Samantha~Senior Session

JulieLawsonPhotography

I'm starting to get swamped with seniors...very cool.

I actually shot this senior session with my friend, Jen Rinaldi. Here are my shots.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8
This one is a little different, posing....hmmm not sure it's working. We were practing with off camera flash

9
A little bright..perhaps?

10

Mr. Quiet

The only one that looks natural is number one!!!!! Was she uncomfortable in front of the camera?

angevin1

I love 'em all ..c'ept #4..

I adore the first one too!

Dave Clee

Hey Julie, its funny b/c up here in Ontario, senior portraits are not that popular which is to bad. Or maybe I am just not getting the business..lol..

So I like #1, its creative although your client may not like it...

I also like #6, I think the stairs is a good location. But she does look a little "stiff". Also looks like a sneaker in bottom left corner, maybe assistant holding reflector ??

In the others the lighting looks a tad bright and flat..Not sure what setup you were using but I find off camera flash with an umbrella works well.

As far as the poses, it appears that in most of the shots your subject has her face directly square with the camera. I slight head tilt or moving it off angle to the camera may of worked a bit better allowing more shadows to "shape" the face.

#10 is a good concept, I think maybe having her look thru the photo may of worked a bit better. Would of like to have seen one with her on the far left of the frame instead. I dont think positioning her
where that concrete ridge juts out works as it is going directly thru her head line..

Hope you dont mind the feedback.

Cheers

Dave

Wil Davis

Interesting set of pictures. I like #10, but I think I'd have preferred her looking at the camera (is there and echo in here? ).

#3: I think the colours clash…

#1: remind me of what we're seeing here, and what makes it unique for this particular senior; sorry, I came in late and must have missed something…

I don't think she looks relaxed. I remember back in the days of film, when faced with a nervous model, I'd would shoot a whole session with an empty camera to get the subject used to having his/her picture taken; of course in these days of digital, the wasted film argument doesn't hold water, but the pictures are so much better when the subject is relaxed (honestly!)

Interesting location; some great textures on the brick wall! …also, how did your friend's pictures turn out?

Thanks for sharing!

- Wil

Rhinotherunt

Julie,

I really enjoyed these! I bet her mom, dad, and the girl will be very pleased!

gavin

Overall nice work. There are however some awkward poses in there.

chrisdg

How do I say this tastefully? The pose in #4 makes it look like, uh, nature is calling. Maybe cut that one?

Otherwise, great locations!

Hackbone

Julie, you have some really neat ideas, especially 1-4-8-10. You need to work on finding shade. Either tree or overhang. That will help you get more direction in your light and more pleasing light on the face. She is a little heavy and in some you made her look heavier. Turn her or try to crop closer. When using OCF you get that tiny catch light in the eye, you can always paint it in larger. Good job overall.

ivar

I'm not to crazy about her expression in #4 and #7, but besides that I think you did great! Thanks for sharing

pathfinder

Hi Julie,
You keep finding new backgrounds to shoot in, and new poses. You keep finding new poses and locations. That is cool to watch.

I really like your first shot. Maybe not a typical high school portrait, but a darned nice image none the less!!

anwmn1

I have to agree with most of the others here.

She looks like she is uncomfortable and some of the poses are not flattering to her at all.

The location is amazing, the processing is great, and #1 stands out from the rest here.

cal_gecko

1: Cool shot, but probably doesn't work as a "Senior Portrait" since her face isn't in it.
2: She looks like a beautiful girl, but as mentioned, it is obvious she's uncomfortable in front of the camera. This shot really emphasizes her eyes well ..
3: Awkward looking. .. not very 'lady like'
4: Looks like she's peeing or something (no offense)
5: Face looks a little 'over-lit'.. and her expression looks strange.. she needs to show her teeth in her smile
6: Probably my favorite.. love the composition, her pose and her smile look great in this shot... gotta remove that sneaker in the lower left area though.
7: Black clothes are lost in the dark background
8: Awkward, unnatural looking pose
9: Looks like the flash may have been too strong, causing too much contrast between highlights and shadows
10: Not really doing anything for me.. .having her hands flat against the wall like that looks awkward and unnatural.

In my opinion (and take that for what it's worth!), you've got a couple things working against you here...
Subject who is obviously not comfortable being in front of a camera,
Too much lighting (?)

Things going FOR you in these shots...
She looks like a really pretty girl, and I think that if you could have broken the ice with her a bit more and gotten her to feel comfortable, you would have had some stunning shots
Great location

Keep it up!