My cousin’s sweet sixteen photoshoot was a special project, and I wanted to capture her unique spirit and personality. Inspired by “The Princess and the Frog,” we explored whimsical poses and angles throughout Old Town Occoquan.

To achieve the desired effect, I relied heavily on the Pixel 8 Pro’s versatile camera system. To highlight her expressions, I opted for the natural bokeh achieved through the phone’s zoom capabilities (1x and 5-10x), avoiding the artificial look of Portrait mode. The Peaking feature was essential for precise manual focus on her face, ensuring sharp details amidst the whimsical movements.

Beyond focus, capturing the right mood and lighting was crucial. Using the Pro-mode controls, I adjusted shadows and brightness to highlight her features without compromising her natural complexion. The magic continued in post-processing with Google Photos.

The Magic Editor effortlessly removed distracting elements like trash cans and light posts, while a touch of vignette added a final touch of mystique, drawing attention to her captivating expressions..

A person leans against a stone wall outdoors, smiling and wearing a denim jacket and long skirt.A woman in a light denim jacket and silver dress is standing on a pathway, with a soft smile and hands clasped in front of her.A woman wearing a denim jacket and sunglasses is standing outdoors, basking in sunlight, with bare trees in the background.A person wearing a denim jacket holds flowers and stands beside a window with a display of flowers.A person wearing a light-colored skirt and denim jacket leans against a stone wall on a brick path next to trees and a railing.A woman in a denim jacket and long skirt poses playfully on a walkway with a stone building in the background.

This photoshoot was more than just a technical exercise; it was a chance to connect with my cousin and celebrate her transition into womanhood. You can read more about the experience and what it meant to me on my personal blog.