Great portraits are built on trust between photographer and the subject

Nikon D4, 85mm ƒ/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/400

Three things for a great portrait

1. Expression
2. Expression
3. Expression

Everytime I get ready to do a portrait session I have butterflies. I get extremely nervous and anxious.

I believe most seasoned photographers and artists feel the same way. They may react differently from each other, but there is something scary when your ability to do your best relies not just with you but with another person.

Yesterday I photographed Jane and as I always I started off with those butterflies and anxiety and as time went on I started to calm down and really enjoy our time.

Its not all about you

In the case of portraits it is all about capturing the subject's best expressions.  

Nikon D4, 85mm ƒ/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/2.8, 1/200, 20"x30" softbox powered by Alienbees B1600 and Vagabond battery pack

Jane was one of my favorite subjects in a very long time. The reason she made for such a wonderful subject is she was willing to try just about anything and also she enjoyed giving me a range of expressions.

First the technical

The very first thing I am doing is getting the camera settings and lighting set just right. Also I am trying to pick a good location when it comes to shooting on location somewhere.

Nikon D4, 85mm ƒ/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/4, 1/250, 20"x30" softbox powered by Alienbees B1600 and Vagabond battery pack

This was my very first photo of Jane. I noticed when she arrived what she was wearing and took note of the color. I thought the dress was similar to the color of the bricks of the Roswell Mill—just a little lighter.

A good complimentary color to what she was wearing was green. I liked this setting a lot, but quickly realized that it was just a little too busy for my taste. I felt like the setting was competing with Jane too much.

Nikon D4, 85mm ƒ/1.8, ISO 50, ƒ/2.8, 1/60, 20"x30" softbox powered by Alienbees B1600 and Vagabond battery pack

This is one of my favorite photos from the day. You may ask why I like this so much. Well I believe a photographer should be able to articulate why they like a certain photograph over another.

This photo to me feels like a Dove commercial. Dove brand has done a great deal through the years to define what is beauty and having wonderful skin and great expression was core to their brand.

Today the Dove Real Beauty Campaign is for girls and women to understand that their power and their beauty does not come from a tube or an airbrush or a cream, but rather from their own personalities and power.

Authenticity

The key is for the photographer to be authentic with the subject. I listened a lot to Jane and her mother. I listened with my ears and eyes. 

"What kind of look are you going for?" was my question and they had an answer. Jane liked the look of the model from the 60's Twiggy and Taylor Swift.

While that was the look, I was really interested in also capturing her personality. Jane is such a ham and loves to goof around and I tried to be sure and encourage her to be herself.

Here are some other photos from our time:

One thing I think helps me capture the best in people is when I am really in tune to their personality and recognize moments that really accentuate it.

By the way I am reminded over and over through interviews with major recording artists that most of them also get butterflies and anxious just before they step onto stage. I think those that understand how fragile relationships really are and how much they must work at them will succeed more often than those who plow ahead.

Time for Senior pictures

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—Two Alienbees B1600 mixed with daylight [diagram below]

It is that time of year that I get requests for doing Senior photos. I have not marketed myself to this market, but friends through church and work call and ask if I will photograph their Senior.

Today's Senior pictures are much different than when I had mine made back in 1980.  Today we are seeing more and more photos of Seniors in their favorite activity.

Last night I captured Grant Newsom at the pool where he is on the swim team and also a lifeguard.

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—Two Alienbees B1600 mixed with daylight

When we first met to start the shoot I was told that Grant's employer scheduled him to work right at the same time and didn't tell him about the change in schedule. He didn't want to let down his employer and was really concerned this was going to take a long time.

We did all these photos in one hour. Three locations and one of those required us to drive a small distance. This means taking huge soft box and setting up and taking down in three locations. It also meant that he had some outfit changes to do.

Well after to first few minutes Grant relaxed realizing we were getting great images and moving quickly.

This is why you practice over and over doing these type of photos so you are ready to go when you have to "Get Er Done." I have done this so many times through my career I was able to quickly move and set up and get some pretty good images of Grant. I will let you be the judge of the images.

I used two Alienbees B1600 flashes being powered by Paul Buff Vagabond battery packs. The reason I used two at the pool was I knew that when you do the butterfly stroke you are looking down most of the time and the light just isn't there most of the time. I filled the shadows with the flashes.

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—One Alienbees B1600 with a large softbox off to the right to be mixed with daylight

We had a lot of fun capturing these photos. The main reason I feel like you get great photos in this situation is the Senior is doing what they love the most. They are in their world of comfort and I am there to join them.

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—One Alienbees B1600 with large soft box and mixed with daylight

For the most part I wanted to capture the competitor in the pool, thus less smiles here. We did get some, but I like the fierce look.

Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—Large 30" x 60" foldable softbox with Alienbees B1600 mixed with daylight, also one Alienbees B1600 directly behind the model

We just changed shirts and locations pretty quickly to keep on schedule for the Senior to run to work.

Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—Large 30" x 60" foldable soft box with Alienbees B1600 on the left and then mixed with daylight [lighting diagram below]

Keeping it simple I am using one large 30" x 60" Paul C Buff foldable soft box as the main light and then letting the available sunlight light the rest of the photo. The flash is about one stop brighter than the rest of the scene. I exposed for the softbox light and used an ExpoDisc to get a custom white balance before shooting the photos.

Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/250—Large 30" x 60" foldable soft box with Alienbees B1600 on the left and then mixed with daylight

When you look for a photographer for Senior pictures some of the best will be former newspaper photographers. They have shot everything, so it will be rare that your child has a favorite hobby that they haven't shot before.

I covered the 1996 Olympics and specifically covered the swimming and diving. I was ready for Grant in the pool.

Remember these Senior pictures we will cherish the rest of our lives and for generations later as they look back. Next year is my 35th high school reunion. It feels like yesterday and we are all pulling out those photos from back in 1980.

By the way we finished in time for Grant to go to work and have a date that night.

Senior Portrait Should be Fun

Each photo here captures another side of Emily.  To me this captures the soft innocent child.

I was honored when my friend Fauve called and asked me to photograph her daughter's senior year photos. This was all because of a photo I took of her playing her Cello in an orchestra concert.  She loved the photo and figured if I can make her look good playing the Cello then I should be the guy for her senior photo.

This is Emily and her sister Jane.  Siblings bring out the best in us.

The hard part about this photo shoot is Emily didn't bring her cello.  It was just my camera and her. I had to talk to her and get her to play with situations.  She trusted me and did her best.  Because of her efforts we came up together with some real winners.

As you will see I couldn't just have one of them together.

Emily let me know she didn't want formal shots.  She wanted some moments where we were getting glimpses of her.  She didn't see herself as look straight into the lens and smiling.  While we definitely got some of those shots, they were really moments in between other moments where she was looking up and waiting for some guidance.  Sometimes she was just relaxed and enjoying the moment.

I am not sure what I was capturing here.  I can't quite put it into words.  Maybe it is just cool play on light.

We used different things that were naturally around for props.  I think these help relax some people.  I think here Emily already looks like a college student.

I believe there are times you just need to try a lot of things to then pick the best for your big moment.  Graduating from high school is a monumental moment we celebrate.  It is the transition year for many to leave home and start a new life.

Guess where Emily has applied to go next year?

Ceremonies help us to make these transitions.  Having your senior picture made is a way to have something to hold onto to celebrate the last time at home and with our friends.  Next year we will move on to a new beginning and new friends.  Before we can move on we really need to celebrate where we have come to at this moment.  Photos are some of the best ways to remember these times.

I like capturing moments where it looks like we are having a conversation. 

While the shot above is wider and helps set a mood, this shot gets us close and see how friendly Emily is to folks.

I am not sure, but I think these two like to have fun.

I am not sure I would narrow this down to one photo.  I like them all and there were many more that you are not seeing.  Take time to remember and one of the best ways to do that is with photos.

We all liked the signage on the shop. I think every lady would like to see themselves as part of Vogue.

Sitting on fences and porches makes a photo seem like the girl next door.  What do you think?

Emily just looks elegant to me.