Senior portrait.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Well, another photo. Another opportunity to learn.

http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/photos/666936970_7PFoe-L.jpg (http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/Portraits/Senior-Portraits/9782013_AYboi/1/#666936970_7PFoe-A-LB)

[gonzogolf]

I like everything about this but... Not the kneeling pose. When I was scrolling down to see the image on my small monitor it looked great until I got to that. Its uncomfortable and unnatural looking to me. Otherwise you nailed it.

[vpnd]

the lighting is nice and soft. I think the pose needs a little work, the idea,bkgrnd are good.

[aroundlsu]

Its ok. The blacks may be a little crushed or too much contrast. I am not certain about the creative decision of posing around some weeds. I would have tried to find a little better place if she really wanted the lake and city in the background. Or come up with a better pose that crops out the weeds.

Also was the city skyline her idea? Is it something that means something to her? Like she lives in one of those buildings? Or did you just pick it because it looks cool? What I am trying to say is what does the city and lake have to do with her?

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yup, you nailed it. She lives right amongst those buildings. This is where she hung out, every summer. It's a pretty popular spot to be, during the summer here. As far as the pose, the standing ones were, well, to say the least, somewhat unflattering. This is better, I think.

What do you think of this pose?

http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/photos/666937854_N2mqM-L.jpg (http://lightworks414.smugmug.com/Portraits/Senior-Portraits/9782013_AYboi/1/#666937854_N2mqM-A-LB)

[Binning]

I like the second one better. I had a similar reaction to aroundlsu on the first shot in that the buildings and reflection seemed to distract from the model unless they were part of her story.

[gonzogolf]

I dont find the knock Kneed square pose very flattering either.

[Benji]

You will find after you shoot for awhile that certain poses which look great on gals that weigh 95 pounds simply don't work on gals who weigh considerably more. Both of the poses you showed here are good examples of the 95 pound girl poses.

Benji

[Lightworks Imaging]

Yeah, I realize that. What do you do with the 5' nothing, 140 pound girl? I was struggling. Trust me, there are WORSE looks in this file. :( I'm trying to figure out what to do with this variety of girl? I tried turning her to the profile, and that just looked WORSE. Then her belly stuck out. The 40 to 45 degree tot he axis of the camera, those were better... She likes the "square, knock-kneed" one. Trust me, I'm lost, what do you do, only take the well proportioned senior? That seems limiting at best, discriminatory at worst... Suggestion appreciated. I read a lot about posing, and it still eludes me apparently.

[gonzogolf]

I actually liked the angle on the first one, just not the awkward and uncomfortable positioning of the legs. If you can get her to sit on something so she isnt so compressed on the lower body it will be fine.

[Binning]

Accentuate the positive. She has a cute face, eyes and nice skin.
Divert attention from the less positive: use shadows, DOF, framing, creative composition (peaking out from behind a tree and smiling)

In the end, the only one that needs to be pleased is the client (senior). If she likes her baggy jeans and is happy with the second shot you took, then good for her. It could be that the shots you are taking are the highest quality imaging that has been done for her. She's in your hands as the photographer. Accentuate the positive.

[Lightworks Imaging]

Great thinking. I'm learning, you guys show me the way. I like the tree idea. I have other shots, these are the one she likes. I tried the options, I'll look deeper into the files and see what I can do. Thanks alot, again, this is where I learn.

[Benji]

Accentuate the positive. She has a cute face, eyes and nice skin.
Divert attention from the less positive: use shadows, DOF, framing, creative composition (peaking out from behind a tree and smiling)

In the end, the only one that needs to be pleased is the client (senior). If she likes her baggy jeans and is happy with the second shot you took, then good for her. It could be that the shots you are taking are the highest quality imaging that has been done for her. She's in your hands as the photographer. Accentuate the positive.

EXCELLENT ADVICE!

Seated and squatting full length poses tend to make just about any subject look short and heavy. Standing poses and poses where the subject is leaning against something tends to allow their weight be more equally distributed and therefore look thinner.

Benji