Braeden is one of those handsome young men that while he’s set his sights beyond graduation next spring he’s just not that into the whole “Senior Portrait” thing. Well, problem solved. This year I expanded my collections of traditional Portrait Sessions to include an “Express”. The Express is just that, an abbreviated session that allows me to capture really great images in 30 minutes. Now, this does come with a few options but several changes of clothing and locations are not part of the program as that simply eats into the allotted 30 minutes pretty rapidly. So, come prepared to work diligently and what you will get in return is 8 lightly edited 4×6 proofs and 1, digital file of your choice. Your, unedited, session will be online within a day for you to select from and will only set you back $150.00. You, of course, are welcome to order additional prints and wallets through the site or directly through me.  Isn’t it nice to know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get what you want?  If the Express is something you haven’t yet considered, contact me to discuss and schedule your Express now.

This offer is limited to High School Seniors.

High school seniors have evolved over the years and so has the process in which we photograph them for their high school yearbooks. Gone are the days of simply archiving the milestone. These portrait sessions have become more about capturing who they’ve become as young adults. I love these sessions. One on one (in most cases) allowing their true self to emerge before me and the lens. No parents prodding “sit up straight!” or “give us a real smile!” and that’s the short list. Please take no offense, this is by no means every parent but I tend to get more out of a senior if the parents, siblings and friends stay home. This also does not mean that at the end of a session if say a girlfriend, twin, triplet or family pet wants in on a photo or two that I won’t accommodate them, I surely will, I simply will not make it the focus of the session.

The time of day that is optimal for these and other outdoor portraits, for me, is mid morning and late afternoon/early evening. The light is best at this time of day whether it’s sunny or cloudy.  On the other hand, if it happens to be an overcast day (hooray! seriously) mid day works great. You see, it’s all about the light and how it will fall on the subject.  Not that I can’t capture some amazing images at high noon on a sunny day it’s just that the restrictions can be far greater.  Note that in the event of strong winds or rain I will require you to reschedule but there will be no fee attached when I feel the need to call off a shoot.

Clothing selection is always a tuffy, for most. “What should I wear?” , “Can I change outfits?”, “My mom wants me to wear THIS!” It’s all good, relax. I suggest that you bring along everything you can think of that you love. Especially those outfits or shirts that everyone always compliments you on when you wear them…that’s always a good indicator of what will be great. Change if you like but know that depending on where we shoot a lovely dressing room may not always be available so be comfortable in knowing that you may changing behind a building, a tree or even in your car.

Hair…wow, where to start?  Having been a hairdresser for nearly 26 years (ouch!) I do know a thing or two about this one too. 1-flat irons and wind do not go together. 2-if a need is for your session to be straight and curly, 2 sessions are required so book accordingly. 3-have your hair cut a good 2-3 weeks prior to the session. Tan lines on necks and napes will require additional editing time and generally show up quite prominently after a haircut. 4- I bring along hair products just in case for those pesky flyaways! If you have hair that is colored please have it retouched the week of the shoot in that retouching on my end will cost you more than the salon.

Speaking of tan-lines…Sun burned skin does not photograph well at all and I will require you to reschedule your session which comes with a fee.  Removing tan lines in post work is both time consuming and costly. I recommend that you watch your sun exposure as much as 1 week prior to your session to avoid additional costs and fees.

Hands, Feet & Face…this is easy…If you would like your hands to appear in some of your images such as holding a football, playing an instrument or just placing them on a knee or folded arms, invest in a manicure. French polish or clear for the ladies and buffed for the gentlemen.  Feet, same as the Hands. Face, simple retouching is always included. For severe acne or other scaring I will provide 1 proof of a before and after at no additional charge. Braces I will not remove.  For the ladies, please bring along your lip gloss, your powder and your own hairbrush.

I am currently offering 25% off of my session fee to any 2010 high school senior that books and shoots in July of 2009. For a gallery of images please go to the website tab at the top then click on “milestones” or you can also select “slide shows” above or even  join my “Rock the Senior” on Facebook!

Going out on my first “Rock The Senior” shoot today.
Something I thought up to enhance the tradtional
senior session. Kind of like a “Trash The Dress” but
I didn’t dare refer to it as “Trash The Senior”!

Here, I will approach the shoot like I always do then
stop, switch it up with radical hair and make-up
(being a hairdresser for 28 years helps), and go into
more dramatic imagery. The guys are welcome too.
A teeny bit of eyeliner and some whacked out hair
or a hop in the lake will transcend your traditional
session into more of a fashion editorial look.
I canNOT wait to get started! Spots are limited
throughout the summer but be sure to visit my
Rock The Senior group page on Facebook and check here
periodically for gallery additions.

Think you can handle it? Refer 3 friends and earn a
FREE Rock The Senior session!

Let’s ROCK!