Teens With "Attitude"

What do you do with teenagers who have "attitude"? There's a fine line we find between being independent and funny or having "attitude".

Now attitude in itself isn't always a bad thing is it? It could just mean that they have bags of style and this leads to a certain kind of attitude and confidence which shouldn't be knocked. But how do we as photographers capture that attitude that goes to make them who and what they are and not just reflect the mood of the moment?

Well - we make the sessions fun for a start, we encourage them to have a big input in how they are portrayed. I think we got the balance exactly right with this young lady. She's beautiful in a young, fresh kind of way but not in a wishy washy way - and we wouldn't dream of using the word "beautiful" around her - not cool! She loves to chat to her friends on facebook, bebo and myspace and wanted her friends to see her looking "different" and of course "gorgeous" - but again not in a wishy washy kind of way (still not cool). We gave her pictures from the shoot for her online friends to see. We do this when asked - provided they mention where they got the pictures taken we're happy!

The outside two pictures were maybe intended to shock mum and dad. Mum was at the shoot (we had a makeup artist there too) and I'm not too sure she liked the smudged lipstick and mascara look but when it came to the viewing these were the pictures chosen to go together which she thinks most refelct her daughter as she is now - bags of "attitude", strikingly beautiful and in her own way radiant.

We love the picture choices and how they go together. Her friends love them too. Mum and dad love them. They have pride of place in a modern perspex frame in their lounge. Not a bad days work considering it was "uncool" to go to a photographers. Now she is the coolest kid around.