This Hampton Park senior photos session is a very special portrait session to me. This senior is my niece, Athena, and these portraits are a testament to her character. The class of 2020 had an unusual year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The last months of her senior year meant a cancelled prom, virtual school, and a scaled down graduation. Before the pandemic hit, the previous year and a half was no easy time either.
In the late fall of 2018, Athena’s father (my brother) unexpectedly passed away. Soon after, I became her legal guardian. Needless to say, it was a difficult time for my family. And having lost my mother to complications from viral cardiomyopathy when I was ten years old, I had a unique understanding of some of the things Athena would be going through then and in the years to come. One thing I was adamant about was her to continue to focus on academics and graduate high school. It was a team effort for sure, but we made it!
Even with the unexpected turn 2020 took, Athena still wanted non-traditional senior photos. Since she wanted to incorporate our dogs into the photos, I thought Hampton Park would be a great location. This park is usually much less crowded compared to White Point Garden near the Battery. It is also a very spacious park measuring around 60 acres (the biggest one on the peninsula!). The hope was to limit stimuli for the dogs so they could stay more focused. Though it helped, they couldn’t help but get in as many sniffs as possible. Good thing they’re cute. 😉 All three dogs are rescues from local shelters. Our tiny (but mighty) Bree was adopted from Palmetto Paws. Our beagle hound mix, Funyon, came from Carolina Coonhound Rescue. And Blue is our foster fail. He was adopted from Eunoia Rescue. Not pictured are our two cats, Buttercup and Loki.
Originally, Athena had three outfits planned for her portrait session. Another reason Hampton Park is a great location for senior photos is because bathrooms are onsite. This makes changing much easier. The humid June weather had other plans though. With the threat of rain, we ended the session early. Her first look included a blush top, jeans, and black heels. This dressy casual style is softened by the blush tank, which is a look I love for portraiture.
Athena’s second outfit for her Hampton Park senior photos was a red jumpsuit. This vibrant look added a pop of color in the natural backdrop of moss and greenery. The jumpsuit is also a dressier look. For senior photos, I feel at least two outfits are a good idea. It maximizes variety for photos that reflect an important moment in a teenager’s life. We also incorporated Athena’s graduation gown and cap as we scheduled these portraits later than usual for non-traditional senior photos.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
