take on the world

I photograph mainly weddings, so I don’t get many chances to be a Utah portrait photographer. But it’s always a nice change of pace when I’m able to photograph portraits. I’m not sure about other states, but in Utah senior portraits are a big deal. When you graduate high school, invitations to your graduation ceremony (and party) are sent out. You purchase class rings and class attires. You get photos professionally taken—either by the school, or by a photographer of your choice—and sent out to be forever framed on Grandma’s wall or refridgerator. It’s a big deal.

And like I’ve mentioned, I don’t photograph senior portaits often. There’s obviously a season for it, and it usually clashes with wedding season. But this particular session worked out. Taylor is such a lovely girl. It was a total coincidence that Taylor plays a Taylor-brand guitar. Such a sweet girl who was up for pretty much anything. Taylor wanted the rustic, urban look, and it was pretty amazing that we didn’t have to travel too far to find rustic scenery. In fact, we were at a park. Playground, swings, the whole picnic scene, it was all there. There, but out of her senior portraits to give the illusion that she was somewhere in the middle of nowhere with her guitar.

What’s really important is to simplify. The work of most photographers would be improved immensely if they could do one thing: get rid of the extraneous. If you strive for simplicity, you are more likely to reach the viewer.- William Albert