friscoron wrote:
Ed, so good to hear from you! Hope you're still shooting your seniors! It's funny about that shot.
When I first shot No. 10, I didn't include the tree trunk, and she went and changed. While she was changing I was looking at that picture and realized I was using the branches and yellow leaves up top to frame her, but didn't include the tree trunk in the shot (I'm constantly fighting the urge to shoot tight). So when she came back, we re-shot it with the shot pulled back to include the trunk and I think it made a huge difference....Show more →
Interesting that you mention fighting the urge to shoot tight - I too just seem to want to get in super tight, but it takes more planning and skill to nail the wider shots, and that is something that have become very good at. I am shooting a handful of seniors this fall - feel a little rusty but I may post up a few here sometime soon. Full disclosure: I went to your website before I went out to shoot the other day for a little inspiration! So I owe you a thank you for that!
Hey Ed, I appreciate that! I'm actually moving away from that website to one that allows me to feature more blogs, so my newer senior portraits are at http://www.ronmckinneyphoto.com. In fact, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate you going there and letting me know what you think, comparing the two.
Hi Ron - I checked out the new website and then went back and viewed the other one again for a comparison.
I think you are definitely headed in the right direction with the new one. First, the new one is a ton faster and super easy and intuitive to move around in. I really like the way the portrait galleries are accessible on the sides of the printed information. [BTW, I noticed Sarah's portraits from October 2014 repeat about 1/2 way down the stack.]
I think for an active pro like you, the blog style really makes great sense. I never wanted to do a blog because I don't shoot nearly enough to keep it fresh, but I think for you it will be a nice blend from the traditional photo site and a more social media style presentation.
I sat and watched the whole slideshow at the home page as well. I like the pace that the photos change compared to the older website. I found myself clicking ahead in the stack of thumbnails instead of waiting for the image to change on its own. On the new site, I felt no need to do that, and now that I think about it, it may be nice to not see all those thumbs along the side. They kind of draw your attention away from the main image and tempt you to click around. Your opening slide show has so many great images in it, I was perfectly happy not clicking around at all.
Are you going to be adding your wedding photo galleries and information in the new one?
Ed, appreciate all the feedback. Will make some changes based on it.
I actually separated my portraits website from my weddings and e-sessions website. So I have my weddings at http://www.ronmckinneystudios.com. It's also not nearly as updated as it needs to be, but you'll see there's a LOT more content there than the new senior portraits one.
By the way, I don't really look at the blog-style website as if people go to it weekly (or whatever) to see what's new. I still think of it as a place where people go just to see my work in deciding if they want to hire me. I think of Facebook and other social media as the places people go who will constantly see my new work.
These are consistently good, as always. You do have a recognizable style, but what always impresses me is how you consistently make great, recognizable, photos no matter what the location or discipline (i.e. dance, seniors, weddings, etc.) While all are very well done,
I keep coming back to the shot of the DePaul girl with the city in the background. While I don't think you could make an entire album or presentation of each girl in that same location (that would be repetitive), if I were the girls, I'd certainly want a shot of me doing something great in that space.
Best wishes on the opening of your studio, my friend.
Steve Wylie wrote:
I keep coming back to the shot of the DePaul girl with the city in the background. While I don't think you could make an entire album or presentation of each girl in that same location (that would be repetitive), if I were the girls, I'd certainly want a shot of me doing something great in that space.
I agree, this has me wanting to run out to the lincoln park pavilion as soon as possible for pictures! Such a great shot.
Steve Wylie wrote:
These are consistently good, as always. You do have a recognizable style, but what always impresses me is how you consistently make great, recognizable, photos no matter what the location or discipline (i.e. dance, seniors, weddings, etc.) While all are very well done,
I keep coming back to the shot of the DePaul girl with the city in the background. While I don't think you could make an entire album or presentation of each girl in that same location (that would be repetitive), if I were the girls, I'd certainly want a shot of me doing something great in that space.
Best wishes on the opening of your studio, my friend....Show more →
Thanks, Steve! Just like last year, I end up have to shoot these girls outdoors in the middle of the day on a sunny day. At least this year, I had some shade with the Pavilion. For me, it's always a fun challenge to find a way to make this work. In this case, I was firing four Yongnuos but set to provide more of a fill light (thus hardly any shadows going back).
It is really cool for the girls, they all get a copy of their pose or jump in this space, turned out pretty well this year.
Very nice overall, Ron. I, too, find your style recognizable. I find 11-15 to be a bit inconsistent, though. #s 11, 12, and 14 seem a little hot on the skin highlights and maybe a bit off on WB -- to me #13 looks the most natural in skin tone.
I really like #9 as it is a bit of a divergence from your typical.
