Having a rainbow appear over the start of a senior session has to be a very good sign.

senior with rainbow

I saw the rainbow about 10 minutes before she arrived, but didn’t think it would last long enough to get a picture with my model in it. However, that rainbow lasted a full twenty minutes, and it was a gorgeous late afternoon with no sign of rain. It was meant to be, I think. I took some shots with her facing the camera, but the one with her just watching it seemed much more natural.

But what about her face?

senior in flowered top Senior headshot senior in leaves

Yes, we definitely got some pictures with her face.

She is a very talented artist, so we also got some of her doing her thing.

senior painting

As an artist, she was happy to trust me to do my thing, so I got to do some lighting that was a bit more dramatic.

senior seated on cornice

Normally, I shoot with a soft box, which gives gentle shadows and flattering light, but I wanted to go old Hollywood with her hair and dress, and of course, that starlet face.

senior loop lighting senior with shadowed face senior with butterfly lighting

I have a special modifier that I’ve made for this effect. I may show you some day if you ask nicely. It involves recycled kitchen equipment.

We also got some full length shots. The sunset was too pretty not to keep a color version with this one.

senior in lit gazebo

We thought we were done, and I had my equipment half-packed. But then we turned around and saw the moon, so I set up for one more shot.

senior by moonlight

A rainbow, sunset, and a moonrise, and a senior who looked like she stepped out of Hollywood’s silver screen. What more could you ask for?