Seizing the moment

I can't tell you how many times I have driven through downtown Churchville, NY and thought to myself how amazing it would be to have a photo session there. It has a quaint little downtown with old buildings, a railroad track, flour mill, and a creek. So for one of my first senior sessions of the year, I sprang at the opportunity when my client left the location choice to me. It is not only convenient for me to get to, but there are so many accessible locations to shoot.


During this session, we explored three different locations in Churchville: an alley in the downtown area, under the bridge, and down in the woods near the creek. To control the results of the portraits, I made use of both natural and artificial light where appropriate. Rather than get all detailed in the technicalities of what we did, I will let the images do most of the talking for the rest of the blog post. I hope you enjoy what you see!



Before I jump into the images, please know that it isn't too late to book your senior session with me for your 2024 senior. I still have some availability if you like what you see. Also, if you have a class of 2025, please don't hesitate to ask about my ambassador program for how to get discounts and free sessions.


In the Alley


The first location was behind the downtown buildings. In the evening, the area was left in shadow, which gave me full control over the light. My client also wore a blue shirt and the red in the brick wall matched it perfectly. A major win.

Under the Bridge


When seeking natural lighting, which is how these next images were shot, it is very useful to find directional light. This is definitely available under a bridge. The bridge creates a situation where the light only comes from the opening of the bridge while the other side is quite dark. That, along with the large rocks and graffiti, provided an edgy vibe.

In the woods


The trail that runs under the bridge continues along the creek. I am a sucker for trees and rocks. If you play your cards right as well, you can find nice pockets of directional lighting that can yield great results. The following images were created with a mix of natural light and off-camera flash. Gotta love that greenery!

Until next time

That is all for now. I can't wait to share more content from my recent endeavors. Have a great day and don't hesitate to reach out about your portraiture needs!