Seventeen Candles & Target Aisles

A Twin Photography Adventure

Ah, the annual birthday photoshoot. It's a tradition I cherish, especially when it involves watching two incredible humans grow up right before my lens. This year marked a milestone: the twins turned seventeen! Seventeen! It feels like just yesterday we were capturing their adorable five-year-old selves, giggling through a "Cat in the Hat" themed session.

But, as any photographer knows, keeping things fresh year after year is a delightful challenge, especially with winter birthdays. We've weathered (literally!) all sorts of conditions. Some years, we've been blessed with crisp, sunny days perfect for outdoor shoots. Others, we've battled biting winds and bone-chilling temperatures, forcing us to get creative indoors.

Over the years, we've explored Main Street Sykesville, braved the studio lights, wandered the Columbia Mall, and even indulged in sweet treats at an ice cream shop. But this year? This year, Mother Nature threw us a curveball. The coldest winds yet, coupled with a tight schedule thanks to a prior commitment to my youngest child's friend's birthday celebration, meant we needed a location that was both accessible and… unexpected.

"Target!" I blurted out, almost as a joke. But then, I looked at the twins, now young adults, and saw a spark of mischief in their eyes. "Let's go play in Target!"

And play, we did.

Forget posed portraits against a backdrop. We embraced the vibrant chaos of the aisles. We found pockets of light amongst the shelves, used the colorful displays as natural props, and captured genuine moments of laughter and connection.

We went directly to the swimsuit section, a nod to their dedication as competitive swimmers. From there, we explored the book aisle, diving into genres that piqued their individual interests. The music, horror, and sports sections followed, each revealing another facet of their personalities. We also played with carts, pushing each other down the aisles, laughing as they went. The candy aisle, particularly the Easter section, was our final destination. The vibrant colors and playful treats provided a fun and unexpected backdrop. where we used a reflector and an external flash with a diffuser to create a more relaxed and candid series of portraits. The flash was softened by the diffuser, and the reflector was used to bounce the light from the flash back into the shadows, creating a balanced and flattering light.

The beauty of photographing in a place like Target is its inherent relatability. It's a space everyone recognizes, a place filled with everyday objects that become extraordinary through the lens. The twins, now teenagers with their own unique personalities, were able to relax and be themselves, free from the pressure of a traditional photoshoot.

The final images? I'm absolutely in love with them. They're vibrant and authentic, and capture the essence of these seventeen-year-olds in a way that feels both timeless and perfectly of-the-moment. It's a testament to the fact that creativity can flourish even in the most unexpected places.

This year's adventure reminded me that photography is about more than just capturing pretty pictures. It's about capturing memories, creating experiences, and finding beauty in the everyday. And sometimes, that beauty is found in the aisles of a bustling Target store.

To the twins, thank you for trusting me year after year. Watching you grow into the amazing young adults you are has been an absolute privilege. And to all my fellow photographers, don't be afraid to break the mold and find inspiration in the unexpected. You never know what magic you might create.