When Seth and his mom came in for his senior session consultation it was clear he knew what he wanted in his senior pics!
This is not always the case. I would say, 40% of my seniors come in for their consultation with a plan. Most of the time the consultation is where the wheels start turning and ideas begin to flow. As the photographer, I don't mind either way. It is my job to help those that are not quite sure what they want by asking questions. I never tell a high school senior what we will do, I ask questions to figure out what they really want out of their senior session. During my 30 minute consultation, we can usually get a little plan formed.
With Seth, his consultation was more about how to execute his plans. He had locations and also props in mind that he wanted to use for his session. A benefit in living and photographing my seniors in a smaller town is that you can get to different locations pretty quick. If I am counting correctly, we went to five different locations around Wahoo, Nebraska. This did take prior planning of what Seth was going to wear at each location and which props were needed. But we were able to make all of the locations work!
Even though we had a lot of locations since he chose the two hour session, it never felt rushed. I am a fast shooter and I do like to talk, but I try to chat with my seniors either while we are walking to a new spot or even while I am photographing them. Sometimes, while I have them just stand in a spot while I do a light test, they may pose themself. Pretty much every senior I have photographed has heard me yell "don't move, stay just like that!" I never want my seniors to look too posed especially guys. When I photograph girls it is a little different, they can do some more stylized posing that works for them. Guys want to look natural and having them lay down with their feet up in the air isn't going to be a pose they are wanting to do. It is always a challenge for me to shoot senior guys though I do enjoy photographing them. It is always a different dynamic than a senior girl and as they say variety is the spice of life.
As you can see with Seth's images, it is Seth in those photos. Not a photographer trying to pose him in a way that isn't him. I mean, we even photographed him at his place of employment - The Wahoo Dairy Queen which was one of my favorite shots.
It's hard to believe that Seth will be graduating in a few days along with his classmates at Bishop Neumann. It honestly feels like I just had his senior session! Time does fly. Best of luck with everything you accomplish in your future, Seth!
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