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As a portrait photographer, I welcome families with teenagers. I look at it as an opportunity to engage a young adult who is not running away from me at the beach as toddlers may do. Instead, I look for a line of communication that will inspire the teenager, even to  humor me and his family in the often required portrait session. Just getting a teenager to commit to attending may involve a trade or bribe between parent and child. Use any means at hand for cooperation. Once at the location, I have six suggestions to help make the portrait session with your teenagers a success. 

Photographing teenagers
1. Clothing: I have a clothing guideline for families where the suggestions apply to teenagers; however it’s important for them to also bring some of their favorite outfits. They’re at the age where their idea of the “traditional portrait” might not necessarily be in line their parent’s idea. It’s important to have options.

2. Treat them like adults: Enter conversation to engage them in topics they are interested in. Are they involved with sports? Music? Computers? Reading? Find a common ground.

Photographing teenagers

3. Engage them in an activity they enjoy: For beach photography, I often ask parents what sports their kids enjoy. Do they play football, baseball, or frisbee? Do they like to swim, boogie board or surf? Maybe they still like making huge sand castles. Find out what they like and have them bring along their toys. Any way I can get them to be engaged in an activity of their choice, I will probably be able make candid natural looking photographs.

Photographing teenagers

4. The Shy or Unsmiling Teenager: Not every photograph has to have the subject looking at the camera or smiling. I love a pensive reflective look. There is always the imagined “GQ” pose for guys where a smile would be laughed at. I like to let them be themselves. Forced smiles never look good. Kids with braces can be too embarrassed and feel there non-smile look is best. Never force a “smile”. Candid photographs from the side can reveal the true personality too.

Photographing teenagers

5. The Unexpected: Sometimes I ask them what they would like to do? This group of boys all jumped up in the air. They thought it was hilarious and it turned out to be a nice photograph as well. Do something unexpected. Ask for the ridiculous if necessary.

Photographing teens

6. Speed: These kids are smart, keep things moving. Don’t linger long in one place or overwork one idea. They will lose interest fast.

The art of photographing teenagers requires grace and tact. These young adults are striving to have their own unique style and sense about the world. As a portrait photographer, I want to reveal who they are at this time in their lives. Their long hair, torn jeans, earrings and hobbies are part of their identity . It’s important to have fun together and create beautiful photographs with pleasant memories.

Lately, the teenage trend for popular clothing is American Eagle. Please visit the link below for a sampling of their clothing.

http://bit.ly/2D4OIlK http://bit.ly/2D4OIlK
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ARCHIVAL AND ORGANIC PHOTOGRAPHS

In today’s world, everyone hears about organic foods and archival products. In a way, they are similar. As a portrait photographer, organic and archival are very important concepts for me and my portrait photography studio.

I have been eating fresh and organic foods all my life. I either grow or seek out what’s local and in season and what is grown without harmful chemicals. The same goes for the products I produce for my photography clients. I start with a high resolution file that has been meticulously retouched for a natural appearance. The inks I use are fresh, the paper and mats are acid free. Just as a fruit or vegetable is harvested at the appropriate time, my prints are made with pigment-based inks , cured and archival with a lightfast rating of up to 108 years. The grandmother test is that a print should be unnoticeably changed for three generations. Refrigerating your produce helps some last longer after harvesting. Photographic prints generally last longer when they are kept out of direct sunlight, extreme heat and humidity. Take a look at the photographs below.

Archival And Organic Photographs

PAPER FOR PORTRAIT PRINTS: These family portraits were all made over a hundred years ago. Each has varying stages of aging. The print from 1870 shows the most signs of deterioration with uniform lightening of the tonalities. The image was printed on albumen paper made with egg whites. The photographs from 1900 and 1911 were printed on a fiber based paper and show almost no signs of fading, just a shift to warmer toned blacks. At my portrait studio, the inks are pigment based and the paper is acid-free. I also offer photographs made on an artist’s acid free watercolor paper which has a slight texture. It is museum grade and produces prints rich in tonality.

COFFEE TABLE ALBUMS, BOUND LIBRARY BOOKS:

The company I work with has a tradition of fine bookbinding procedures since 1942. The original founders and owners were trained in old world Italy from a fifth generation custom bookbinder and use the finest quality materials. Album styles range from very traditional through contemporary to avant-garde. They welcome photographer’s ideas and will customize the books to meet our client’s needs.

Archival and Organic Photographs

CLOTH DESK FOLIOS: I have a company that uses Japanese bookbinding fabrics, acid-free mats and their loving hands make the most exquisite desk folios. They produce their products as heirlooms to last for generation after generation. This is a concept I fully embrace. What I also love is that they will create custom folios to meet my client’s needs.

Archival And Organic Photographs

At my portrait studio, archival and organic is a way of life. Photographs made with pigment based inks, on acid-free paper, and mounted in products like books and desk folios will last many generations. If you have any questions about growing vegetables organically or eating organic food, please contact me as well. I am well versed on both topics!!

 
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The year was 1968, I bought my first car, a rally green 327 Camaro. Driving down the road listening to The Rolling Stones “Satisfaction,” I was on top of the world!

Do you remember your first car? Or after years of thinking about a certain car do you own it now? As a portrait photographer, I have the pleasure to photograph all kinds of people and their favorite cars. There is the excitement of ownership, the relationship you develop with the car, and a sense of home away from home. Maybe one of the photographs below will resonate with your experiences.

Portraits with Cars; is there a special car in your life?

Ok. So I am ten months old. I already mastered walking. It’s about time I learned to drive. I have places to go!

Portraits with Cars; is there a special car in your life?

I have worked hard my whole life to provide for my family. The kids are grown and doing well. It’s time for me to purchase my “Dream Car.”

Portraits with Cars; is there a special car in your life?

We summer in the Hamptons and there is nothing quite like taking the family for a drive in my Buick down to the beach!

Portraits with Cars; is there a special car in your life?

We have Dad’s Ferrari. Let’s party!!

Portraits with Cars; is there a special car in your life?

It’s fun just hanging out in my pink car. I can even “blow kisses” like I am leaving to go somewhere important!

 

So next time you have your family portrait session you may want to include the special car in your life!!