portrait photography

[photosnappr]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this question on, but I'm new to the site. I will be doing a photo shoot soon for 7 high school seniors. I have done one shoot before with a senior, but I had little experience at the time shooting portraits. I've done my homework now (being that its now a few years later) and I was just wondering which of the two lenses I have would work best. I will be taking all the photo's outside, on location. I have a Sigma 28-80mm and a Canon 18-55mm. I plan on buying more lenses soon, its just money thats holding me back right now. If anyone can help me out with this I would really appreciate it!

[Jim Bryant]

Doing your Homework, researching and reading is just fine, but what you need is shooting experience. Seems the 28 -80mm would work.

[photosnappr]

thanks Jim for your help. This shoot will defiitely be practice for me, thats why I am not charging these seniors for my work. I'm offering to take anyone's portraits right now to try and gain experience, and I do know that I do take decent photographs, I've always been told I have an eye for photography and I think it shows, I just need more people to photograph, its so hard getting people to let you photograph them, lol. I'll post a pic of mine I did from my last shoot and you can tell me what you think.

[TFord.LTTP]

I like the idea of that shot but the background is majorly distracting, pulls the eye right from the face. Would either have skipped it and changed the way she's framed or tried to find a way to throw it out of focus. I like the pose though other then she seems like she's trying a little too hard to be serious. Make the kids laugh and enjoy themselves and that will take a photo that's got good qualities to it and give it more impact and really dazzle.

[BigFuzzy]

Hi.. glad to see you recognize the value of experience and are trying to get it.

One person, I've discovered recently, whom I think takes amazing senior photos is Michelle Moore...
Check out her website/blog... lots of good inspiration there. I think she's nailed the whole happy/bubbly/hip/young thing with her subjects.. I don't shoot seniors, but I still have a lot to learn from her portraiture!

Michelle Moore Website
Michelle Moore Blog

Good luck and post some results here if you want!

[SuperDan]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Doing your Homework, researching and reading is just fine, but what you need is shooting experience. Seems the 28 -80mm would work.

Jim is, well seems, always right... on all accounts.

I am kinda in the same situation now, and I am getting out as much as I can to do some test portraits to help build up my experience and to build up a portfolio... actually tonight I have a shoot with a friend that I am not charging her, but in return I get to use her for promos.. as ive done with my past few "subjects"

finding people to take pics of shouldnt be that hard... you have friends, etc...

Good Luck! 7 Seniors seems like you have it going on and people like your work!

[Jim Bryant]

I guess it might be good to practice to get experience, that always helps, but on most site, I see a lot of practice being done on family, their kids and such. One thing you don't want to do is blow is an assignment/job. Your reputation as a photographer is very important. Remember you're only good as your last photo taken.

[photosnappr]

thanks for all the advice everyone! It was greatly appreciated! Also, about the background on that photo, I found it so interesting I couldn't pass it up, but I never thought about blurring it out, I guess I should have tried that, but I have also learned alot since that photo was taken. Its been 2 years now I think since I took that. Whats the best way to get seniors to relax and smile and enjoy themselves? Make them feel more comfortable?

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by photosnappr

thanks for all the advice everyone! It was greatly appreciated! Also, about the background on that photo, I found it so interesting I couldn't pass it up, but I never thought about blurring it out, I guess I should have tried that, but I have also learned alot since that photo was taken. Its been 2 years now I think since I took that. Whats the best way to get seniors to relax and smile and enjoy themselves? Make them feel more comfortable?

Alcohol? Ooops, sorry, too used to living in a country where drinking age is 16 and not everyone is so stuffy about those things.

Seriously, whenever I shoot anyone, I try to meet them in advance (if possible) just to chat, no camera in sight, so they get used to me and I to them. Plus it allows me to see what they look like to plan angles and what features to focus on or diminish.

Alternatively, if you don't have time to meet before the shoot. Spend/schedule some time at the beginning of the shoot to chat with them casually about 'stuff'.. sometimes I even bring a proofing sheet of photos (that I've taken) and talk them through it saying "this is the sort of thing I'd like to try..." or "Do you see any here you'd really like me to do with you?" .. to me, spend time building rapport with them.. you'll really feel it. I did a project where I simply invited a bunch of people over (some friends, some not) where the first hour or so, it was just sitting around snacking and drinking and talking... then I would just pull a random person outside and start shooting them. I got some of the most relaxed photos I've ever taken.

I hope that helps?

Al

[wsu_danielle]

Originally Posted by photosnappr

thanks for all the advice everyone! It was greatly appreciated! Also, about the background on that photo, I found it so interesting I couldn't pass it up, but I never thought about blurring it out, I guess I should have tried that, but I have also learned alot since that photo was taken. Its been 2 years now I think since I took that. Whats the best way to get seniors to relax and smile and enjoy themselves? Make them feel more comfortable?

Talk with them, ask questions (music, sports, ambitions, classes, etc.), try to get a feel for who they are. When you're getting good stuff at the beginning (or even if you aren't) tell them they're doing great and if there are great poses, say so! Tell them it's beautiful, amazing, awesome, whatever. Then they know they're doing well and they feel "into it". JMO and experience.