Portraits by Darton - 2010 Seniors

Ok, we admit it...our studio is not for everyone. Why?

• Our portraits are not trendy. They are not filled with flashy backgrounds, and all the latest props. They are timeless. In fact, we think they are so timeless we believe you would not be able to tell which images in our gallery are over 10 years old. Can you guess which ones?

• Our subjects are not posed. Sometimes people ask why a senior session lasts so long (about 2 hours) well, taking time to get to know the subject is the only way to get achieve the natural and relaxed expressions and postures you see in Darton's portraits. It is much faster to pose a person and then take a picture of them, which is why so many people in their senior pictures look stiff. Anyone can point a camera at you and take a picture, but a picture is what you look like, a portrait is who you are.

• We do not encourage big, bogus and cheesy smiles. A thoughtful interaction between you and Darton will likely yield lots of genuine smiles, but then and only then will there be "smiley" pictures.

• We like black and white alot.

• We occassionally will cut the top of a head off. This is not a mistake.

• Darton is masterful at controlling light, so you see soft, flattering lighting that will shape your face and make your eyes sparkle with life, but you will also see dramatic lighting that will reveal you in a different way.

• We are not super cheap. But if you spend $250 on bad pictures, or $400 on great ones, which is the better value?

• So, as you can see our studio is clearly not for everyone, but if you are a unique individual that is not afraid to go against the crowd and risk two hours of your life for an incredible experience and amazing portraits that you will proud of for a lifetime, please give us a call, we would very much like to meet you.

Portraits By Darton Drake | Winnetka, Ilinois