Help with first time taking senior style portraits of teenage son

[LGithens]

I need some help with this as well, my senior doesn't want to go have formal portraits taken. He's just not into the whole, 50 costume changes wasting a day type thing. He wants me to take his pictures.

So I have a Canon D20. I have a 135 f2 L lens (among others, but that's my nicest lens) I also have a 480 speedlight. But that's about it.

Taking that equipment ( or suggesting other equipment) how do I go about taking some simple outdoor portraits? Walk me through it. What settings should I use? Aperture, ISO, shutter speed, etc.

I play at being a photographer, and usually do more mistakes than successes. But I really want to accomplish this!

Lori

[Moppie]

Hi Lori, I have turned this into a new thread for you.


How familiar are you with your camera?

The exact settings you use will depend on the light you have available and how much control you want over the out come, and how much control you are willing to let the camera have.

[LGithens]

I'm somewhat familiar with my camera. I've recently been doing more manual shots. Mainly in low light conditions, so I know how to set my camera for those conditions.

[milorad]

I certainly encourage you to sink your teeth into this... and some seniors shooters here will no doubt have some excellent advice on what to do.

My advice is only this, though... when a photographer shoots a subject, it helps to see that subject they way they want to project themselves. In other words, when you're shooting, do your best not to see your son as your child, but rather try to see him the way he would want to be seen by the world.

If you can put yourself in that frame of mind, he's going to be MUCH happier with the results. I think that line of thinking will affect your framing and the location you choose, which means more to the end result than any camera settings could.