New Subject, New Location: McConnells Mill Tween

I’ve written before about how I’m not a huge fan of change. I find it uncomfortable and yet, it’s good to be a little uncomfortable. It’s especially good for artists to be a little uncomfortable. That is how I felt going into this session. I was uncomfortable because I was photographing a new client in a completely new location.

While I’ve lived in the Pittsburgh area for all but 5 years of my life, before this summer, I had never been to McConnells Mill. I remember friends taking hiking trips there in college but for one reason or another, I never went.

So I’m encouraging my followers to not make that same mistake.

McConnells Mill is a gorgeous park with an old mill building, covered bridge and creek with plenty of interesting rocks along its banks. We were a little early for fall foliage but I can imagine how gorgeous the park is.

Capturing Tweens means capturing what they enjoy doing

Miss T reached out to me during my Spring Tween BFF contest to schedule her own tween session. She is an active young lady who enjoys hiking with her family and McConnells Mills is one of their favorite spots to hike. One thing I’m enjoying with my tween sessions is getting to incorporate their interests into their sessions- swimming, dancing, hiking, playing guitar… All of these activities can tell a bit more of this time in your life. I think back to what I was doing in middle school, playing soccer, starting piano lessons and lots of drawing. They were activities that I loved then and still enjoy doing today. They’re part of my story.

Now I had a gorgeous location, an active and engaging subject, what was there to be nervous about you may be wondering?

I like to have my photo spots in mind when I plan sessions. I want to be able to devote my full attention to my subject and not be wondering where we’re going for the next round of images. While I did visit the park prior to the session, it was still a very new spot. And parks like this can change drastically depending on the recent weather making the creek higher and rocks wet and slippery.

So I was a little nervous about where to shoot. Then I discovered that I had no cell service in this part of the park. Yep, nothing like trying to meet up with a new client and having zero bars. All of this stuff sets off my anxiety.

Fortunately, I didn’t need to worry much. As you can see, my client found me and we found some amazing spots for photos!

tween girl in flowered top at McConnells Mills State Park, Pennsylvania

Natural and Fearless!

Miss T was both natural and fearless during her session! She kicked off her fancy heels and climbed out on the rocks with me for some beautiful shots next to the creek. I think I was more nervous, the mama bear in me wanting to keep her safe as well as not wanting to send myself tumbling with thousands of dollars in camera gear on my shoulder.