What was your inspiration for the photo shoot? As soon as I sat down to talk with Mallory, it was clear that she was a laid-back girl who loved nature, loved to try new things, and loved to feel comfortable in her own skin. It was her personality and her confidence that really inspired this beach, bonfire photo session. I wanted to create a session for Mallory that was unique and special to her so when she looks back on the photos years later she can look at images that truly captured who she was as a high school senior.
Where did this photo shoot take place? The photo shoot took place in a beachy spot along the river in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
What camera, lens and equipment were used for this shoot? I used the Canon 5dMarkII and an 85mm lens for the entire shoot. I also carry a reflector and a step ladder with me to every shoot. I used the step ladder quite a bit, but did not need to use the reflector much for Mallory’s session because the sandy beach acted as a lovely natural reflector.
What time of day were these taken? The photos were taken during the hour prior to sunset. I so love the golden hour!
What is your favorite thing about this session? This shoot was my first chance to incorporate video into a senior session, and I just loved it! It brought a whole new depth to the senior portrait experience, and I really felt like I got to show Mallory’s personality in a new and artistic way. I love how video and photographs can work together to show a story about a person.
What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style? I hope that when Mallory looks at the these photos she sees just how beautiful and unique she is to the people around her. I want all of my seniors to feel like they have a story to tell, a beautiful, special, and unique story, and my style is crafted to show that story to the world in an artistic and simple way.
How often do you include video in your senior sessions? I have just started creating video with my sessions a few months ago, but it is my plan to include video for all of my future shoots and use it instead of a basic slideshow to introduce the clients to their images at the beginning of a selling session.
Do you shoot them or do you have someone join you on the shoots to capture the video?
I shoot the video myself with my Canon 5dmarkii. Throughout the session, I am flipping back and forth between video and camera mode. Often, I am not even telling the client that I am switching into video. I switch the settings as the client and I are just talking and transitioning between poses, and the client rarely even notices. Filming during transitions also helps create some wonderful movement and genuine reactions for the video.
What is the reaction to the videos by your seniors? I have seen a whole new level of excitement from my clients when they see the video. When my clients watch themselves on the video laughing and having fun, it lets each one of them relive the positive experience of the photo shoot. This is so powerful because it creates a stronger emotional tie to the images for the client.
Do you sell the videos separate or do you give these as gifts to the seniors? Currently, since I have just started incorporating video, I have been giving them to my senior reps and test shoot models as a way to create buzz about my business. For all future clients, I will be offering them as a gift with purchase when a client reaches a certain spending level.
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Love this! Love the video!!
What a great job and I love your logo 🙂
Yeah Kathleen! You are so talented. Congrats on the feature 🙂