A couple senior girls

[PhillipM]

Hello all. Around 10 years ago, I was talking with a Big Time senior photographer, complaining that I couldn't get tact sharp images. I'll never forget him laughing at me. He said any knuckle head can take a sharp image. I figure he knows what he's talking about... He only works 4 months out of the year.

Anyway, it's nothing more than a style that all my customers are accustom too. They like warm soft images. So do I. Now there may be some images where the eyes seem to be sharper than others. I can't really explain that, since my processing is the same on all.

The ONLY time, I even consider eyes being tact sharp, is when I'm shooting h/s shots.

Looking forward to seeing what we shot this evening with another gal.

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[sactown024]

Do you only do girls?

I thought senior photos were all done by September at the latest? No?

 

[fjrabon]

Great shots! pretty much nailing the senior genre.

If you ever move to Atlanta and need a job, let me know and you got one, haha.

 

[fjrabon]

Do you only do girls?

I thought senior photos were all done by September at the latest? No?

Should be, some people straggle along into december though.

June - September our studio probably shoots an average of 40 kids per day. Oct - December it's like 5-6 per day.

 

[MLeeK]

Do you only do girls?

I thought senior photos were all done by September at the latest? No?

I have one school that accepts submissions through the end of December for their seniors.
Most are done in the summer and over by the end of October. So, no, not really only summer.
Then there are the spring portraits which are cap and gown plus always a few without it.

 

[PhillipM]

Thanks FJ... I figure I'll hang around here for a bit... Wife hates HotLanta....

I shoot 99.99% girls. Of course in this area the schools "force" the kids to the school tog for that 1 formal and 1 casual for the yearbook..... I don't want to step on any photographers toes that are school photographers, but around here they suck at it. Nuff said about that. I shoot 1 senior a day. Never more than that.

The ones that come to me, are not only looking for something different which they always want, but more so, that 1 on 1 connection and focus I have with them. My senior sessions with girls are 3 hours minimum. I also send them to a salon across the street for makeup prior to them ever walking in. My sessions are more of an experience, than, stand there, smile, sit there, smile...

These images are for my seniors. Not for the schools. I shoot seniors within a 1.5 hour radius of the studio. I shoot seniors from July through Nov.

Yep, I shoot guys but not many.

Windshield reflector for main light.

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Re-Touched by Zorka in Russia.

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Re-touch by Mirko

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[sactown024]

Is the makeup included in the sitting fee or is that just a requirement you have?

 

[PhillipM]

Sac. I don't do sitting fee's....

In my mind it's a ripoff. It's a requirement more or less, however, they can forgo the makeup session but they never do...

I'm actually shooting one this week, where the mom paid 95.00 for a sitting fee, and she hated 75% of them.

I hope they keep rip'n customers of their money for substandard over photoshopped images...

i must admit, I get a rush when the girls bring in the closet of clothes to shoot with... Makes my job so easy. I style them as we'll.

Lol

 

[Ilovemycam]

Amazing!

Did you use any face retouching software?

 

[PhillipM]

Ilovemycam: No... These girls are ready for pageants when they walk in, except we're shooting senior work. One think I love about seniors is peer pressure.

Think about it.

 

[Designer]

Ewick / Designer / Sam... Thank you.

Sam, all senior's must bring a parent or gaurdian with them to my sessions. I talk with the moms where to move, based on what I want. I've shot so much with this setup, it's like throwing on a pair of pants... You just know after a while. Since I'm not hand metering, I just chip it real quick. Too hot? Mom, move back 3 feet. Not enough? Mom move up 2 feet, and move to your left 1 foot.

First thing I ALWAYS look at is my background details, then start to place them, and pose them, then light them.

Simple stuff. Hope that helps..

Simple for you, perhaps because you have the experience. Thank you again.

 

[Designer]

The open-mouth football player shot is another new style on me. Interesting! I like the serious portrait of him as well.

 

[pgriz]

Beautiful images, and thank you for the tips on lighting - simple but effective. Very impressive portfolio.

 

[PhillipM]

Thansk PG...

Designer... yeah the football player was shot in his gym on a grey background. I just asked him to scream at my feet..

Late yesterday's session with H.... Same lighting. Off camera bare 550 flash. Mom doing the VAL thang. Using the sun, when I can for rim and/or hair lighting.

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[cannpope]

#30 - I WANT HER HAIR!!!!!