STICKY:  How to photograph a high school Senior - Part 2

This thread is very inspiring not only for Senior portraits but photographing people in general. Special thanks to Jay for posting his studio. The marketing ideas here are priceless.

Recently having lost my 'normal' income and while trying to get my part time business of 28 yrs to full time (not photography), I have been converting my old back yard office into a studio. Slow process with now limited income. It is 14'x 24' and I can add another 12' onto the end. I thought this would be way to small but was going to try to make it work.

5 weeks ago I started to take photographing people seriously, I mean other than family and friends. I did a couple model workshops where the models ranging from age 16-20 showed enough appreciation for my images to be excited to work together again. After browsing local and surrounding area finished products, and irritated with the cheap auto enhancing post processing software they use, I figured I'd give it a shot.

A few of my samples.

Nice set of images!!!

TroyRaymond wrote in post #16040871
This thread is very inspiring not only for Senior portraits but photographing people in general. Special thanks to Jay for posting his studio. The marketing ideas here are priceless.

Recently having lost my 'normal' income and while trying to get my part time business of 28 yrs to full time (not photography), I have been converting my old back yard office into a studio. Slow process with now limited income. It is 14'x 24' and I can add another 12' onto the end. I thought this would be way to small but was going to try to make it work.

5 weeks ago I started to take photographing people seriously, I mean other than family and friends. I did a couple model workshops where the models ranging from age 16-20 showed enough appreciation for my images to be excited to work together again. After browsing local and surrounding area finished products, and irritated with the cheap auto enhancing post processing software they use, I figured I'd give it a shot.

A few of my samples.

Renewed enthusiasm for finishing the studio!

Good job.. really Like #2

Thank You! First positive feedback I've had on people, a few years ago I posted some 'not so great' images. Spent a long time learning here...

TroyRaymond wrote in post #16040871
This thread is very inspiring not only for Senior portraits but photographing people in general. Special thanks to Jay for posting his studio. The marketing ideas here are priceless.

Recently having lost my 'normal' income and while trying to get my part time business of 28 yrs to full time (not photography), I have been converting my old back yard office into a studio. Slow process with now limited income. It is 14'x 24' and I can add another 12' onto the end. I thought this would be way to small but was going to try to make it work.

5 weeks ago I started to take photographing people seriously, I mean other than family and friends. I did a couple model workshops where the models ranging from age 16-20 showed enough appreciation for my images to be excited to work together again. After browsing local and surrounding area finished products, and irritated with the cheap auto enhancing post processing software they use, I figured I'd give it a shot.

A few of my samples.

Renewed enthusiasm for finishing the studio!

Good start!

IMHO you should dial back the eye processing.

Also I think the chin should be lowered in all the photos shown. Dropping the chin and not using on camera flash would help the lighting to not be quite so up the nose.

Thank You Wes! So far its the models doing the work, I'm in the process of learning to direct. I can get consistent results, but there is still so much to learn. (chin down)

My first 2014 senior. I think she looks a lot like Elizabeth Banks from 40 year old Virgin.

rj, that looks real nice. (now please fix those stray hairs )

A senior from the other day

Tom

jb_browneyes wrote in post #16065033
rj, that looks real nice. (now please fix those stray hairs )

I did on the full sized one. I was so amazed at how much she looked like Elizabeth that I wasn't thinking straight.

Is there a quick method for fixing that many stray hairs?

Dave Jr wrote in post #16065504
Is there a quick method for fixing that many stray hairs?

I never fix them all. I do the ones that are going in the opposite direction and the ones that are sticking out really, really bad. Some stray hairs fits this girl really well if you knew her.

rjharris wrote in post #16066022
I never fix them all. I do the ones that are going in the opposite direction and the ones that are sticking out really, really bad. Some stray hairs fits this girl really well if you knew her.

^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^

I think photographers are the only people that get excited about strays

Ive asked clients the past 5 yrs if they wanted them fixed when i process..at least 80% tell me it does not bother them.. unless it really takes away i generally leave em alone.

umphotography wrote in post #16066033
^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^

I think photographers are the only people that get excited about strays

Ive asked clients the past 5 yrs if they wanted them fixed when i process..at least 80% tell me it does not bother them.. unless it really takes away i generally leave em alone.

My sentiments exactly. Here is sooc and I think you'll see she was elated with what I did.

^ That's a pretty good before and after. Amazing that her eyes are that vibrant SOOC.