CADY Studios
CADY Studios flips high school senior yearbook photography on its head with editorial style photoshoots in state of the art studios. They celebrate individuality and cultivate confidence with their clients, crafting a legacy for seniors to leave behind as they dream big for the future. We were tasked to design ten new backdrops for the upcoming graduating class.
NOTE: Some seniors were under 18 and have smiley face stickers to protect their identity.
Process
To start, we looked at the history of portraiture, fashion photography, and how portraits have shifted with the introduction of social media.
Four Categories of Self-Portraiture
1. Self Expression
I am different, unique, and special. Let me show you.
2. Documentation
I am fancy and want to tell you about my fancy accomplishments or things.
3. Performance
I am strong and impressive. Watch me be strong and impressive.
4. Collective
I am part of a group, participating in a collective movement.
R&D
Pain Point:
What do I do with my hands?
The feedback monitor gives tried-and-true posing examples so anyone can shine — even if they don’t know what to do with their hands.
In addition to portraiture research, we went to CADY and experienced the shoot ourselves. Through this experience, we realized the backdrop is only the beginning. A dusty blue vs. pop orange backdrop isn’t what makes for a great image…. We also needed to consider photo techniques, props, modes of communication between photographer and model, and auxiliary elements surrounding the sets to improve the overall experience.
Models can choose favorites on the spot, which increases the likelihood of purchase and streamlines the editor’s process.
Favorites are logged and kept in the model’s profile. They can check up on editing progress from the comfort of their home, and get excited about the prints to come!
When it came time to design the backdrops, we considered all of our research and findings. I digitally illustrated our vision for each backdrop (which really became full scenes). I worked with the internal production team to inform and guide how we brought these ideas to life. Below are some initial concept sketches.
