such a beautiful spot and every time I go there, I seem to find something a little different. These flower are a perfect example of that…what a fantastic surprise!

Since this was a mini-session I had to keep it short but I could have photographed Breanna all day long. She is such a  sweetheart and has the most beautiful eyes! Speaking of beautiful, I love it when a session ends with a sunset like this…the colors in the background were so amazing that night!

Before I knew it, summer was almost over and it was time for Breanna’s fall session with me! You never know what the weather in August will bring but it was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon…tons of golden light everywhere!

I love experimenting with new locations. You’d never know these photos were shot in between a Goodwill and a doctor’s office but that what we did! Good gracious Bre, you have such a beautiful smile!

Another amazing discovery was this location filled with TONS of yellow flowers. Between the flowers, the sunlight, the awesome barn and Breanna’s gorgeous self, I was in heaven!

We ended the session with another fabulous sunset! I swear, it must lay in wait until it’s time for me to photograph you Breanna! 🙂 This last photo of this series cracks me up every time. I had Bre stand on the chair so I could have more of the sunset behind her but she looked so darn cute standing on it that I went ahead and included it in the photo!

Thanks again for a fantastic afternoon Breanna!! I had such a great time with you and look forward to the next time…especially your color session!

CLASS of 2016 – Though I do have a few winter openings available, it’s never too early to get on my spring 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