Finding locations can be a challenge but when you look at a place with a different eye you can see that anywhere can be a great location!

In the session below by photographer Jessica Heller of Jessica Heller Photography in North Dakota she shows the juxtaposition of two very different locations featuring the same model.

“I found these Gorgeous locations while scouting for Summer Sessions,” said Jessica.  “So I called up one of my 2016 Senior Models, Emalee, and asked her to model for an impromptu photoshoot!”

Check out this session below and read what else Jessica had to say about this fun shoot!  Thanks for sharing your work with Seniorologie Jessica!

Website:  www.JessicaHellerPhotography.com

Blog:  http://jessicahellerphotography.com/blog/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/JessicaHellerPhotography/

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
I found these GORGEOUS locations while scouting for Summer Sessions, so I called up on of my 2016 Senior Models, Emalee, and asked her to model for an impromptu photoshoot.

Where did this photo shoot take place?
The purple wildflowers grow near ponds and marshes during the early Summer in North Dakota. I found this beautiful patch along the side of the hill at one of my favorite locations, Harmon Lake.

On the flip side, the grungy old tires were located at an old repair shop off Main Street in Bismarck!

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
Since I have worked with Emalee many times before, I asked her to bring certain styles that I knew would help create the overall mood I was looking for. I am only a couple of years older than my model, so I brought a few of my own clothes along as well to tie all of her outfits together!

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
My primary set up includes a Canon 5D Mark ii and a 50 mm f1.4 lens. We had plenty of open sky behind me, so a reflector wasn’t necessary!

What time of day were these taken?
We started shooting in the late afternoon around 5 PM, grabbed our usual Chinese halfway through the shoot, and ended in the flower field at sunset.

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
I do so many little nitpicky adjustments to my images that it would take a while to go over them all. My workflow typically includes basic exposure fixes in Lightroom, Frequency Separation for retouching, Selective Coloring, Gradient Overylays for “lens flares”, and let’s not forget about that Contour and Highlight (Dodge and Burn) work in Photoshop! 😉

What is your favorite thing about this session?
Gosh, I loved everything about this shoot! I would have to say the new locations and opportunity to create unique images was definitely my favorite.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
That I, as a photographer and artist, strive to create images that are just as unique as my Seniors. As my tagline says, I want to “Capture Your Colors!”

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
I can relate to my seniors very well because I graduated High School only 3 years ago. I follow all the same trends, and know what their interests are naturally. Now, not all of my seniors are the same. Sometimes I have to be a major goofball, and other times I have to stay super professional. Find the right mix for the senior’s personality, and do your best to make them feel comfortable.

Remember… it’s not about the photos you take, but the memories and EXPERIENCE you create!