Lucas' Senior Shoot
Eastlake Class of 2024
Day of the Shoot!
My sessions can last anywhere from 1-2 hours. Typically more on the 2 hour side or longer. It is very easy to get carried away just pushing the shutter button. For Lucas’ session we started at the high school and ended at the San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. He is a varsity basketball player so I wanted to capture some dramatic portraits of him doing poses and actions.
For Photographers: I used 1 - TT600 Speedlight and my 47” Octa soft box on a light stand camera right. A fill/hair light on camera left. 1 - TT600 speed light and a strip box. Fuji X-T1 with the 35mm f/2 prime lens.
Time Management
I timed the gym shoot to be a little earlier so I could set up and tear down with enough time to drive downtown for the second part of the shoot. He and his parents had chosen San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso. It is a very common place for graduating high school seniors to get their pictures taken. I had to manage my time wisely because I need about an hour and a half of sunlight for natural light portraits. With tall buildings you will run out of light quicker!
Composition
Some back story. I have been around to see Lucas go from freshman basketball player to senior varsity starter. It was definitely an honor to capture these final images. In a sense, I have seen him grow up over the past 4 years.
Anyway, that story ties into what I wanted to talk about which is composition. I wonder what was going through his head as I was moving around with a camera. Standing, squatting, laying down in some instances. It definitely is a different environment than what he is used to seeing me in.
I really wanted to capture him in a GQ magazine type of fashion. Let me know how I did!
Emotion
Lucas’ definitely was not a fan of smiling. Which leads me into my next point. My goal is to get my graduates to be themselves. I never want them to feel forced to have to smile or look directly at the camera during the photoshoot. I will work around who they are and what they want to look like.
Overall
I like to have conversations with parents about what they think about their child leaving to college. As a father, I am definitely not ready for that step. I enjoy all of my seniors parents and family.
Lucas’ session was fun. I wish him the best! He will be joining the US Coast Guard Academy and playing basketball at the next level.
All the best,
C