Senior Pictures!

So yesterday I was Finally able to Seriously start my portfolio! Jesse's younger sister is now a seeeenior in high school and instead of spending seven hundred dollars on Senior Pictures, she asked me to do them. And I did them for free.

We spent about two hours and I let her have as many wardrobe changes as she wanted. The one thing I was worried about was not being able to keep the light until the end of the shoot (The pictures were outside and I got there at 3) But we ended up not having a problem. We took the pictures at her house which just so happens to have a monstrous garden stretching around the entire house.

I used my moms camera which was a Panasonic SomethingorOther and it ended up working really well! I was surprised at how great they turned out!

What I learned:
1. Position your subject in a way where the light isn't in their eyes! If you have them in the shade, its much easier to brighten the picture than to take away squinty eyes AND darken it without it looking creepy.
2. Try to find areas (outside) where there is contrast. If your subject is wearing a bright red dress, try to find a spot where the natural surroundings will make the dress pop.
3. Editing is your friend. Does this mean take off 15 lbs, add some nice flowing locks, glowing cheeks, and a pony? No. But bringing out the color of the eyes and hair by increasing the exposure and/or saturation, can really make your subject stand out, as well as adding interest to the rest of the photo as well.
4. Angles are awesome! Sure, the head on, straight forward point and shoot method is okay. But taking pictures looking down, up, and around at your subject, adds perspective and makes a group of pictures more interesting.
5. Are you taking a picture of someone that feels awkward or doesn't know what to do with themselves? Have someone they can talk to and let them get out their funny faces every once in a while. Taking that awkward 'GRRRR' face picture is usually followed by a genuine smile/laugh combination, and THAT'S the picture you want.

Until she gives me permission to post these pictures, I'm only going to post the Sneak Peak. (We don't want all her friends to see them if They read the blog!)

So below is the picture she chose as her Sneak Peak. Again, notice how she isn't right in the middle of the photo. This picture, I really don't think I messed with anything. I cropped a little, but other than that, we used the lighting to our advantage and even got some really great sun streaks (That beam of light was intentional and was something we really wanted in our garden pictures) But I think it turned out great! Very natural and B.E.A.UTIFUL!

So if anyone has tips or suggestions, hit me up! This was my first 'official' photo shoot apart from me constantly taking pictures of James. I'll be sure to post more when I have permission!

Also! Please feel free to follow me and my adventures at www.amazingjames.blogspot.com

Thanks!