Stephanie L Wheeler Photography

We got to travel to some great locations for Melanie’s senior portraits.  We started at Cherokee Park, went along River Road and then finished at Mellwood Arts.  Senior girls are the easiest sessions.  The girls are always dressed beautifully and have no trouble smiling for the camera and the end result is fantastic pictures!  Melanie was so genuinely beautiful that her session goes up there with one of my favorite of all time sessions! 

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Lindsey graduated from University of Louisville, Go Cards!   And she is such a beautiful girl.  I have to be one of the luckiest photographers in the city to photograph such beautiful people!  Congratulations Lindsey!

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As I meet the families that I photograph, I often walk away and think “wow” I am so lucky to have spent time with them.  Many of my clients make me see life in a different perspective.   Jackson was no exception.  His mom and I had more in common than just about anyone I’ve met in my life.  I wasn’t sure why she asked me to photograph her son’s senior pictures, because she is an amazing photographer herself I was surprised but honored.  Seniors, especially boys are not always the most enthused when it comes to pictures.  Girls, on the other hand…..love love love their pictures but Jackson was fun to work with.  His mom, Meredith sent me this sweet email.

 “OH MY GOODNESS.  Love love love these!   FANTASTIC Stephanie....There's still that forced look in there a few times and then...BAM!  A genuine, non-forced, non-self-conscious smile.  Thank you thank you thank you! :)  Made me cry before I really got out of bed this morning! “

Thanks Meredith and Jackson!

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How beautiful is Emily?  And can you believe we were in her backyard?  When she called  and mentioned that she just wanted to shoot her senior pictures at home, I was a bit hesitant.  Well there was clearly no found reason for my hesitation.  Her backyard was five acres, filled with character and beauty.  Her mom just walked the trail behind us with Emily’s clothes basket, mirror and makeup.  Thanks, Emily for a great session.

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Layne was an incredibly fun senior to photograph.  I can definitely say, she has no idea how beautiful she is, both inside and out!  Just a super sweet girl.

We met at her home and snapped a few pictures with her dogs, then headed to River Road and then Frankfort Avenue.  Not to mention the weather was great!

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Aaron, a high school senior from North Oldham, was a pleasure to meet.  From only being in his presence for a short time, I could sense he has a bright future.  Well spoken, respectful, kind and intelligent are a few words that come to mind when I think of a way to describe him.  His mom attended the session and his love for her was obvious.  Best of luck at the University of Kentucky.

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Children from the same parents do not always look or act alike. In fact, it can sometimes be hard to tell which children are siblings just by looking at them.

This is what makes each one of us so unique. Could you imagine if every child from the same parents looked and acted identically? We would not have nearly as much diversity in our world. Also, you can imagine that families would not be nearly as interesting.  This is something I have come to realize from being a parent of two children with very different personalities. 

 As I often refer to Oprah, I was watching a DVR'd episode in which she was speaking with the family of a child who has extreme rage issues. Towards the end of the episode she said this:

"Years ago, someone on this show...we were doing a show about families and someone said, "There is no such thing as a black sheep." The black sheep is always the most sensitive person in the family who takes on all of the energy and dynamics of the rest of the family and it shows up in the person that they call the black sheep. But usually the black sheep is the one who is the most sensitive."

Bryce and Brady were two great kids with two distinct personality differences; they both were a lot of fun to photograph.  Their mom and dad both came to the session and they were both very proud parents:)

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I just love when people bring their pets to sessions.  It wasn't until about 7 years ago that I experienced what it was like to be in love with an animal.  I can remember like it was yesterday, when we showed up at the breeders home to make the selection of which dog was going to be the next member of our family.  About 8 floppy eared puppies came running toward us, yet one stayed strong and positioned right along side his mother.  His loyalty was remarkable and without hesitation he made the cut.  So off we drove with an 8 week old, 13lb puppy!  I must say along the bumpy road of being a pet owner it wasn't always glory.  He ate a hot tub, chewed through French doors, ate a living room chair and actually I could go on forever on what he destroyed.  However, Arnold, a 155lb Rottweiler, knew how to interact with people without overacting to them.   His monstrous size, playful demeanor and soft eyes drew attention no matter where we were.  He was admired by many on our neighborhood walks, at the dog park and dressed in costumes at birthday parties; yet he made the biggest impact in my son's life.   Arnold and Logan had an undeniable bond.  We often read to him the Good Dog Carl books and those stories could have been wrote by someone observing our life. 

 

Unfortunately in August 2010, we lost Arnold to diabetes.  He responded very poorly to insulin and his 155lb physique diminished to 80lbs in a matter of months, he lost control of his bladder, use of this legs and then the night of Logan's 5th birthday party, lost his sight.  It was a hard decision to make but it was time for him to rest. 

 

In December 2010, Logan was diagnosed with Autism.  The actual label was devistating and it took sometime to accept this happened to my son.  But I had always known that something wasn't right but when you really don't want to believe something, it's easy to look past it.  The longer that Arnold has been gone the more I realize what he meant to Logan, he did wonders for his confidence level and he was a constant companion. I hope to have another pet someday with the spirit and capacity to love as much as Arnold. 

 

I was glad Devan brought her dog to the session.  She brought her mom and sister along to and it made for a fun day!

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Up and down River Road and Frankfort Avenue are probably my favorite places to take senior pictures.  Although I am open to any recommendation there are alot of unique urban stops along the way.  Danielle was an interesting girl who had alot of suggestions on many of her poses.  It was refreshing working with someone that can offer some new perspective to our session.   

 

Congratulations Danielle, graduation is right around the corner.  Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.  ~Les Brown

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Another fun senior!  It was such a windy and sunny day when we shot Brooke's pictures.  Weather plays a huge factor in our session.  Although, most people would think a sunny day is the best day for pictures an overcast seems to work best for me.  However, with Brooke's luscious locks, the wind added to the glamour of her pictures.  I must say, I've never seen anyone's hair blow so perfectly in the wind!  Brooke was yet another beautiful senior from Southern High School. 

My senior sessions, I always ask that you bring someone along, a parent, a friend, even a boyfriend as as second pair of eyes to make sure you look perfect.  Not only was Brooke alot of fun but her mom was super sweet as well!  Graduation is just months away, best wishes, Brooke!

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