Shooting in a crowded location can be stressful, but according to Michelle Perry of Michelle Perry Photography this senior had such great confidence that neither of them were distracted by the crowd!

Check out what Michelle had to say about this shoot and be sure to check out more of Michelle’s work here.  Thanks for sharing Michelle.

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?

The location was definitely my inspiration. I love the Scottsdale Quarter area and knew it would provide the perfect location for a carefree senior shoot. When Cassidy and I talked about what she wanted for her session, the two just naturally came together.

Where did this photo shoot take place?

We shot at the Scottsdale Quarter amid a few hundred people on a busy Saturday afternoon. We drew a bit of attention, but Cassidy has such great confidence that neither of us were distracted. We just tried our best to stay out of the way.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?

Absolutely. I consult with all of my seniors prior shooting. I encourage them to share their ideas and their visions for the types of shots they like and the experience they hope to have. Cassidy arrived with a trunk load of clothing, and I must admit that my assistant, Christine, and I were giddy! The location was a perfect match for Cassidy to showcase her fun style.

What camera, lens and equipment were used for this shoot?

I shoot with a Canon 5d II. For this particular shoot I used mostly my 85mm. I am head over heels for that lens: it never disappoints.

What time of day were these taken?

This session began at 4:30 p.m. The storefronts provided us with a great deal of shade, which gave us more time to shoot. There was something new around every corner and we had the time to take advantage of that.

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?

I provide all clients with three edits per image. First, there is a clean edit. I adjust the color balance to my liking and then make adjustments using curves. I run Portraiture on a super low opacity and then sharpen. I convert a copy to black and white after finalizing the clean edit. I also create a ‘styled’ version, where I choose an action to create an image with more of a “current” look. I love Florabella actions and always make adjustments so they are more tailored to my style.

What is your favorite thing about this session?

My favorite thing about this session was the energy it captured. Cassidy has the most infectious smile and I absolutely loved watching her come to life in front of my camera. She was a natural and I think these images reflect her outgoing personality.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?

I wanted to showcase Cassidy as she saw herself: she’s positive, fun, creative, stylish and confident. I think my best sessions are when I find myself feeding off the energy created by simply taking my camera out of the bag. I may have a general idea as to how I want the shoot to flow, but in the end it’s great to just go with the moment and see where it takes you. I’m almost always pleasantly surprised.

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?

Listen, listen, listen… wait, is that technically three tips or still just one? A pre-photo consult is a MUST. Learn who they are and ask about their family, friends and where they want to go after graduating. This is such an amazing time in their lives. I find seniors will open up to you if you’re listening and not talking over them. They will almost always unknowingly lead you to the type of session that best portrays who they are.