I'm a wildlife photography hobbyist who was asked by my daughter to photograph senior portraits of my grandson. I have followed your instructional videos for many years, and since I remembered this one, I dug it out. Thanks for all of the pictures and posing ideas.
Opinions being what they are, still love the old saying "If you don't have something nice to say..." I learned some new things from this video and love Jeff's direct, easy to understand style. Thank you for for sharing your experience and knowledge.
I have getting it right in camera from six decades of photography where it had to be right in camera, especially with transparencies. I does make for better digital images, too.
I had a Canon 70-200 2.8ii, sold it because I never used it and wasn't good at photography, got good at photography and now I can't afford it. Ugh, go figure. But the 85mm 1.8 does a good job. Seems like you didn't use much off camera lighting. I also have heard people say "the camera is the worst place for the flash to be" and I don't necessarily agree with that either. One of my best shoots wasn't almost all on on-camera flash (with a Rogue FlashBender attached).
+Derek Macdonald We think Jeff is awesome too. Please sign up for the B&H Event Space Newsletter to find out the next time he'll be presenting at B&H. Here is the link (lit's on the right side of the page) - www.bhphotovideo.com/find/EventSpace.jsp
I came across this video and found it extremely helpful, but I have two questions, 1}where do you keep all those change of outfits when on location? and 2}where do you have them change into other outfits while on location?
Richard Luck, D.O. A lot of that all depends on the location you're working on. You may be lucky enough to find a location that has a private type room or bathroom suitable for the task. Most of your clients will be bringing their own clothes for this type of shoot. You could advise them to bring them either hanging in a travel hanger bag, or packed in a standard luggage type suitcase and work out of that. I've seen all sorts of improvised methods of hanging clothes from branches on trees to light stands to autopoles used. Unfortunately there is not a specific product we carry for managing your models clothes. As far as changing goes; if you're at a location which offer no privacy, we do have a special dressing tube which can be mounted on a light stand or tree branch etc, and will allow the subject to change out of clothes in public without revealing anything. See the link below for details on this option. - Yossi bhpho.to/1LlfVPB
+Richard Luck, D.O. in my experience, usually i try to work with my modulate plan one or two outfits per location, and it keeps it to where we were able to make the changing situation extremely easy, especially when a high school senior either drives or has a parent with them, so clothes generally get kept in the car
Jeff, you said that usually you post the photos the same day. Where do you post them? On Dropbox or something similar from where your client download them?
Question. I'm a graphic designer and have a Nikon with the regular plastic factory lens. People always want me to shoot pictures and I don't charge very high for it because I am not a professional photographer.... So what do you suggest when I ise my plastic lens? I know it's not as sharp but is that one of the main reasons other than distance and width why a glass lens is better? What can I do with my plastic lens?
Nikon does not offer any lenses with plastic front elements. They always use optical glass for their DSLR lenses. If you are looking for a lens recommendation I would suggest emailing askbh@bhphoto.com and letting us know what subject matter you are working with as well as the budget range you are looking to stay within. >Andrea
Question I am just a beginner when it comes to photography and i have a canon 50d I have done some sports photography and I am looking to work on taking other aspects such as Senior Photography. I currently only own 28-135mm 5.6 lens, 55-250mm 5.6 and 50mm 1.8 stm lens. I am doing a practice shoot this weekend and was curious what lens should i use and if so what should my settings be at? and I don't have a flash to attach to my camera yet but i have the flash that is built onto the the camera. What mode should i use as well?
The 50mm f/1.8 would be a solid option to use for portraits on the Canon 50D. You would likely want to shoot wide open, in order to achieve a shallow depth of field. If you find you need to use the flash, I would suggest shooting on one of the auto settings while you are still learning. The biggest advice would be to go out and shoot as much as you can and practice. *Christina* AskTH-cam@bhphoto.com
I need help! My camera all of a sudden (maybe my friend dropped my camera I’m not sure) my flash goes up but doesn’t actually work (the light is there but not in the picture when it’s actually being taken ) and now all of my pictures are blurry if not being held PERFECTLY still? It’s lower than iPhone quality or equal. UNLESS it is in very bright sunlight then the pictures turn out great! I have the Nikon d3000. Do you have any advice please!!
While I cannot diagnose an issue from description alone, I suspect that if the built-in flash is popped up and you are in either the P, S, A, or M modes on your camera and the flash is not firing, that there is damage to the flash. If the flash is up, the camera may be expecting flash light to be output, and when no flash comes, it may use a slower shutter speed to compensate for the absence of the light, thus giving you a slower shutter speed. I would recommend contacting Nikon USA or an authorized repair center to see if they can inspect and/or repair/replace the flash in your camera. You may contact Nikon USA by calling them at 1 (800) 645-6687 or by visiting bit.ly/1sxjURq
+ItsCeciliaGrace Both of them are not reliable lenses, If you have the money get a 70-200mm f4 or f2.8 is money is not an issue. Otherwise get a 50mm 1.8 it will do a blast for you! Its a cheap lens around $100 bucks. Those kit lenses are not that good better upgrade.
I never photograph a minor without a parent present. Or at least I have a female assistant, but I prefer a parent or parents. Billy Graham refused to be picked up at an airport or elsewhere by a woman. It prevents misunderstandings and false claims. Ideally, i have a female assistant and parent(s) present.
The video was fine, the images were ok, especially if he is sending several hours with a client. At the end of the day, if the client liked them, who cares what anyone else thinks? People are idiots sometimes. It's all about the client and what they like, not what you like. We all have our own styles and they are always changing. He even admits it at the end when he says, base your price on what you think your skill level is.
![Camera Settings & Gear for STUNNING Senior Portrait Photography [2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CfGkeAJznzw/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a wildlife photography hobbyist who was asked by my daughter to photograph senior portraits of my grandson. I have followed your instructional videos for many years, and since I remembered this one, I dug it out. Thanks for all of the pictures and posing ideas.
Opinions being what they are, still love the old saying "If you don't have something nice to say..."
I learned some new things from this video and love Jeff's direct, easy to understand style. Thank you for for sharing your experience and knowledge.
always waiting for Jeff Cable's videos. So informational
LOL!! You got me! Great presentation, and lots of valuable information.
My two favorite photography trainers/teachers are Mark Wallace and Jeff Cable...
I owe you
Hey! I go to prospect and I just stumbled on this video. Imagine my surpise it was my classmates used as examples!!
Thanks, Jeff. Learned some new things. I appreciate your honesty about trial and error and breaking out of your own comfort zones.
Another great presentation. Thanks for covering the wide verity of topics.
thank you for this!! this helped loads! I'm starting up a photography business and I'll definitely watch more of your videos :)
How the business now?
Thanks so much for this teaching session. You are great! Really helped a lot!!
One of my favorite photography trainers/teachers are Jeff Cable and the other Mark Wallace Great Job Jeff...!!!!!
I have getting it right in camera from six decades of photography where it had to be right in camera, especially with transparencies. I does make for better digital images, too.
that was an awesome video...
Using Filters & On & Off camera Flash with Senior Photography, Suggestions please, I have a Nikon D3300 with a Nikon 85mm 1.8 Lens, Thanks
I had a Canon 70-200 2.8ii, sold it because I never used it and wasn't good at photography, got good at photography and now I can't afford it. Ugh, go figure. But the 85mm 1.8 does a good job. Seems like you didn't use much off camera lighting. I also have heard people say "the camera is the worst place for the flash to be" and I don't necessarily agree with that either. One of my best shoots wasn't almost all on on-camera flash (with a Rogue FlashBender attached).
P.S, lots of male photographers shoot "straight" or overly technical. I think its just the engineering mind. I fight getting out of that also.
Raves about super sharp sigma lens, incredible DoF and clarity.... *uses blurry image*
jeff is so awesome, i missed this one, when is jeff back in NYC I'm only 2 hours away and i would love to go to one of the seminars?
+Derek Macdonald We think Jeff is awesome too. Please sign up for the B&H Event Space Newsletter to find out the next time he'll be presenting at B&H. Here is the link (lit's on the right side of the page) - www.bhphotovideo.com/find/EventSpace.jsp
I came across this video and found it extremely helpful, but I have two questions, 1}where do you keep all those change of outfits when on location? and 2}where do you have them change into other outfits while on location?
Richard Luck, D.O. A lot of that all depends on the location you're working on. You may be lucky enough to find a location that has a private type room or bathroom suitable for the task. Most of your clients will be bringing their own clothes for this type of shoot. You could advise them to bring them either hanging in a travel hanger bag, or packed in a standard luggage type suitcase and work out of that. I've seen all sorts of improvised methods of hanging clothes from branches on trees to light stands to autopoles used. Unfortunately there is not a specific product we carry for managing your models clothes. As far as changing goes; if you're at a location which offer no privacy, we do have a special dressing tube which can be mounted on a light stand or tree branch etc, and will allow the subject to change out of clothes in public without revealing anything. See the link below for details on this option. - Yossi
bhpho.to/1LlfVPB
+Richard Luck, D.O. in my experience, usually i try to work with my modulate plan one or two outfits per location, and it keeps it to where we were able to make the changing situation extremely easy, especially when a high school senior either drives or has a parent with them, so clothes generally get kept in the car
Jeff, you said that usually you post the photos the same day. Where do you post them? On Dropbox or something similar from where your client download them?
Railroad tracks are played out!
Best
Question. I'm a graphic designer and have a Nikon with the regular plastic factory lens. People always want me to shoot pictures and I don't charge very high for it because I am not a professional photographer.... So what do you suggest when I ise my plastic lens? I know it's not as sharp but is that one of the main reasons other than distance and width why a glass lens is better? What can I do with my plastic lens?
Nikon does not offer any lenses with plastic front elements. They always use optical glass for their DSLR lenses. If you are looking for a lens recommendation I would suggest emailing askbh@bhphoto.com and letting us know what subject matter you are working with as well as the budget range you are looking to stay within. >Andrea
Question I am just a beginner when it comes to photography and i have a canon 50d I have done some sports photography and I am looking to work on taking other aspects such as Senior Photography. I currently only own 28-135mm 5.6 lens, 55-250mm 5.6 and 50mm 1.8 stm lens. I am doing a practice shoot this weekend and was curious what lens should i use and if so what should my settings be at? and I don't have a flash to attach to my camera yet but i have the flash that is built onto the the camera. What mode should i use as well?
The 50mm f/1.8 would be a solid option to use for portraits on the Canon 50D. You would likely want to shoot wide open, in order to achieve a shallow depth of field. If you find you need to use the flash, I would suggest shooting on one of the auto settings while you are still learning. The biggest advice would be to go out and shoot as much as you can and practice. *Christina* AskTH-cam@bhphoto.com
I need help! My camera all of a sudden (maybe my friend dropped my camera I’m not sure) my flash goes up but doesn’t actually work (the light is there but not in the picture when it’s actually being taken ) and now all of my pictures are blurry if not being held PERFECTLY still? It’s lower than iPhone quality or equal. UNLESS it is in very bright sunlight then the pictures turn out great! I have the Nikon d3000. Do you have any advice please!!
While I cannot diagnose an issue from description alone, I suspect that if the built-in flash is popped up and you are in either the P, S, A, or M modes on your camera and the flash is not firing, that there is damage to the flash. If the flash is up, the camera may be expecting flash light to be output, and when no flash comes, it may use a slower shutter speed to compensate for the absence of the light, thus giving you a slower shutter speed. I would recommend contacting Nikon USA or an authorized repair center to see if they can inspect and/or repair/replace the flash in your camera. You may contact Nikon USA by calling them at 1 (800) 645-6687 or by visiting bit.ly/1sxjURq
Thank you!!!!!!!!
what lens should i use for senior pics i have a canon rebel t5i 18-55mm lens 55-250mm lens and 50mm 1.8 stm
+ItsCeciliaGrace Both of them are not reliable lenses, If you have the money get a 70-200mm f4 or f2.8 is money is not an issue. Otherwise get a 50mm 1.8 it will do a blast for you! Its a cheap lens around $100 bucks. Those kit lenses are not that good better upgrade.
thank you i purchased the 50mm f1.8 stm i love it :)
Good information and all.... but these images are not that good.
Jayson Garrett always the critics...
why'd you watch if you're such a pro.
+Jayson Garrett I'm not a hater but that was my exact thought.
+Jayson Garrett Down voted your original comment, not because it was necessarily wrong, but because it was simply uncalled for.
I never photograph a minor without a parent present. Or at least I have a female assistant, but I prefer a parent or parents. Billy Graham refused to be picked up at an airport or elsewhere by a woman. It prevents misunderstandings and false claims. Ideally, i have a female assistant and parent(s) present.
39:05 I don't really like the direction of her eyes, too much of the whites to the camera. The rest of the outdoor shots are jam up great! Good video.
A lot of them shot of them wide open, did you use an ND filter?
He either used an ND filter or shot at very high shutter speed.
The video was fine, the images were ok, especially if he is sending several hours with a client. At the end of the day, if the client liked them, who cares what anyone else thinks? People are idiots sometimes. It's all about the client and what they like, not what you like. We all have our own styles and they are always changing. He even admits it at the end when he says, base your price on what you think your skill level is.
burst mode blows...
He gives great info, but I take better pictures with my T6
Disappointing. Almost all 'natural light' which is often a way of saying, doesn't feel comfortable with strobes.
These photos are very not good.