Running contests are a great way to market your senior photography business.  The session below submitted by Andrea of Andrea Gallagher Photography is the winner of her Model Search Contest.

“This session is my 2014 High School Model Search winners Megan and Jean,” said Andrea.  “Seniors entered to win a styled photo shoot with hair, makeup and wardrobe styling for the chance to be the AGP 2014 HS Senior Model Representative.”

Check out this beautiful session below and read what Andrea had to say about it!  Thanks for sharing your work with Seniorologie Andrea!!

Website:  www.andreagallagherphotography.com

Blog:  www.andreagallagherphotography.com/blog

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AndreaGallagherPhotography

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
We had amazing collaboration for this shoot including Hair and Makeup and the Styling of Conni Jespersen from Art in the Find a Fashion Blogger and Stylist that worked closely with the girls and myself to create the 3 different looks that we featured in this shoot! ~ Boho Chic | So Cal | Formal

Where did this photo shoot take place?
The shoot took place in the beautiful Little Italy/Downtown area of San Diego Ca and we used many different settings in and around that area to create fun backdrops for each of the vastly different looks including the Historic Santa Fe Train Station, The W Hotel, and Carl Strauss Brewing Company.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
We did work closely with the girls creating a Pinterest Vision Board and getting each of their desired looks and style preferences for Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe Selections. This helped us focus the 3 looks and also incorporate their individual style into their wardrobe options which Conni pulled from Nordstrom, Accessories from Vocabulary Boutique in Little Italy and even her own closet!

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
Nikon D700, 50 mm 1.4 Nikkor Lens, Some reflector, and On camera flash for fill light

What time of day were these taken?
4-6pm in the evening

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
I attempt to get the best shot in camera and then my processing includes basic enhancements in bridge first, the Photoshop for the cleaning up of skin, color enhancements for which I love to use Floreblla Warm Color Pop and Add Some Drama from the Luxe Collection. I do basic skin touch ups, smoothing, and whitening slightly of the eyes/teeth and whites of the eyes with Coffee Shop PowderRoom 3, a free action that I love! 
Lastly I color balance, brighten and contrast and possibly add some fill light all in levels or curves but lately I am also really loving the new action set I got from Little Lusker Photoshop Actions; The Shift Set. They have a lot of Matte, Light, and Shadow Shifters that just add that little extra something to the image without changing the look too much. Then I sharpen and save!

What is your favorite thing about this session?
I absolutely love to collaborate with other talented and driven small business owners, I adore my girls who I have been blessed to work with and become close to them and their family through the process and I love that. I also love the creative process of pushing yourself from vision to reality and feel it’s that process that gives me great joy when it’s complete. I also smile from ear to ear while culling and editing; I just fall in love with the people who I capture and want to bring out their best.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
I mostly want to capture the very best in these young girls and highlight their natural beauty and vibrancy for life and give them images that they will be proud to share and also have a fun and awesome time while doing the shoot! I think it bonds me to these girls that I ‘get them’ that I want to encourage the best in them and bring those qualities and characteristics to the forefront of who they are and capture them. And I think that’s why I love to do what I do so much and what I want people to know about my Senior Portraits;)

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
My very best top secret tip for any photographer is ~ get it right in camera! I used to wonder how these people captured such amazing images and what action or tool they had that helped them produce such an amazing final product. The truth is you have to know your camera and how to use it or all best Photoshopping in the world will still only produce a sub par image.