When Andrea asked me to be her photographer for her quinceañera, I was honored to be a part of this culturally rich occassion. A quinceañera is a celebration of a teenager’s fifteenth birthday and her transition from girlhood into adulthood that typically includes stunning dresses, a holy ceremony, and a reception into the night. Andrea’s quinceañera (or, as the girls call it, her quince) was even more special to me, as she is one of my students!
The religious service was held at the beautiful, historic Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church on the South Side of Milwaukee. The ceremony was solemn, yet celebratory. Andrea looked effortlessly beautiful in her pink gown, and her family was oh-so-proud of their little girl.
After the ceremony, a traditional reception was held --- and the priest even stopped by! Andrea was sweetly blessed by her grandparents, and she and her quinceañera court performed not one, but two choreographed dances. The birthday girl, her friends, and her family danced into the evening. As I left the venue, I happened upon the younger children playing on a playground against a breathtaking sunset: a perfect ending to a perfect day!
