So we offer this photo session called the Hollywood Experience, which is focused on getting the glamour and fashion of a 1940s movie studio promo shoot.  Our makeup artist Christine adds a few dramatic touches, and our clients usually enjoy the preening.  Last night we met Briana, a typical 14 year old girl, who came in with sneakers and t shirts, a karate outfit (she’s a black belt at 14!), and the knockout dress you see below. 

Briana just had her braces taken off, and to celebrate the years of wearing them (and the benefits), her parents gave her this photo session.

Briana before the dress and hair….

My mother tells me she hates seeing young women photographed any way but as sweet and innocent, and I think a lot of us understand that.  It seems that adulthood is forced on kids at a constantly younger age, and we offer a lot of other options for photo sessions other than The Hollywood Experience.  But I remember my early teens as a time of enormous self-doubt, wondering what I would turn out like, and desperately wanting a stronger self image (no luck - it turns out I was truly a geek who would keep his acne for twenty more years). We’ve had a lot of people asking us for beautiful portraits of their girls who are in this 12 to 15 bracket, for that very reason.  Reviving Ophelia has raised the awareness that without a positive self image, adolescent girls are far more likely to develop eating disorders, depression, and lower expectations for themselves.  We all deserve to feel good about ourselves, except for meter maids and IRS agents.

Anyway, congratulations Briana, the teeth look terrific, and so do you.