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I do all my shoots on-location.   So, when I am setting up a senior shoot, one of the first questions is, obviously – where do you want to do the shoot?  I always ask first because I think a shoot location should be personal and reflect the client’s interests and personality.   Many times, the client isn’t sure where they want to do the shoot and I am happy to brainstorm some options.  I start my “brainstorming” by asking what type of look they want – flowers and trees and a manicured-type park setting, a rustic rural setting, or maybe an urban setting?  More often than naught, the client wants greenery and a pretty scene.

Urban type shoots are rarely chosen and get a bit of a bad rap.  But I personally think they can be one of the nicest locations!  There are often very brightly colored walls which make beautiful backdrops.  There often many places to sit, lean, stand which gives so many more posing options.  The locations are interesting and unique and the possibilities are almost endless!

There is also the amazing light.  You see, the open shade of a building on a bright, sunny day is some of the most perfect light EVER.  The light is bright yet perfectly even so skin tones are just perfect.  And then there are catchlights.  Catchlights are those bright sparkles you see in the subject eyes.  I have definitely learned, over the last few years, how finding the right light is probably the most important element in a beautiful photo.  Of course,  you need to know how to properly expose the photo, pose the subjects, compose the photo, but if you don’t have good light, you pretty much have nothing.

So, this week I did a “practice” session with my beautiful niece and her two best friends.    I had been wanting to do such a shoot where I can work on posing and where I can pick exactly where and when I want to shoot and was really happy that my niece and her friends were willing models!  I scouted some locations a month of so ago, and found some great places in downtown Erie, PA!  The only one problem with my scouting trip was it was pouring rain and I really had a hard time determining where the sun would be at different times of day.  So, some of my scouted locations didn’t work exactly as I had hoped.  But we improvised and it was A-OK!

I was so excited when we finally were able to schedule the shoot.  And it was such a good time!  My models were stunning, the light was perfect and the photos?  Well, just see a sampling for yourself!!!!

We started out down by the docks along the bay.  There are some old buildings and I loved the different colors and textures.  Unfortunately, most of the area was in bright sunlight on the day of the shoot.  But we found one small corner that was in the shade.  I am sure the passing cars and people thought we were be a bit odd to pick such a old and run down spot for a photo shoot, but, as you can see, the photos turned out pretty amazing!

We then got a few photos along the water.  It was, as I said, very bright and hot in the sun, but I loved the colored posts.  So I posed my models in the sliver of shade of one of the posts and got just a few shots. I also got just a bit of one of my favorite things – sunflare!!

We then made out way up to the Erie Museum.  There are beautiful steps, sculptures and columns at the museum, but, unfortunately, at that time of day, the sun is just pounding directly on the steps.  I didn’t get the photos on the steps as I had hoped, but we were able to improvise and used the shade from the massive columns to get some pretty gorgeous shots!

Next stop? The sidewalk down State Street! We crossed from the museum to the shady side of the street. With a wide open aperture, I was able to blur out the distractions while keeping the colors and lines of the building and trees. I love these shots! We had a lot of attention during this portion of the shoot from random passerbys, but my models were like pros and didn’t let the attention bother them one bit!

I do have to add, this guy told me as we started that he can’t take a good picture.  Well, I was definitely up to the challenge.  And I think I proved him QUITE wrong!

After a quick break for a cold drink at Starbucks, we ended the shoot with some shots by the “blue wall”. I love the color!!!!

One final shot of my great models!!!

There are great little nooks and crannies like this in pretty much every town.  So, if you want to try incorporating an “urban” location in your shoot, just give me a shout.  I would love to do a bit  of scouting and find the perfect spot for your shoot!  Of course, my shoots often run from 1 – 3 hours.  So if you even want to mix it up and combine urban and rural, that would definitely be a possibility as well!

And I wanted to thank my great models!!!  I couldn’t ask for a better group!!!!  If you want to see even more photos from this shoot, please stop by Facebook business page!!!

Until next time!

 

I recently added a few new senior sessions to my senior portrait offerings. 

First - the BFF senior session!

If you are interested in sharing your senior session with your best friend, sibling, cousin, or whomever you want, you can now schedule your session together (and save!).  Two seniors can schedule their sessions on the same day and time and share the session cost.  I will provide each of you about 30 – 40 artistically edited proofs in your own individual online gallery.  I will include lots of individual shots – as well as, of course, some with your BFF!  You can choose the prints and other products you want to order from these images.  All products can be ordered directly through me via the gallery.   

The BFF session, like my individual senior sessions, can last 1 – 3 hrs and can be conducted at the location or locations of your choice.  You can also incorporate a few different outfit changes if you would like.  I do all sessions on location, so you can choose where you want to shoot – whether that is at a pretty park, a rural field, an urban setting – or a little bit of all!  And if you don’t have any locations in mind, just let me know what look you and your BFF are interested in and I will give you a whole host of location ideas to choose from!

I also am offering “Simple Senior Sessions” this year.  For those seniors who aren’t interested in a full senior session, a simple session is a lower cost alternative.  The simple sessions last 30 minutes and are conducted only within zip code 16301.  If you live outside of this area, you are welcome to travel here, there are many different location options available.    For simple sessions, I will provide about 8 artistically edited proofs in an online gallery where you can choose which prints or other products you would like to order.  Simple sessions are only conducted on weekdays.  

For more information on any of my senior sessions, or to schedule your session, please visit my website or contact me!

Until next time!!!!!

 

Kim was a last minute [not to mention beautiful!] senior from the Class of 2010!  

It has been a while since I have photographed a senior since most get their portraits done in the summer or fall, so I was thrilled when she contacted me! I missed photographing seniors!! She and her mom picked out an absolutely gorgeous location.  It was a beautiful private property of one of their acquaintances who was nice enough to allow us to traipse around her grounds. 

We also really lucked out with the weather.  It was predicted to be about 40 and raining (blech), but instead we had 40 (still chilly) and bright overcast skies (which are actually great for photos!).  And we even got a few, very quick,  peaks of sun!

Kim and her mom were so nice and so much fun to work with!   And the photos?  Just gorgeous!!!!!

 

Thank you all so much!!!   I just love senior photography and I can’t wait to work with all the upcoming Class of 2011 seniors!!!!

Well, if you can’t tell from the photos, this post is a bit overdue! 

Alyssa is a great girl who wanted to get her photos done at a gorgeous local golf course.  As with a few of my seniors, the weather looked quite iffy, but ended up being almost perfect!   We had a few moments of sun peaking through, and lots of bright, beautiful fall foliage.  The colors were breathtaking. Alyssa, her mom and I hopped in a couple golf carts and spent the morning exploring all the amazing backdrops throughout the course. We had a great time and got some beautiful photos!

Just check it out! It almost looks too good to be true!

Thank you all so much!!  It was such a pleasure meeting you.  I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors!

Yes, it is time for another great senior session! This time, I would love to introduce you to Sarah.

Sarah’s perfect session was [almost]  pure luck!  The day before, I had two other sessions scheduled, and we had to cancel both due to incredible cold and never-ending rain. It was looking to be a pretty miserable weekend and I wasn’t sure Sarah’s session would happen the next day.  But luckily, it ended up being a gloriously sunny and absolutely perfect day.

We met at a local college campus. The campus has a beautiful pond and lots of walkways and benches. We spent our afternoon walking through the campus and trying a variety of different backdrops along the way. We were also lucky in that we could still take advantage of some bright fall folliage!!

Sarah was a very sweet girl, and very photogenic, girl. Here are some highlights from our session:

Thank you Sarah so much for a great session! I wish you the best in all you do!!!!

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