A sampling of my Senior Portraits

[Kevin]

To give you an idea of my primary area of photography, here are a few shots I've taken in the last couple of months.

My niche is High School Senior portraits, both formal portraiture and what I call urban style portraits (outdoors). I've still got a ways to go and still am experimenting to determine/find/uncover my unique style so these are "works in progress".

http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/KC1.jpg

http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/CG4.jpg

http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/060406O%20copy.jpg

http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/042606BBandW.jpg

[mdephoto]

Very nice Kevin -- lot different than the senior photos I got 40 years ago......

[Keith]

I remember seeing this set, man I have allot of room to grow in this area :rolleyes: First shot is classic, and luv the last, you know I like b&w and interesting crop, it works here!!

[Jonathan]

way cool kevin! I had no idea. I really like the last one as well.

[Kevin]

Very nice Kevin -- lot different than the senior photos I got 40 years ago......
Thanks Mike! Yeah, nowadays the images that seem to be popular are the ones that would be in some fashion magazine or on the cover. It's a lot of fun though.

I remember seeing this set, man I have allot of room to grow in this area :rolleyes: First shot is classic, and luv the last, you know I like b&w and interesting crop, it works here!!
I've still got a lot to learn. Portraiture isn't easy as there's so much to remember. Hopefully it'll start becoming second nature but at this point I'm still trying to focus on the details rather than being creative. But I'm patient and in time and with more practise it'll happen.

way cool kevin! I had no idea. I really like the last one as well.
Thanks Jonathan. Got a few tricks up my sleeve. ;) I appreciate the kind words. Technically, you're still in that age range so I'll do yours when we meet up, deal? :cool: :rolleyes:

[Jonathan]

Thanks Jonathan. Got a few tricks up my sleeve. ;) I appreciate the kind words. Technically, you're still in that age range so I'll do yours when we meet up, deal? :cool: :rolleyes:
Ahh to be 18 again:D :p sounds fun!

[Rudi]

Kevin,

they're all good, but that last one is special!

[Mike Mac]

WOW great stuff this is one area of photography I have absolutely no idea about, these are great

[Kevin]

Thanks Rudi and Mike for taking time to comment.

[Charlemagne]

Great stuff Kevin, that last one is fantastic!!! I still am doing outside and natural light portraits.. studio lighting is a bit daunting to me at this point!!

Charles

[Kate]

I love the last one as well. I love the lighting. It pops. Awesome to see some great angles and fresh ideas.

[Kevin]

Great stuff Kevin, that last one is fantastic!!! I still am doing outside and natural light portraits.. studio lighting is a bit daunting to me at this point!!

Charles
THanks Charles. It's really not all that difficult. There's a lot to understand and what I find most challenging as I continue to practise is to remember everything. But it'll come with time.

I love the last one as well. I love the lighting. It pops. Awesome to see some great angles and fresh ideas.

Thanks Kate. The last one I thought turned out exceptionally well myself. Surprised myself even. ;)

[Pete]

Excellent series Kevin! What about bringing back the color in the eyes on the last one?
Not that you need any help with creativity or anything but after seeing that cat over in the pet thread with the colored eyes I thought it could work here too.

[Jim Thiel]

Kevin, I see why you have not taken many birdee pictures lately. These are incredible and nothing like the senior pictures I think of.

I need some simple but good pointers on shooting my sons wedding in three weeks. I will be one of two photographers, neither of us are pros. Can I get by with using the 24-85 lens and 70-200? Do I need a fast lens and if so what would you or others recommend?
I also need some tips on the flash. I have the Nikon SB800. Should I get a flash bracket or can I get by without one?

Any help is much appreciated. I am like a fish out of water here.

[Kevin]

Excellent series Kevin! What about bringing back the color in the eyes on the last one?
Not that you need any help with creativity or anything but after seeing that cat over in the pet thread with the colored eyes I thought it could work here too.
Thanks Pete! I don't know about the eye thingy. Iirc, his were brown and may not be that impressive.

Kevin, I see why you have not taken many birdee pictures lately. These are incredible and nothing like the senior pictures I think of.

I need some simple but good pointers on shooting my sons wedding in three weeks. I will be one of two photographers, neither of us are pros. Can I get by with using the 24-85 lens and 70-200? Do I need a fast lens and if so what would you or others recommend?
I also need some tips on the flash. I have the Nikon SB800. Should I get a flash bracket or can I get by without one?

Any help is much appreciated. I am like a fish out of water here.
Hey Jim! Glad to see you here!

I'm not familiar with the 24-85. I don't think it's a "fast" lens though, is it? Depending on the conditions present at the wedding, it may work well. What about a fast, "inexpensive" prime like the 50/1.4 or even 1.8 or one a bit wider? If you're using flash, either of the lenses you mentioned would be fine.

As for the flash, you could get a flash bracket but maybe even consider getting a SC-29 to get the flash off camera and hold it with one hand (might get tiresome). Alternately, you might look at one of those diffusers like stofen or gary fong thing to diffuse the light. You could also bounce the flash off the ceiling if the venue permits. Ideally, you simply want to either move the flash position from dead on (off to side or bounce) and diffuse it some so it doesn't create harsh shadows.

With NIkon's matrix metering and the 800, you should not have any problems and should get great results. I used the 800 and 2 - 600 for my studio setup for quite a while with very good results.

Whatever you do, go out and practice some with the flash in some kind of indoor setting. Use the 70-200 for up-close and personal candids and a wider lens for more scenic (environment) type shots.

Will be anxious to see your results. Also, you could just pretend they're all a bunch of birds. :rolleyes: ;)