When you have a rep or a client that goes above and beyond, giving her something special is the perfect way to say thank you!  In this beautiful session below, photographer Monique of Monique Serra Photography thought about what she could do to let this senior know just how much she appreciated her hard work.

“Alyssa was one of my last year’s senior reps and she did such a wonderful job supporting me, encouraging my business and spreading my name around her high school,” said Monique.  “I knew I wanted to gift her something out of gratitude and I kept thinking what would my 18-year-old self love?  I thought a best friend photoshoot would be an incredible gift to offer her!”

Check out this beautiful session with a tulip festival as the backdrop and read what else Monique had to say about it.  Thank you for sharing your work with Seniorologie Monique!!

Website:  www.moniqueserraphotography.com

Blog:  www.moniqueserraphotography.com/blog

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/moniqueserraphotography

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
My inspiration for this session was very free people style, bold, youthful, and fresh. I love color, and I knew the tulips would be the perfect backdrop.

Where did this photo shoot take place?
The shoot took place at the Woodburn Oregon Tulip Festival.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
When initially talking to Alyssa about the overall look we wanted, I mentioned the tulip festival to see what she thought. I was so excited when she was on board! After agreeing on the location, I sent her a few inspiration ideas for wardrobe. I wanted lace, dresses, and a bold yet free spirited style. Each girl impressed me!

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?
For this session I used my canon 5d mark iii, and my 85mm 1.2 lens.

What time of day were these taken?
Sunset

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
When editing this session, I used LR for color, contrast, and lighting. I wanted to enhance the bold colors, and bring down some of the over saturated tones. Then, to edit the portraits, I used photoshop!

What is your favorite thing about this session?
My favorite thing about this session is how care-free it is. It truly was just a fun evening, and I felt like I was able to capture the friendship and confidence and youthfulness in these young women!

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
Alyssa is so bold and genuine. Gifting her with this session was such an immense pleasure, and I love how it turned out. As for my style, I aim to be natural and just in the moment. Even with posed images, I want the photo to tell a story. I love natural light, color, and Oregon!

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
I’m still learning every single day, but my advice to other senior photographers is just: Encourage and compliment your senior. Confidence radiates, and the more I get to know my seniors and the more comfortable I can get them, the better the images! It’s scary being in front of a camera, so it’s up to us to help them own their style and beauty!