Taking photos of a senior who is also a photographer is so much fun.  Not only does your client understand what you are doing behind the camera but you also have so much in common! 🙂

This senior session (which one of the images was a Seniorologie Spotlight) is so colorful and looks like so much fun!  Brooke of Brooke Daniels Photography says that this senior chose the package that includes a complimentary boutique service, which is where Brooke hand-picks clothing and accessories from a boutique she partners with.

Check out this session below and read what Brooke had to say about it!  Thanks for sharing Brooke!

Website:  www.brookedanielsphotography.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/BrookeDanielsPhotography

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we wanted one look to represent the colors of the holiday with a hint of glitz and glam.  The oversized balloons and floral crown added a fun and whimsical element to the Valentine’s portion of our shoot.  Hope is very metropolitan and fashion forward and wanted an urban feel to her images, so we shot in downtown Fredericksburg. Since she is a photographer herself, she wanted to capture images of her with her own camera.

Where did this photo shoot take place?
Historic, downtown Fredericksburg, VA. {Professional Hair and Make Up by Kristen Green with GoGo Gorgeous Makeup Artistry.}

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
Yes- I selected the wardrobes for her shoot (based off of her own style and preferences).  I suggested that she purchase those oversized round balloons and also make a floral crown, so her mother helped bring those props.  I communicated well in advance with Hope to really find out what her goals were. She had her senior portraits taken back in the fall by another studio and wasn’t pleased with the results, so the pressure was on to make sure I exceeded her and her family’s expectations.  Thankfully, they were thrilled with the images and she had so much fun during the shoot since she felt every little detail was covered and that I really listed to what she wanted.

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
Canon 5d mark ii and 70-200 2.8 lens and one round reflector. All natural light, no artificial light/flashes. And my lovely intern, Courtney, who helped hold the reflector. 🙂

What time of day were these taken?
3:30pm-5:00pm

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
Sure!  I cull through Lightroom then edited individually in Photoshop.  Crop, some added contrast, skin smoothing, and that’s about it.

What is your favorite thing about this session?
I love that Hope and I share the same passion for photography and also fashion!  Her favorite color is also “Tiffany Blue” so I call her my mini me 🙂  She is a real go-getter and I admire her focus and drive with her photography business at such a young age.  This session was a blast because she fully trusted my artistic vision and was open for all suggestions.  My favorite images captured were the ones right at sunset with the city street and traffic lights in the background.  No editing techniques or overlays were used to create that effect.  I’ve never photographed at that exact location before, so it’s always fun to discover a new hidden gem!

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
Where fashion meets imagination.  What I love most is making sure my sessions are completely custom around the individual senior.  Hope’s wardrobes, hair and makeup, styling, poses and locations were perfectly tailored around her own style and personality.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
WOW!  I have lots I’d love to share!  Really get to know your Senior ahead of time.  Send them a survey to find out all about their personality, friend them on social media, get in their head…. find out who they are and what they want.  The better you know them, the better their portraits will be. When they don’t feel like a number to you, they feel special, their confidence soars, they have a blast, then their portraits are sensational and their experience is unforgettable!  And, find out something you can offer that no one else in your area does. What sets you apart?  Then own that and showcase what makes you unique.  When you get in a creative rut, plan and execute your own personal project. Show others what you’re capable of doing.  And above all else, be true to yourself!