Believe it or not, the first time I met Alessia was way back, when she was just a toddler! Her mom and I met through our local German club after I had moved to the States, and over the years, we kept in touch as their family moved around before finally settling in Pinehurst for good.
Since then, I’ve had the honor of capturing their family’s milestones—from family portraits to professional headshots for her mom, a successful realtor, and her dad, a contractor and builder. Fast forward to today, and now Alessia is a high school senior at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines. Let me tell you, nothing makes you feel older than photographing someone you remember as a toddler!
A Studio Session in Carthage at Tyson Sinclair
With the chilly winter air making outdoor sessions less than ideal, we opted for a full studio shoot at my space in Carthage, located in the historic Tyson Sinclair building. My goal was to create a clean, timeless look while keeping the focus entirely on Alessia and showing as much of her personality as possible.
We planned for two different sets and outfit changes—while that may not sound like much, the magic happens with lighting, posing, and subtle variations that bring a ton of variety to the final images.
White on White: A Timeless and Yet Modern Look
One of my favorite setups is an all-white backdrop paired with a white outfit. It’s effortlessly chic, always modern, and keeps the focus on the subject without distractions. Alessia absolutely nailed it! I guided her through a variety of poses—full-body shots, half-body portraits, and close-ups—switching up her expressions and movements to keep things fresh. We used just a couple of simple props to add depth without overpowering the simplicity of the look.
Rich Tones and Unfinished Backdrops
For the second setup, I went with a totally different vibe—my original hardwood floors paired with a mocha-colored Savage seamless background. I love setting up these backgrounds in an unfinished manner, giving the entire scene a raw, dimensional, and perfectly imperfect look. To add even more variety, I incorporated some painted apple crates for Alessia to pose with, creating layers of interest and movement in the shots.
The warm mocha tones complemented Alessia’s natural skin tone beautifully (Italian-German-American heritage and all!), and the entire set came together effortlessly. The result? So many favorites! I seriously had a hard time narrowing down just a handful of portraits for this blog post.
Senior Photography Sessions in Moore County, NC (Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Sanford and beyond)
Senior year is such a special time, and I love capturing these moments for students across Moore County—whether you’re in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Carthage, Aberdeen, or beyond. Each session is unique, just like the incredible seniors I get to work with! If you're a Class of 2024 or 2025 senior looking for a custom session, let’s chat!
📍 **Makana Photography | Moore County, NC | Senior Photography**
💌 **Ready to book? Contact me today!**
Did you know? The way colors interact with skin tones in photography is actually a science! Warmer backdrops can bring out golden undertones, while cooler ones enhance contrast—making color choice a key factor in portrait photography.
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