The Miss USA, Georgia Teen pageant is coming to town in November and this beautiful young lady is competing for the crown. She came to me about a month ago to have some head shots done for her portfolio submission and we had such a great time glamming it up in my photography studio in Milton.

She is set to compete as Miss Milton I believe. You would never know it by looking at these glamour portraits but she is one of the youngest contestants in the pageant and she has never before competed in a beauty pageant. As we commenced the portrait photography session, however, it was immediately apparent that she is a natural and a true professional.

With her big brown eyes, luxuriously thick brown hair and big, genuine smile, this teen is the epitome of the all-American beauty. And on top of all of that she is smart and incredibly sweet. She was talkative, funny, open and we had a great time picking out tops and earrings and laughing about my battle with that one piece of hair that kept popping up to steal the spotlight.

As a portrait photographer working with teens and children I see lots of kids who, like myself, are not comfortable in front of the camera and I have to work hard at getting them to loosen up and relax enough to capture the "real" person and avoid that "deer-in-the-headlights" look.

That was not the case with this girl. She would lift those eyelids and the camera loved her so much it practically released the shutter by itself. I just know that this ease and confidence will come through during the pageant and the judges will be as impressed with her as I.

Looking at this glammed up photograph you would never know that she showed up at my studio in jeans and flip flops looking like any high school teen, albeit a very pretty one.

I saved this photo for last because it is probably my favorite. Her mother was watching the shoot and I knew that she would want to have some photos that reflected not only the amazing beauty of her daughter but also the fun, sweet personality within. So I made her laugh, evoking some big beautiful smiles and voila -- her mom's favorite shot. And, because it makes me smile to look at it, it is mine as well.

Whichever photo she elects to use and whether she actually wins the crown, I know that her pageant experience will be successful and this beautiful young woman will go on to do amazing things. Good luck! I will be cheering for you!