Cely Turns 16!

I photographed Cely's 16th birthday party in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It was a large affair attended by most of her family and friends. She has Puerto Rican heritage and turning 16 is a milestone in her culture and they call it quinceanera. It is the time where a girl becomes a woman so her father threw her a massive Mardi Gras themed party to celebrate.

Cely looking beautiful in her ballgown. It was the first

of two different dresses she would wear during the evening.

Cely and her family arrived at the party in a limousine.

This is her mother stepping out of the limo.

Cely and her mother
Cely's father
Cely and her father
Cely and her family: her parents and brothers.
Cely and her friends
Cely entering the reception hall where her party was held.
At the beginning of the party, her parents changed her

shoes from flats to heals to symbolize Cely transforming from

a girl to a woman.

The awesome birthday cake
Cely's brother and his friend
During the party, they played games and one was to run

around and collect beads by kissing the person on the

cheek. These girls won prizes for collecting the most beads. Cely, I hope you had a wonderful birthday! All the best, Lizzie