Senior Portrait
Front Porch Portrait
Occasionally I have the opportunity to photograph people. This is a favorite capture from a high school senior portrait shoot.
Portrait photography is challenging. Since I don’t do a lot of portrait work, it challenges me to think outside of my normal landscape/nature photography box. Sure, much of the technical and creative aspects are the same, but putting a person in the frame, as the focus of the image, requires a different thought process.
I would focus more on people in my photos if it weren’t for my greatest challenge in portrait work – scheduling. (Remember, photography isn’t my full-time employment.) I can take photos of sunrises or flowers or bugs whenever I have a spare moment. I just grab my camera bag and go find something pretty or interesting. To do a portrait shoot, requires planning and cooperation with others – date, time, location, weather, etc..
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Caged Competitor
The season may be over, but this is one baseball player who remains serious about his game.
This is one of my favorites from a recent “senior portrait” shoot. Baseball was an important part of this young man’s high school career so they wanted some photos of him in his uniform.
The basic idea for this shot (ball player looking through the fence) was brought to me by the subject’s parent who saw a similar shot on Pinterest and wanted us to try it. During the shoot, we made a quick trip to a nearby, small town ball field to grab a few shots. I believe the version she showed me was in color but, while I was working on it, I thought a gritty, monochrome style would best suit the players mood.
There are a lot of things that make this a favorite for me. First, the general mood of the shot. You can easily imagine a story behind this image. (In fact, several stories.)
I also like the detail of the ball, glove and uniform. Don’t miss other interesting touches…like the bruises on the player’s elbow (An element that adds to the story), the tufts of grass on the unkempt infield, the way the light poles and the wisps of clouds frame the photo. (I wish I would have thought to throw a bat on the field in the background.)
The one aspect I question… Is the fence too distracting? Of course, it’s important to this scene, but I think it is almost too symmetrical around the facial features. I didn’t try to get it that way, it’s just the stance he took. I think it might seem more natural if the fence didn’t intersect right on the bridge of the nose and chin. If it was just offset a little to one side or another it might seem more natural, less posed. Of course, now I might be just nit-picking. What do you think? (If it didn’t occur to you before I mentioned it, than it is just me being the nit-picky perfectionist.)
You can view a more detailed version of this image by clicking on it. When you do, a larger version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
On the Line
Rounding the Curve
My niece is entering into her senior year in high school. She asked if I would take her senior portrait photos. We got a bunch of good shots. (Actually, too many. It makes it hard to choose.) This one is my favorite…or one of my favorites…at least in the top five….
And, for those who may wonder – Yes, I do portrait work…weddings…etc. As long as I can fit it into my schedule. Contact me if you’d like to talk about it.
You can see more of that beautiful smile in a larger version by clicking on the photo.