Rangefinder Magazine
August 2002

Insight/On the Cover by Bill Hurter

When a high school senior steps into the studio of a professional photographer, it may well be a first-time experience. It’s a milestone for both student and photographer, and it may be the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the entire family. Just like all first impressions, this experience can determine whether the student likes having his or her portrait made professionally or whether they despise the experience. It’s basically up to the photographer and how he or she interacts with the students. This month’s issue, if you haven’t figured it out yet, is devoted in large part to the photography of seniors. We have four top photographers on tap to give you their takes on the latest trends, sales techniques, the latest senior products and much more. Ralph Romaguera and sons (page 6) own and operate three highly successful studio operations in the greater New Orleans area of Louisiana. Ralph’s studios stress the sophistication of the senior market and the importance of trying to stay in touch with what seniors want. According to Ralph, “Essentially, the portraits have to be fun, exciting and hip and we strive to be the ‘hippest’ studio in the area.” Richard Pahl (page 18) is another fine senior photographer operating out of Okeechobee, Florida. Rick Pahl’s senior images are full of life and fun. One reason for that is Rick genuinely likes “his kids.” He says, “I really like teens! All the teens I shoot become ‘my kids.’ I’ve learned that full and honest respect for someone between 13 and 17 years of age is essential. I talk to them as though they are adults.” Larry Peters (page 26) is another highly successful senior photographer who, in his three Ohio-based studios, stresses innovation as a main key to success. He now offers the lucrative and popular “Elite” session to seniors, which features three hours of personal photography with one of Peter’s master photographers. Jeff Smith (page 38), an accomplished senior photographer and author from Fresno, California, addresses some of the many pitfalls senior photographers are experiencing as they transition to digital. Jeff stresses, “To make digital profitable, you first have to replace your old business system with one that will work.” It’s sage advice as the benefits of digital seem, on the surface, obvious to everyone. And yet, the transition phase can be crucial if profitability is to be maintained. Seniors represent an important and growing segment of the portrait market and one that offers tremendous opportunity for profit and personal gratification.

Bill Hurter
Editor

Photographer: Ryan Romaguera, CPP
MODEL: Gerard
TITLE: “On the Edge”
Camera: Kodak DCS 560
Lens: Canon EOS 28–70mm Zoom
Comments: Gerard was one of two high school seniors I took on location for a personal exercise. We started before 7:00 a.m. to get the best light and to beat the New Orleans heat. I liked the diagonal angle of the wheels of the bike. Because of a slow shutter speed, I had a little motion blur and added a posterized effect to disguise the slight blur. Also, because the sky was blown out, I was able to easily drop in the top image. The subject, Gerard, was leaning over his handlebars in the close-up. I moved the bike to the edge of the tree overhang to get better lighting. I wanted the combined image to show the total personality of the student. My goal for each session is ‘to try to take it to the next level.’ See page 6 for the article on Romaguera Photography.