Introduction
Growing up, I didn't know one little girl who didn't enjoy playing dress up. In fact, I still have yet to meet any child who doesn't. Unfortunately, as we got older, life got harder and more complicated, leading many of us to lose that sense of whimsy. Our imaginations became "impractical," our dreams "unrealistic." We learned that being an adult meant prioritizing structure and homogeneity, and we traded in our glittery dresses and technicolor superhero onesies for the opportunity to be viewed as sane and productive members of society. But, buried deep and long ignored, that joy and sparkle is still in there…
As a photographer, providing my clients with the space and opportunity to engage with their imaginations is so much fun. Not only do I get to push the bounds of my own capabilities, but it's honestly incredible watching these beautiful people come to life as they start exploring costumes, shot ideas, and anything else they might want to incorporate into the photos. My client Cady's recent session stands out to me for this very reason.
When we did our session, Cady was about a year out from giving birth to her first child. With her new role as mom came a whole host of changes—from the way she looked to the way she spent her time. And while she adapted to her new reality with a grace and ease I will never understand, she did find herself wanting to do something fun to celebrate this new version of herself. She had previously mentioned loving to wear pretty dresses, and I had been itching to do a fantasy session, so I suggested a garden princess photoshoot. She loved the idea, and we got to planning.
The Planning
When it came to putting this session together, the top priority for us was the look (aka Cady started instantly dress shopping). As someone who prefers avoiding wasteful practices, she wanted to find used dresses instead of new ones. So, for a couple of weeks, we religiously checked Facebook Marketplace, Rent the Runway, and Poshmark to find the perfect outfits and wound up settling on two charming, nature-inspired dresses: a fancy pink butterfly dress and a slightly-more-cottagecore teal tea dress with flowers on it.
Once that was settled, we employed a handy Pinterest board to iron out hair, nail, and makeup ideas, and decided on a date for the session.
The Vision
From the get-go, Cady was on board with whatever artistic vision I had for this session as long as she got to wear the aforementioned "pretty dresses." So, I took a few days to think about it and finally landed on a concept I'm now calling "Who We Were." The first half of a two-part series (second half coming soon), this session focuses on the rose-colored sentiment and memories many women carry with them from the time in their lives before they had to grow up.
With the creative direction completely in my hands and two dresses that worked in each of the chosen areas, this session was unlike any session I had done before. Instead of assigning a dress to each location, I decided to focus less on the organization of it all and more on getting the right poses to tell the familiar and relatable story of the carefree, whimsical princess who dreams of independence. *"A Part of Your World" starts playing in the background*
Capturing the Enchanted Energy
For the shots, we opted to go with more natural movements than formal poses—not only because they look more natural, but because they allowed Cady to sink further into the moment and enjoy herself without having to worry too much about what her hands were doing.
Speaking of hands, this session was also heavy on props. Cady mentioned on several occasions that she always felt awkward in front of a camera and never knew what to do with her hands. From books to butterflies, I sought to mitigate that worry by giving her hands something to do and only commenting on slight angle or posture changes.
We danced. We laughed. We lost shoes and may or may not have been bitten by more than one mosquito. By the end of our session, the woman who had arrived worried about awkward hand placement was twirling barefoot through the grass, completely lost in the moment.
There's something profoundly healing about allowing yourself to step back into wonder, even if just for an afternoon. In a world that constantly demands we be serious, practical, and put-together, giving yourself the gift of whimsy can feel revolutionary. Cady's session wasn't just about creating beautiful images; it was about reconnecting with a part of herself that motherhood and adult responsibilities had temporarily overshadowed.
As we wrapped up and she slipped back into her everyday clothes, Cady mentioned how much lighter she felt—how she'd forgotten how good it could feel to simply play. And isn't that exactly what we all need sometimes? A reminder that beneath all our grown-up roles and responsibilities, we're still the same people who once believed in magic.
Your Own Fairytale Awaits
Whether you're navigating a new chapter like Cady or simply ready to reconnect with the dreamer you've always been, a fantasy photography session might be exactly what your soul is craving. Because every woman deserves to feel like the magical being that she is.
Ready to dust off your tiara and step into your own fairy tale? Book a session and let's create something otherworldly together that celebrates not just who you are today, but honors the imaginative spirit that's been patiently waiting for her moment to shine.
