How to Prepare for a Portrait Session: A Few Things Your Photographer Wishes You Knew

Portrait photography is all about the face and can be really intimate and feel a little obtrusive for subjects that aren’t used to being photographed. But the end result can be beautiful and produce a photo that really captures the person

For the photographer there are a few aspects of different types of portrait photography that they wish their subjects knew.

Headshots

Headshots are basically like picture day for adults. Headshots can be used for work purposes on company websites or social media platforms, or for models and actors. These are generally very simple, posed photographs so that you are recognizable to prospective employers and clients.

The idea is to be professional, smile, and exude warmth and friendliness, in most cases. For business headshots especially, you just need to be happy and professional. For actors and models, it’s the first time a prospective employer will see your face. It should show your personality, beauty, and ability to pose for a camera.

Since this is basically adult picture day, a lot of the same rules apply. Subjects should remain relaxed and confident, and wear something that they are comfortable in but looks professional. Photographers know their subjects angles and can aid in the best posing and lighting, so they should trust their photographer. And of course, focus all of your energy into remaining confident in the shoot because it will show through in the photograph.

Family Photos

Family portraits are great for families documenting a point in their lives and capturing family dynamic at any given point, which can change quickly if it’s a family with children. These portrait sessions take a piece of time in a family’s life and documents it.

Portrait photography is generally about taking close up and intimate photos of the face, and with family portraits the term is a little looser as it can be difficult to focus on close up shots of more than a few people. Photographers aren’t just capturing the intimacies of one person’s face and personality, but a few people’s personalities including the family personality as a whole.

For photographers, each person’s personality and unique qualities is a treat to photograph. It’s best when subjects feel free to interact as those tend to be the best photos. Photographers would love their subjects to ask for posing advice if they are nervous, trust their photographer, and to feel open to candid photos that occur naturally.

The key is for subjects to be comfortable and be themselves; it’s a lot more difficult to capture a family’s personality if they are just posing and nervous about what they will look like. Let kids be kids, laugh at each other, go with the flow, and your photographer will do the rest.

Modelling

Experienced models know their way around posing in front of a camera, and new models are already ahead of the game with their willingness to be in front of a camera confidently. There is definitely a big difference for photographers when they are shooting a portrait for others or for a model, not only in the type of shoot they are getting, but also the subjects attitude in front of the camera and the creative possibilities of the shoot.

Models already have the confidence and ease in front of a camera that creates great photographs, but they also understand the subtlety in portrait photography; a slight raise in the eyebrow, the shift of the eyes, a turn of the head, or upturned lips.

What photographers want in a great beauty model is a connection and flow between model and photographer. They want their subject to be able to take direction, understand their lighting, and understand the importance in expression. It’s all in the eyes, in the expression, in the emotion you are exuding, and photographers love it when a model can portray these things to the camera. Remember that the shot is usually focused on the model’s face, but don’t be afraid to pose with the whole body. Remember the purpose behind the shoot and work to highlight it, ask your photographer for direction, and connect with the camera.

Portrait shoots are different than other shoots in that it is incredibly honest and intimate photography. There aren’t a ton of extras to hide behind, and the subject’s emotion takes hold of the viewer. A great photographer can make a portrait into something that captures the essence of the subject. Photographers want their subjects to know that their photo means a lot to them too and they will do their best to make sure you look great.

More than anything, photographers wish that their subjects knew that their unique self is what’s beautiful in a photograph; that confidence and showing personality will make the photo go from good to great when you allow yourself to be comfortable and show yourself to the lens.

Celebrate Father's Day with Custom Art

What's your favorite memory with your dad or grandfather? Whether you've spent time playing sports or working on cars, let's capture those incredible moments through portraits.

Themed portraits can showcase the hobbies and activities that you share with your children or your parents. Create a work of art for your home that shows your unique style, habits and hobbies, as well as the relationship you enjoy with your loved ones. From cheering on sports teams to cars to outdoor pursuits, I can work with you to create an amazing art piece that showcases the depth of your relationships this Father's Day.

Father’s Day is also a wonderful time to showcase the multiple generations of men in your family. Show off your a long history and the unique wisdom and care of a relationship that has been nurtured for years.

Book a portrait session for your dad, son, husband or grandfather today. These are the beautiful days of our lives and we don't want to let them pass us by!  Call me today and let’s make this Father's Day very special.

Mother's Day Portraits

Are you looking to celebrate your Mom with the perfect Mother’s Day gift this year?

Show your mother or mother-figure how much she means to you with a photo session showcasing your special relationship - this will be a treasured memory for years to come, as well as a beautiful, thoughtful gift. Whether it is your mother, grandmother or someone who is a mother-figure to you, creating beautiful art around this relationship is a sure win for Mother's Day.

I feel like the bond between generations is an absolute treasure, and I love photographing the memories and stories have been shared together. These memories show in our eyes and make for such special and beautiful photography. So often, our family starts with just one woman - let me help you capture the matriarch of your family and give you a beautiful reminder of the love and support she has given to you.

Call me today and let's talk about how we can make a very unique portrait you can enjoy for generations to come.  Whether it is just you and your mom or the entire family, I would love to capture the mutual love and respect that you have for one another.

Senior portraits, family photos and more this Spring

Spring is here! After a long winter season, don’t you just love the sweetness of spring? The days slowly get a little bit longer, flowers peek their heads up to make sure the sun is truly out, trees slowly unfold their new leaves. It truly is a time of awakening.

Spring is also a great time to refresh the family portraits in your home. New portraits refresh your home and make it feel renewed.

Do you have a High School Senior about to graduate? Now is the time to get their Senior portraits taken so they can be included in graduation announcements and graduation party invitations. This is a great Mother's Day and Father's Day gift for all of the grandparents in your life as well.

We had a particularly wet winter this year, so our local hills are beautifully green for Spring. Let's use our imaginations and sense of adventure and take the whole family outside for a once-in-a-lifetime portrait opportunity. The landscape is picture-perfect right now and my expertise will help your photos pop with life, color and the sense of newness we celebrate this time of year.

We celebrated Nowrooz recently and I know that my Christian friends have Easter coming up. What better way to embrace the feeling of new life and hope than with portraits of your most valuable relationships. I've been taking portraits of families, friends, seniors, professionals, children and models for so many years and this Spring is one of the most beautiful I've seen yet. Don't let it pass you by!

Call today to set up your outdoor portrait session and celebrate your life!

Celebrate Your Story with an Identity Album

Life is made up of moments. These moments comprise your identity and tell your unique story, but too often we rush by them in the hurry of life.

I call my unique artistic portrait albums "Identity Albums" because they beautifully capture these moments and keep them for you, forever treasured and remembered. These moments beautifully lay the cobblestones that make up your life, and with an Identity Album, that cobblestone pathway will be marked and remembered for generations. From graduations to weddings to the birth of your children, your pets; all of these things create the masterpiece that is your life. An Identity Album is a wonderful way to showcase your moments. 

Do you recall the moment you brought home your newborn baby, graduated from college, saw your dog for the first time, or celebrated 10 years with your spouse? Nothing can take away the joy you feel in these incredible times of life, and it's tempting to want such sweet times to stay a while longer. We can't keep time from moving on, but we can forever remember the beautiful times, the smile of our children, the laughter of our parents, the smell of our rose garden or the sweet companionship of our friends through photographs.

Through photographs, we can stop and capture these milestones along the way. I would love to be able to capture your journey and produce a wonderful album that is customized to your story and identity.  Before you know it, those sweet newborns become teenagers, and new puppies become faithful old companions - let's not forget what today looks like.

I want to work with you to create an album that is unique to you. Through my artistry and honesty, I can help you bring together your life events and help write your unique story in a way that reveals the essence of your identity: what matters to you and who you love.

The Identity Album will become an heirloom-quality, treasured piece of family history - a unique, personalized experience that will remind you who you are and where you've been.

Let’s work together to create an amazing work of art and meaning. Call me to today to schedule a consultation about creating your unique Identity Album.

Valentine's Day Portraits

Don’t you you just love Valentine’s Day? It's so important to take a moment out of our busy lives to remember our special someone and celebrate great love.

This Valentine's Day, we can create lasting memories for generations to come.

I have a unique fashion-centric perspective that gives flair and focus to your portraits. I have had so many clients take Valentine's photos, and every one of them has been amazed by the truth, love, beauty and romance that we captured together.

The style and creativity that I bring will help to give you that one of a kind look to celebrate your one of a kind love. You are not just getting pictures, but a portrait experience to capture the best moments that make up your life. Like an original piece of fine art, your life and memories are captured and frozen for you to remember always. 

My goal is to make everyone in the photography experience feel extremely comfortable so that your Valentine portraits evoke the truest part of who you are together.

Whether you've been married for years or recently engaged, let's celebrate your love.

Whatever your portrait needs are, with both on-location and studio services, I will go above and beyond. Your final product will be a quality piece, curated to your specifications that will last you and your loved ones for many years to come. This Valentine’s Day, get in touch with me and let’s work together to capture the love of your life.