Josh {Conceptual Mad Men Photoshoot}

Posted on July 12, 2010

When you think of a Librarian, what mental image do you have? I had two stereotypes in my head.

1. Large mean woman with thick glasses and a large hairy mole on her chin, not at all friendly or kind and constantly spitting out “SHHHHHHH!” at all the children.
2. A very skinny malnourished woman with thinning hair who is friendly..but is hard to get to know because she doesn’t like chemicals and as a result refuses to wear deodorant.

Neither of these mental images I had are AT ALL fair…in fact I am embarrassed that is what I used to think!! You see this boss gentleman Josh is a Librarian:

And he doesn’t fullfill my former stereotype AT ALL, and God bless him for it! You see he started as a friend of my sisters and when I moved back I started going to the library to get books for my kids and just like my sisters I realized he’s pretty darn interesting and before I knew it I was also chuckling at his endless cleverness. He’s introduced me to amazing music and is sure to amuse me each time I read his latest facebook status message. He’s one hilarious fellow…of course this photoshoot wasn’t meant to focus on that stuff…instead the theme was  ”1960′s After Hours Businessman” and he spent the shoot pulling out his inner Mad Man. (And as a side note this is my MOST FAVORITE SUN FLARE PHOTO EVER!!!!!!)

When I suggested this idea to him he was all about it…and he went out and found the perfect attire and accessories. I was really so excited with how well he took my vision and then took it to the next level. I was SOOOOO excited when I saw his outfit. AND the briefcase?? Are you kidding me Josh??  YOU ARE BRILLIANT! Every business man needs a briefcase!

And even though he and I hate smoking more than almost anything else in this world we knew to fullfill the concept we would HAVE to include a cigarette in some way or form…so he was such a trooper and pretended to smoke the cancer stick like a champ. It fits with the theme SOOO well!

This man is going to be famous one day. He might not think it, but I KNOW it. He’s a brilliant writer and when he becomes famous one day and writes his novel I’m hoping he’ll let me photograph his image for the book cover jacket. And that’s a glass of scotch (well actually flat Pepsi), but we needed to include an “evening beverage” in this businessmans hand…

Try to contain yourselves ladies…but I will go ahead and let you know this dark haired, blue eyed stud is single…but my gosh contain yourselves!!!  No reason to go screaming and getting all flustered, he isn’t a piece of meat, he’s a PERSON! You may email me a full description of yourself including favorite music, movies, social security number, blood type and weather or not you enjoy sunset walks on the beach and if my sisters and I see you as worthy we MIGHT tell him about you…LOL!

And in closing my favorite!! His last name starts with L so this location was PERFECTION for him!!

Thank you Josh for being such a great sport as my sissies and I lugged you around on a miserably hot & muggy Oklahoma evening and thanks for helping me realize how totally rad Librarians can be!

Vintage Photoshoot {Oklahoma High School Senior Portraits}

Posted on July 3, 2010

I’ve been busy working on my High School Senior Representative Program. I’ve chosen some seriously FANTASTIC Seniors and I’m BEYOND excited for their photoshoots, I can’t wait to reveal who they are and show you how AMAZING THEY ARE!!!! Since my Seniors are all so unique and fantastic I’m on the lookout for unique and fantastic locations to conduct thier photoshoots. I try so hard to choose locations that are perfect for them and match their outfits, personalities, activities, etc., etc., so the other day I talked my sisters into coming along with me so I could experiment with a few new locations…they did SOOOO amazing.

Prior to going on the photoshoot I expressed to them how much I’m wanting to experiment with “conceptual photoshoots” where it begins with a concept and then lets that concept or theme control the mood and feel of the photoshoot. I told them the concept I was wanting  for this shoot was “vintage”, this was a rather broad idea, but this is all an experiment at this point. I was SOOOO impressed with the outfits and accessories they put together! Sarah looks beyond incredible here!

And look at pretty Bethany rocking it out too!

This old house makes my heart pitter pat. When I was scouting out locations out before hand and I drove by this house I literally SCREAMED with excitement!!!! The whole vibe that this old bungalow gives off is beyond incredible.

I’m so pleasantly surprised at the amount of gorgeous ivy available here. I really thought when I left Germany it would be it – no more gorgeous ivy covered walls and I couldn’t have been more wrong! Check out the expressions on Bethany and Sarah’s faces – INCREDIBLE!! They are so fierce! You’d never know we were MELTING in the harsh Oklahoma sun in the middle of the afternoon (yes, I know it was crazy to even attempt a shoot at 2pm, but we were too excited to wait until a later time! HAAA!)

And in closing my favorite from the shoot: This old gas pump is such a gem…it’s like stepping back in time! Expect to see this gem appear again and again…it’s too incredible not to use more than once!!!!

Thanks Bethany and Sarah for dressing up and playing along with me and my random ideas. Thanks for not complaining about the heat (I was personally complaining enough for the three of us, right?). Thanks for being such great sports and laughing it off as a few locals drove by and gawked at you gorgeous girls modeling it up in the middle of town. YOU ARE SUPAH STAHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Annie Pennington
Oklahoma High School Senior Photographer