Leah White Sands | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

Ok here's what I need to know- How in the heck did it take me this long to make my way out to White Sands?  I've lived in El Paso off and on for 3 years now and this was my first trip out there.  What? This place is seriously cool.

Leah and I packed up early in the morning for a day trip.  I brought my cameras because, well, I always bring my cameras, but I wasn't planning a photoshoot.  But when I saw how pretty it was, I knew I had to have Leah model for me.  Luckily, I never clean my car, and so I had some pretty dresses and a big floppy hat in the truck.  And we came out with some beautiful images.

Of course we played some too.  We ran around in the sand, sledded, and I even got behind the camera for a bit (Photo credit to Leah for the photos of me- she did an awesome job!)  We had such a great time! I definitely won't be hesitating about the drive next time I have an idea to go out to White Sands!

Shelly Glamour | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

Morning light, mountains, and beautiful dresses.  These are some of my favorite things and they all came together for Shelly's glamour session.  We had so much fun for this one.  Shelly showed up with a trunk full of gorgeous dresses and shoes and was excited to shoot.  We ended up laughing for most of the session and had a really great time! 

Check out the photos below!

If you are interested in booking your own glamour session please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation!

Leah Glamour | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

I know I always say this, but I had so much fun with this shoot!  Leah came into my studio for a day of pampering and some Hollywood glamour portraits.  She had her hair and makeup done by my amazing makeup artist Sarah Martin (look her up if you are in El Paso and need makeup!), picked out this gorgeous dress from my studio closet (which seriously looks like it was made for her), and played model for a day! 

Of course she rocked it.  How could she not looking like that?! The Hollywood glamour style suited her so well, and it's one of my favorite styles to shoot.  Check out the photos here below:

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If you are interested in having your own glamour portrait session please contact me to book your complimentary consultation today.

Sarah Glamour | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

Into the archives! I can't believe I haven't shared this session yet!  This was my first studio session after the move to El Paso, and it was such a fun session!

I met Sarah while working a military ball.  She was wearing this beautiful dress and looking all around gorgeous and all I could think was how great she would be to photograph.  When we got to talking and I found out that she is a makeup artist as well, I knew we had to work together. 

We had a great time with this shoot, and I feel like it really shows in the photos.  Doesn't she look gorgeous?

If you are interested in your own glamour portrait session, please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation

Brittney Glamour | Mikaela Joy: El Paso Portrait Photographer

I've got another super fun one to share!  This was my last shoot of 2016 and Brittney knocked it out of the park.  From the minute she showed up with that amazing gold dress, I knew this would be a good one.  

Glamour sessions are my favorite, because seriously, how often do you get to get all done up like this.  It is a perfect chance for some "me" time, especially for us moms who spend more time taking care of our kids than we ever do ourselves.  Brittney and I had a blast during this session.  And while she looks gorgeous in her day to day life too, these photos make me wonder why she's not modeling full time.  This girl is stunning!

If you are interested in booking your own contemporary glamour session, please contact me to set up your complimentary consultation today.

Alexis Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I've got a fun one to share!  This was a really awesome session for me because it was a chance to let loose and be creative.  I love doing client work, but every once in a while I just need to shoot something that's 100% for me.  This was it. 

worked with Alexis a while back (see Alexis at the Beach) and I knew I needed to have her in my studio.  I told her that I was going to wrap her in tulle and do a glamour session, no extra details.  She was a total champ and went right for it!  I think she may have doubted me for just a second as I was wrapping a bolt of tulle around her like a mummy- "Have you done this before," she asked.  I hadn't, but I think the results speak for themselves!

Another awesome thing about this shoot is that for the tulle photos, everything was created by me.  I hand painted the backdrop (see DIY Painted Canvas Backdrop), made the floral crown, and made the dress on the spot in the studio. 

We had so much fun with this session, and I think we made some truly gorgeous photos.  See them for yourself!

If you'd like to book your own glamour session, please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Alexis at the Beach | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

Ahh summer. There is something so comforting about the salty air and feeling of sand between my toes.  Nothing says summer quite like an early morning walk along the beach.  But I can one up that- what about a photo shoot with this beauty?

 Alexis and I were up bright and early to catch the Tybee Island sunrise for this shoot.  She's an aspiring model who is building her portfolio, and a total natural.  She rocked this shoot!  But don't take my word for it: See for yourself!

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If you are interested in your own portrait session, please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Eryn Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

It's been a while since I've done a glamour shoot.  It's been even longer since I worked with Eryn (remember our pinup shoot?)
Eryn has been working on some lifestyle changes and getting into shape (which she is doing a killer job of) and wanted to commemorate that by doing a session in her newly-fitting prom dress.  Of course I was all over that- a studio session with a pretty dress and a model that can do her own makeup?  Yes please!

Eryn looked gorgeous as usual, and was a blast to work with.  I love how confident this girl is. She's got it and she knows it, and she killed that prom dress!

Jami Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

When I think of Jami, I think of someone with everyday glamour.  No matter where I see her, it's always with high heels and makeup. When the rest of us show up to a party in yoga pants and messy buns, Jami is still looking her best.  
So setting up a glamour shoot for her was no stretch of the imagination.  She showed up to her session with freshly dyed hair, makeup on point, and a collection of outfits to chose from, all of which were perfect for her session.
With all of that out of the way, our session was a breeze.  We played with different backdrops and outfits, and just had fun. 
She looked amazing, of course. But there was never any doubt in my mind that that would be the case.

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If you are interested in your own portrait session, please contact me to schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Erika Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

I love working with Erika.  I have done quite a few sessions with her and her family, throughout her pregnancy, and after with her little girl.  But this session was unique for us.  This was all about her.  And isn't she gorgeous?

It's so easy for us moms to get in lost in the identity of being a mother, so this was a great opportunity for me to showcase Erika for who she is as an individual.  We had so much fun with the hair, and makeup, and twirling around in a tutu, and although she was a bit nervous at first, she warmed up to the camera quite quickly.  

And of course her photos turned out gorgeous! How could they not?

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Interested in your own portrait session?  Let's chat!  Contact me to set up your free consulation today.

Jen Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

Let's just say this.  Jen ROCKED her photoshoot.  

Seriously. She's gorgeous. 

She showed up at my studio with approximately a weeks worth of outfits to choose from and her hair and makeup already on point.  And she brought me a bagel, so she gets points for that, too.

There's really no need to say a lot about this shoot, because the photos say it all.  So let's just see them!

Studio Glamour Portraits with Mikaela Joy Photography

Really, though.  Isn't she stunning?!

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If you'd like to book your own portrait session, please get in touch!

Meg Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

It's been a few years, but I finally got Meg in front of my camera again.  When I was just starting out as a photographer I shot a photo of her with the sunlight through her hair (above) and it's still one of my favorite shots.  I've tried to re-create it several times, but nobody does it like Meg does, I guess.

I've been wanting to get Meg into my studio for glamour portraits for a couple of reasons.  For one thing, she is not a girly girl.  I see her in her police uniform all the time, but never in a dress.  In fact, you should have seen her face when I showed her the outfits I had in mind for her.  "You want me to wear a dress?!" And makeup? Forgettaboutit. So it was fun to transform her from a southern girl in her flannel (nevermind that she's not actually from the south), to all dressed up with curls and pearls.

The other reason I've been wanting to photograph Meg is because she just does so well in front of the camera!  She think she's awkward, but there's something model-esque about it.  Maybe it's because she's built like a model: tall and lean.

I had a really great time working with this gorgeous girl!  Check out the video below for a look behind the scenes at how it all went down!

Uploaded by Mikaela Joy Photography on 2016-02-04.

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To book your own portrait session, please contact me today!

Renata Glamour | Mikaela Joy: Savannah Portrait Photographer

Look who's in front of my camera again, it's Renata!  This girl should be a model because she photographs like a dream.  Seriously, she's gorgeous.

This shoot was an absolute blast. She let me dress her up, and was totally open to all my crazy ideas ("Oh, you want me to spin in circles in a makeshift dress while you point a blow dryer at me?  Sure!")

These studio sessions have been such a departure from my normal work, and I'm really excited about them!  There is just something so special about the experience of it- you dress up and I do everything I can to make you feel like a superstar, and in the end we are left with gorgeous pictures to commemorate an amazing day.  You really can't beat that!

Check out the great shots we got from this session! (Like I said, she's gorgeous!)

Uploaded by Mikaela Joy Photography on 2016-02-08.

Erin Glamour Shoot | Mikaela Joy: Savannah GA Glamour Portrait Photographer

I've been inspired to try something a bit different lately.  I've been taking classes and following same really amazing fashion and glamour photographers, and have been dying to do some of that type of work myself. 

The thing that's so great about glamour photography is the complete transformation of the subject- the hair, the makeup, the posing.  This was especially fun with Erin.  Erin is not known for being girly.  She lives in tee-shirts and jeans, and can probably count the number of times she's worn makeup on one hand.  So to glam her up in a sequin dress was a complete change.

And she rocked it.  Seriously, she looked amazing.  Wouldn't you agree?