Donnella Cranford, founder of Women After God's Own Heart Inc., is the visionary of the Atlanta's Debutantes for Christ (D4C) program. The 2011 Debutantes 4 Christ event took place at Eagles Landing Country Club about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia. I assisted Atlanta-based photographer Djamal Balbed with portraits for the evening while he captured the event's candid images. From the moment I entered the clubhouse, I instantly knew where portraits would be made that evening.  The double staircase served well as a photography backdrop and made it easier to pose larger family groups. Congratulations to all the young ladies who participated in this year's program. Thanks to Donnella and Cathy for making Debutantes 4 Christ such a great experience for these young women after God's own heart.

The Ivy Foundation of Washington hosted its biannual Tea Rose Cotillion this Spring.  The event took place at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda in the presence of the ten debutantes' closest family and friends.  The theme was "Cultivated PEARLS: Presenting Extraordinary and Refined Ladies to Society". The evening began with an formal group portrait of the young ladies and their escorts.  After their formal introductions and a curtsey to greet their parents, the program continued with several dance routines with their dads and the escorts.  The Rose Petals (in pink) performed a special routine called "Scented Memories". It symbolized them growing up and becoming the debutantes.

As with all events, it takes a lot of behind the scenes work to help everything run smoothly. I'd like to thank the cotillion co-chairs and committee for their efforts preparing for this event. Also, thanks to Donnamaria for backing me up with additional photography coverage. Congratulations to Candace, Miss Tea Rose 2011!

In March, I had the pleasure of photographing 10 debutantes in Maryland, as part of an upcoming Tea Rose Cotillion event. The debutantes are being sponsored by the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Inc.'s Ivy Foundation.  The Saturday morning session included a variety of individual and group portraits of the ladies. Special thanks to Jean-Ann for hosting us all for the portrait session. I counted at least 30 pair of shoes lined up at the door… whew! I'd also like to thank the cotillion co-chairs and Ivy Foundation of Washington for continuing to host the cotillion event for these young women.

For the photographers, here's the lighting setup I used…
Four Alien Bee strobes, 4×6' reflector and seamless background paper.

The Ivy Foundation's Tea Rose Cotillion was a success!  The event took place on May 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.  Thanks to all of the committee members and parents for all you've done to help this year's event run smoothly.  This year's theme was "Presenting Our Pearls: The Next Generation of Hope". The young ladies Waltzed with their fathers, then did the Tango and Grand Promenade with their escorts.  Several awards were presented, including best scrapbook, highest GPA, and debutante spirit.  At the end, one debutante was crowned… Congratulations to LaShae, Miss Tea Rose 2009!  Thanks to Precious of Precious Perspectives for assisting with candid photography.  Also, thanks to the string quartet for providing music for the guests throughout the evening.

I was recently commissioned to photograph 8 young ladies who will be participating in the Tea Rose Cotillion this month, in the DC area.  The session was held at the THEARC Campus of the Washington Middle School for Girls in DC.  Several portraits were created of each debutante, showing their formal dresses and some personality.  The images will be used as a part of the printed program for the upcoming cotillion event.  Thanks to the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Inc.'s Ivy Foundation for sponsoring this occasion.  I'm sure the debutantes will remember this experience for years to come.

Last weekend, I traveled to Atlanta GA to assist a fellow photographer with a debutante ball. I was primarily on portrait duty for the evening, photographing all of the debutantes with their friends and family members who attended. Thanks to the families and my assistants for helping to keep the line moving smoothly. This Debutantes 4 Christ event was organized by the Women After God’s Own Heart Ministry. To Donnella and Cathy, thanks for such a wonderful event for these young ladies. After hearing their testimonies during the program, it was clearly a positive life-changing process for them all.