Well TriCoast did something we have not done in a very long time, photographed some highschool seniors this past weekend. While its not much different than my high fashion photography days, its still quite different than our wedding work. Plus as you would know it the weather was horrible, cold, VERY windy and well just a nasty rainy day in Downtown Houston. So we did what we could to get out of the rain and wind to create some of the images.

Hope you enjoy, I know I felt like a fish out of water for sure, feed back IS wanted both good and bad, my skin is thick so give it to me!!!

#1 - Video Light


#2 - Natural Light


#3 - Video Light


#4 - Video Light for Facial Exposure and Wireless Flash for Flair



The young lady below is on her THIRD battle with Cancer, yes you read that right, HER THIRD so capturing these images truly brought happiness to me and Cody.

#5


#6




Just thought I would share another session while posting. Nothing special, just trying to get a feel for the senior world and since the forum was down I figured I would post them in an effort to get it going again. A traditional senior who loves "Texas" life. A rainy somewhat cold day, with zero directional light from the sun. So all light you see on the model was done with wireless flash units.

Since I have Not really ever tried to shoot them, I really do not know whats cool and whats not. Also with them being so young I am finding my level of comfort with them, while the look is a model I simple don't treat them the same on many levels.

So again nothing special just thought I would share

#7 - Natural Light - Nice and Soft due to the clouds and why I say thats a dang purty horse if you ask me


#8 - Three wireless flash units, one for her eyes (main), one on the side of her hat and one on the camera for fill


#9 - Uoooooooo Weeeeeeeee - Its another dang pruty horse pickture


#10 - Same set up as #8

wonka u've done it again! really a huge fan of 4. OOOOOOH WOW that is one awesome image.
the natural light in 2 is fabulous
8 and 10 are expertly lit and composed...especially 8, that is like u crafted the way the stick thingy's fall in the image!

I really love overall the huge technical understanding you bring to the table with lighting, its something that I really want to start exploring more. I guess I need more than one flash huh? lol

Great work Mike, love your use of the video light, fantastic!
All are wonderful but 3 and 4...WOW! Great processing on 2.

Begin Threadjack...
I too did my first senior session this fall and found it to be, well, weird. There are certainly tighter boundries when shooting high school girls. A local photographer in my small town spent 3 months in jail because 2 seniors he shot together accused him of innappropriatly touching them. He was stupid to not have an assistant there so it was his word against theirs. I am not saying he did it or not, but it really illustrates how different it is to work with seniors. Personally, I bring my wife with me to assist
...End Threadjack

Thanks guys, it is something we are getting the feel for.

And yes we always have two of us and an assistant there when shooting anyone much less highschool seniors. Just be professional and you do not need to worry about it for the most part. Having shot high end fashion for years, it is a different world shooting seniors.


thanks again for the kind words!

Gorgeous, really very.

Mike, you did just great! My favorite is #5, very peaceful.

Awesomeness! Love how you played around with different light situations to show us the different effects it gives.

Absolutely delicious!!!

Wow. If if those are "out of your norm" you are in good hands! You have done a wonderful job and I am sure they will all be happy with the results.

I was especially touched by the pics of the girl battling cancer. That must have meant a lot to both her and you guys! Very special pics!

Cheers!
Trevor

Dude, those are killer!

Cool idea with the flashes!

Thanks everyone, I have not checked over here in a while or I would have replied earlier!


Again we are out of our norm with Seniors. It brings back a lot of memories of the studio/high fashion/medium format and film days. While I enjoy processing black and white I think I enjoy the digital darkroom better. I do know I can experiment more with the processing and still get to drink a beer and watch TV in the process with digital so thats always a bonus!


So again thank you all for the kind words, we have a very busy month coming up with a Wedding Channel wedding in Miami, Speaking at PPA National Convention, and other big stuff so hopefully I will find time to post some new stuff I have been working on in the coming weeks.

I hope everyone has a GREAT Christmas and more importantly a SAFE new year eve and day!