Senior Pictures and I Didn’t Ruin Them
So, that’s a big relief! I know I can take okay photos, but that’s when it’s for me and when it’s what I like. Why else would I do it? But if I try to take a photograph that someone intentionally asks me for my hands suddenly shake and I forget what buttons are for- pulling, admiring, pressing, licking, what?!! Sometimes, I could literally draw a stick figure version of them on notebook paper and get a better resemblance. I’m not even talking about the times I meant to do that.
Knowing I get that way, I took my daughter, son, and her boyfriend to Galveston for a relaxing day trip waaaay back in October when there was no graduation pressure. We went to her favorite places by the water, she was genuinely laughing and smiling all day and it was okay with everyone if I paused to use my land camera. No pressure.
We wanted to see what we’d get on a natural weekend trip, not a photo shoot with a pro. Intentional portraiture is just not my thing. I want to capture people, moments, memories. I like a running conversation in my photos, not staged, Pinterest inspired shots so much. I like it when they don’t notice and I don’t always care about composition. So I had to get over that. Then there’s my love affair with blur and darkness or blinding light. I also had to get over that. I wanted her to have a recorded memory of a real time with family and friends, one that was like so many other times in her youth. I think we accomplished that.
For the sentimental take on this event see this post from a few months ago where I shared some of my favorite shots before final edits. At this point I’m racing to address invitations, planning prom, thank you notes, end of the year concerts, and generally running around with my hair on fire. Sentimentality will have to wait.
Michelle, you did a beautiful job! I'm the same as you, I get all panicky in situations where portraits are expected. I like to let things flow naturally. Staging portraits is not my thing, but I think maybe one day it could be if I could just relax. Anyway, congrats to your beautiful daughter and blessings for the next chapter of her life. You really did an incredible job on the photos. 🙂
Wow, you did great!! Your daughter is a beautiful young woman, she has a gorgeous smile.
When I have kids some day, I'm gonna try my hardest to take nice pictures of them all the time; and not the crappy, digital, red-eyed snapshots people take of their kids nowadays. And I really, really hope that when I'll be a mother, they will still develop film. 🙂
I think they turned out beautifully! These are truly timeless portraits.
Oh, thank you Gail! You know, I did last minute pictures for one of her friends and it was so much faster and easier to get what I wanted just because I'd done it once before.
Thanks, Severien! I'm sure you will take great family photos. I can see your eye for unique little details in your blog photos. I agree about film photos- they're just so special. It's funny how we have all of these digital options these days, but many of us still yearn for film.
Thank you, Jennifer! I am so glad I could take them for her. It's my little graduation gift.
Thank you, Evelyn. You completely know how busy this time is! I hope you find many moments of peace and special time with your son in the midst of all the graduation chaos.
They all came out great, and your daughter is a beauty. 🙂
Your daughter is so lovely! Good luck to her (and you!) on end of the year fun and craziness, graduation, and her next chapter.
Thank you, Diane. I always say she's beautiful inside and out, but I really believe it.
Thank you, Katie! We are so gonna need summer vacation.
These are BEAUTIFUL photos!
Thank you so much, Vanessa.