Elizabeth H~Senior

JulieLawsonPhotography

This is my second senior portrait. This session was cut short due to the high winds and freezing temperatures. We are meeting again on Wednesday when the sun is going to be out and it will be warmer. CC is strongly encouraged.......please.

1

2

3

4

divamum

I love #3!

Fwiw, I prefer the colour version of the first pose.

Question for you: do you do their makeup, or do they? It just seems that a lot of these girls I see in senior portraits (not only yours, I hasten to add!) are making their eyes look smaller by closing them off at the outer corners; everything I was ever taught about makeup (for stage and screen rather than streetwear) was NOT to close the eye off entirely, letting liner extend to the outer edge slightly under the natural line of the lashes. Also, in general, not to extend liner to the center beyond the middle of the iris (as this also closes off the eye). I've found it works well both on myself and others.

YMMV, of course, but fwiw

(Btw, I read this over and realise it's confusing - I'll see if I can find a picture somewhere to show what I mean better than I can explain it!)

Scott_Quier

Here's what I see

#1/#2 - I like the color version better (and that, for me has got to be a first as I love B&W:D). The pose here mostly works, but I would watch the backs of hands - I would turn the back of her left hand a little more away from the camera. Any chance you can get her a little further away from the background to better throw it OOF? I love her almost smile and the warmth (even though you say it was very cold) in her eyes - there's something there that I really like! EDIT: I just figured it out - it's the light - love the softness of the light and the depth it gives to her face without being unkind. It kinda' just kisses her face in a most delicate way!

#3 - She's square on to the camera - usually not a flattering pose for any woman and it really isn't here either. Turn her such that her left shoulder is a bit further away from the camera. I'm not sure, but is she supporting her head in her hand? If so, it's usually not a good thing to do as it tends to distort the face and/or pull the skin in strange ways. I love her smile! It looks like she''s having fun. I also like the crop - she's just that >< much off of center - adds a little extra to the photo.

#4 - Again, square on to the camera and other things that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's that she's so centered in the shot? We don't have any clue what she's looking at? The tree growing out of her head? I just don't know but this one doesn't do a thing for me - sorry.

jeffreaux2

Scott_Quier wrote:

Here's what I see

#1/#2 - I like the color version better (and that, for me has got to be a first as I love B&W:D). The pose here mostly works, but I would watch the backs of hands - I would turn the back of her left hand a little more away from the camera. Any chance you can get her a little further away from the background to better throw it OOF? I love her almost smile and the warmth (even though you say it was very cold) in her eyes - there's something there that I really like! EDIT: I just figured it out - it's the light - love the softness of the light and the depth it gives to her face without being unkind. It kinda' just kisses her face in a most delicate way!

#3 - She's square on to the camera - usually not a flattering pose for any woman and it really isn't here either. Turn her such that her left shoulder is a bit further away from the camera. I'm not sure, but is she supporting her head in her hand? If so, it's usually not a good thing to do as it tends to distort the face and/or pull the skin in strange ways. I love her smile! It looks like she''s having fun. I also like the crop - she's just that >< much off of center - adds a little extra to the photo.

#4 - Again, square on to the camera and other things that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it's that she's so centered in the shot? We don't have any clue what she's looking at? The tree growing out of her head? I just don't know but this one doesn't do a thing for me - sorry.

I agree with everything Scott said and would add that on #4 the flash power is much too high as indicated by the strong shadow created along the left side of her body(camera right).

#1 and 2 are really nice.....<img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/thumb.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

JulieLawsonPhotography

divamum wrote:

I love #3!

Fwiw, I prefer the colour version of the first pose.

Question for you: do you do their makeup, or do they? It just seems that a lot of these girls I see in senior portraits (not only yours, I hasten to add!) are making their eyes look smaller by closing them off at the outer corners; everything I was ever taught about makeup (for stage and screen rather than streetwear) was NOT to close the eye off entirely, letting liner extend to the outer edge slightly under the natural line of the lashes. Also, in general, not to extend liner to the center beyond the middle of the iris (as this also closes off the eye). I've found it works well both on myself and others.

YMMV, of course, but fwiw

(Btw, I read this over and realise it's confusing - I'll see if I can find a picture somewhere to show what I mean better than I can explain it!)

I didn't do her make-up. I would imagine this is how she wears it all the time. I think I know what you mean though. I wouldn't know how to approach that subject to a teen, you know what I mean? Very good tip though, I appreciate your comments.:D

sweet caroline

Maybe you could put together a general info sheet with "tips for your portrait" that discusses basics of wardrobe and make-up. Tell them what looks good in real life doesn't always look great in photos, then you stay away from insulting their personal style. Put it terms of positive "do this" rather than a list of don'ts.

Caroline

JulieLawsonPhotography

sweet caroline wrote:

Maybe you could put together a general info sheet with "tips for your portrait" that discusses basics of wardrobe and make-up. Tell them what looks good in real life doesn't always look great in photos, then you stay away from insulting their personal style. Put it terms of positive "do this" rather than a list of don'ts.

Caroline

Ahh very good idea! Love it.

divamum

Originally Posted by sweet caroline
Maybe you could put together a general info sheet with "tips for your portrait" that discusses basics of wardrobe and make-up. Tell them what looks good in real life doesn't always look great in photos, then you stay away from insulting their personal style. Put it terms of positive "do this" rather than a list of don'ts.

Caroline

That's a great idea - they'll probably feel really pampered and grown up if it's presented to them right!! If I can find any good links, I'll post them - I'm sure I found some good stuff online last time I had my own headshots done (I did my own makeup for that batch), so if I can find them I'll post back with the info.

ladytx

#1 is my favorite, lovin' the furry hood.