In December 2015, Allyson and I had a portrait session in Fairhope taken just before sunset and continued well after dark. I like doing these kind of sessions because shooting at night brings different challenges. Shooting at night I am more dependent on my portable flashes. 

When we discussed the concept, I had in mind to shoot some casual portraits just before sunset in downtown Fairhope and then a more formal look around the lighted trees. Since this was going to be right after the annual Tree Lighting Celebration I thought the tree lights would add a nice backdrop to the session. Like many concepts they change once the shooting actually starts. While Allyson was getting her hair and makeup done by Garilynn Smith Gillespie at Dana Smith Studio Salon, I drove around Fairhope to get an idea of how the sun and light would look for the first part of the shoot. I had visions of  bright light at sunset but the clouds were on the horizon, blocking the direct light and making the streets look dull. However, the setting looked great at the Fairhope Municipal Pier so I thought that might be better for the casual part of the session. I went back to the salon and Garilyyn had Allyson ready right on time. Allyson was up for the change of location and we got in a few shots just before sunset.

Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken at the Fairhope Municipal Pier Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken at the Fairhope Municipal Pier

As I changed things up for Allyson in regards to a different location, she also changed the location idea for the more formal look. She suggested we shoot at Pinzone's Italian Downtown Restaurant. I liked the idea and thought it improved on my concept of just shooting around the lit trees in downtown Fairhope. I thought the setting brought a better level of elegance to the shoot. We went back to the salon so Allyson could change and Garilynn worked on a different hairstyle look and touched up the makeup.

Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama Fairhope Portrait PhotographerA portrait session taken in downtown Fairhope, Alabama