Erika's Seniors - Downtown Plano

Erika, a future UNT student, and I photographed her high school seniors last weekend in Downtown Plano. The session was very simple and straightforward - an experience I always welcome. She is also a sister of Mayra, whose wedding I documented a few years back, so it was a pleasure to see they're doing well, too. Here are some of my favorites from that day.

We started at the gazebo, and I wanted to get a full body shot filled with one flash on the right side:

Then we went over to and used the Interurban Railway Museum's building (which we revisit later) and got in for a closer headshot:

This shot took a few tries since that was when the wind seemed to peak the most during our session, so there were constant readjusting, and I'm grateful she didn't mind working with that in mind:

She spotted these rustic stairs on her way to Downtown Plano, so we walked over there after she changed outfits:

Erika changed tops again and I placed her in front of a garage front and made these two:

These fence doors worked well in contrast to her outfit:

They kept joking about how the benches were nice since we did a bit of walking, and I had planned on sitting her at one anyways. So naturally, I took this headshot:

Then stepped back for a wider shot:

We ended the shoot by revisiting the Interurban Railway Museum's de-comissioned train. Here's one portrait that we made:

Erika, thank you and good luck on your college endeavors!

Rasy Ran Photography

Joey's Senior Portraits - Denton, TX

Joey is graduating from UT-Tyler with a degree in civil engineering, and we photographed in Denton for his portraits.

We started at Old Alton bridge, and used some of the surroundings, and ended at a railroad overpass off Old Alton Road. Here are a few images from the session.

He brought along a safety helmet as a prop, so we started with that for a couple of photos:

Then I moved in for a more closer portrait:

I took a more environmental approach to this shoot, since there's a lot to utilize in this area:

We then moved onto a nearby railroad overpass, and there is a collection of large rocks I wanted to use:

I had him lean against one of the wooden supports for the small connecting bridge:

Joey, Becky, thanks for coming out. It's always good to see y'all!

Rasy Ran Photography

Ashley's Senior Portraits

A good friend of mine, Ashley, wanted her graduation photos done at Denton Square, so we spent a better part of a Sunday mid-morning photographing them. She plans to go into teaching in Texas, and I couldn't commend her more for that, as educators always have my support.

The natural progression flowed from starting at the center with the courthouse to branching out and taking advantage of the textures and stairwells around the square. I noticed I was more vertically-inclined regarding orientation during the shoot, so this set of images make for a longer post in nature.

The courthouse always provides a nice central location, and the antiquated stairs gave a nice contrast to her dark outfit:

We stopped in front of doorway and photographed this, which was taken with an off-camera remote flash:

When she changed into her second outfit, the green gave a stark contrast with her hair, so I decided to go with a headshot:

Sometimes the backdrops can be unplanned, as in this instance, I shot this in a parking lot with her sitting on some building materials:

We moved to the mural on the side of Recycled Books, Records, CDs, joining her with her alma mater, UNT, as she sports a second green top:

Towards the end, I wanted to get another headshot, this time lying on the grass:

Then, comes the cap and gown:

Congratulations, Ashley! College is nearly done and over -- you made it!

Rasy Ran Photography

Ben's Seniors

 I photographed Ben, an aspiring pre-med, college student to-be at Downtown Plano this past weekend. It was a pretty simple and straightforward session. As shy as Ben is, he's pretty easygoing, and quite talented at the violin.

We started at Haggard Park, which is small, but just what we needed for the part-green, part-urban look he wanted:

I had him stroll around the nearby pond and stop for a few shots, here:

We crossed the street to make this image in front of the Farmer's Market:

And then I had him bring out the violin and displayed some of his skills while I went to work:

I photographed Ben as is, without the strings, to end our photo session:

It was a pleasure to work Ben, and his sister, Amanda, throughout the clear Sunday afternoon shoot.

Rasy Ran Photography

KJ's Senior Portraits

KJ heard of me through a good friend, Kevin, whose senior portraits I photographed a couple of weekends ago. KJ is almost no different - appreciative of past and post-modern architecture well enough with plans to study it in college. If I happen to see him in a crowd of people down the road, it won't be difficult to spot him, as he stands at a 6'6" - a whole foot taller than me.

The downtown session started outside the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, where the walkway and high sun played a nice part in this photo:

We walked towards the Meyerson Symphony Center, and then across the street to photograph against one of the murals in a cultural center:

KJ's mother, who was in attendance, suggested one of the circular benches. While I try not to direct a whole lot and let things unfold naturally, I always welcome feedback from others:

The Dallas Museum of Art's Sculpture Garden was a stop during our session:

After KJ changed into more semi-formal clothing, we continued photographing on a courtyard outside Stephan Pyles:

KJ was a very good model, and I hope he finds success in the architectural world - which influenced me to end with these images:

Rasy Ran Photography

Kevin's Seniors

Kevin has some pretty nice plans over the next four years - leaving Texas to study architecture and business in Arkansas. We photographed throughout Downtown Dallas last weekend, which became more of a casual stroll, and the scenery complimented his artistic background nicely if I say so myself.

We started on the steps of the First United Methodist Church, and this was how he naturally sat. When asked if he modeled before, he laughed and said this was his first time:

Then we stopped in front of a gray garage door, where I wanted to get a gradient blend of tones and even lines for this photo:

On the flip side, I had him pose in front of this stark yellow wall for some intense contrast:

Kevin is also an avid guitar player, having played since the 6th grade, he cherished the Martin guitar that was brought along for the photoshoot:

We made our way to the courtyard just outside the Chase tower, and photographed more poses along with details:

The second to last stop was near the exit of a parking garage, but no worries, the exit was closed and locked!:

I photographed my last set of images with Kevin standing in the Winspear Opera House's fountain - a beautiful finish for a future architecture student:

The photoshoot was very simple and streamlined for the both of us. I really enjoyed working with Kevin, and hope to continue in the future!

Rasy Ran Photography