Picture Perfect
Gone are the days of cookie-cutter grad
photos - today’s teens prefer to make their
senior photos their own!
We went straight to the source for the scoop
on how to get the best senior pic possible.
CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER
Gretchen Birdwell of Gretchen B. Photography says the first
step is knowing your own personal style. “Do you like well-lit
and high fashion? Casual outdoor? Grungy inner city? Most
photographers are flexible, however the photographer who is
most comfortable shooting fashion may not be the one you want
to have with you in a warehouse! Make sure your photographer
(even if she’s the one everyone you know is using!) does the kind
of work you love. Look at images on Instagram and Facebook
and then explore the websites of the photographers whose work
grabs your attention.”
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
Lauren Prevatte of Milly Photography says that location should
be always a personal choice. “Where do you picture yourself?
This session is all about you! Where is your happy place? City
life? A Family member’s barn? Maybe you like a little of both,
and that’s completely ok!”
WEATHER WORRIES
About 75% of Lauren’s seniors schedule their shoots for the
summer, so preparation is key. Lauren recommends bringing
a cooler with ice and 6-10 bottles of water. “Throw a few hand
towels in the freezer and put them in the cooler before you leave.
Walking around with cold towels around your neck in between
photos is a great way to cool off and keep the sweat away.” And
don’t forget dry towels for blotting!
For the cold Lauren recommends warm towels/blankets for
between shoots and plenty of water. When it comes to rain,
Lauren says most opt to reschedule but “some will bring their
umbrellas and learn to dance in the rain!”
#NOFILTER? NO WAY!
“All of your finished portraits will be retouched, so don’t worry if
your complexion breaks out right before your session,” Gretchen
says. Lauren agrees, saying, “Even I have those embarrassing little
(or big!) zits that pop up the day of your shoot, or pesky cold
sores from stressing about school or work. I’ve got you!”
Lauren says she also often hears concerns from teens who worry
that they aren’t photogenic or joke that they will need major help
from Photoshop, but she is quick to reassure. “My job is not to
make you look like something that you aren’t. Photoshop is not
what makes you perfect, nor what makes me a good photographer.
Your happy and open self is your best self. Your confidence is my
success!”
PHOTOGR APHY COURTESY OF (LEFT TO RIGHT) MILLY PHOTOGR APHY (1&2) AND GRETCHEN B. PHOTOGR APHY (3-5)
30 |
Fall 2016
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