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

A lot of these girls seem to be using very heavy foundation. I see more of it in rjharris' shots but in others' as well. To me, it's an unnatural orange and my eye is quickly drawn to the hairline where it changes back to the natural skin (often with what seems like some makeup on the hair roots). Or the face doesn't match the neck.

Is this common nationwide, or is it more of a regional thing?

AntonLargiader wrote in post #19365185
A lot of these girls seem to be using very heavy foundation. I see more of it in rjharris' shots but in others' as well. To me, it's an unnatural orange and my eye is quickly drawn to the hairline where it changes back to the natural skin (often with what seems like some makeup on the hair roots). Or the face doesn't match the neck.

Is this common nationwide, or is it more of a regional thing?

In in southern NJ and do see it quite a bit. Most of my senior work is for yearbook photos (having a difficult time transitioning them to personalized sessions, but getting there) and tell them to wear light makeup. However, any photo they choose is edited and with certain tools in Photoshop, I am able to get the rest of the skin to match the face for color and tones, and if I see a distinct hairline to face change, I will blend that in to make it look more natural.

as promised (or THREATENED) here are a couple of shots from my first (real, full) senior session...

he changed his tie for the 2nd shot. i didnt really like the super busy backgrounds but i got him pretty isolated wide open...

I hope this is OK to post. I'm not sure about unsolicited C&C these days.

I like the basic poses equally, but I see some things in the first that are hard to let go of.

When you posted him before I remember some hair standing up and it's there again. When you see the 'tousled hair' look in a model shoot I suspect it's Very Carefully Controlled tousle you see. A bit of organization would help. Maybe comb and then lightly tousle? Ask a stylist! He's snappy-looking so the hair is important. Also tiny details like the collar overhanging the jacket stand out. Yes, that first building is a bit strong, but also the DOF doesn't get his left arm. Maybe a longer lens would have been more forgiving on those items. And the drooping hands vertically stacked become prominent. I know, hand posing is a whole subject of its own.

The second (again, IMO) just needs the left edge cropped. To me, the buildings in the main BG are OK but the construction cranes are distracting, like you let the camera wander off the set. The reflection on the water and the dock elements over there also detract. I think he still has space in front of him without that strip, especially since he isn't looking that way. Good pose, exposure looks really good to me, all of him is in focus, and I like the sky!

I like the trombone. It's prominent, bright and shiny, maybe a bit too much so.. but I still like it.

There's a lot to like about both (exposure looks really good, clothes suit him well, good posture) but when I look closely the 2nd is technically better to me. However, I like the face from the first one better. Better color and general vitality, and looking at (or almost at) the camera.

This one was a first for me... Daniel works at a dairy as a technician and is going to school to be a Veterinarian so of course he wanted to shoot out at the dairy where he works. I figured it would be a good opportunity to get into the corral with all the cows. It was a bit intimidating...

bryzf1 wrote in post #19368461
This one was a first for me... Daniel works at a dairy as a technician and is going to school to be a Veterinarian so of course he wanted to shoot out at the dairy where he works. I figured it would be a good opportunity to get into the corral with all the cows. It was a bit intimidating...

Any adverse reactions to the flash by the cows?

Good question, that was one of my main concerns. They didn't even flinch or react whatsoever! Unlike the few times i've had a shoot with a horse incorporated... they don't care for the flash at all, from my experience.

bryzf1 wrote in post #19368461
This one was a first for me... Daniel works at a dairy as a technician and is going to school to be a Veterinarian so of course he wanted to shoot out at the dairy where he works. I figured it would be a good opportunity to get into the corral with all the cows. It was a bit intimidating...

Great image. The cows posed perfectly. Well done.

Lightroom edit only. Caleb.

bryzf1 wrote in post #19368475
Good question, that was one of my main concerns. They didn't even flinch or react whatsoever! Unlike the few times i've had a shoot with a horse incorporated... they don't care for the flash at all, from my experience.

the cows in fact look very interested in what you are doing!

bryzf1 wrote in post #19368461
This one was a first for me... Daniel works at a dairy as a technician and is going to school to be a Veterinarian so of course he wanted to shoot out at the dairy where he works. I figured it would be a good opportunity to get into the corral with all the cows. It was a bit intimidating...

I like this shot. How did you get the cows to pose as well

Mom picked out her images last week.

Welcome , hope it’s all positive, thanks for posting

A couple more proofs of Allie, she loves to get pictures taken.

Gillian - Proofs
Dallas Art District
This is the second time I've been there now. Really a neat place to shoot.