With today’s post I’m once more venturing far away from my usual posts around Street- and Travel Photography. Friends have asked me to shoot the portraits of their son for his Konfirmation (confirmation). So we met this past Sunday for a photo session in exchange for a delicious barbecue. Although I don’t have much experience in doing portraits I’m quite happy how this series came out and we had a good time. Definitely aided by using the perfect prop for a 14 year old teenager, his Piaggio Ape. To see more photos continue after the jump…
As camera I used my Olympus OM-D E-M1 and my two pro zooms, the 12-40mm F/2.8 and the 40-150mm F/2.8. Additional equipment used was a speed light on a hand pole shooting through a white umbrella (graciously held by my significant other, wo was also in charge straightening the suit of the boy when needed) and a large reflector. The weather was quite overcast with occasional rays of sun, but actually I preferred that as an overcast sky acts as a giant soft box and you don’t have to fight harsh shadows.
The boy was a natural, it was much easier to direct him than I had feared (again, I have not much experience in this), and I constantly gave feedback and showed him the results of the images on my camera’s display. Seeing pictures he liked further helped to continue in a relaxed atmosphere.
The highlight was when we took his Piaggio Ape out to a tiny back road behind their village. Just to make it clear, he owns the Italian cult tricycle but is not yet allowed to drive it, so his father drove it out and I had the chance to drive it back, which was actually really fun. The boy thoroughly enjoyed the shooting with the Ape and we got plenty good shot, as you can see from the selection here.
Back at the house I loaded the RAW’s into my MacBook Pro and did quickly the RAW conversion using my standard presets in Lightroom CC, which took me no more than 30 minutes. We selected the photos he wanted to keep (in all 37) and so at the end of the afternoon he had his Konfi photos already on his drive and his smart phone ready to show the off. And he graciously gave me permission to publish the results on the Streets of Nuremberg.
Apart from having a great time with friends I really enjoyed the shooting (doing it outside the family was actually a first for me) and the results, and I’m ready to do it again.
Have you checked out my free Learning Center? There are also some tips around portrait photography!
Have a great Wednesday!
Marcus
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Great stuff Marcus! A great success.
Thanks, Kirk, much appreciated! Marcus
Wow I think they turned out great. Posed, yet very relaxed and natural. Something that can be a little challenging when doing portrait I found for myself. The old typical pose and smile technique often doesn’t capture the true essence of someone as it is all staged and not real essentially. You managed to not make this an issue and everybody should be very pleased with the results.
Thanks for your kind words, this is so much appreciated! The kids was pleased, and that’s what counted most for me, to make a 14 year old happy is a challenge.
For sure 😉
These are awesome! You’re right, the kid is a natural! I love shooting on cloudy days also, they’re the best! It’s nice to do different things that’s away from our norm. It keeps us on our toes!
Thanks, Danni Irene, really appreciate your kind words 🙂 ! Marcus
These are so good!!! I especially love the last one!
Thanks, Erica, so much appreciated. The last one with the wide angle is so cool, he liked it a lot as well!
Great job! I love that field that you shot in as well. I’m sure he was very pleased as all his photos are wonderful 🙂
Thanks, Amy, appreciate your kind words. And yes, he was pleased, and I was happy 😊👍!
Marcus, this is one of those sunny posts which makes you smile. Portraits of this incredible boy are splendid. And full of life.
Thanks so much 😊🙏! So happy this put a smile on your face, mission accomplished!
Bravo,fantastisch.Meinen Glückwunsch.Liebe Grüsse
Danke, Jeanette, viele Grüße zurück nack Kreta!
Brilliant post Marcus and fabulous photos! Thanks for all the additional hints and tips too.
Thanks so much, Karen 😊🙏! Glad you like them! Marcus
Dang Marcus – anything you don’t photograph well? Those are great photos!! I never saw a car like that either-it’s so cute! Can I ask you roughly in US dollars what that kind of car might cost as it’s so fun to see it and bet it gets good gas mileage.
Thanks 🙂 ! You need to invest about 6000 USD in the Piaggio Ape, depending on motorization. I’m not to sure about the gas mileage though 😉 but it is sure fun to drive! Marcus
(Sorry, hadn’t finished). about Manchester – a city dear to my heart and one I visit very often. All those lives ruined, its unthinkable.
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Marion, as always this means a lot to me! And you are so right about the devastating news, being a Dad to two teenagers myself this is unthinkable indeed. We feel so much with Manchester, knowing very well those creeps can hit us anytime as well. Stay safe! Marcus
Brilliant! The portrait photos are so natural and I liked them all. I’m certain he and his family will treasure them for many years to come. These photos cheered me up after such devastating news
Nice shooting you’ve done. I love to see such photos, where you can see the pureness of the setting and where there is no photoshopping used…Nice series!
Thank you so much, Joaquin, it means a lot! Marcus
The light is just right. Great series!
Thanks so much 🙂