Ethan with his Truck !
Working with the guys for Senior Portraits can be a challenge. Both because they are guys and because just like the girls they want to look good. So let me explain. Most guys don’t really care about having their picture taken. Especially if their mom is there. But, if the have to have it done they still want to be cool. So how do you get them to care? Well for one make it about something they are interested in. Sports, Cars, or girls. Well girls don’t work so well in their pictures so let’s just say a girl would like it if she saw it.
As you may have guessed Ethan loves his truck. And, as the guys go, he was one of the easier ones to work with. But still all rules apply!!! Make him look cool and photograph something he is interested in. So bring in the truck. Dare I say he was excited to get pics of the truck. The challenge was to make him look cool and the truck to look great. Lighting is everything. The sun had already set and it was getting darker by the minute. So we got set up and balance the flash with the ambient light. Placing lights on him and on the dark side of the truck. I have to say without 15 years of experience I could have never pulled this of. But the real payback was seeing his families faces when they first saw this image. I love my job!!!
Next up is Elijah, remember how I told you some guys are just not into it. Well, I love a challenge. Now I should say the challenge is three fold. One make the experience the best it can be for him, do it fast and get some great images. Here we go !!!
#1 Keep it Cool
Ok, studio picture done. Now, I would recommend that people plan ahead and get their pictures done in the summer months. Trees have leaves on them, its warm and you have more time before sunset. October 30th in Maine is not the best time for a beach shot if you like wearing a t-shirt. However, Elijah is pretty tough and managed to pull of this shot like any other summer night.
low 40s at the beach and still looks like summer.
The moral of the story is that, not everyone is supper psyched to have their picture taken. But, that does not mean it is not worth doing it right. My guess is years from now they will look back with their wife, kids, grand kids and say how happy they are that the photographer cared, and worked hard to make me look great so that I can share these with you now. P. S. A special thanks to the moms who made this choice for them !!!!