If you are like me, you are always looking for a way to stand out and make your seniors take notice.  One way to do that, is by adding video!

Kathleen Frank of Kathleen Frank Photography has done just that and I think it is an awesome touch! She says that even though she has just started adding this to her senior sessions, it has already been a big hit!  Not only will this senior have the beautiful photos from this special time in her life but she will also have a video that really shows her personality!

Check out the awesome photos from the session below and be sure to watch the video!  More of Kathleen’s work can be viewed here.  Thanks for sharing Kathleen!!

What was your inspiration for the photo shoot?  As soon as I sat down to talk with Mallory, it was clear that she was a laid-back girl who loved nature, loved to try new things, and loved to feel comfortable in her own skin.  It was her personality and her confidence that really inspired this beach, bonfire photo session.  I wanted to create a session for Mallory that was unique and special to her so when she looks back on the photos years later she can look at images that truly captured who she was as a high school senior.

Where did this photo shoot take place?  The photo shoot took place in a beachy spot along the river in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?  Mallory and I met to discuss all of the details of her senior session.  We talked about her likes and dislikes, what she does for fun, and what she sees for herself as she graduates high school and goes on to college.  After we talked and brainstormed a bit, I told Mallory about some ideas that I thought might work for her session, and with her feedback, we decided that a riverside beach shoot with a bonfire would be perfect.

What camera, lens and equipment were used for this shoot?  I used the Canon 5dMarkII and an 85mm lens for the entire shoot.  I also carry a reflector and a step ladder with me to every shoot.  I used the step ladder quite a bit, but did not need to use the reflector much for Mallory’s session because the sandy beach acted as a lovely natural reflector.

What time of day were these taken?  The photos were taken during the hour prior to sunset.  I so love the golden hour!

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?  I use a few actions from Totally Rad and Red Leaf Boutique in my post processing, but most of my look comes from actions I have created through using the curves tool in Photoshop.

What is your favorite thing about this session?  This shoot was my first chance to incorporate video into a senior session, and I just loved it!  It brought a whole new depth to the senior portrait experience, and I really felt like I got to show Mallory’s personality in a new and artistic way.  I love how video and photographs can work together to show a story about a person.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?  I hope that when Mallory looks at the these photos she sees just how beautiful and unique she is to the people around her.  I want all of my seniors to feel like they have a story to tell, a beautiful, special, and unique story, and my style is crafted to show that story to the world in an artistic and simple way.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?  I love to keep a running list of different location and themes that would be perfect for senior sessions, but I really try to be careful to not push a senior into an idea that is not perfect for her personality.  Take the time to get to know your seniors, see what is special about them, and then use that in combination with your list of creative ideas to design a session that really shows off who your senior is a person.