David's College Senior Session at TCC Trinity River Campus
David is a remarkable individual who recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. You may be wondering why we chose the Trinity River Campus of Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, for his senior session, but keep reading to discover the unique twist of fate that ended up showcasing David's passion for his field of study.
He was initially seeking "just a few headshots in my cap ’n’ gown," so we chose one of my favorite locations that we within close driving distance for both of us. However, David's session took an interesting turn as we arrived at a picturesque spot on the campus. To my surprise, he noticed an electric power substation in the background—a structure that I had previously avoided as an eyesore.
However, for David, it held a significant meaning as an electrical engineering major. Eager to embrace his enthusiasm, we decided to incorporate the substation into the photos, resulting in a one-of-a-kind, personalized session that encompassed his academic accomplishments.
Capturing David with the substation in the background wasn’t as easy as pointing the camera and pressing a button. The substation was located far away, basking in bright sunlight, while David stood in the shade.
My usual approach involves choosing those “creamy and dreamy” backgrounds, but this time, we needed to showcase both David and the substation in sharp focus. To achieve this, I adjusted my aperture and positioned myself further away from him than usual.
Additionally, I recruited the help of David’s mom to help hold the reflector, which provided the ideal lighting balance on David’s face. A lot of people don’t know that your skin can sometimes reflect the color of the light bouncing off nearby surfaces such as red brick, green grass, blue walls, etc. The unwanted hues can make your face have weird colors and unwanted shadows. Having a reflector was a must for these shots.
The session didn't end with the photo shoot. In post-processing, I fine-tuned the lighting to ensure that both David and the substation were prominently featured in the images. By meticulously adjusting the exposure and contrast, I achieved the desired outcome—a visually striking representation of David's academic interest against the backdrop of his chosen field of study.
Needless to say, I was so happy that his cheering squad was willing to help out! David’s mom was joined by the grad’s dad and younger brother. Collectively, they celebrated David’s accomplishments right along with him!
After the session, the family explored downtown Fort Worth, extending that day’s memories into a fun-filled outing. How fun is that!
All in all, this college graduate senior session was out of this world! Congratulations on your huge accomplishment, David. I know you’re going to do great things, and I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.