These are some of my favorite shots I've taken this summer. Kind of going for a senior-type picture.

Not to make excuses, but most of these are from my "over process everything" stage earlier in the summer, but I tried to just post ones that don't seem TOO overdone. Since I joined this forum and started digging in more I feel like I've learned TONS, but no chance to actually shoot stuff and try it out yet.

Any critiques and opinions would be GREATLY appreciated! Feel free to be as harsh as necessary, I want to learn! Thanks!

1. (Definitely should have caught the hair rubberband on the wrist in these )


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.


9.


10.


11. This one is really dark, but I personally like the feel of it for some reason.

I personally like the ones of the girl in the green best. The color photos are standouts to me. 7-10 are keepers!!!

LOVE #'s 9 & 11. Those are definitely portfolio-worthy. Number 2 is good, too!

Find some people who'll let you shoot 'em and SHOOOOOT! Do it for free, experiment, look for great light and have fun. You definitely have a great eye and are on the right track. Practice is easier to come by than you'd think (especially when you're free!)

Good luck
XOXO, Sarah

7, 9 , & 11 are keepers for sure.

Thank you! She was so much fun to work with. She's one of my good friends who volunteered to help me build my portfolio. I don't think I could have asked for a better model!



Sarah, you have no idea how much that encourages me I'm a little in that stage where I feel like I've made the wrong decision to pursue photography, and that I'm just kidding myself to think I could be good some day. So all the encouraging words I can get are like treasures to me!
And oddly enough, I can't seem to find anyone even interested in free pictures at the moment. Too hot outside I guess? Who knows. I'm going to hit it full force when I get back to school though!



Thanks! So since everyone seems to like #11, is it really not too dark and/or tilted?

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment, everyone

first of all... i love #2. gorgeous!
second. don't give up. go with it if it's your passion. it's hard to start up. but it's so worth it.

i only had this issue with models (and free sessions) when it came to kids. in fact. i launched the site without a child gallery because despite me doing it for free and offering them the world on a CD-R, i just couldn't get people to agree to using the child (without their name being anywhere on the site) as "advertisement." ridiculous if you ask me. they're all willing to let me photograph them but wrinkle their noses when i mention the internet.

For my engagement models, seniors, etc... i offer them a few sheets, and then a discount off their purchase should they decide to order anything from me. that goes over nicely.

i'm in a smaller market, but i know there have been some threads about having a "portfolio building contract" for your sessions.

good luck with everything! you're going to be FINE!!!

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Chris!


And, friendly *bump* in case anyone else has a critique on things I should improve on in the future

#7 is definitely my favorite! I like #2 also and I think you definitely have some good stuff already! I'd watch out for greenish skin tones (#6) but nice skin tones is definitely something I struggle with all the time so I know how hard it is!

Great job

I really like 7 and 9 . . . awesome!

IMHO - I would say 1 is over-processed, but that wall is awesome, good eye finding it. Be careful of that reddish tint.


I made one girl look orange once as I was new to the whole editing digitals and was not using a calibrated monitor - she asked me if I thought she looked orange, and I was like . . . hmm . . . yep, you do. Had to fix it all. Not to say that you did that, just a funny moment for me.

You really have a great eye though - I can't wait to see more from you!

i like 7-11 a lot! and i found that perserverance was very important for me in the beginning. i wanted to shoot everyone! and you can always ask friends, family members, or coworkers if they would be willing to model for you. i had several friends put their wedding dresses back on just so i could practice! you are doing well, just keep it up!

Your shooting itself is not an issue. This is all good and you can only get better.
Color calibration & profiling are critical. Maybe you can find someone willing to work your monitor and/or printer for you for a modest fee?
As for skin tones, I highly suggest an expo disk as this will nail exposure and color balance for you and dramatically reduce your post processing.

Good work.