I know I have said this before…but I just love working with seniors. Young adults with the whole world in front of them and eager to step out on their own. Seniors are fun, full of personality and eager to try just about anything! This young lady came all the way to me from Maryland and is going to be a huge asset the society and a budding photographer to boot! I look forward to watching her grow as a photographer and wish her the best in her future college career.
I got a call from a new client, referred to me by an old friend. She was looking to get Senior Portraits done for her son…yay…I love senior portraits. As we talked I found that there was a little twist on the story…her son was Autistic. I personally have not had any experience with anyone Autistic, but have read a touch on it and felt I would be able to give her what she needed…”One good image”.
One good image…I can do that!
So of course I headed into the session a touch unsure, challenged and unaware of the level of Austism I was going to be up against. We had discussed an outdoor location would be best for him to be comfortable and of course, you know “I” am comfortable there too.
So Sunday a young man exited the car, handsome and quiet. I introduced myself, and he quietly acknowledged, head down and clearly nervous. I chatted with Mom a bit as we walked to the location and then started asking him simple questions just to get him comfortable with me. The session started a little slow and minor signs of his disability showed here and there, but other than that I felt I was dealing with nothing more than another shy teen. I never pushed him far, as soon as I felt he was getting even the slightest stressed, we walked and talked, and I would shoot. Casually I would ask him if he would like to sit somewhere, letting him guide the session. And before I knew it, I had a chatter box on my hands. He completely opened up to me, telling me all about his friends at school, asking me tons of questions, and we were well on our way. You can see the puzzling in his face at times, when he is processing his thoughts, or my comments, or when things start to get just a touch to much for him…those were my signs to back off and move on.
Otherwise I was happy and he was happy…and I know mom will be happy.
I knew this session would not be the same as my others, I would have little time to get what I needed. But I really wanted to give mom her image and give a deserving hard working young man his chance to have his Senior pictures too. If you know of anyone that has been hesitant to do so, or never thought it possible to get images of a child or person of disabilities, send them to me. Using a lot of patience, casual attitude and photographing in a relaxing environment those images are definitely possible, and I am more than willing to give it a try.
This young lady drove all the way from Northern Va to model for me. I was working on some Tutorials for my upcoming Workshop. Am I EVERY happy that she came! Not only is she stunning, but she has Doe Eyes that will be melting boys for years to come, and she is a natural in front of the camera! I am sure you will see this stunning girl again…she has been permenantly been added to my Model List!
Although she is not quite a Senior yet…one more year to go. I would like to put a shout out to the 2010 Seniors (and any other session for that matter) out there! Fall sessions are booking up super fast. September has a good bit of space, October is almost booked solid, and November is filling up! Contact me for current prices!
One of my fav’s from the session and a slideshow!
Senior in High School, Safety/Wide Receiver for MD State Champ Football Team and modeling future…phew…loved this session. This was his first time in a professional photography session, but we got warmed up and I think it went great! I also found a new location that I just LOVE (been back twice since) and hope to do more Urban style session in the future. If you know anyone that handles models, or need a model for your biz or portfolio biz, let me know. He is fresh, young, willing to try anything, and looking to build his own portfolio.
