There’s a saying in photography that you should always “get it right in camera.” While I mostly agree with this philosophy, I’ve learned that sometimes the most beautiful shots come from seeing potential where others might not – and knowing what magic you can create later.
This senior guy’s session was the perfect example of how a photographer’s eye works differently. We started in downtown Franklin, and I’m sure my perspective looked a little unusual to anyone watching. While most people see the bustling street with too many cars, crowds of tourists, and trash cans scattered everywhere, I’m scanning for that perfect light hitting a brick wall or the way shadows fall across the architecture.
Yes, I could wait for the exact moment when no cars are driving by and no people are walking through my shot. But that’s just not practical when you’re trying to capture genuine expressions and keep the energy flowing. Instead, I strategically position myself so that any distracting elements fall in areas I know I can easily clean up later. I might be aiming for the dreamy way afternoon light pours over a building, fully aware that I’ll need to remove that delivery truck in the background during editing.
We had planned to end the session at the bridge at Pinkerton Park. His mom suggested we park on the opposite side of the bridge from Pinkerton Park. I’m so grateful she made that suggestion because it led me to discover this little patch of weeds that became absolutely perfect for our final shots. Now, I’ll be honest – to anyone else, this spot probably looked like nothing special. It was in a dingy gravel lot right next to some dumpsters. Not exactly scenic.
But that’s where the photographer’s eye comes in. I could see that the patch of weeds was just large enough to create a beautiful natural backdrop, and the light was filtering through in the most gorgeous way. Sometimes the most unexpected locations give you the most stunning results.
This is what I love about photography – constantly looking beyond the obvious to find those hidden gems. Every session teaches me to stay flexible with my plans while keeping my eyes open for something even better than what I originally envisioned.
Ready to create some senior portraits that capture your unique personality? I’d love to work with you to find those perfect moments and unexpected beautiful spots that tell your story. Contact me to book your session – I promise we’ll find the magic, even in the most unlikely places!
