Powerful and enduring
There's been lots of talk about the most recent Vanity Fair photos. Love them or hate them, they have made quite the impression. Here’s the link: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/vanity-fair-goes-to-the-white-house-trump-2-edition?srsltid=AfmBOor_3XFt7MeSlXYHsbaXWh7P6e4ztRTaywMVh4O8MZEoPtT-yE-7
Make no mistake, the photographer did none of it on accident. Between the extreme close ups, the pull back shots and the posing and framing, the photographer was making a point. Even leaving in the light switches is not an oversight. The beauty of photography is that it can create emotions and feelings without the viewer even being aware of what is happening. Photographs are powerful and enduring.
I was talking with my friend Loralyn about the most recent photos of the White House staff. She mentioned that she still remembers how a magazine made Monica Lewinsky look bad in her photos and went on to explain how her dress looked frumpy and her painted nails looked like a child’s. More than 30 years later she could remember Monica's nails but couldn't recall what the article said about her. Didn't need to. A picture is worth a thousand words - even 30 years later.
When I think about an iconic photo of my mom, this one always comes to mind. We even had it blown up to display at her 75th birthday party. This photo makes me smile as I can see my mom as a beautiful new bride - before kids, before money worries, before all the work and joy of raising 7 kids. It is a simple shot my dad took on their honeymoon, but I love her pose, strong but casual. She looks content and has only a hint of a smile. She’s in the middle of the frame, but her arm draws your eye back to her beautiful face. The background is interesting without being distracting. Did my dad have any of this in mind when he took the photo? No. But he saw the beauty in the moment and captured it.
Photographs not only capture moments, they tell a story. What story do YOU want to tell? How do YOU want to be seen in the future? I will take the time to talk with you and guide you in deciding how to best photograph you and even your family. Let’s chat and come up with an amazing way to feature you in photographs that will last a lifetime and beyond.
**Rediscovering Your Confidence: The Invisible Struggles of Women Over 40** As a photographer, I’ve seen a common thread among many women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond—they often feel invisible. In a society that tends to focus on youth, it’s easy to feel like the beauty, strength, and wisdom that come with age go unnoticed. But here’s the truth: *You are seen.* Many women I work with come to me feeling overlooked, as though the world no longer recognizes their value. But by the end of our session, they leave feeling empowered, confident, and celebrated. Every wrinkle, every line, and every experience has shaped them into someone truly extraordinary—and that’s what I capture. A portrait session isn’t just about looking beautiful in front of the camera; it’s about reclaiming your visibility and celebrating your journey. The confidence, wisdom, and grace that come with age are powerful, and they deserve to be recognized. If you’re a woman in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond and have ever felt invisible, it’s time to change that. Let’s create a portrait that shows the world exactly who you are—strong, beautiful, and irreplaceable. #FabulousOver40 #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #WomenOver60 #TimelessBeauty #ReclaimYourConfidence #CelebrateYourAge #YouAreSeen #EmpoweredWomen
Maria at Maria Marchal Photography, in Louisville, Kentucky, shares her thoughts on what effect Artificial Intelligence will have on photography.
When you schedule a branding session or a senior session with Maria Marchal Photography , I will come to your house and help you choose what to wear in your photos. Why? Because sometimes what looks good in person, doesn't photograph well. I have the experience and expertise to tell you what will look good in front of the camera. Suggestions for what to wear for portraits go back years and years! In fact, the famous painter John Singer Sargent would style his clients and often alter what they had on when they showed up for their sitting. He knew what would look good in a painting and how to style it to look fabulous while still making the person the most important part of the painting. Now, I'm no John Singer Sargent, but I do like to offer items I have for clients to sometimes wear during the shoot. I just knew this fringy jacket would look great with the outfit this senior brought. She wasn't sure about it at first, but fell in love with it after seeing what it looked like in the photo. In fact, these were some of her favorite photos! I enjoy helping my Louisville clients from the beginning of the process all the way through to the end. Not only will I help you decide what to wear for your session, I will help you choose the best photos and how to display them. Heck, I even install the wall art for you! Actually, my husband does that, but he's part of the business. Let's see what wonderful images we can create together here in Louisville, Ky. Whether it's headshots , branding photos or senior pictures , I'll hold your hand from beginning to end.
Branding Session Headshot