The Traveling Dress Project Comes to Chester County PA

Some sessions start with a concept, a location, and a shot list. This one started with a dress in the mail.
Last summer I had the chance to join ten photographers from across the country in a creative collaboration called the Traveling Dress Project. The idea was simple and completely unique: one dress, mailed from photographer to photographer, each of us given two weeks to style it however we wanted. The only rule was that no one could share their images until every photographer had finished. That way each of us could create freely, without being shaped by what someone else had already done.
Finding my subject was easy. I chose Mady, a Chester County high school senior who somehow manages to balance two jobs and varsity cheerleading without missing a beat. What made this session even more meaningful was that I had watched Mady grow up. Photographing her for this project felt like a genuine honor.

Making the Most of One Hour

The timing was not exactly on our side. It rained for nearly the entire two weeks I had the dress, and Mady’s schedule left almost no room to work with. When one free hour opened up, we took it without hesitation. Because this was a once-in-a-lifetime session, I wanted every detail to be intentional. We prioritized her makeup, using SeneGence products throughout, and let the dress and the landscape of Southern Chester County do the rest. Chester County farmland has a way of making everything feel a little more cinematic, and this session was no exception.

What the Traveling Dress Project Reminded Me

Creative collaboration has a way of pushing you to see your work differently. When you know that ten other photographers are putting their own vision into the same project, you stop playing it safe and start asking bigger questions about what you want to make. This project gave me that, and Mady delivered every bit of it. The dress moved on to a photographer in Portland, Oregon when we were done. I hope it gave her something as meaningful as it gave me.

Chester County Senior Portraits That Tell Your Story

Not every senior session needs to be traditional. Some of the most memorable portraits happen when there is a real story behind them. If you are a Chester County senior looking for something that goes beyond the standard backdrop and cap-and-gown shots, I would love to hear what you have in mind.
Reach out here to start planning your session.

*Products Used*

All Over Face – SeneGence Light & Medium Color Corrected Tinted Moisturizer (premixed).

Eyes – Rose Gold Glitter, Palm Glitter & SandStone Pearl Shimmer ShadowSense

Lips – She’s Apples premixed with Kiss me Katie LipSense.