Senior Photography?

In preperation for next year, I am wondering what makes a senior photo, a "senior photo". and what it takes to make it.... "senior photo...y". I am hoping that this will be a way for me to get my feet wet, especially since I am on the "inside" and hopefully, I will be able to do my class in a few years... (special school (not special ed)...just different) Any suggestions as far as equipment/techniques to work on?

First, what do you have already? Experience? And it's going to take a lot more than knowing what makes a senior photo a senior photo in order to do this...

work on portrait techniques in general. Senior photos are just portraits after all. Learn the basics, then look at the senior threads here and emulate the styles.

I am mostly a nature (flower, tree, river, *few* animals, rocks?(not sure if statuettes count as rocks)) photogrpher, but as soon as I get something in my hands to shoot with, first thing's first is people.
I am also the school yearbook's lead photographer, but have no camera, so that's not really a big part of my small 'port'.

Let me first say, shooting people is a far cry from flowers, rivers and rocks. I speak from experience. You don't need to talk to a flower and get them to loosen up and smile in order to make a good picture. Flowers are generally pretty by nature (I'll stay away from the rocks for now).

As Gonzo said, look into how things are done. I know if I were ever to go into senior photography, I would look a lot into poses used and different ideas (areas to go around town etc). Speaking as someone who has had their senior portraits done, remember that they typically are meant to capture the end of ones secondary education. What I mean by this, is that when they look back they should not only be able to look back and see 'just a portrait' of themselves that looks good, but it should emulate who they are at that moment (what they did, what they liked, hobbies, school activities, who their friends may have been etc.). And lastly, as someone who is providing a service, remember that sometimes you're going to have to abide by what your client wants. Further, in providing a 'professional' service a lot of people may expect that you know exactly what you're doing--so make sure you do.

As for equipment, I would look into something like a 40/50d, or an xti xsi or t1i. They're good introductory cameras (sorry I didn't suggest Nikon, I am a little biased). Other than that a lot of it is going to depend on the style you develop. Do you want to do all natural lighting or do you want to have artificial? Are you going to do studio shots? Where are going to put a studio? When you get into everything it can become expensive, camera here, lens there, lighting equipment there, advertisement, time, travel, etc. But you need to get the logistics down first.

And what do you know about the functioning of a DSLR camera? Eg the correlation between f/stops, shutter speed, ISO?

Lastly, what year are you, if I may ask?

I know for a fact people are different from the yearbok experience, and trying to get shot there.
I have been looking into poses etc, and even some friends are interested in haveing their photo's taken!
As for equipment, to be honest... I don't *hate* my nikon (it is my first DSLR) but I am not much for it.....(hard to hate a first love I suppose). I L*O*V*E* natural lighting and even going so far as to NOT editing photos if I can help it! Buying my equipment, honestly I cannot spend a lot, and was looking into an auction on e-bay that goes of in 16 hours or so, but as I posted in another thread elsewhere, i don't have the money. As I stated there as well, money is not an easy thing for me to come by, I get some but it's not like $250 a month, nor is it $10 a month......
I know that f/stop and shutter speed have to do with.... well speed, and the ISO I think deals with it as well... I remember opening my shutter for longer=more light=night photos etc, and I know that the f/stop is the 'speed' but I am not sure of what.
I know I am a little slow on what most may call "basics" but I am not one for the fine details, I have been very happy in my ignorance, and as of late have realized that I should start learning this stuff

I am, in fact, a sophomore in Highschool, it's a long, boring story filled with depression/anxiety, rises and falls, and BAD homeschooling websites DX, but luckily I am back to school
(BTW photography did help me during the 'darker times' those two years I "fell behind")

Oh, I thought you said you had no camera. If you have one already and are strapped for money, then I would suggest *grinds teeth* staying with n**.

Here's what I suggest at this point, hit up those friends who want to have their pictures taken. Go out and try and make your pictures look like what you deem as "senior portrait-y" and post them back up to let some of us critique and show you where to improve. That's the glory of this forum, being able to get feedback and comments on how to improve your photography.

And in all honesty, try and get down the concepts of f/stop, ISO, and shutter speed, and I forgot to mention Depth of field too--ok there's a lot that goes into a portrait so I should add angle and lighting too. Sounds like you have the general idea, but the more you know about why your camera is reacting the way it is, and how changing it will effect your pictures, your creativity is be limited. Try and stay away from auto mode, and learn how to shoot in partial manual (Av, or Tv mode). And if you're going to do all natural lighting, really focus on where your light source is (hint, shooting at high noon is not flattering most of the time). There's a book called "Understanding Exposure" that is really good supposedly. I've never read it since I learned everything from this forum basically, but you may prefer a book--it's up to you, just learn it!

Hope to some some photos from you soon!

Well I haven't been clear, forgive me, yes, I have a camera, the nikon, but it is broken, I would rather save up & buy a canon then fix the nikon, perhaps sell it out on e-bay and see what I can get for it...
I will post photos as soon as possible, but it looks like it will take time, I hate I have to pass up the deal on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com …TRK:MEWAX:IT#ht​_500wt_975
I really do love the looks of that kit (even though you suggested 40-50d, I like 10-30 just as much!)
thanks for all your help! I am learning as we speak!

Well this is what I do as a normal side business during the summer. There are a few things you should know.

First off, if you are just starting out, I would shoot outdoor portraits or on location in their homes because a studio is expensive and you don't have the experience or a real need for a studio at this point.

Second, learn the aperture/SS/ISO triangle like the back of your hand. It is amazing what one little change to ISO/aperture/SS settings that can make or break a great portrait. Third, if you can't afford a speedlight to use off camera, get a reflector or make one to learn how to increase the lighting in your portraits. It is amazing what you can do with natural light and a single white reflector.

Gear is somewhat overrated if you don't know the basics of photography along with composition, and the technical aspects of light and how to control it. You can take great portraits with a 20D and a nifty fifty, you just have to know how to use them. Just look at the people forum and lighting forum to get advice, and try to replicate shots taken here.

Also, if you are thinking of getting paid at all, get a model release form as well as a general invoice form for what the people will be receiving, the products you provide, etc. Always have you paperwork in order because there are always people wanting to rip you off.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I printed off releases right before my camera, well, died, and so those I have, the invoice I need to look into! I am looking into exactly what you're saying, a camera, nifty fifty and bat grip (extra weight & vertical release is a plus for me!) I was going to do exactly as you suggested with outdoor/in-home shots, to reduce my expense (and maybe increase comfort? "model on their own turf"?) I understand what most people say about the accessories being "extra", I used the nikon with just the kit lens, and had excellent results!
Parker

I would skip the battery grip and put it towards an OCF setup because that will give you a ton more possibilities. Maybe a vivitar 285, RF-602 trigger/receiver set, lightstand and shut thru umbrella, maybe around $150 or so. Look into that before a battery grip.

Dave

Forgive my ignorance.... OCF?

jpbimages wrote in post #9625016
Forgive my ignorance.... OCF?

Off camera flash.

On a side note when do seniors look for photographers for senior portraits? (sorry, it has been a while since I was in high school but I am also looking to do this).

I am looking for a good time to start my ad campaign towards high school students.

Well I know people who are getting them done now.... I would say get the adds out now-or around christmas time (so they can start looking into you).... There's a good chance I am wrong though so, don't take my word for it!

I know you said you like natural light, but the problem with that is you only get decent natural light for portraits for about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening and you arent doing senior pics at 6:30 in the morning. If you want to control the light you are going to have to learn how to use flashes (yes, more than one). Check out strobist.com and search ocf here.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=65396​4&page=259 is a good place to start.