Senior Guy rocks that Natural Vibe

Senior works his natural look and it rocks.

Senior Pictures on the beach followed by Classic Fashion Portraits in the city.

You always tell people to be natural in front of the camera, which then makes being natural in front of the camera look like the most difficult thing they have ever done in their entire life.
   You tell people, yeah, it’s awkward but pretend like I’m not here. That never happens but people normally laugh.
   And then I met Troy, probably the first guy in the history of photography to get in front of the camera and just relax. I asked him if he could teach my future guy seniors how to be natural but I’m still waiting to hear back.
   Troy’s personality is adorable- and I mean that in the most mature way. He’s always smiling, easy going, and even when he’s not smiling he just pulls off that casual look that belongs in a magazine, without looking fake. He said he plans on going to school for stand up / comedy, which I also totally adore- it's outside of the norm of what I usually hear when I ask what their plans are after school, it's true to who he is, and more people should take what they love more seriously so they can live it.
   Keep living that natural life that comes easy to you Troy, you wear it well.

---

Check out the full Senior Gallery!

For a more edgy look check out John's Senior Session!

If you like the classic suit and tie look check out Grant's Senior Session!

Floating through the Veil- An Endless Performance

The stage was lit and the crowd was quiet. 
She sat watching them, taking in the silence. 

Her red dress freshly washed from the performance before. 
Her hair let down and her bare feet on the floor.

Her talent was enough but her beauty was greater. 
She was a burning star, but she wouldn't realize until later.

Later did come, yet time no longer passed.
She stayed in that theatre now reciting the past.

No tickets were purchased and the front door was locked. 
The dust sat beautifully on top of what others had forgot. 

She floated above the scuffed and tattered floor. 
Her dress never dirty, her burning, no more.

Days were nights and nights were days.
Her piano rotted on top of the stage.

Now her skin was washing thin.
Transparent was her beauty.
Either this was her chance
Or a pure game of cruelty.

Days had been years and years had been days.
But today the sun was actually burning through the haze.

Oh to return for one more night! 
Just to touch the keys and caress the light. 

She called out with hope, raspy was her voice.
She began to levitate as if by choice.

Colors began to rush back in. 
Her star back to burning, the show to begin.

And there she saw it, her piano, her friend. 
Where she could play for one more night, while the veil was thin again.

---

Behind the Scenes:
I've never done levitation photography before, so that was the driving force behind this shoot. 
We were lucky enough to be able to shoot in the second and third floor of the Old Town Hall Winery in Lexington, Michigan.
It wasn't until I entered the space that I switched my thinking from a glamorous "floating" shoot to a haunted levitation shoot. 

It's told the Winery is said to be haunted, really haunted, by adults and children. Even tv crews have came to check the place out and left because it was that haunted.
Not sure where I stand on this... I can at least say I was happy to be photographing there in the daylight.

We did have a few happenings with lights and our fog machine, and our model, with no clue how it happened, did look down to see her big toe cut and bleeding. She later lost her toenail, so, take that how you wish (extra props to her for working through the shoot the WHOLE time like that!). Maybe the ghosts were not happy with our presence, or we just had bad luck. 

As gloomy as the day looks here we shot this in August (I think) on what had to be the HOTTEST day of the year. Only a few minutes in and we were literally stripping off our clothes and shoes to continue working. Not to mention what we hauled up 2 flights of tall stairs:
fog machine, a gallon of fog juice, loaded camera backpack, loaded trolly with light stands, lights, reflector, extra fabric, cords, battery pack, and god only knows what else. Oh, and a ladder. A 6 ft tall metal ladder. Oh, and a small, heavy ass trampoline we found in the garbage a week before. Call us crazy, but... Ok, no, no excuses, we're crazy.  

After 3 hours I got what I wanted and we hauled all of our stuff back out and celebrated with lunch and a cold beer. 

When editing, this effect is created by layering images, removing unneeded things, adding in shadows, and a lot of blending. 
Here's a look at what an image looks like BEFORE and AFTER I mess with it. 

---

Check out the full beauty gallery here!

If you have a thing for hauntingly beautiful girls in red dresses (or black dresses!) I suggest you click those links! 

And if you're in to Dark Beauty see what we shot in the woods at dusk!

---

Vintage Fashion in Lexington Michigan- by AJBC Photography Wedding

I can't get over how amazing this couple looked when we photographed them for this Wedding collection in Lexington, Michigan. Lake Huron made a beautiful backdrop, as did the amazing mint green classic car we were so lucky to be able to use, along with the downtown buildings.
Going to a small town that's used a lot for sessions and finding small, unique corners of the world to shoot so YOUR collection looks 100% unique is what we love to do. Because every bride and groom is unique and deserve that.
And just to repeat myself, I can't believe how amazing these two looked! I feel like we literally ripped them right out of a magazine. SO happy we got to work with them!!

---

Check out our full Couples Gallery!

For more lovers with style check out Cory & Erica's Engagement Session!

If you are more into that background country love check out Brad & Melissa's Photoshoot!

---

Marysville High School Senior 2015 by AJBC Photography (Michigan Senior Photographer)

Marysville High School Senior, Port Huron, Michigan Photographer, Lexington Background. Phew. We're breaking down city barriers on this one. LOL!
Mom said Devon didn't want his Senior pictures done. I didn't believe it... that's just a guy being a guy. It's easy for a girl to say she wants to have a model day, but for guys that feels weird. I told her, trust me, we'll have him loving his portraits and the experience by the time we are done, and I stayed true to my word. I truly believe guys should have the same custom treatment as girls, that we don't have to go all out crazy with a 6 piece wardrobe set and hair and makeup to still do something they will love and enjoy. Here's proof of that.