Behind the Scenes: Creating Theatrical Portraits for North Eugene High School’s “The Lightning Thief."
Giving Back Through Theater Photography at North Eugene High School
As someone who's long supported the North Eugene High School drama program, I’ve been looking for a more creative way to give back beyond my usual volunteer roles. With their upcoming production of The Lightning Thief, I saw a unique opportunity — donating a customized photo shoot for the cast. Rather than standard actor headshots, I wanted to create portraits that truly reflect each student’s connection to their character and the spirit they bring to the stage.
Creating Theatrical Portraits with Dramatic Lighting
To bring the characters of The Lightning Thief to life through photography, I began brainstorming dramatic lighting setups that would reflect the emotional tone of the story. I headed to my garage studio and started experimenting with different lighting effects. A simple dark background didn’t capture the energy I wanted, so I explored projecting shapes and colors to enhance the mood.
After testing a variety of looks, I landed on four key backdrops that matched the themes of the show: lightning bolts (naturally), flames for the Underworld, ocean waves to represent Percy’s connection to Poseidon, and a gothic sunset window to add mystery and atmosphere. These creative lighting elements helped set the stage for portraits that feel as theatrical and powerful as the story itself
Fast-Paced Fun: Photographing Over 40 Student Actors in Two Hours
Short Video BTS of the North Eugene Drama photo shoot
Once the lighting plan was finalized and the logistics confirmed, I packed up my gear and set up in the North Eugene High School auditorium. With everything in place, it was time for the real challenge—photographing over 40 student actors in just two hours.
The session was fast-paced and a bit chaotic at times, but also incredibly fun. Normally, I have more time to help clients relax and get comfortable in front of the camera. But thanks to the students’ drama experience, the transition to posed portraits was surprisingly smooth. They were already used to stepping into roles—they just had to hold their expression and energy for a few still frames instead of a full performance.
Their enthusiasm and creativity made the shoot truly enjoyable. We captured some standout portraits that will be displayed before each show, celebrating their hard work and talent. As an added gift, families can download a full-resolution image of their student for free—to print, share, or keep as a memory from these special high school years.
I had such a great time with this project, and I’d love to make it an annual tradition. Scroll down to see some of my favorite portraits from The Lightning Thief photo session.
