Feliz Cumpleaños!


"Quinceañera" literally means "15 years" in Spanish. When a girl turns 15 in most Hispanic cultures, a special birthday celebration called a quinceañera (or sometimes called the "quince") is held for her in honor of her entry into womanhood.


Although the specifics of the celebration can vary across cultures, the heart of it is the same. The celebration is both a spiritual and deeply communal event that marks a turning point in a young girl's life--her transition from childhood to a young woman.


It is common in some cultures for the girl to get dressed up in an elaborate gown, attend a special service, and have an attending "Court of Honor" similar to a wedding with a bridal party. True to American culture, there is quite a variety in the way quinceañeras are interpreted here in Lebanon, PA.


As a mother of four young girls, I was greatly inspired learning about this tradition. I think it's beautiful and deeply meaningful to provide our girls with milestones in their lives that can help them in their steps toward growing into an adult.


When I friend of mine with Latin American roots asked if I would be willing to provide a photo session for their daughter, Talita, as she approached her own quinceañera, I could not have been more delighted.

Young woman in cardigan smiling joyfully among blooming garden flowers.
Woman in flowy dress dancing gracefully among garden flowers.
Woman in light dress and cardigan reaching toward flowers in garden setting.
Woman in floral dress posing confidently in garden during golden hour.

For Talita's quinceanera photo shoot, I made sure to tailor everything to her specific desires. She wanted an individual portrait session in a beautiful spot outdoors.


What better location is there to express the blossoming of youth than a flower patch? We found the perfect one in which to photograph--Three Blossoms Flower Path in Newmanstown, PA. Incidentally, Rhonda the owner is the nicest lady to work with. She and her gorgeous flowers made the experience enjoyable from beginning to end.

Woman standing thoughtfully among blooming red poppies in garden.

As with my high school seniors, before our session I asked Talita about some of her favorite hobbies and interests so that we could be sure to include some. She replied that she enjoyed reading good books and dancing. Perfect.


For her two outfits, she chose a pretty floral dress with a cardigan, and a casual pair of jeans with a blouse. She used the pop-up changing tent that I provide for all my clients. Easy-peasy!

Someone holding an open book while sitting in a colorful garden with yellow flowers.
Someone sitting on a wooden chair in a garden with yellow and white flowers.
Someone in a peach floral top posing in a garden with yellow flowers.
Reading outdoors in a garden filled with yellow and white flowers on a wooden chair.
Someone seated on wooden chair surrounded by wildflowers in late summer garden.

Mid-way through her portraits, there was some gorgeous natural light filtering through the trees, so we made sure to snatch that up before it slipped away. Isn't she beautiful?

Golden sunset portrait in garden with bokeh lights and floral top.
Portrait in floral peach top against garden background with evening sunlight.
Summer garden portrait with warm sunset lighting and floral peach top.
Joyful garden portrait with peach floral top and natural evening lighting.

As with all of my sessions, we kept this light and playful as well as captured some of the more moody shots. We are complex individuals, and I like to get every emotion I can!

A moody black and white portrait of someone in a patterned top standing by a wire fence in nature.
A casual portrait of someone wearing a floral top and jeans while sitting outdoors.
Someone in a floral print top and jeans smiles while sitting in the grass near a fence.
A relaxed outdoor portrait of someone wearing a floral top and jeans sitting by a wire fence.
Someone poses thoughtfully in a rust-colored patterned top against a sunset landscape.

We finished our 60 minute session with a dance until the last of the sun's rays fell behind the hill. This girl is so much fun!

A joyful dance pose against a sunset landscape while wearing jeans and a patterned top.
Someone spins and laughs with arms outstretched on a grassy hillside at sunset.
A black and white capture of someone twirling on a grassy hill with arms outstretched.

After her session, her mother used the print credit included with their collection to purchase beautiful professional prints for their home.


These images would also make a gorgeous keepsake album to commemorate her once-in-a-lifetime quinceanera.


Congrats, Talita! ¡Muchas felicidades!