Two years ago, I did some senior pictures for a close friend. This year, I did senior pictures for his brother. You can realize that there is learning and change going on to a degree, but looking at something like this shows what can happen in a short amount of time when you have the right teaching. I'm going to show you what has happened between 2017 and now. First I want to say that I'm not ashamed of these pictures and this is not a reflection on my friend in any way. I had no clue what I was doing. I might have done some of the session on automatic! I was starting to learn my camera but it was still the early stages. But the reason I'm not ashamed of them is because I did the best I could do at that time. They loved the photos! That's just where I was at then and now I've grown. That's the hope and goal of everyone. Okay, enough intro. You get the idea. Here are a couple of examples that you will have never seen before because this blog and website did not even exist when these photos were taken! An honest assessment here is that, while I could use manual modes, I didn't know how to really make them work together. There are a lot of factors in these photos: I was still using my kit lenses (not great for hockey rink lighting), I didn't have a flash, I didn't know how to shoot in the middle of the day, I didn't have consistent editing, etc. Yes, I didn't have the tools I do now, but those tools, back then, would not have helped much because I didn't know how to use them! I didn't know about secondary light, or how to shoot in the middle of the day with harsh light, so we hid in the shadows of the building and the trees. Inside, I really needed the capability to go more wide-open and might have even needed a flash. Editing would have been so much easier if I had been able to get more right in-camera. I say all this as a lesson. Again, I don't beat myself up over this because it was the best I knew how to do with what I had. But I can look back and see how what I know and have now would have made things better. Enter this year's senior session. When I got to this location, the first thing I did was figure out where the sun was behind the clouds so I could position my client for the best possible light. THEN, I worked out how to have the best backgrounds. I know about secondary light and reflectors. I didn't choose to go on these bleachers for the light, but when we got up there, I realized we were standing on a giant reflector and it added so much to the image.
My equipment is better now, for sure. I have a 50mm lens and Lightroom. I know how to use both (although I'm sure you can always learn more in LR). My editing is getting more consistent and I know how to use and deal with light. I didn't need flash, but I had one, with a diffuser, if I needed it. The upgrade in equipment certainly has helped my image quality improve, but the biggest change in the last two years has been education. I am "self-taught" in that I am doing the work on my own to find out what I need to know. But I'm not just using trial and error. If I were really figuring this all out on my own, believe you me, I would not be where I am today. I have had some great teachers to learn about light and composition and posing and editing and because of them, taking the time to share what they learned through their own trial and error, I am able to make progress way faster than if I were doing this completely on my own. My whole point in showing this to you is to encourage you. Whether you're a creative, a college student, or a stay-at-home mom, when you're in the middle of the process, it might not look like much is happening or changing but it is! I hope you can look back one day and see that in your own life! If you have had an experience like this, I'd love to hear about it and celebrate with you!
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Hi! I'm Sarah!
I am a natural light portrait photographer. I've been taking photos since 2014 and would eat a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe for lunch everyday if I could. Thank you so much for stopping by. I blog about sessions, things I'm learning, stuff in my life, and information for YOU, my client. If you like what you see around the site, I'd love to work with you! I'd also love to connect with you on Instagram. I'm @sarah_jayne_photo :) Archives
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