senior pics (outdoors)

I know I posted about this before (last fall), but due to weather etc. my previous one was cancelled/postponed.....I have been asked to do some outdoor pics for my colleague's daughter's senior school pics. We plan to do it this Sunday afternoon/evening on the college campus where we work (beautifully landscaped, lots of trees and flowering shrubs, lots of old buildings), pending good weather.

I am very used to photographing my young daughter, but have only done a handful of other shoots, mostly kids but also one older couple. So this will be my first of a teen.

I have the 50mm f/1.8, a 75-300mm f/4-5.6, and the kit 18-55mm. I will likely avoid using my kit lens.

What are your favorite types of poses/placements?

I feel there is such a narrow window of opportunity for the best light during any given day, that it's so hard to tell people what time of day is best. I told her early evening is best on a sunny day, because I love that type of light, but if the day is cloudy/partly cloudy, then earlier is better. I hate that! lol how on earth does anyone schedule photo shoots with consistent success? lol

I feel your pain! I did some pics for the family that owns the judo dojo this past weekend. I told them basically the same thing, but still we ended up shooting at 4pm. on a bright, sunny, HOT Texas day to boot.

look for open shade. I work on a college campus too, so I suspect that, like here, you will have a lot to choose from if you look for it -look for over hangs and big "porches". Around here, there are also lots of stained glass windows that make absolutely lovely backdrops. other areas to consider are heavily treed spaces and walkways.

I think those 2 lenses will serve you well in this case. In fact, for the few seniors I have done, I have rarely moved away from my 50mm - i just back up a lot if I want a wider angle. ;)

Have fun w/ this shoot! Big kids are so much easier to work with.

I can't wait to see your results!

Best,
GiGi

Good advice already. I just want to add that I would do a search on Pinterest for Senior poses. If you need an invite, just PM me your email, and I'll send you one :)

I know what you mean about scheduling and hoping for the best conditions. I only hope, that one day, I'll be good enough to work with any type of lighting condition at any time of day.

My first "other people" session is going to be an outdoor senior... I'm a little nervous, but excited... I've never done anyone who is old enough to listen and take direction, so that should be a nice change of pace. :)

Thanks everyone. Pinterest had some nice ones. I am going through Flickr now and man there is some BAD stuff there LOL

LOL at the flickr bad ones! I agree about Pinterest. I usually make a list to take with me b/c I always lose my mind and forget poses.

I do want to add- HAVE FUN! B/c to be honest, I would rather shoot seniors than anything! They are a blast. Tell them to just be themselves. Don't make them be too posey b/c then they look awkward. Here are a few I have done recently. Mine are not the best, and I know that, but just some ideas. You can also look through my pinterest board labeled "Photo Ideas" and I have some for seniors.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...ilteredweb.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...roptiltweb.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...l2wholeweb.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...holebw1web.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...pcloserweb.jpg

And just for giggles- my first photo shoot with a senior! LOL!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2706/4...4311390a5f.jpg
joechair3 by sadieruth, on Flickr

those are FUN examples, Sadie! TFS! now I just need to find a senior who wants me to take their picture. ;)

GiGi

Thanks Sadie!!! Great poses! I agree about over-posing/awkward posing--I saw so much of it on Flickr that I will be making sure I DON'T let that happen LOL

The good thing is like everyone said, with teens you can give instructions and they'll actually hold still, LOL!

Sadie, I too wrote down my ideas, and I have been looking through campus for good spots. I just hope I don't have to fight with a lot of sun.

Also, do you ask them ahead of time if they know what they'll be wearing? Do you make suggestions or just let them come the way they want to dress?

What I have done is ask them if they want a more urban style with holy jeans and more urban style clothes, country with more jeans, boots, flannel, or even a mixture to add some dramatic flare. The one time I didn't, it kicked my butt. They wore fancy clothes in the woods, and it was a bit awkward looking. LOL!

LOL! well we did it yesterday late-afternoon, and it was fun, but the sun was still very bright. We did pretty well though and I got some nice stuff. A lot of pretty spots (on campus) were either too lit-up or in deep shade LOL. But she requested some shots near sculptures and the library etc. so we did those too.

It was great learning to work with a teen. I would love to do more. :)