I shot some senior photos for a relative last fall (see this blog entry for some highlights). To compliment those night/city scene photos we did a “studio” style shoot a little bit ago.

Maddie’s stated goal with her senior photos was to get something that was different from what most seniors got. So we did that in the first shoot by doing the night shots. With this shoot I used some extreme lighting styles to give her something that was different. I also did some shots to practice some more classical lighting.

Here are some highlights.

Here is the slideshow

Photography at its core is the capture of light. No light, no photo. So, if there is not enough light for the photo I am trying to capture, I need to be able to create it. The light also has to be the right type of light for type of photo I am trying to get. If I am trying to shoot a formal portrait for a senior photo I need a soft, controlled light. This gives the face nice modeling, very soft shadows that add a feel of dimension to the face.

I use two different flash systems. On Wednesday I was practicing with my “studio” lighting setup that I would use to do a formal portrait. Think of the lights with the big umbrellas. This setup, as I was using it on Wednesday, consisted of 3 flash heads and power packs (my studio lighting is battery powered so I can easily use it at weddings and other locations as well), 2 photography umbrellas, some diffusers and a white background. The original plan for the practice shoot was to just have my wife model for me (my favorite model by the way), but our cat Chester decided he needed some new photos for his Facebook page (long story). So before we know it he had stolen the show. Next time Chester is getting locked in the other room so I can get some good shots of my wife WITHOUT her shirt covered in cat hair. Oh the joy of owning a Deva cat.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment. Yes, Chester is a BIG kitty who is a little on the heavy side.

I love doing photography that presents some type of unique challenge and offers spots to take risks.

When I do photography for a wedding I don’t really have a chance to take many risky shots, as I have to make sure I am getting the couple a set number of perfect photos, and there is only one chance to photograph a wedding. Portrait photography and some events offer me more of a chance to take some risks.

A relative asked for senior photos, and she wanted something that would standout. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: night shots in Minneapolis. I have done some of these in the past a band and loved the unique look they had.

We did the shots from about 8:15 pm to about 9:30, working well into and past dust. I used my two Canon 580EX flashes to provide the main lighting and exposure for Maddie (the senior getting photos), and set the camera to expose for the background. I love this setup because it offers nice off-camera, dimensional lighting with simple yet powerful controls.

I started with this shot to give her something with a different look, but yet not something as extreme as the night shots.

I love this shot. It was one of my favorites of the shoot. Maddie is sitting on the edge of the Endless Bridge at the Guthrie Theater, about 60 feet above the ground. The lights of downtown the bridge in the background really make this shot for me, however, they are not so overpowering that you forget about Maddie in the photo.

In this shot Maddie is sitting in one of the windows of the Guthrie. You can see the Gold Medal Flour sign reflected in the metal work by her feet.

Here is the slideshow from the shot.