How to Prepare for Your Senior Photos: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Shoot
Graduating high school is a major milestone in one's life, and nothing captures this moment quite like senior photos. These photos are often displayed in yearbooks and cherished by families for years to come. If you're preparing for your senior photo session, you want to make sure you capture your personality and ensure every image is picture-perfect. This post hosted by senior photographer Jim Crotty offers some tips and tricks to prepare for your ultimate photo shoot.
Choose the Right Location
The location you choose for your senior photo shoot will set the tone and mood of your pictures. Make sure you choose a spot that won't take away from your personality. Consider a location that makes you happy, whether it's your favorite park or the bridge that connects you to your community. If you're drawn to nature, seek out a nearby forest or beach for a stunning backdrop. Consider choosing a less busy time of day to avoid interruptions and distractions during your shoot.
Let Your Creativity Shine
Your senior photos should be a reflection of your unique personality, so don't be afraid to show off your personal style and interests through your poses and clothing choices. If you're into sports or music, bring along items that represent your hobbies like guitar or equipment. Find inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram to explore poses and facial expressions that fit with your personality.
Highlight Your Accomplishments
Your senior photos aren't just about capturing your personality, they're also about showcasing your accomplishments and interests. Consider incorporating your areas of interest into your photo session, whether it's holding a trophy or wearing your varsity jacket. Show them what you've accomplished so far in high school, it shows that you have worked hard and have something to be proud of.
Make Sure Your Photographer Knows Your Goals
Communication with your photographer is important in order to ensure that your senior portraits meet your expectations. Before your shoot, talk to your photographer about the mood, vibe, and poses that you're hoping to achieve in your shoot. Make sure to discuss with your photographer what poses you want to do, as well as your ideal portrait final product. Discussing your goals with your photographer will ensure that your senior photos are just what you hoped they would be!
Making the Most of Your Images
Once you've completed your senior portrait shoot, it's time to make the most of your images with Adobe Express! With free editing software such as Adobe Express, you can make small adjustments to your photos that bring out the best in your images. Enhance the lighting, adjust the exposure, and add your favorite filter to create a timeless keepsake of your high school years.
- Make a stunning photo card to send out to friends or family. This is perfect for milestone events such as graduations. Adobe’s tools make the process super quick and easy.
- Utilize your senior portrait to create a stunning Father’s Day card. This is a perfect way to get creative and show someone special how loved they are. You can customize the card with your choice of fonts and designs.
- Senior portraits are perfect for graduation invitations! Take a great senior shot and add it to your favorite template, then add the graduation info so everyone can celebrate the big day. You can send the final version via email, share it on social media, or print it out.
- Create a stunning slideshow to display at your graduation party. You can add music, videos, text, and icons to personalize it. Once you’re finished, instantly download the file as an MP4.
Preparing for your senior photo shoot can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By choosing the right location, highlighting your personality and accomplishments, and communicating with your photographer about your goals, you can ensure that your senior photos reflect your unique style and personality. With these tips in mind, you'll be sure to have an unforgettable senior photo shoot that you'll cherish for years to come.
Ready to book your senior portrait experience? Contact Jim Crotty today!
]]>My contact information for email and phone will remain the same, [email protected] and 937-477-9324.
I earned my CPP in 2009 and have since gone through the process of re-certification. It has proven to be one of the best investments I've made in my photographic career.
The process leading to certification involved both a portfolio review and technical knowledge exam.
Join Professional Photographer Jim Crotty as he leads a group workshop with field instruction on nature and landscape photography in a location he’s been exploring and photographing since 1979!
2021 marks Jim’s 11th year in teaching workshops in Hocking Hills!
Jim will guide a small group (limited to first 10 registrants) through field demonstrations and discussions on both the art and craft of nature and landscape photography. All skill levels are welcomed, however, a DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses is highly recommended.
Also, an introduction to the use of digital image file editing and management using Adobe Lightroom will be included in the classroom portion of the workshop as well constructive critiques of student images captured during the program.
The workshop fee is $225 per person, payable on the day of the program. Fee includes instruction, workshop handout materials, beverage service in the mornings, and lunch on both Monday and Tuesday. Students staying at The Inn at Cedar Falls will have free breakfast each day of their stay. Fee does not include transportation and accommodations.
Mask and social distance protocols will be in place for when the group is in the classroom and outside together on the trails in the Park.
The classroom portions of the workshop will be held at The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls.
To register please email name, address, and phone # to [email protected].
Photographing this event, and being present at the occasion was a welcomed relief from the winter of COVID. Even though it was outdoors, and with a small, intimate gathering of friends and family, we took the necessary precautions to stay safe while still thoroughly enjoying the coming together of such a beautiful couple.
I rarely photograph weddings, however, but when I do they are small, outdoor events.
I am very grateful to Ashley and Nathan for selecting me to capture the images of such a joyous occasion!
I will be leading each class through the basics of exposure and best camera settings as well as developing artistic vision for natural compositions. Subjects will range from insects, wildlife, plants, flowers, and the wider landscapes and skyscapes that make summer in Ohio so beautiful.
There are both weekday and weekend classes available. The dates, locations, web page with details are as follows for each class. Prices are listed on each page:
* Saturday June 15th “Summer Nature Photography” Bill Yeck Park 8AM - 11AM
https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=434
* Thursday June 20th “Summer Nature Photography” Grant Park 9AM-Noon
https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=433
* Saturday July 13th “Summer Nature Photography Full Day Workshop” Bill Yeck Park 9AM - 4PM
https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=435
* T/TH July 16, 18, 22 and 25 “Summer Nature Photography Series/Class” Bill Yeck Park 6:30PM - 8:00PM
https://cwpd.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=437
Registration is now open via the links listed above, however, students will need to create an account first @ https://cwpd.recdesk.com/CommunityHome.
Students are encouraged to bring an entry level DSLR camera with changeable lenses or a point and shoot camera with manual exposure capabilities. Each class will include time within the classroom reviewing the basics for effective digital image editing.
I am very much looking forward to bringing my love for nature and landscape photography, as well as for teaching photography, to the Centerville-Washington Township Park District. I have been actively presenting and teaching photography workshops in Ohio since 2009.
For questions and help registering contact the main office for the Park District @ (937) 433-5155.
Below is just a sampling of some of the images I’ve captured last spring and summer at Bill Yeck Park.
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There is an excellent article written by local Arts Columnist Marilyn Delk for The Daily Advocate describing many of the prints that will be on display and my creative inspiration behind each image. The online version of this article is @ https://www.dailyadvocate.com/opinion/64471/dcca-news-every-picture-tells-a-story-2.
I will be attending the opening reception of December 9th. It would be great to see you there and share in the fine art print presentation of my visual discoveries and my love for nature and landscape photography.
This workshop is a great opportunity for that unique gift for that shutterbug in your family or amongst your friends too! I'd be happy to provide a custom, printable PDF gift certificate to present on Christmas. To register or buy a gift certificate, please email me or call 937-896-6311 today :)
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The second workshop I have scheduled is a one-and-a-half day program on fall nature and landscape photography in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio. This program will be based at The Inn at Cedar Falls and will be a nice balance of both classroom instruction and field instruction. The cost per person is $150, also payable the day of the workshop.
Already both workshops are half-full. I limit my class sizes to 20 participants, so hurry and register soon if you are interested in attending either one of these great learning opportunities. My workshops are open to all levels of photographic experience and ability. To register, email me or call 937-896-6311.
Addition information regarding both workshops available at https://jimcrotty.zenfolio.com/photography-workshops.
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What's the better choice for landscape photography - zoom lenses or fixed focal length lenses? In this YouTube tutorial video I discuss the advantages of both and why I prefer the clarity and light-gathering capabilities of fixed focal length lenses for nature and landscape imagery.
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Of all my years photographing the nature and landscape of Ohio I've come to find that period of mid-April through early June to be the most beautiful. This is why I've scheduled not one, not two but THREE photographic workshop presentations for the month of May 2018.
The first will be held on Saturday May 12th at Cox Arboretum MetroPark in Dayton. This is a full-day workshop on basic lighting and composition for both nature and outdoor portrait photography. It's also one of the Super 1Day of Learning organized by the Professional Photographers of America. Open to both members and non-members, you can register via https://www.ppa.com/events/super-one-day. You do need to register to use the PPA web site, but there's no cost to do so.
The second workshop will be a two-day program on Thursday and Friday May 17 - 18 at The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills, Ohio. A segment on night sky photography (weather permitting) will be included. The emphasis will be on spring nature and landscape photography in what I consider to be the most beautiful month for photography in Hocking Hills. Group size is limited to the first 20 people who register. The fee is $150 per person which doesn't include transportation and lodging. To register email [email protected] or call 937-896-6311.
The third program will on the evening of May 24th at Great Miami Outfitters in the Cross Pointe Center in Centerville, Ohio. This will be an hour and half presentation titled Outdoor Photography Basics for Hikers and Kayakers. Free and open to the public but seating is limited, so please register via the program page on their web site @ https://www.greatmiamioutfitters.com/outdoor-photography-basics-for-hikers-and-kayakers-may-24-2018.html
Now how is that for super-charging spring in Ohio? Winter has nothing on it :) All good stuff.
The temptation to remain in the comfort of hurt and regret is always there, particularly when we find ourselves in environments where we are surrounded by reminders of our past and there's a constant, dark shadow energy of playing it safe and serving something that will never serve what's best for our hearts.
It's all meaningless when we commit ourselves to the discipline of growth and change and shake loose the tentacles of our past who are dependent on maintaining their cold, hard grips. It's all noise when we choose to listen to the soul-destiny of what should - and still can - be in the full fruition of our talents. It's nothing compared to the light of our courage to go on and prove to the dark shadow energy just how dark and sad it really is.
The excuses we convince ourselves of are just that, excuses. Instead just imagine the wonderful power of change and example being set for the generations to follow, to not succumb, to challenge, to grow, to stay fully in awareness of heart, mind and soul. To be beyond our present circumstances in fully in the light of possibility.
May 2018 be the year all of us break free from all that is toxic for the soul and return to the essence of what is good and lasting and hopeful. Modernity and its money-induced machines have placed in us this tendency toward unhealthy addictions that do nothing but serve our fears and egos while starving the heart, of true connection, of authenticity, of compassion beyond mere appearances. There is so much more to life than all of that. I know!
May 2018 be the year we regain the high ground not of pride and self-appointed authority of some pain we refuse to release but of reawakened wonder and pursuit of what it is that makes the heart sing in pure, honest joy. Hold there - the real high ground - and let love hold what is beautiful in you and let the light fill fully where it has longed to be.
Photograph Locations: Late December 2017 in Zion National Park, Utah and Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Successful portrait photographers understand that delivering value to the portrait client is much more than just simply providing professional imagery. It's also about the experience and delivering to the client a positive memory of the photo shoot to connect to the prints.
With every portrait session I carry with me a bit of that "photography teacher" within me. Instead of just simply directing my clients to where I want them I always explain what it is about the scene that works so well with them as the main subjects and why I am working with the light - both ambient and the light I bring with me - the way I do.
When the client feels like he or she is part of the total experience - and not simply posed subjects - it shows in their eyes and smiles and subsequently, the final images.
To schedule your portrait photography experience, please email or call 937-477-9324. I would be very happy and thankful for the opportunity to deliver images and an experience that will last a lifetime.
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Why hire a professional photographer versus the soccer-mom-with-a-good-camera? Here are 10 reasons why:
- Quality of Work
- Dependability
- Fully Insured
- All client image files are carefully organized and back-up across multiple media
- Professional bearing and appearance while working at client's location
- Actual, true corporate experience working on the "other side" of the desk
- Bringing more to the table than just great imagery
- Over-delivers and delivers on-time
- Listens to understand client goals and expectations before the camera and lights come out of the bag
- And his or her career and passion to create and capture photographs that best represent the passion that each client has for his or her business and customer and their respective communities
Autumn montage of fine art landscape photography by Jim Crotty with locations that include Hilton Head Island South Carolina and Hocking Hills, Ohio.
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Teaching photography is the perfect example because often times I'm confronted with changing conditions and equipment challenges. This happened today while conducting a class on portrait lighting using strobe lights and techniques for posing in a non-studio location.
My demonstration did not go off as planned due to a faulty reflection umbrella and some odd coloration from the carpet and wall color in the gallery where I teach. I had the setting and results all planned-out but things did not go as planned!
Instead of becoming frustrated with the initial results I did what any seasoned and experienced pro would do - I adjusted and improvised by changing the setting and the lighting source. The entire time I explain to my students why I'm doing the changes I'm doing.
You don't allow initial disappointment to stop your productivity toward optimal results. You keep moving forward by adapting your approach and making the best use of the tools at your disposal.
I relocated my subject, switched-up the lighting, had a few laughs and moved on to achieving some great results with some excellent portrait samples to use in next week's session on post-shoot editing and digital workflow.
The lesson today proved to be more important than just how to professionally balance natural and provided lighting for beautiful portraits. I demonstrated how to work through a problem without becoming impatient, embarrassed and frustrated.
That’s where true confidence is built within your chosen profession.
Effective teaching is education for both instructor and student. The know-it-alls often know very little when it comes humility, adaption and most importantly, inspiration.
]]>I’ve come in contact with this recently on more than one occasion during the past week. Not with anyone I know personally but just by observing this “dark cloud” in a few social situations. I think this lesson is especially important for anyone in a teaching position, and I don’t care if it’s teaching a classroom full of 8th graders or leading an exercise program or up in front of college kids. You just don’t go with your guns a blazing from some unresolved personal issue (which seem to most often have to do with gender and/or relationships), walk away and not feel any sense of responsibility for the negativity you leave in your wake. It has repercussions, particularly when odds are good that there were empathetic souls in attendance.
Get that stuff resolved in a healthy manner before taking a job teaching and not taking the teaching job as an opportunity to deal with it in a very unhealthy way. How good you are within your field of expertise or how physically fit and capable you are with your yoga poses and what-not becomes meaningless.
Yes, this a bit of a divergence from my usual posting but I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t think a very important lesson to be learned.
Help people feel good about who they are - and what they are capable of - and not ashamed of who they are not. Fortunately I’ve come in contact with more incredibly gifted, positive and empowering teachers than not.
And why the image of a rural road at sunset along the border between Texas and Oklahoma? Because at the core of what I am expressing is the message observe, learn and let it go. There’s beautiful freedom there.
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Popular culture devours the authentic with an insatiable appetite and then sits in the corner, sad and empty-hearted. Just look what has happened to the most well known art and music "festivals." Burning Man being taken over by professional models and those obsessed with the "in-thing" comes to mind. There's the perfect example.
Imitation is a disguise for those who can't - or have failed to - locate their own voice and it doesn't help that we have entire industries that cater to imitation. Inspiration is the far better journey. Defy popularism. Be true, be inspired and become a source of inspiration versus imitation. That's where you will find the good and lasting and fulfilling stuff.
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People naturally fight change. They hate it. Honestly I do to. The very thought of ever moving again brings on a sense of dark doom. Change is so disruptive to what most perceive as safety and security. It goes against this inherent human fallacy known as control. But then nature comes along with her lessons, sometimes subtle; sometimes quite harsh. Late summer and into early autumn seems to be the time when mother nature too likes to put school back into session, with vigor and suddenness, particularly for those living in the coastal states.
Ohio’s lessons on change this time of year tend to be far more subtle but there they are, nonetheless. Summer ends, school begins, cool evenings give way to fields and meadows covered in webs and dew. The balance between day and night returns, and life goes on.
The opposite of fighting change within our own lives is to fully embrace it, with courage and faith. To emulate nature not in the struggle but in the quiet acceptance of what is meant to be will be. Ego insists on the struggle and attempts vainly at controlling the inevitable. Nature flows with it. She goes with the confidence of what changes never truly goes away but is returned again and again in new seasons and forms.
But with our modern lives embracing change is easier said than done. Ego and security are often buried generations deep with the help of inherited fears. This dire need for the “bricks and mortar” and monuments to persona do little to assuage wounds never properly healed. The falseness of our beliefs in ourselves and controlling everything prove to be powerful barriers for free spirits to overcome.
Nature continues to teach otherwise. I think it’s why I could never really leave her classroom. My camera has become my pencil and the photographs my growing stack of doodled and dogeared notebooks.
Change in the seasons and in life flow with an energy that when it comes down to it, I never see as negative. It’s continuous and so are the lessons. With energy so immense and eternal how could anything - or anyone - truly “end.”
In our lives we are given this gift of continuous love that we would rather shove into the corner in favor of what’s immediate and more serving of our needs for control and security. It isn’t until the hard lessons are put upon us whereby we return to the treasure behind our here and now. This gift of continuous love can be found and observed in both nature and in each of us. Change is the energy for it to fly in orbits that will never end but only become better and brighter through time and generations.
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With this particular assignment I wanted to convey the atmosphere of the "glamping" experience - glamorous camping - but including in the imagery both the comforts of the yurts and the intimate connection to the natural surroundings. With The Inn being a client of my photography services since 2003, as well as the location for both my autumn and spring nature photography workshops, I was very familiar with the "guest experience" goals of such a special retreat location in this beautiful area of Ohio. Another goal of the assignment was to capture the natural light of the setting of the yurts throughout the progression of the day, from morning to afternoon to dusk to evening.
In today's world of so much of a company's products and services being visually communicated via the web and social media it's vital to invest in photography that will do just that - convey the essence of the experience through professional imagery that both reflects the uniqueness of what is offered and a commitment to the customer who will likely return. again and again.
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October in the Hocking Hills of Southeastern Ohio can be spectacular. Join Pro Photographer and Photography Instructor Jim Crotty as he leads this group workshop along his favorite trails and to the best locations for fall landscape photography in Hocking Hills State Park, including the new trail to Whispering Cave. For eight years Jim has been leading and teaching photography workshops in this, the home of his love for nature and landscape photography. Jim's workshops are a good balance of both classroom and field instruction (with a bit more emphasis put on field instruction).
From the technical to the artistic vision, Jim helps photographers of all levels of skill and experience explore their creative vision and learn to master the camera and lenses for results that stand-out from the mere snapshop. Jim brings out the artist in all of his workshop students in a way that is fun and rewarding. This particular workshop Jim will be demonstrating and teaching best techniques for fall landscape imagery as well as macro/close-up subjects found along the breathtaking trails and woods of Ohio's legendary Hocking Hills.
The base location is the beautiful and historic Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls, centrally located within Hocking Hills State Park. The classroom portions of the program will be held in the Gathering Space conference facility at The Inn. Fee includes a gourmet lunch prepared exclusively for the group by the outstanding dining staff as well as all handout materials. Lodging and transportation is not included although once the workshop begins car pooling is organized for transportation to and from the field locations.
Come join this exciting opportunity to become fully immersed in the beauty of autumn in Ohio's most scenic location and share in the passion and fun of nature and landscape photography with Jim Crotty.
Open to all levels of skill and experience with the DSLR camera. Minimal equipment
required. Fee includes lunch, guided instruction and workshop handouts. This workshop will be limited to first 20 people who register.
Cost is $100 for full day workshop from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
Email [email protected] or call 937-896-6311.
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