It’s that time of year.

For one night this spring, area teens will abandon their everyday T-shirts and jeans for sharp black suits ands elegant formals fit for the Oscars.

It’s prom time, and my have proms changed since I was that age.

Gone are the long, full dresses that required a hoop and crinoline. Almost always a pastel color, they required two people to get in your date’s car. We won't even discuss the battle to get into a bathroom stall.

Ugh…

And can we talk about those sleeves. Oh they were awful. They were so big I think they had their zip codes.

I’ll stop at the big, permed hair so popular at the time.

There is a reason my prom photo has mysteriously disappeared.

Annually, my studio near Robinson, IL, plans some type of prom session to complement what is offered at the school. In advance, I choose a model and we do some early images for advertising.

This year was no different.

Stephanie was such a great sport.

As usual, the March weather the day of her session was questionable. The clouds were ominous and, though it was warm the day before, the wind had picked up and it was chilly. In light of the pending forecast, we moved her session up an hour.

I’m so glad we did.

Upon her arrival, she traded her casual outfit for a beautiful navy formal and probably the highest heels I’ve seen in quite some time.

Her mom in tow for adjustments, we hopped on the side-by-side and headed out to the west side of the pond.

We knocked out several poses and then I had her model some of the cool corsages provided by The Rocking Horse in Palestine, IL.

And then I thought I felt something.

And then she did too.

Rain.

It was time to move the party inside.

Once we were dry and warm in the studio, we talked about the prom. We talked about who she going with, what her flowers looked like, and most importantly, how in the world she was going to dance in those shoes.

Oh, the shoes were coming off as soon as the prom started.

Some things never change.

Prom specials listed below. Reservations required.