Senior Photos in a Pinch
Sometimes, you have to move fast — and this was definitely one of those times!
Julia, a high school senior, needed her senior photos yesterday — at least according to her mom!
I was set to leave town in just two days, so we had a narrow window to make it happen.
We quickly decided to meet at the SCP Hotel Redmond, in a tucked-away alleyway that has amazing texture and vibe.
I originally planned for us to start after 6 PM when the light would be softer, more directional, and perfect for portraits.
But plans don't always unfold perfectly.
Julia and her mom finished up their errands early and were ready to shoot... at 3 PM.
That meant working with a very different kind of light — bright, harsh, midday sun. Not ideal, but when the clock is ticking, you roll with it.
As someone who specializes in black & white portraits in a studio — where I control every aspect of lighting, environment, and temperature — I had to pivot hard.
Julia wanted outdoor photos, and she wanted them in color.
Challenge accepted.
How to Pivot from Studio Black & White to Outdoor Color Photography
If you’re a photographer used to the cozy predictability of a studio, stepping into the outdoor world — especially for a color session — requires quick thinking and flexibility. Here’s how to pivot:
1. Light Becomes Your Dance Partner
In the studio, you own the light. Outside? You negotiate with it.
At 3 PM, the sun is high and strong, so I found shaded areas, used walls to block direct sunlight, and positioned Julia carefully to avoid unflattering shadows.
2. Think About Color Relationships
In black & white, you chase contrast, texture, and mood.
In color, you need to notice how outfits, backgrounds, and even skin tones interact. Julia’s outfit had warm tones, so I made sure the surroundings complemented, not clashed, with her look.
3. Adjust Your Camera Settings
Shooting in midday meant faster shutter speeds, smaller apertures, and careful attention to white balance. I also kept an eye on the histogram to make sure highlights didn’t blow out.
4. Simplify the Backgrounds
Studio backgrounds are clean and simple by design.
Outside, it's easy for clutter to sneak in. I looked for minimal backgrounds like textured walls and used shallow depth of field (a wide aperture) to keep Julia the clear focus.
5. Stay Flexible
Clouds move, people walk by, light shifts.
Instead of fighting it, I stayed ready to move locations, change angles, or tweak poses at a moment’s notice.
In the end, Julia’s session turned out beautifully — full of light, life, and personality.
It wasn't the controlled, moody black & white shoot I usually do — and that's exactly what made it so exciting.
Sometimes the best sessions happen when you’re forced to pivot.
