One of the most fun parts of the process of producing senior portraits for a customer is the reveal. The reveal happens after the shoot usually within a week where the customer comes to the studio to see their photographs on the big screen. We've obviously done hundreds of reveals and you would think they would get old, but they never do. For me, I always try to guess which photographs they are going to pick and inevitably there is always one shot I really hope they will pick.
What Follows are a collection of some of my favorite shots from the class of 2020 that were not selected for purchase. Now, I want to be clear, this is not a criticism of anyone at all. My taste for photographs comes from a much different place obviously and when I shoot a highschool senior I always try to capture a wide variety of feelings and looks because you never Know what the customer will go for. Having said that, it's really quite interesting to see what they don't pick!
This first shot of Emma has everything you want as a photographer. She has such beauty and personality and those qualities are perfectly captured in this shot. Everyone likes the big smile shots, especially parents but I always look for one shot that says something to the viewer about the subject and its usually the eyes that say the most. Different people will see different things but as long as the look speaks to them then you've captured a great shot. I also love the deep background in this shot and the colors. They pull the shot together perfectly.
A famous photographer Robert Cappa once said “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” When you get a tight shot of an amazing face there really is nothing like it as demonstrated by the shot below of Isaiah! That quote also speaks to the art of connecting with your subject. Part of what Cappa was saying was that you have to break through the natural shield that people have between them and someone they barely know so you can get something real from them on camera.
This next shot of Caroline has to be one of my all time favorites. It's moody, mysterious and engaging. It's definitely not your typical Senior Portrait and I love it!
Another example of an amazing face - the eyes tell so much about a person when you get them to relax and Aria's eyes speak volumes!
I love the look, I love the stance, I love the confidence and power of this shot below!
OK this next one is easy - Great sky and red hair at sunset! Always a winning combination!
The shot below needs no explination - Just look at it. To be fair they picked one that was similar where she was smiling but honestly - Senior Pictures don't get much better for me than this.
END OF PART ONE -
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