Introducing The BSC Elite 2019! It was an overwhelming application period topping out at 185 applications from 31 different schools <3 This year I’m proud to have started the year with 35 girls from 18 of those schools. (Not everyone could make this shoot.) There is a lot of fun and personality in this group and I honestly can’t wait for each and every gathering and session. I know they are going to rock each and every one!

I know why I am a part of this beautiful group, but I thought I’d start letting the girls tell you a little bit about why they are and how they feel about it. Keep scrolling for a glimpse into our first shoot, Summer Vibes (Lets be honest, I was over winter before it started 😉

Going into the shoot I had no idea what to expect; all I knew was that I was super excited!! During the shoot was so much fun!! Using our fake laughs for the pictures and then our real laughs when you turned the fan on 🙂 After the shoot I walked out very happy with myself that I put myself out there and did this and it really improved my day because of all the wonderful people (including Leslie) I had just spent time with! – Emmy Zaroff, Heritage High School, Class of 2022

I have known about The BSC Elite since last year, I am really interested in photography and I actually sent Leslie a DM asking about interning with her and following along on shoots because I thought it would be so much fun! Then I heard all about The BSC Elite from my friends Sophia and Taylor, they said they loved it and got to meet so many new people. I wanted to know more and see pictures immediately so I was always looking at Leslie’s new posts and I fell in love with how they looked!

So I started convincing my mom and dad, at first they thought I wouldn’t want to have such a long commitment to something other than volleyball, but soon after my conversation with them I decided to switch schools. This was a deciding factor for me and my parents, I wanted to be a part of The BSC Elite. I would get to meet new girls my age from all around my area! And now I have met some amazing girls and mad some great friends, I love it!!! – Izzy Washabaugh, Midland High School, Class of 2021

So far the first BSC Elite photo shoot has been great. I was a little intimidated and nervous when I arrived, but I soon realized that I get to watch magic happen from behind the camera to the final product! During the shoot I was a little bit nervous and was definitely not graceful while getting my photos taken, but no matter how awkward you feel the photos turn out so great in the end! After the shoot I felt pretty goof. I was nervous that they wouldn’t turn out because I am so awkward but am confident that they’re going to look great! – Gracie Radosa, Hemlock High School, Class of 2020

I joined The BSC Elite because I had seen the images online before and thought they were super beautiful! I had friends do it before and it seemed like a super awesome opportunity to meet new girls and have fun taking pictures which is something I’m always interested in doing. Being a part of The BSC Elite is super cool because you get to meet girls from all schools, sports, and grades you wouldn’t normally meet and hang out and make new friends. – Megan Mattichak, Valley Lutheran High School, Class of 2020

So far the girls are extremely nice and accepting of one another. The girls that I have met so far make me laugh so much. You can always find me smiling around them because they all have bubbly personalities. It was such a fun experience meeting new girls and creating friendships with people who love doing the same thing as me!! I can’t wait to meet everyone else! – Rachel Sisco, H.H. Dow High School, Class of 2022

I joined The BSC Elite because I thought it would be a really fun opportunity, and I love meeting new people. I knew some of the people who have done it before, and they all said it was such a good experience and they loved it so I decided to apply and I’m so happy I did! – Taylor Boettcher, HH Dow High School, Class of 2020

I was nervous before the shoot because I’ve never done anything like this before and I was scared of what I was going to look like. During the shoot all of my nerves went away. I truly had a lot of fun and I wish this could be an everyday thing! Afterwards I couldn’t stop talking about it, even though it was only for a couple of hours, it was one of the best days I’ve experienced! – Coryn Boyke, Hemlock High School, Class of 2020

This shoot was different than the first one I did with Leslie and just 2 of the other girls. There were a lot more girls this time which was very overwhelming at first… but once you got there and settles down in was absolutely fabulous how they would all start to talk to you and get to know you more as friends and individuals! Everyone was so sweet and just happy genuine people!! The experience is wonderful. This time I definitely felt more comfortable in my poses! – Regan Serier, Heritage High School, Class of 2020

I was very nervous, because it was my first shoot. But after you get there and the music is playing and you’re having a great time, all of your worries go away and you just focus on having fun! I also love that she lets you choose out of your own closet for the shoot so you’re a little more comfortable with what you get to wear. During the shoot I had so much fun talking to all of the girls. It was such a positive environment and experience. Afterwards I was so excited to see my pictures and I was already thinking about the next shoot. – Kaitlyn Miller, Hemlock High School, Class of 2022

Walking in, I was scared because I didn’t know anyone, but soon we all started talking and got along really well. As I was watching the other girls, I thought about what I might want to do for my pictures. I was also admiring their outfits! Afterwards, I was just excited for the next shoot. – Nicole Enderi, Swan Valley High School, Class of 2022

So far I LOVE the girls and everything we’ve done! Our first photo shoot was amazing and I loved meeting all the girls and being in front of the camera. The group shots were my favorite! It’s such a good and supportive environment to be in! – Taylor Boettcher, H.H. Dow High School, Class of 2020

Walking into my first shoot was scary. I was so worried I wouldn’t smile right, or I’d not be as photogenic as Leslie had hoped, or maybe stand out in a negative way. 🙁 Surprisingly, I quickly began to feel comfortable. As time went on, I became more confident in who I was in front of the camera. I thought I’d be more nervous, but Leslie and the girls provided such a welcoming environment, it felt natural. I was always self conscious about my smile, but Leslie somehow captured it in a way that made me almost love it, even with braces! After our shoot, I felt so excited to see the final outcome of our shots! I can’t wait for our next time together! – Taylor Lewis, Heritage High School, Class of 2021

The girls are my new best friends! This is definitely a chance to meet new people. I had seen some of these girls around but have never gotten the chance to be their friend until I joined The BSC Elite. Everyone is so nice and it’s like we have known each other for a lifetime. The experience is definitely one of a kind. You don’t always get to be with a group of girls that have such a good bond. This experience has made me feel so good about myself in ways that I never have before, it brings out so much positivity! – Coryn Boyke, Hemlock High School, Class of 2020

I wasn’t sure what to expect walking into it but it was easy to bond with the other girls over our outfits and our experience coming into The BSC Elite! Once we started shooting and the music started playing it was so easy to get into the groove of things and have a fun time! – Zoe Mose, Midland high School, Class of 2020

I joined The BSC Elite because my sister had such amazing experiences going out of her comfort zone and making new friends. I couldn’t resist the chance to do the same. So far  I have met so many people and I haven’t even met half the team! It’s a great experience to get out of your comfort zone and make amazing friends you wouldn’t have met any other way, and you meet them as they are stepping out of their ordinary as well, in a very different environment and it’s a great bonding experience. – Shelby Stephens, Freeland High School, Class of 2020

Special shout out to Stefanie Miller of Stefanie Miller Photography for the use of her beautiful studio! Do check her out for all of your newborn and baby photography, she is a complete rockstar with the littles!