Adult Milestone Photography in Peoria, Arizona: Why You Don’t Have to Wait for a Milestone
We usually think of milestone photography as something for babies, seniors and families.
First birthday.
Graduation.
Wedding anniversary.
But what about the milestones that happen somewhere in the middle?
Turning 40. Starting a new job. Getting divorced. Becoming an empty nester. Starting over. Finally doing something you’ve wanted to do for years. Or maybe, just maybe, you want to celebrate yourself. And personally, I think that’s reason enough.
Recently, I had the chance to step outside my usual family and senior photography work and participate in a Tropical Sunshine photography collaboration at Vision Studio in Peoria. The shoot brought together local photographers for an evening of creativity, connection and a chance to try something completely different.
And honestly, I loved every minute of it. A chance to flex the creative muscle. LOL!
The Tropical Sunshine theme had a beautiful color palette of sunflower yellow, tangerine, coral, emerald and gold. The studio was filled with tropical plants, flowers and colorful details that gave us so many ways to create different looks.
Our model, TC, started in a beautiful white dress with a large yellow flower in her hair. Later, she changed into a gorgeous emerald green and coral tropical dress.
One of my favorite details was the emerald green couch. It picked up the green in her dress beautifully and gave us another element to work with against the bright yellow backdrop.
TC was absolutely gorgeous, but what really stood out to me was how sweet and fun she was. She was willing to try different ideas and just enjoyed the experience.
That’s the kind of energy that makes a photography session fun. At one point, one of the photographers suggested recreating the feeling of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show using TC and the tropical plants. Of course, we had to try it.
Because sometimes the best photographs come from the ideas you didn’t plan before you walked through the door.
Why I love studio photography in Arizona
There is another reason I really enjoyed this shoot….. If you live in Arizona I bet you already know. It was inside.
Summer photography sessions can be tough. It’s hot, it’s bright and trying to get everyone looking happy when they’re sweating through their clothes isn’t always the recipe for beautiful family photographs.
Vision Studios gives us another option.
We can create beautiful images in a comfortable, controlled environment without worrying about the Arizona heat. We can use different backdrops, furniture, props and lighting to create something that feels completely different from an outdoor session.
And that’s especially fun for a themed or milestone session.
You don’t have to be a model
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear about professional portraits is that you need to know how to pose. You don’t. I promise.
You don’t need to know what to do with your hands. You don’t need to know which angle is your “good side.” You don’t need to feel completely comfortable in front of a camera. That’s my job.
You just need to show up. I’ll guide you through posing and help you figure out what feels natural. More importantly, I want your personality to come through in the photographs.
That’s what I loved about photographing TC.
Yes, she looked amazing. Her outfits, makeup and the studio setup all came together beautifully. But it was her personality that made the photographs special.
When I delivered her gallery, she responded with:
“OMG Kim! I love them.”
And that made my photographer heart very happy.
Milestone photography isn’t just for kids
As a photographer who works with families, I spend a lot of time thinking about how quickly children grow. One minute they’re toddlers. Then they’re in elementary school. Then they’re suddenly teenagers and somehow you’re wondering where the time went.
But here’s something I’ve been thinking about more and more. We’re growing too. I know, I know that sounds a little silly but really think about it. As moms, we’re often so focused on documenting our children that we forget we’re part of the story.
Maybe you’re turning 40.
Maybe you’ve started a new career.
Maybe you’ve gotten through a difficult season.
Maybe you’ve become an empty nester.
Maybe you’ve started over.
Maybe you simply looked in the mirror one day and thought, You know what? I want some beautiful pictures of myself.
You don’t need a traditional milestone to deserve that.
Give yourself permission to try something new
That’s probably my biggest takeaway from this shoot. As we get older, we don’t have to stop trying new things. We can pivot. We can learn something we’ve never done before. We can take a different path. We can step outside our comfort zone just because we want to see what happens. I’ve done that in my own life, which may be one reason I love photographing people during seasons of change. Growth doesn’t stop when you become an adult. You’re still becoming. And sometimes it feels really good to have photographs that capture that version of you.
Planning your own studio session
If you’re considering a studio photoshoot, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Plan your outfits ahead of time. Choose clothing that makes you feel good and think about how the colors will work with the backdrop and setting.
Bring something personal. Studios have props available, but bringing something that means something to you can make your photographs feel much more personal.
Have a plan. Studio rental time is set by the clock. You have one hour from the time you walk through the door until the time you need to be cleaned up and out of the studio. There isn’t much room for winging it, so knowing what you want to accomplish ahead of time makes a big difference.
Be willing to play. Some of my favorite images from this shoot came from simply trying something different.
Maybe your next chapter deserves photographs
You don’t have to wait for a birthday, graduation or anniversary.
Maybe you’ve reached a milestone that only you understand.
Maybe you’re starting over.
Maybe you’re celebrating a new chapter.
Or maybe you just want to do something fun for yourself.
That’s enough.
A studio session can give you the chance to create something completely different from your everyday photographs while giving you a little space to celebrate who you are right now.
Because your kids aren’t the only ones growing and changing.
You are too.
And I think that’s worth photographing.
Kim VanOs Photography specializes in family, senior and milestone photography in the West Valley Phoenix area. If you’re ready to plan a session that feels like you, I’d love to help you figure it out.
