Senior shots of my son, round 1

StueveShots

My son pleased me to no end when he said he wanted me to do his senior pictures--what fun! Here are some shots from our first session out. I'd love some feedback so that i can refine what I do the next time round. No skin work or clothes retouching has been done yet--it was a very, very windy and blustery day with patchy sun and the constant threat of sprinkles. My son's skin turns ruddy in the wind--I'd love to know how much skin smoothing is typically done with guys. Any hints would be most welcome.

Here you go!

D3Sshooter

Great pictures , well done. However I have a few remarks:

Picture 1: If you move a bit to the right then the tree would have been free standing. It is in most cases beter to avoid trees and other objects behind peoples heads.

Picture 4: Strange to see the feet cut-off, there are many compositions head/torso/ 3 quarters/ half body/ American plane and full body.... this one neither one.

StueveShots

D3S, thank you! You hit on two of the things I wish I could change. Honestly, there was nowhere for me to go to the right, but I wish I could have--I wished it at the time. In many of these shots we standing in among the bushes and reeds along the river--it was a fun adventure!

And the missing feet was something I scolded myself about after the fact. What a dumb thing to miss! Especially because I liked the shot overall. Could I get to a better composition by cropping? If so, where do I cut across the legs?

Next time we will be able to bring along his girlfriend. I'm going to ask her to hold my reflector (she wasn't available this time) and to help me watch for just those kind of details.

I have another question. My son is very tall and broad shouldered. What kind of shot could I take which highlghts this? Next shoot will be in town in casual clothes.

Foques

a guy who can pull off a trilby, at last!

in the first one, I think i'd approach it completely different. I'd have him move to left, stand square to the camera, and give me a Chicago gangster type of a look.

Love the last two.
Very Gosling-ish look.

StueveShots

Well I can't wait to tell my son someone even mentioned Gosling in connection with him! I have always been pleased that my son enjoys dapper clothes--not only does he love a stylish hat, but those ties are vintage. They were his grandfather's. For his birthday, he will be receiving his first tailored-to-fit suit; I finally think he is done growing enough to move away from off-the-rack.

Thanks for the comment, Foques! I might have just the gangster picture you are looking for among the other shots--I'll check when I get home! I don't think the lighting was quite as fine (the clouds were moving quickly), but maybe I can make up for that a bit in processing.

Hackbone

Very well done. Love the leading lines in some, the processing and posing, the angles all well done. #1 would be the one I like the least and like the little smirk.

kdotaylor

All are very nicely done! You've nailed the lighting, which is something I'm struggling with. while I agree with the comments others have posted about the feet and trees, I like all of them!

StueveShots

Thank you, everyone! I respect all of your work very much, so I am grateful for the kind comments. I feel much better about doing the pictures now! I'll post the second round when I get them shot--you've all been very helpful.

Hackbone, I can take credit for some of the things you list, but not the posing. Only rarely did I offer a suggestion to my son about how to pose in a given spot--usually I told him where I wanted to try for a shot, because of the shape of a bush or the leading lines or the light, and then he'd pop in there and do something interesting with his body angle and his hands and his gaze (and his hat). Who knew?

divamum

Sure, there are nits, but overall I love EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE. You have a lovely son, you've captured a lot of character, and the location, light and "vibe" is absolutely lovely. Well done!!

StueveShots

Thank you, Diva! Coming from you, that means a lot!

alaios

I loved most the one and then five. All are good but one is somehow standouts more
Alex

StueveShots

Thank you, Alex. I know that #1 is odd as a senior portrait, and that it could have benefited from a step to the right, but I also love it. So it pleases me that you like it as well.

Qarik

really good stuff here..yeah some nits but hardly worth mentioning. your son is very handsome and his posing is very natural looking..the scenery blends perfectly..what's not to like?

StueveShots

Thank you, Qarik! I appreciate the comments and the compliment. Hoping to do some more shots this weekend!