Six Degrees: Linden Senior Portraits

Posted by David, Approved by Melody (I'm hopeless without her)

Kierstin marks a new record for Melody and I as the furthest reach for our seniors. Galt High School is some 63 miles from Turlock. Yes, that's a Galt letterman jacket. They just so happen to have the same block letter G with red and white like Gustine High. I guess they figured being 80 miles apart would keep them safe from appearing in blog posts together.

We met up with Kierstin, her mom, and even her grandmother out in Linden, CA, my home town. Our always helpful friends Bobby and Krissi provided us not only the use of their property but also golf carts. Full disclosure: I've known Bobby since grade school and his wife Krissi is related to Kierstin. Total six degrees of separation going on here.

The plan was to catch some of the last of the cherry blossoms before they hit the ground. Rain the weeks before kept us from catching them in full bloom, but luckily the skies opened up just long enough for us to pull this shoot off and, man, was it a fun shoot. We got to zip through orchards on golf carts, had an adorable model to work with, help from mom, a cheering section in the form of Krissi, mom, and grandma, and got to shoot in all sorts of character-filled locations.

I'll admit, when we started out I was worried. Kierstin was not in the best mood when she got there - heck, a shower head had dripped water on her freshly styled hair, which would be beyond frustrating, especially after having already worked a seven-hour shift on your day off from school -- and was understandably stiff in front of the camera. I mean, who doesn't freeze up when someone points a camera at them? Almost instantly, though, we sensed the thaw occurring. By the time we headed home, Melody and I were talking about how much fun we had and what a great subject Kierstin was. A couple days later her mom posted this on our Facebook wall:


What a great experience with you shooting Kierst's senior pictures :). We are so excited to see them!!!! Kierst felt like a princess...after stressing out the whole way there...lol. Thanks so much ;)

Comments like that make this all worthwhile.

Next Up: I'd like to say that it's going to be a post from the past but I can't guarantee that. With the coming of spring means the onslaught of shoots, both weddings and otherwise. But if you subscribe to this blog you'll be sure to get the notice when the next senior post goes up. Don't forget to find us on Facebook and to pass our info along to friends.

Beto's 64: Modesto Senior Portraits

Posted by David
There are so many shoots that I need to catch up on, like 67 to be exact . . . and counting. Unfortunately, I'll never be able to catch up on all of them. Because of that, the text is going to be sparse and the photos many. I'll also be jumping around. So if you see someone get blogged and you know that person had their session after you, chill out, I'm just hopscotching my way through the shoots :o) Current shoots will take precedence over past shoots, and yes, people are still getting 2011 senior portraits done.

Speaking of current and past shoots, it seems fitting to start off the new blog with Beto because we shot with him just recently and in the past, and both shoots need to be blogged. His shoot was interesting in the way that it was broken up. He got a two hour shoot, but then also booked at the same time as his friend, Daniel, who got a one hour shoot.

We had a yearbook deadline we were working under and a letterman's jacket that wasn't going to be in on time, so what we opted to do was split Beto's session into two one-hour sessions and combined the first one with his buddy Daniel's.

Then, about two weeks ago, after the letterman's jacket was all finished up, we met up with Beto out in Gustine to do some more shooting. This time we not only had a letterman's jacket, but a '64 Impala. We picked a spot almost at random and created some killer portraits.

Many thanks to Beto and his folks. Not only did you guys help to make these shoots even more fun than usual, but you even gave us some great ideas for shots. And a special thanks to dad who got the '64 tuned up in time for the shoot and to mom for being an amazing assistant.

Next up: Le Grand High School

Senior Portraits Like You Wouldn't Believe: Modesto Senior Portraits

Posted by David
Welcome to the Senior Portrait side of Melody and David Photography. Some people turn their senior portrait shoots into mini fashion shoots, others stick with the "pick three poses from the chart" manufacturing approach to photography, but both of those bore us. 

You're not an empty headed model filled with blank expressions. You're an energetic teenager at the top of your game, filled with passions, beliefs, and interests. We haven't met a senior yet that can be captured with a pose from a chart.

So don't think fashion shoot. Think magazine spread! Think album cover! Think movie poster! That's what Melody and David Seniors get.  

When we shoot, people stop and ask, "You guys making a movie?" It's a production, and you're the star.

So add us on Facebook, follow this blog, and get ready to make some magic.