I’m not a portrait photographer and I don’t plan on expanding my business to include that, but I’ve been asked on occasion to take pictures for my friends and family. One family from our church saw some pictures I took of “Mini” and they asked if I would take Hope’s senior pictures. This family is so loving and generous, so I was happy to do it.
I introduced Hope to Pinterest and she brought some examples of the kind of pictures she was hoping for, which was so helpful, since I’m usually shooting home decor! Here are some of my favorites from the shoot…
I love the picture above. She was posing for a picture and her grandfather, who was lounging on a porch swing nearby, called out, “Say cheese!” Hope started laughing and turned away from the camera for a moment. I had the sense to snap a bunch of pictures and caught her in an authentic expression of emotion. Those are my favorite.
As a non-portrait photographer, here’s how I approached the shoot…
- Hope & I don’t really know each other and posing for photos can be awkward. So, I had her start out laying on her tummy with her face propped on her hands. I laid down on the ground as well to take the pictures at eye level. In this pose, the subject doesn’t have to worry about where to put hands or how to stand. I think it put both of us at ease.
- Since I don’t know Hope well, I asked what her favorite feature is. You may have guessed it’s those gorgeous eyes! I made sure we showed off those eyes in the pictures, so Hope looks at them and sees her favorite feature, not something she dislikes about herself…because we all have those and they stand out when we look at pictures of ourselves.
- Just like with home decor, angles are key. I took over 360 pictures in the shoot, so I could learn which angles were most flattering for Hope. Again, we want to show off how beautiful she is and capture her personality, not just take pictures.
- We tried a lot of different poses and backgrounds. There were some that I thought would work great, but they didn’t pop at all and others surprised me with how striking the composition was. I’m sure if I did more portrait shoots, it would be easier for me, but I learned a lot in the process and I think it was good for Hope to mix things up, so it felt more relaxed.
On a side note, we did the shoot at a local park and then went to her grandparent’s 115 acre farm. Oh my. I totally lost myself for the first few minutes. The place was so gorgeous and such a delightful place to use as a backdrop…
…so much so, that I asked them if I could use their farm for some of my upcoming photo shoots. They graciously agreed. When I got home, I told Jeff the whole photo shoot was a total “God thing.” It was nice to step out of my comfort zone and use some of the photography skills I’ve been honing to minister to someone else and it was a little gift to find a beautiful place to use for photo shoots.
Those little “coincidences” always catch me by surprise and overwhelm.
58 Responses
Love “God things”!
Marian,
You did an outstanding job on these seniors pics…my favorites are the law school book and that last one is perfect! I am sure that Hope and her family with cherish these forever.
Blessings,
Linda
Isn’t it amazing to get those little reminders each day that there truly are no coincidences…at least I’m sure of that! Loved her beauty-full portraits…
You are so sweet. And Hope is a beautiful young woman!!
From these pictures, I get the sense that Hope is confident, outgoing, achievement oriented, and beautiful inside and out. Great pics. Good luck, Hope!!
Hope! What a beautiful name for such a beautiful young lady!…. I’m new at blogging and I just mentioned on my blog tonight how I’m working on my staging and how I get inspiration from your blog. Your photographs are beautiful!
What a beautiful young lady!! Those eyes!! Stunning, Hope, and I pray that your future is full of all God has in store for you! Lovely photos Marian.
Beautiful!
What a gorgeous young lady! Beautiful pictures!
Beautiful but also a expression of Hope. So much better I think than the portrait in a studio.
What a lovely young woman. Her name says it all! And speaking of God things, do you think he was introducing you to a larger version of type of home and land that is in your future?
How fun! I really like the one with the book in her lap, so pretty! And that chicken picture is great, maybe you need a framed chicken picture or two to keep the cows in your home company? 😉
Marian you could absolutely start a photography business! These pictures are great, not stuffy “posed” ones like all my kids had taken for their senior pictures. I love these types of photos, just natural, capturing the person true self. Great job:)
I’d love to hear your testimony on what you believe about God and what happens when you die. I am a Christian who believes that Jesus died for my sins, was resurrected, and will return someday. I believe that if you repent from your sins, acknowledge Jesus as your Savior and try to live your life according to what has been laid out in the Bible, you are promised eternal life in heaven with Him when you die.
Yes, that’s exactly what I believe. 🙂
Your post today reminded me again why I love your blog so much.
Marian, you are truly blessed with an empathy and a heart that’s pure in spirit.
You smile and life smiles back. You put good things “out there” and life comes back and kisses you on the cheek.
Everything in these pictures is lovely….from Hope’s laughter, to the “Believe” tattoo, to the roosters,
and the clear bright green eyes. You have captured it all. Wonderful pictures.
You just connect….
Sorry, if those are chickens, not roosters…the pics are fabulous anyway.
Lovely Marian!! 🙂
The pictures came out beautiful. I feel like I now know Hope since her personality shines through those pictures! Great job, there seems to be no limit to your talents!!
The pictures came out beautiful! I feel like I now know Hope since her personality shines right through those pictures. Great job, it seems your talents know no boundaries!!
Hi Marian — God things are so awesome. Reminds me miracles happen everyday even if the burning bush isn’t speaking to me! He has shown me this repeatedly even when I’m not paying attention to Him. Love the pictures.
Oh my goodness! What a cutie on the outside and inside!
The pictures are stunning! And I live to have my “God Moments”! It is so awesome to realize that nothing in this life is coincidental. Gods timing is always perfect if you are open to see him there.
Be blessed and be a blessing, Hope
What lovely pictures for a beautiful young lady of a time that is so memorable. I think the experience was enlightening for both of you!
Lovely photography and Hope is beautiful. Love your description of it being a “God thing”!
Beautiful portraits of Hope! She is lucky to have you take her photograph .
You truly have a gift for photography too! What beautiful pictures and your subject and backgrounds were beautiful as well.
I love your blog and will be ordering some of your milk paint soon. I have been using latex paint for my coastal furniture but this seems like the way to go.
Many Blessings,
Denise
You totally NAILED this! I see numerous senior pics of girls every year and the ones that resonate as truly representative of the girl in front of the camera are the shots from photographers like you who are trying to quickly build a relationship with the subject and get past “The Pose”. Thanks for sharing!!
Best always,
Susan
I love the picture where Hope is responding with such joy at her grandfather. Have a great Senior year Hope ; the future is bright. :0)
I love your pics. I love your blog!
I’m looking for a new camera….what camera do you have and would you recommend it?
Thanks!
I adore your home decor, but my favorite blog posts are the ones that “keep it real.” Thanks for sharing part of you! 🙂
Very sweet photos of a beautiful young woman. . .what a special gift to her! I love your creativity and how you’ve been blessed now with permission to use the grandparents’ farm in your business photography.
Marian , I just love your pictures of Hope. What a beautiful girl and you did an outstanding job ! You have many talents.
A “God”incidence for sure!
Hope’s smile is as pretty as her eyes. All are just lovely, but the candid shot, and story behind it makes it a very special photo. Are you by any chance open to buying a farm when your home sells? Outbuilding furniture workshop, land to hold sales, photography backdrops at every turn ; ) Sounds like a good fit.
Yep! That’s exactly what we’re looking for!
What a pretty subject!!!
Isn’t she just beautiful –
Such happy pictures
Merle……………..
Lovely photos and a job well done. For me, as a Christian, my entire life is a God thing; it’s the only way I can get out of bed in the morning.
You did a great job! Loved all the pics! I know exactly how you feel I paint and decorate but now my husband and I have been asked to shoot my sisters wedding. Yikes! My sister says that my hubby and I are artists, “So we can totally do this”. Please pray that we capture all the special moments and get what she wants. I have been asked to do some really out of my comfort zone stuff through the years. When people find out you’re an artist they think you can do anything. It is sweet and usually it is a great experience that grows me. This however is stressing me out. Any advice?
Ooo, that is a lot of stress! I would suggest using Pinterest as well. Ask them to look and start a pin board of pictures, poses, etc. that they like and want, so you know the expectations and get what they want. You can also do a practice shoot during the rehearsal and review them with your sister to make sure you’re getting the lighting/angles/shots just as she wants them. It can be a rehearsal for you, too. Have lots of camera cards, so you can snap away and capture lots of moments. You might end up using only 10% of the shots, but at least you have a lot to choose from. You’ll do great! 🙂
Thanks for the support and great advice! I scribbled down all your suggestions and I am going to talk to my husband and sister about them. One thing I forgot to mention is that I am a brides maid and my 2 yr old is a flower girl. 🙂 I’m mainly doing the romantic bride and groom shots and the reception while my hubby is flying solo for the ceremony. I guess when you’re a bride on a major budget you ask people to do double duty. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” That’s my battle cry! August 2nd is the big day.
So, Hope is the girl the phrase “cute as a button” was coined to describe!
Marian,
What a lovely photo shoot and such a beautiful young lady. Congratulations to Hope on her upcoming 2015 graduation and may God’s blessings be with her on her journey.
Glad you decided to move things outdoors and hope to see more of this beautiful farm.
Oh, Marian, I have goosebumps! The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform…how absolutely fitting that that beautiful girl’s name is Hope. 😉
What a lovely way to celebrate the end of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another Hope. Congrats.Take that same enthusiasm on campus with you and make the most of every experience. As a mom of 3 girls-2 college/one high school- who HATE to have their picture taken I also congratulate Marian for capturing some Real Deal pics. Her family will treasure them forever.
What a great talent you have and how kind of you to share it with others – it is usually returned “tenfold” in some way – she’s really cute 🙂
Marian, I think you’ve turned another corner and don’t be surprised if you get requests from other graduates, or just more photo shoot opportunities. If I lived close I’d be knocking on your door to capture my “senior” look – only I’m a babyboomer so the word senior has a whole other connotation in my case. I love how you avoided the typical “professional” poses of a studio and used your creativity to bring out lovely Hope’s inner spirit through those beautiful and expressive eyes.
PS: Love the gals in the feathers picture. Are you starting a new series? I could use some roosters in a picture like that! Look forward to seeing your future photoshoots at this site.
Oh wow!! Awesome model, awesome photos! Loved those four. I looked at her feet and thought, it sounds so far off, 2015… She hasn’t even begun her senior year! Yet growing up, with hopes and dreams, and looked beautiful for her Senior photos!!
Fave verse for her?
You will show me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forever more! ~ Psalm 16:11
Gorgeous portrait photos that truly captured Hope even though I don’t know her, I feel her personality shone through.
What a fabulous setting for the photos, I love the chooks (Kiwi for chickens :)…I am sure if you went back you could use the backdrop for some fabulous photos.
Lee 🙂
Oh ….and I wanted to ask what lens did you use for the chicken photo and what setting was it on for Fstop and ISO, just interested as I would have got blurring if the chickens moved.
Lee 🙂
What a beautiful young woman and beautiful job on the photos!!
Such wonderful pics ~ of course they would be! My faves are the two B&W shots, but they’re all great, capturing Hope! She’s a cutie, and her sweetness shines through!
I firmly believe in “God Things” … that many events and people are placed in our life ~ or happen ~ for a purpose, a reason, and we have only to accept the gift. You did, without hesitation, and look at the “door” that has opened for you for your business photography.
Continued Blessings, Marian!
I surely do love how God loves us!
Beautiful pictures! Hope does have gorgeous eyes that you captured perfectly. I love the first pic, the last pic and the one where she is on the bench looking up at you. Very sweet! Great job!
I would love to spend a day with Hope as I am certain we would laugh all day!
Ok – I just had to write something because I have goosebumps all over! The security code 1801 is the address of a house I lived in for 20 years! I have been thinking so much about that house lately and how I would love to move back to the PNW! Where will this go?!