Ok. So confession time. I’ve always found senior portraits to be the dumbest lamest thing in the world. Mostly because the images I’ve always seen were the same old boring shit.
But then, this year I got an email from Brit’s boyfriend telling me how he doesn’t have any money but he wants to gift a senior portrait shoot to his girlfriend. Oh and one more thing, she hates to have her picture taken.
Wow, ok great sign me up! Who wouldn’t jump at a chance to do a particular kind of shoot that they despise of a person who hates being photographed for almost no money.
But I’m a big softy so I booked the shoot.
We met just before the shoot and talked about how the shoot would work and what Brit was looking for blah blah blah.
So I did my standard thing. First we got the safe-lets-make-grandma-happy just like every other photographers work kind of shots. So of course Brit was uncomfortable and I was bored and the images looked, well, great by most standards but I hated them. They weren’t my style and that was just not acceptable.
So we switched wardrobes (well Brit did) and locations. I explained to Brit that now that we have the standard stuff done with we can play around and what ever we get is bonus. Right away she relaxed a bit. Then her boyfriend showed up and sparks flew.
This first shot is my go-to portrait/headshot set up. One speed light, hand held, working with the Sun, hard light.
Then we got her love interest involved ala American Gothic:
Same set up as the first image only going wide angle up close (something else I love).
I have no problem using props. I love to use old cameras to shoot with and if I can’t get ‘em working again they make great props.
So yeah, I learned two things.
First, don’t make assumptions about inquiries. Of all the horror stories other photographers tell about low budget shoots that are always a PITA it has yet to happen to me. Every time I choose to help someone out photography wise I’ve always been rewarded in the image department. It don’t pay the rent but it does feed the soul.
Second, just because other people manage to turn a certain kind of shoot into boring ass cliche images doesn’t mean I have to. Which means I’m not only open but stoked to shoot senior portraits.
by Mike
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