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How To Photograph Senior Portraits – Continuing our educational series of some of Colorado’s best photographers, this time we are proud to feature Mario Masitti, who is undoubtedly one of the most successful high school photographers in the country, not just Colorado. In this article, Mario will shed some light on graduation photography and share his technique, style, equipment, and offer some good advice for aspiring photographers. We hope you enjoy reading and learning from this article.
Who am I? My name is Mario Masitti – I’m a 25-year-old photographer based in Denver, CO, specializing in high-end graduate portraits. This article is for the amateur professional photographer who wants to crash their High School (H.S.) Senior Market. If you’re on your way to becoming a full-time photographer, this piece will undoubtedly come in handy. If you are already a professional photographer, I hope you will also find something interesting.
How To Photograph Senior Portraits
Canon 1Ds-II | 85L at f/1.2 | ISO 50 | 1/200s | ND16x|AB800 at 1:1 power | Bare bulb
Northwest Christian Senior — Phoenix Senior Pictures
Because my style and my work are so simple, I don’t place much value on the latest and greatest photography gear. More often than not, aspiring photographers end up a bit disappointed with my gear choices. Apparently I am not infected with any of the diseases that often plague photographers. With that in mind, my gear is as follows:
My H.S. Work in senior positions summarizes notable features of editorial/commercial work. This means I put a lot of emphasis on clean/unobtrusive light, simple composition, attractive expressions/emotions, with a slight touch of cinematic feel. I love lighting for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is this
. Scrolling through some of my portfolio pieces here will give you a sense of how I use light in so many different ways while maintaining many cohesive elements from image to image.
I love sunshine. I think it creates a whimsical look to images that can create a sense of surrealism while also seeming real enough. Solar flare is fascinating because it’s pretty easy to achieve, but really hard to get great at. I love the constant effort it takes to improve.
How To Create Unique, Epic Senior Photos! — Des Moines Wedding Photographer
A nice soft look with minimal shadows looks great on everyone. I use this style of light a lot when I’m moving/walking/rotating as I like the drama of the light to not interfere with my final image being in focus.
I love artificial light and especially that it looks natural to some degree.
Canon 1Ds-II | 35L at f/6.3 | ISO50 | 1/200s | ND16x| PCB Einstein 640 at 1:1 power | Westcott Box 43” | Reflector Westcott 50″.
Sometimes the most interesting photos, or some of my personal favorites, are the ones where the rules are broken. So in a way I like to ‘mess around’ when recording to find new ways to create something different.
Bend Senior Portraits At Black Butte Ranch
A few things are inevitable in the next 5-10 years. The cameras will be better. The lenses will improve (although not as quickly). Processing will be better. But the light is not on this same path. So if your preference is processing (trending action, textures, etc.), the technology will replace you. If a good camera is your priority, technology will replace you.
But if your preference is beautiful light—attractive, interesting, spectacular light—that’s something technology won’t easily replace, and you’ve already created the advantage. With how fast photography is evolving, this is more important than ever.
It is a common perception that the photography industry is saturated. I do not agree. If you do everything differently, then your market is not saturated. Simple concept, right? When I started photography, I realized that mainstream photography was very saturated. Total H.S. the photographer could be described as: selling digitals, shooting at 70-200 fidelity, posing against a brick wall, provocative outfits, all sealed with some kind of Photoshop texture. In a way, THAT market is completely saturated.
To create value and differentiation, the simple answer is to find out what your market is doing and do the opposite. For me this meant selling fine art prints, shooting with creative lenses like the 35 and 50L, creating dynamic posing and using clean commercial/editorial lighting. Because I shoot H.S. The elderly, my clients and I have a common desire to be different. If I were shooting traditional portraits of my countrymen, unconventionality would not be high on my list.
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It seems to me that there are many articles and books that discuss the benefits of specialization that are much stronger than what I have to say. That being said, it’s easier to start with one smaller market and then expand when you’re ready. I am shooting a female H.S. Older only (and even that description is pretty generic compared to my actual client). 90% of my income comes from this and it’s very obvious (website, social media, advertising, etc.) that this is all I shoot. It’s not to say that a photographer can’t specialize in a few areas, but let that expansion be natural.
It helps if you’re passionate about what you’re shooting. I admire the psychology and social pressures that H.S. Students go through it and creating a positive experience for them despite the typical stresses is ultimately why I love what I do.
I love brands more than most people. Not only do I love the brand, but I love the concept behind it. I love the effect and power it has. And I love that there are so many different layers to the brand beyond the visual obvious. While working with my designer to build my brand, I was able to define my overall brand for myself and my business. Even though I rebranded over 3 years ago, I love how relevant it still is.
In addition to the obvious results my clients receive (photography/images/products), I also create a radical experience during the session. It’s really hard to articulate, but it’s such an important part of my brand. Despite many photographers describing their sessions as “really fun”, I knew I had to do something dramatically better (or at least dramatically different).
Unique & Fun Senior Picture Ideas + 7 Key Posing Tips
The immediate response was a video marketing piece. My sessions involve lots of movement, lots of laughter and lots of interaction. Also, since I’m working with such short lenses, the video would really show the dynamics of the shoot, since I’m in such close proximity to my subject. I sat down with my extremely talented videographer Michael Sasser to discuss my goals and we created a fantastic piece that really communicates to my clients what my shoots are about. Not only that, the video captures so many aspects of my brand that I wanted to convey.
When deciding on your marketing and advertising efforts, find the media that works for you. For a box studio shooter that has pose A, pose B, and pose C – a behind-the-scenes video makes no sense. There is no engagement, no interest and it can work against you.
There is a cohesiveness that is deep within me. This is the idea of simplicity and focus. I have learned to accept it and not “fix it”. My work, my brand, my marketing, and even myself as a person (the way I dress, what I drive, where I live, and more) all encompass this central idea. This idea is ultimately delivered to my clients. There is no confusion about who I am, why I do what I do, or how I do it. So embrace your inner brand and let it influence your art, your business, and your marketing.
Do what you want and forget the rest. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain and make mistakes. Don’t be afraid to make money. And enjoy. Being a photographer is mostly about the journey rather than the destination.
Preparing A Client For Their Senior Portrait Session
Canon 1Ds-II | 85L at f/11 | ISO50 | 1/50 s | AB800 at power 1:2 | Westcott 50” Apollo | Vagabond Mini
Canon 1Ds-II | 85L at f/1.6 | ISO50 | 1/40s | ND16x |AB800 at power 1:2 | Westcott 50” Apollo | Reflector Westcott 50″.
Canon 1Ds-II | 50L at f/1.2 | ISO50 | 1/125s | ND8x | AB800 at power 1:4 | Westcott 43” Apollo | Vagabond Mini Discover creative ideas for senior pictures for girls and boys and unique photo locations. Learn what to wear and how to pose during your senior photo shoot. If you’re looking for great senior photo ideas for girls or simple senior photo ideas for guys, you need to start looking no further than images on Pinterest, Google, and Instagram.
Already in the last year of high school, many things happen. The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed by all the senior picture options the universe has to offer. So let’s go to the most practical steps of finding ideas for senior pictures
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