Week 4 Advanced Pro Inspiration and Creativity

Well I feel like I'm sort of missing an opportunity because I wasn't able to complete the photo shoot I had in my head due to crazy schedules, sick kids, and weather but I did have a photo shoot this weekend so I'll share from that. I was a little stuck trying to think of what I wanted to do for this assignment and was thinking hard as I was running all weekend back and forth from a dance competition for my daughter. As I was sitting there watching the dances an idea came to me that I am inspired by my daughter's courage to get up there on stage, even by herself and perform her very best. This wasn't something I would have been able to do at her age and she amazes me every time she gets on stage. So I have this idea for a photo shoot of my daughter and her talent of dance, but I couldn't make it happen before today...but soon.

I've always felt I am quite lacking in the creativity department so I have to thank you Brooke for giving me that boost and for your belief that we are all creative beings...everyone of us. I've enjoyed this class greatly and feel a fresh new passion for photography and the photos I have been able to capture during the last 4 weeks. T.h.a.n.k y.o.u!

Ok so I think the photo shoot I did do this weekend can kind of count for the assignment. It isn't a senior against a grungy wall :) This is my husband's cousin and she needed a last minute senior photo shoot. We found the one time we could actually get together and our time was limited. When talking to her about a location she expressed to me that she really wanted to have pictures done in their grandpa's field and house. This was a place that would be meaningful to her. That's one thing that will really stay with me, worry less about the perfect or trendy location and more about what would be meaningful to the client. It attaches an emotion to the photos before they even see them. So our inspiration for this shoot was family, relationships, and memories. I know that these photos will remind her of her grandpa even long after he is gone. He is an amazing man that we all adore and I know that she probably has great memories of growing up and playing around the house and field. So.....here they are!

Week 3 Advanced Pro Interactions/Relationships

I was a little down to the wire on this one but luckily the rain stopped enough today so we could go outside and play. These two little ones are twins, my niece and nephew. I went over to their house, did a short interview as we began and really just let them lead with some guided suggestions. I knew they liked to be outside so I had a shot list and posing guide that included chalk, bikes, and bubbles. I had fun following them around their house as they played. I would give suggestions or guide where they played, but mostly I let them just play.

It was a bit of a challenge to get them to look in my direction for at least a few shots as well as get great focus when they were so active but I was able to get a few I am happy with. To get them looking my way I would do things like ask if there was a monster/dog/cat/mom etc behind me. I would also do reverse psychology and tell them on the count of 3, DON'T look at me. I'd really make a big deal out of no cheating etc. At this age they can't help but look. The interview helped guide what I could ask them about, and have them do, although if I had more time I would have done a more in depth interview that I'm sure would have given me even more ideas. They loved the chalk and bubbles however the bubble pictures would be best in an open field. It's harder to keep them in a contained area with no distractions in the background when they are chasing the bubbles wherever they go. They did have fun though, I just didn't get any pictures I was really happy with.

I've always really loved the pictures I would see showing interaction and real life but have always struggled getting more than snapshot looking pictures. Planning and preparation make all the difference!!! Love this class, Brooke!!

Advanced Pro Week 2 Vary the Pose

This week I wasn't able to arrange a photo shoot with anyone so two of my kids became my subjects. I did have a shot list and I did plan some..but I should've planned a little more. I would have chosen different clothes for example. It is also often a challenge shooting my own children, especially when they have been bugging each other all day! I need to remember to give them scenarios and things to play out. Sometimes I find my self slipping into the "photo shoot mother" mode of giving commands. I need to do better at that next time. We went into a simple field that was pretty green and I stood a little higher than them to get the first 3 shots. Getting them to touch each other was a little bit of a challenge at first, but then they got real silly. The last two shots are what happened when I asked them to give each other a hug...awe sibling love.

*Editing wise, I ran into a few problems with color casts, and a few other things, which is why I would have maybe chosen different clothes. Also a question for Brooke, my daughter has one eye that is half hazel (like the other eye) and half brown. I sometimes get a catch light in the lighter eye and not in the eye with brown in it. Do you think that is something I should try to fix in editing or just leave it as is. I have found that brown eyes are more challenging to capture catch lights.

Advanced Pro Week 1

I had one of my first official senior photo shoots last Saturday. To prepare I put together a shot list by copying photos together in a word document. I knew they wanted some pictures with a piano and her violin so I really focused on ideas for that. It helps so much to gather those photos in one place for me to review before I start. I haven't referred to a shot list while I'm taking the pictures but I know the gathering helps! The image through the piano (you know through that uppy thing...I don't play Brooke!) was a concept I found in my search. I wish I could have gotten a slightly different angle but I was limited in space around the piano.

That brings me to the location. We went to two locations (had planned for another but felt we had enough pictures) and they were both new. I had no idea where to take pictures with a piano. I asked my piano playing friends, searched online, and racked my brain. Someone finally suggested the hospital here. I went and scouted it out the day before but had a little trouble finding and getting permission. No one knew if it would be ok sooo...we took our chances. There was a cute lady playing when we showed up who graciously let us take over the last 15 minutes of her "shift". It was a good thing she did because it would have been all locked up otherwise. Didn't think of that! I took pictures around the piano, fireplace, lobby, and down the hallway in the hospital! If was fun thinking of interesting places to take pictures. I was looking at the hospital in a whole new way. The other location the client found was some old abandoned buildings. I think we exhausted this location as well. It had some great textures.

The planning definitely was key here because of the piano. I did have a backup location had the hospital not worked out. Also the shot list does help. Sometimes I'm intimidated by posing and my mind tends to go blank at times, but the more preparation and practice I get the better it is getting. There were a few shots that I had planned on doing but forgot, but I did remember some and I think more preparation means a little more confidence. I had a lot of fun in these new locations with this beautiful and stylish senior.