My last post was about my first paid session and also my first baby session. Today i'll be talking about my first few sessions after that. I know it's a little bit cliche but I only did senior portraits for the first year I was taking payment for sessions. I has not expanded my horizons or discovered my potential of what i was capable of doing. The second cliche to go with the first is that I only took photos of people that I knew personally. Essentially I was starting my client base with friends letting them pay whatever they could or what they thought was a decent price for my time and experience in behind the camera. 

I had several very good friend that were more than willing to have their senior portraits done that year. The advantage to taking picture of your close friends is getting to completely skip the whole awkward meeting, I don't know you, you're taking my photos, need to be relaxed and smile nicely stage. I know many guys in particular that start out feeling uncomfortable because they already don't like having their picture taken, let alone by someone they just met. This really comes into play with a wedding party and the groomsmen not wanting to pose. It's always the groomsmen. Now back to senior sessions, I only did one guy senior session that year because of the fact that most of the guys I knew did not want to pose of had already had their photos done. Luckily I has Chris who was a perfect start being that he was always wanting me to take photos of him to use as album art to go along with the wonderful music that he writes. Posing and smiling were not problems for him being very comfortable in who he was, Chris also has a very good eye for photography and what would look good. Photographers seem to be the best models because they know what will and won't look good. 

One of my favorite things is how unbelievably awkward someone can be with their hands. I alway use the opportunity to quote Talladega Nights and say "I'm not sure what to do with my hands" it usually brings a laugh and makes the subject fell less awkward by quoting such a funny movie. After the joke I will help them with comfortable places to rest their hands that also won't look weird. I am truly blessed to have such easy going friends who were willing to take a chance on my beginning photography business. Seniors are definitely one of the funnest types of shoots and a wonderful place to start. Click on the photo to view the other photos in the gallery!  

~Sarah