Teen makeover photoshoot for Sophia’s 13th birthday

Summer 2020 update: The above image was awarded a Regional Merit by the Central Region of the Master Photographers Association (covering  Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire) in the annual 2020 awards. A few months later, the same image also won a merit in the MPA National Awards.

Read on to find out the story behind this surprise photoshoot:

Mum Anita was planning what to get for her daughter’s birthday when she came up with the idea of a makeover photoshoot for Sophia with a few of her closest friends.

Not only is a photoshoot an enjoyable way to mark Sophia’s 13th, but the pictures will remind the girls of the fun they had and the friendship they share every time they look at them.

Unlike other gifts – such as clothes, gadgets or perfume – we keep photos forever, and they become more valuable, not less, over time.

Anita and I discussed all the details and booked in a date. I sent over a personalised Gift Certificate in a Welcome Pack, so that Sophia would have something tangible to open on her birthday.

Then, once she learned about the surprise, Sophia would have time to plan outfits with her friends in the lead-up to the photoshoot day.

Sophia is an incredible young lady. She’s funny, kind and always happy – in fact, she barely stopped smiling the whole time I was with her!

She works incredibly hard at and after school, and has already achieved an incredibly high standard in classical ballet.

A makeover shoot was a well-deserved chance to relax with her friends, while also experiencing something a little more grown-up and sassy than everyday life!

None of the girls had worn makeup before, so Kate and Holly, our excellent hair and makeup artists from Ruby Rouge, opted for a classy, natural glow with a subtle touch of colour.

Our shoot was the first time the group of friends had seen each other since before the Christmas holidays, so there was a lot of catching up to do!

Luckily, mum Anita had already booked a couple of tables at Bicester’s Prezzo restaurant, so the conversations could continue over lunch.

After our shoot, these very sweet and beautiful girls headed off to make the most of being glammed up to enjoy pizza and pasta together, while looking forward to seeing the final images 🙂

After our shoot, Anita said:

“Sarah is an incredible photographer. She is great fun and managed a party of 5 teenage girls effortlessly. The teenage makeover and photo shoot will be fondly remembered by all the girls and the photographs were just gorgeous. We would not hesitate in recommending Sarah to any of our friends and family in the future, with the confidence that her work will be beyond your expectations. We are looking forward to having our second photoshoot in the very near future. A great big thank you from all of us! :)”

Anita, teenager and makeover photoshoots client from Oxfordshire

If you’re interested in teenager and makeover photoshoots, please get in contact.

Sarah Plater LMPA is a qualified professional photographer based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.