Switching Full time to Film after 10 years of Digital

Switching Back to Film Photography

I started my Portland photography business shooting with the canon 60D back in 2011. It was a really good entry “prosumer’ camera that shot video as well. That’s now standard with all digital cameras.

It wasn’t until 2018 that I saw an image I took in 2010 of my daughter that caught my eye. The colors, and grain was magic and I didn’t stand out to me back when I took it. Everyones film photos looked like this. But know that everyone is shooting Digital, this old film look is what I want again. It’s what I’ve been missing.

I choose to shoot film for me. It’s a slower more meaningful process to me and a relaxing session for my clients. I’m taking more of the screen time out of my work flow and being more hands on with my art. My clients have a similar experience now with the deliverables in analog form. Contact sheets, and proofs.

Now all of my Portrait Sessions here in Portland, Vancouver, and other US cities will be shot on Film. You’re looking at a Portland based Portrait photographer Fully using Film. I’m Loving it.

Questions to Ask Your Senior Photographer Before Booking

Things to look for in a Senior Photographer in Portand.

I went ahead and thought of some things that I think are important and would help you have the best High School senior photo session you can have. Questions that could help in your decision picking through the sea of photographers in the pacific northwest. With all the options there are I want you to have the best experience, so I hope these help you in your search.

Here are some things to ask or think about when you’re looking to hire your photographer for senior photos:

1. What is your turnaround time? 

 Make sure your photographer has a reasonably quick turn-around time, or at least gives you an idea of when you can expect to see your session photos. You don’t want to get close to your graduation party and still not have your photos.

2. How do you deliver photos?

It will either be an online gallery or another appointment where you see your images in-person. They both work well and most responsible photographers do both if needed.

3. How many outfit changes do you get with your session package? 

 Some photographers limit the number of outfits, which could be a deciding factor in who you hire. I’m sure if you asked they would say “as many outfit changes you want, but we still need time to make images”.

5. How many locations do we get with your session package? 

 If variety in your photos is important to you, this is a must-ask question if they don’t have this already on their site.

6. How long is a senior session? 

 Check to make sure you have enough time to get all of the outfits you’d like photographed, and to not feel super rushed. 1-2 hours is typically an average senior session.

7. Can we order prints and albums directly from you?

 Find out how the photographer handles tangible products such as prints, albums, and digitals. Will you be able to print through a third party, or do you have to go through your photographer? There are pluses and minuses to both options.

8. What is your backup system like? 

 Ensure you’re hiring a photographer who has a secure back-up system in place in case something happens to your digital files. 

9. What is your cancellation policy?

 Life happens. Make sure you know what you are signing up for in case you have to back out for any unforeseen reason.

10. Is my preferred season for your session available?

 If you have always dreamed of your senior photos to be taken in the fall, but your photographer is already booked – you want to know that before you sign anything.

11. Do you offer retouching or corrective services?

 Know if your photographer offers these services and to what extent they are included in the package. If they are not included, they may be on a quote-basis. 

12. How much of the deposit do you require and when is it due? 

 Make sure you and the photographer are on the same page and determine how much you will have to pay upfront as well as how soon is the amount due to officially book your session. 

13. Is the deposit refundable or transferable? 

 Again, life happens. Find out what you’re getting into and what will happen if something comes up and you can no longer make your scheduled session. 

14. Do you have liability insurance?

 Double-check that both you and your photographer will be covered in case of an injury while at your session. 

15. Do you carry backup equipment? 

 Experienced photographers should always carry some sort of backup equipment on your session day. You would hate to get all ready, just for their gear to unexpectedly not work and not have a backup.

Because I care about this time in your life and want every senior to have an excellent experience with whomever their photographer is, here are some additional tips: 

• Ask to see full galleries of recent senior sessions the photographer has done

• Ask your friends and family who they used for their senior photos

• Check out their “tagged” section on Instagram to see more of their work from real clients than what is on their curated feed

And that’s it! I hope you have found these questions useful as you head into this new journey of senior year. So, tell me, soon-to-be senior, what do you think is the most important question when looking for a photographer? If you don’t ask any of these questions to a potential photographer for your senior session I hope it helps shed some light on what an experienced photographer is prepared for to give you a great session.

Hayes

Makeup for Senior Portraits in Portland Oregon

Makeup For High School Seniors

Let’s ask the question, “Do I need makeup for my senior photography?”

The short answer is, Yes, you do. I say this even though I've shot seniors that had no makeup on at all.

She had amazing skin, and for real, she didn't need any. You should never feel like you need any if you don't want any. Now, if you do want some makeup, what should you do and what works best for photos, because depending on the look you'd like to go for the makeup might be different then you think.

Honestly, I think the "minimal clean look" is popular right now and is a nice change from just a few years ago.

I asked my friend and favorite makeup artist in Portland to share her thoughts on the subject. Here's Ashley -

Ashley Bustamonte -

Hayes is spot on when he mentions the "clean minimal look." Honestly, that is what I would call the look you should go for when getting your Senior Photos done. Clean and minimal means you are just enhancing the features you already have. With that being said, I probably know what you are thinking, "but why must I wear makeup if I am just trying to keep it simple, and why must I enhance my features?"

Without enhancing your features, they tend to get lost in photography as well as cause your complexion to look flat. To prevent this, here are the must-haves to make those beautiful features of yours pop! 

Base

Opt for a foundation that is more on the matte side, a concealer that is 1 to 2 shades lighter than your foundation for under eyes, translucent setting powder, and blush. Be sure to bring the setting powder along for touchups! This is crucial in the event you start to oil up or sweat; it will prevent unnecessary shine in your photos. 

Eyes

Mascara and eyeliner will be a necessity to ensure your eyes pop in photos. Apply mascara to both the bottom and top lashes, and apply a thin layer of eyeliner along your lash line and waterline. For added dimension, sweep a medium matte brown eyeshadow on top of your eyeliner and blend to create a soft blurred line. 

Lips

For Senior Photos, I always opt for a neutral mauve shade. In photos, this color tends to look just like the color of your lips in person but enhances the shape for photography purposes. 

I hope this advice was helpful to you. Thank you for reading!  

Thanks so much for the tips Ashley! I hope everyone got some help from this post and please feel free to ask any questions. We’re happy to help.

Makeup done by someone else definitely adds to the experience for your senior photos, but remember it’s about how you want to feel as much as how you want to look. If it doesn’t feel right, lighten it up and be more you.

Find Ashley on all the usual spots.

• https://beautybookmakeupartistry.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/beautybook_makeup_artistry/

• https://www.instagram.com/beautybingecosmetics/

• https://www.facebook.com/TheBeautyBookbyAshley/