Here are my top tips for shooting senior guys using this senior session I did a few weeks back. One challenge I think with guys (some not all), is that getting their photo taken can feel weird unless they are really into themselves, so my goal with any shoot is to create memorable images, but also images they enjoy taking. If the session is painful for them to do because they feel awkward the whole time, they will inevitably not love the photos no matter how good. This session with a 17 year old country boy of TN turned out great, and we had a great time, and here is how: 1- Flash makes them look COOL. I love flash because it makes the images look super cool and helps put them at ease right off the bat that the photos will look great. 2- Find out what their "thing" is. This kid is a country boy. So in my intake form I asked what things he LOVES and he loves farms, trucks, cowboy hats and horses. So they had a friend with 400 acres and horses, another friend with a killer old 70's Ford truck, and he brought his cowboy hat. This gives him something to DO on the shoot, Adjust the hat, sit on the fence, pet the horse, sit in the truck. Now that he has something to DO he feels comfortable and shots just come out that much better. 3- Slow it down. I never rush on a portrait session. Take 5. Give them a break. Stop and think. Connect with the client and chat. GO a bit slower and the images and pace will feel better for the client. 4- Take a RISK. We were driving the truck out into the open field for the final shots. The rest of the images were easy work for my style. But as we drove, I saw some great background light and scenery as we crested the hill, and told him to stop. I jumped out, and went for the sitting in the truck shots and the through the windshield one (I only snapped 2-3 of those). Those can be hard because of posing, framing and trying to nail the lighting, but what the heck! Take a risk and those ended up being their FAVORITE shots of the shoot!

I am using three Godox AD200 speedlights and love how mobile they are without wires and tripping hazards. The AD200's fits any Bowens mount and I make use of soft boxes and strip boxes when shooting indoors and 40"Beauty Dishes when shooting outdoors. My lights are left and right 45 Deg and high up so that there are little to no shadows on the background and the 3rd is on the background or on the hair of the model and I like to use a gel on the 3rd. What works for you?

What do you want for 2026?? Please comment and let me know if you want natural light photography content! I had an entire course on natural light, but through some unfortunate circumstance, don’t have access to it. But, I could do a series of Core Lessons that go over my natural light system. Covering: 1. Perfect exposure (in camera 2. Perfect color (in camera) 3. Finding amazing natural light (indoors and out) Pleased comment and let me know!!

If you are a photographer here that wants to launch your photo business, grow your existing one or level up a successful one, than this might be the post that changes everything for you! After coaching over 1,400 photographers helping them scale, I have learned the practical, simple and effective tools to create real change and success. I am opening up waitlist spots for my Operator Mastermind. This is a way to NOT spend $5,000 doing 90 days of 1/1 coaching with me, and get a TON of value in a small, tight group of photographers working directly with me each week to grow. The group will have a limit of 8-10, practical action based steps, real time feedback, adjusting and niching for your market and me and the group all helping each other succeed. 1+1=3 (Dan Miller) meaning that when we work together, something new will happen that could not have happened otherwise. CLICK HERE to join the waitlist and be the first to get access when spots open up!

This year is going to be EPIC and I am speaking success, life, energy, and amazing photos over all of you for this year! When we make a plan and give it a date, our goals start to manifest and happen. So, I would love to have you all decide what you want to learn FIRST this year, when you will learn it, and what your plan is to master it! Example: "I am going to finally master speedlites by February 25th, and I am going to watch the Indoor Lighting Made Easy and Core Lessons on speedlites, do 4 practice shoots, post them here for feedback and finally use them with confidence on my shoots!" Here is my personal goals this year.... I have STRUGGLED since 2023 with my work being regular and income being varied, so for 2026, I am going to focus my energy into three things. 1. Creating GREAT value and content for you all (and knowing that SOME of you will want Advanced Training Options), 2. Growing my photography brand back up to where it should be. 3. Growing my Marketing Consulting for brands that want to clarify their message (photographers, creatives, real estate agents, professionals and many others I can help)! I will launch my Advanced Training Options websites in the next 30 days, I have already locked in my first big photo client for 2026, and I am building my marketing consulting strategy starting tomorrow!