One of my favorite tasks is creating portfolios for models or pageant entrants. This was my second session with 11-year-0ld Taya who will be competing in a pageant in St. Louis at the end of July. The photo above will be her headshot in the program.
She is unusually "professional" for her young age able to switch between fun-loving pre-teen and pro-poser. It's made easier because she has an excellent coach, Lorenzo Johnson, who has great ideas of his own and solicits my view too.
For modeling purposes children are lit and posed much as adults would be...keeping everything age appropriate however. Lighting is the same. Photos tend to be cropped more than if I were doing a regular session with a child of 11.
We do as many outfits as time permits and venture outside when weather allows... the outfit below was a particular favorite of Tayas.... these outdoor images were taken just west of the Kansas City Museum in an area of Scarritt Point that is not mowed.... beautiful scenery.... although Miss Taya is NOT, I repeat NOT fond of smallish critters....
The outdoor shots were taken with a 70-200mm lens mostly at F11 and around 150mm at ISO 400. I used a softbox on the camera's flash to soften the effect and avoid specular highlights...the inside shots were taken with the 105mm lens at F16.... all images made with the Nikon D3.
Taya's Mom was in charge of hair and makeup and did a splendid job. In her very first pageant Taya came in fourth which is remarkable for a first time appearance. I'll keep you posted... it will be fun to follow her career.
