Making sure your seniors are comfortable will always result in better photos!  All clients want to feel beautiful and our job as photographers is to make sure they do!

“I always want to make sure my senior is comfortable,” said Michelle Leach of Magnolia Adams Photography in Norman, Oklahoma.  “I want my sessions to be peaceful and full of belly laughs.”

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

Website:  www.magnoliaadams.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/magnoliaadamsphotography

Blog:  www.magnoliaadamsphotography.blogspot.com

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
I always want to make sure my senior is comfortable. I want my sessions to be peaceful and full of belly laughs. I was trying to be cautious of the light and wanted to try and go at it through a more whimsical lens, but I could just tell Reagan was more of a girl that wanted to let loose. So we ventured out into the bright sun and I captured her twirling her skirt. Wild and free.

Where did this photo shoot take place?
We live in a town of about 100,000 people. It’s a university town. Quiet and quaint during summer/winter breaks, but alive with action in the fall and spring. We started down town for a more sophisticated look and when I saw she had a white dress we drove just to the outskirts of town where we could use a field.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
No. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. I want to be as much help as my senior wants. But more importantly I want them to dress, do, use props how they want.

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
Camera- Canon 5d mk III
Lens- 50 mm f/1.2

What time of day were these taken?
We started about an hour before sunset.

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
I like to keep my post processing simple. For one, it’s easier on my work load… I can give them more images if I’m not drastically touching them up. And second, I want to capture seniors in a natural way.

What is your favorite thing about this session?
My favorite thing is that I had a plan that we scrapped. I kept thinking I’d get smooth skin tones and flat light by staying in the trees but once we ventured out I was just having too much fun playing with the sun. And I think it captured her perfectly.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
Sometimes plans have a purpose. But most importantly you need to learn to be flexible. I wish as a 30 something working with 18 year olds I could convey that to them. Life is so fun, take big decisions carefully and never forget to be flexible. What your may see as your greatest flaw or failure may someday turn in to your greatest achievement. Life has a way of surprising us like that.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
Ask them all about themselves. It’s a real easy way to get them to open up and feel at ease with you.