Utilizing locations at your fingertips and shooting them in a way that makes the photos really stand out and not the background is a talent.  Brittni Schroeder of Brittni Schroeder Photography says that it is pretty barren in El Paso all year round.  So she has to think outside the box to be creative with her senior photo shoots.  I think she did a great job focusing on this senior rather than the background…I don’t even notice the background, just this beautiful senior!  Great job Brittni!

Check out this photo shoot below and be sure to check out more of Brittni’s work here.  Thanks for sharing Brittni!

What was your inspiration for the photo shoot? This senior wanted an outdoorsy feel to her pictures.  When you live in the desert you are very limited on lush, green foliage.  I have to improvise sometimes.  I let the girls be themselves and let them inspire me.

Where did this photo shoot take place? The shoot was taken near a wooded overgrown canal road in El Paso, TX

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot? I meet with all my seniors before their shoots.  I love fashion and love to put together different looks.  Together we put together three different looks and if their outfits need a little something extra I have a trunk full of jackets, hats, scarves and accessories to help complete the look.

What camera, lens and equipment were used for this shoot? Nikon D700, Nikon D800, 70-200mm f2.8 (my fav) and 85mm f1.4.

What time of day were these taken? Dusk

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session? I do some simple Lightroom tweaks with white balance, open in Photoshop, bring darks down and mid tones up in levels.  I have an action I made myself that uses brown tones.  Then I finish up by using Magic Sharp from Kubota.  

What is your favorite thing about this session? I love when my seniors will be silly and get into the shoot.  I always tell my seniors if you want good pictures you have to have fun!

What do you want this session toconvey about this senior and about your senior photography style? With all of my session my goal is evoke emotion, REAL emotion.  I get to know my seniors and consider them all my friends.  My goal is to create and experience for them and if don’t walk away feeling like they are the most beautiful girl ever then I haven’t donemy job.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors? Do your research.  I moved to El Paso 2 and half years ago and had to start over.  I found out what the best schools were and who the popular outspoken seniors were.  Word of mouth is the best marketing tool available.  It is a numbers game and you have to getyour name out there.  Challenge yourself to shoot every week, even if it is for FREE!  Your work will speak for itself, but you have to get your work in front of people.  If you do this you will have a successful senior photography business.