Senior Portraits - Tips Needed - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/09/2006 11:38:30 AM · #1

I will be doing my first senior pic session tomorrow. I don't have a studio so most all of the shots will be done outdoors. I have a 30D with all the essentials, a lightsphere, a few reflectors, tripod, etc. It's for a friend, and I probably won't even charge them anything. They asked today, and said they could be there tomorrow. I helped with a senior pic shoot at a local state park awhile back, and I know a few good locations.

My house is on the TN river, so there's a dock in my backyard with the river as the background, and I have a few other points of interest such as a large flower garden, an old wooden swing hanging from a tree, and a hammock tied between two trees by the river. There are several old bridges crossing streams in the park that I could use, and a few other good park spots.

I think I'll have enough locations to manage, but I'm more curious about poses, camera settings, and using the reflectors. Is there a good website to go read up on senior pics, or maybe someone can post some good examples of creative senior portraits or provide some tips. Thanks!

Message edited by author 2006-08-09 11:38:55.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

08/09/2006 12:13:58 PM · #2

Remember the photos are about the student not the background. A plain wall or even a brick school wall would work better than an overly busy background.

Check some of the portrait challenges for ideas. Examples: Portrait Challenge, People II challenge.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/09/2006 12:46:26 PM · #3

Thanks.. I am worried that I'll gravitate to making it more about the photo than the person. I'll have to remember to keep that in mind.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

08/09/2006 12:52:04 PM · #4

From a senior session 2 weeks ago. I like to get nice & close in portraits, so the location is much less important than the light. Remember to try different POVs and angles.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/10/2006 10:24:09 AM · #5

Those are some great examples. Thanks.

Does anyone else have any poses they want to share so I can steal them? Or maybe a link to a favorite portrait photographer that does senior shots? That'd be keen.

jerowe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/10/2006 11:57:00 AM · #6

i've done a few portrait sessions that would be considered senior pic type poses. hope they help.

get to know the person. their likes, dislikes, if you're not charging them, odds are you know them pretty well. try to portray their personality as much as possible in each photo. the dancer chick, just about every photo i took of her showed that part of her, and she ended up being very happy with them. the more comfortable you'll get with the "client" or friend you're taking pictures of.
good luck!

Message edited by author 2006-08-10 12:02:29.

mecfcosta

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

08/10/2006 02:19:08 PM · #7

I've never been a high school senior in the US (came here for college), so I have no idea about those things. Sorry for kidnapping this thread, but I have a question: how big are those pictures? I've seen wallets my husband (who's american) has, but that's usually all they get?

Message edited by author 2006-08-10 14:19:25.

renefunk

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/10/2006 02:29:03 PM · #8

the most important thing is the lighting and the time, early in the morining or at4 5 pm afeternoon are the best hours to make pics sunny days dont make it at 12 pm, the light is hard at that time. then you must fabricate your own tool, you tell you did that good you need some one to managment them, the reflector is the most important tool at the point usu it all the way and more improtart thing have fun

esdarby

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/10/2006 02:55:47 PM · #9

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/10/2006 03:02:14 PM · #10

Originally posted by mecfcosta:

Olan Mills website describes portrait sheets.

mecfcosta

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon

08/10/2006 03:26:13 PM · #11

Thanks, Mary, but I am not sure if that is what I am looking for. My question is basically what do seriors normally get when they have a session. Is it normal to just get wallets or is it normal to get a 8x10, or a 4x6, or something bigger for a frame? Or there's no normality and each person gets whatever?
What is the purpose of a senior portrait? I thought it was to exchange with their friends (so, wallets would be it)...

Shea927

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G

08/10/2006 03:35:24 PM · #12

Though everyone is different most seniors get all different sizes. I just graduated last year and I know I got 8x10s, 5x7s, wallets, and even some 4x6s. The wallets, yes, are to exchange with friends but in my case we had lots of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc... that all wanted larger pictures than that. Also, I've taken some portraits and it seems lik most people are like me, getting all different sizes, but wallets and 8x10s are the most popular.

08/10/2006 03:48:36 PM · #13

Originally posted by Shea927:

That pretty much says it. Most get a good variety, and share the wallets among friends.

As of right now, the photoshoot is scheduled for 2 1/2 hours from now, and there is a lot of rain and lightning outside. Hopefully it will move out of the area.

shelw128

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

08/10/2006 06:11:33 PM · #14

check you Christmascitystudio.com - this may help you