Tips for Gorgeous Outdoor Photos

Are you thinking about an outdoor photo session? Whether you’re a couple just starting your journey, a mom to be hoping to capture the magic of pregnancy, or a graduating senior ready to take on the world, here are some great tips for a “picture perfect” outdoor session.

Golden Hour

1)      Timing is Key: Opt for golden hour – early morning or late afternoon, usually within an hour of sunrise or sunset, respectively – when the light is warm and soft, which creates flattering (rather than harsh) shadows and rich, vibrant colors.

2)      Scout Locations Ahead of Time: Your photographer may have some tried and true spots for outdoor photos, but remember this is your session and it should reflect who you are, so don’t be afraid to suggest something new. Choose picturesque outdoor settings with natural elements, such as parks, beaches, or forests for diverse backgrounds and dynamic composition.

3)      Dress Appropriately: Select outfits that complement both the surroundings and everyone who’s going to be photographed. Avoid busy patterns, or anything that might detract from your or the gorgeous setting you’ve chosen. BONUS: Ladies, choose something that has some flow to it – nothing says “dynamic” like fabric movement in a photo!

Sun Center Sweetness

4)      Accessorize Mindfully: Incorporate props & accessories that enhance the theme or mood of your session, but you don’t want things to look cluttered, so be carefully selective in your choices.

5)      Consider the Weather: Here in Florida, the weather is often hot & sticky – or in winter, breezy and surprisingly chilly – so keep an eye on the forecast and dress accordingly. If it’s summer, wear light fabrics that have some breathability. If it’s winter, dress in layers. Keeping an umbrella handy is a good idea, too. You never know when a summer storm might pop up!

Winter Maternity

6)      Relax: Part of my job is to help you relax – which means I have to be relaxed, too. But we can also help each other out by keeping the mood light, telling silly jokes, and simply having a conversation or two throughout the session. We can incorporate your favorite music, too. And don’t forget that for most of the session you won’t be looking at me, so it will be easier to stay relaxed while you interact with each other.

7)      Focus on Each Other: These sessions are about capturing your connections, whether that’s just you two or the whole family, and that means you’ll be looking at and interacting with each other. I’ll guide you with prompts and position you around interesting elements in the scene, but ultimately it’s all about the bonds between you, your partner, and whoever else might be in these pictures. {Note: For senior photos, only about half of your photos will be traditionally posed where you’re looking at the camera, the rest will be you interacting with the environment and/or whatever props you might bring to the session.}

Gorgeous Gator Couple

In the end, we’re here to have fun and make some memories that you’ll be able to keep for a lifetime. Together, we will make magic.

TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK A PHOTOGRAPHER BEFORE YOU HIRE THEM

With so many photographers out there, it can feel overwhelming to have to put extra work into choosing one. But not all photographers are alike – in fact, most of us like to think we’re one of a kind. 😉 Jokes aside, there are an almost infinite number of photographic and editing styles, and every photographer has their own personality and approach to their sessions – and those things might not align with your vision, so it’s important to ask questions up front to get a feel for who you’re working with and what you can expect from the session and your photos.

Here is a short list of questions I recommend you ask any prospective photographer before you sign any contracts or pay a retainer.

1)      DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN MY NICHE?

This may be the most important question to ask – yes, even more important than cost – because if you’re looking for newborn photos and the first photographer you contact shoots only weddings, you’re wasting your time. And even if they agree to take the photos for you, do you really want to trust your brand new baby with someone who doesn’t specialize in photographing newborns?

2)      WHAT'S YOUR STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

Think documentary, cinematic, traditional, etc. Each of us has a style, and some of us even blend styles to make something even more unique. If you like traditionally posed photos, then you want to make sure your photographer shoots that way. And if you have more of a lifestyle vibe, a traditional photographer can’t give you what you’re looking for.

TIP: check out the photographer’s website and socials and take note of whether or not they pose their clients, or if they seem to let their subject interact with each other (and not the camera). It’s also important to note their editing style because they’re going to edit your photos in a manner that’s consistent with their other work. If you want true to color and this photographer edits with warmer tones, you’re not going to love your pictures, no matter how great the composition.

3)      WHAT'S YOUR PRICING STRUCTURE?

Some photographers’ pricing is all inclusive – meaning the cost covers the session and images – and some come in packages, or even a la carte. It’s important to ask before you sign & schedule because there’s nothing worse than getting a surprise invoice for your digitals when you thought you’d already paid for them.

4)      WHAT'S YOUR PAYMENT STRUCTURE?

Some photographers want payment in full at the time of booking, some require half the cost as a retainer and the remainder due within a certain time frame prior to the session. And others may let you break up the fee into multiple payments. It’s important to ask that up front, so there are no surprises.

5)      WHAT IS THE IMAGE ORDERING PROCESS?

Some photographers like to do in-person sales, meaning they meet with their clients to go over the images, at which time the client places an order. Other photographers simply deliver a gallery ready for immediate download, and others deliver what’s called a proof gallery, where you’d review the images uploaded by your photographer and select the ones you want to download or purchase. It’s important to know ahead of time what the process is, as it will save you time at the end so you don’t have to wait even longer for your photos.

6)      WHAT PLANNING HELP DO YOU PROVIDE?

Even the simplest of sessions requires some planning, and it’s good to know going into things how much support your photographer offers along the way, whether that’s location scouting, styling guidance, or simply being available to answer any questions that might arise between scheduling and the day of your session.

7)      HOW DO YOU APPROACH YOUR SESSIONS?

I know I sound like a broken record, but trust me – the more you know going into your photo session, the more comfortable you’ll feel. In this case, knowing ahead of time whether your photographer plans their poses, works on the fly, or somewhere in between will help you know what to expect. Going into a session with one expectation and finding out your photographer operates in a completely different way can throw the energy of your session completely off, and trust me: that will show in your pictures.

8)      DO YOU HELP WITH POSING?

With the exception of a select few, most of us don’t know what to do with ourselves in front of the camera and need guidance. Your photographer should be able to easily guide you through poses or with prompts to ensure your photos look natural and flattering. If they can’t…well, keep looking until you find one that can.

9)      HOW LONG WILL THE SESSION BE?

Most full sessions last around an hour, and mini sessions are anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes. Some photographers are strict with time, while others just go with the flow, shooting until they feel they’ve gotten what they need. It’s important to know before you begin how long you can expect to be there and whether or not you’ll be kept to a strict timeline.

TIP: Be respectful of everyone’s time and don’t be late. Chances are, for every minute you’re late, you’ve cut into your session time, and that’s just going to stress everyone out. Plan to arrive at least ten minutes before your session start time.

10)    HOW MUCH EDITING WILL YOU DO?

Aside from their overall aesthetic (i.e. light & airy, dark & moody, bold & colorful, etc.), how much touching up does this photographer do? Don’t expect them to remove every blemish and wrinkle – at least not for free. Find out what corrections they regularly do, and what extras they’d be willing to do and for how much.

In addition to asking the above questions, there are a few other things you can do to get an idea of who you will potentially be working with:

·         Read their reviews (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.) – be judicious, though. One or two one-star reviews among a large number of four- and five-star reviews is normal. More bad reviews than good is a sign to keep searching.

·         Ask to see some galleries of their work. Most photographers only put a small selection from each session on their website or social media – a gallery or album will give you a much clearer picture (no pun intended) of what their work looks like.

·         Throughout your correspondence or conversations with this potential photographer, try to get a feel for their personality, and make sure it matches yours. If you’re exuberant and outgoing, but your photographer is serious and reserved, I don’t think anyone would enjoy themselves during a session. (Hint: Scope out their social media, too. Their captions, videos, and content will give you some clues about who they are)

It sounds like a lot of work, I know. But if you’re going to check out restaurant reviews before ordering a meal, why wouldn’t you look into someone who’s going to be sharing and photographing intimate moments with you? Photos are an investment (and to some, even a luxury), so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth by doing a little bit of work up front so on the day of your session, all you have to do is show up and have fun. 😊

Capturing the Glow: A Magical In-Home Maternity Session

I’d been feeling uninspired for months. Business was slow, winter came, and I lost my mojo. It was like someone crept into my room one night and gave me a creative lobotomy. There was no inspiration, no joy when it came to taking pictures.

And then…along came an opportunity to take part in a styled shoot, the theme for which was in-home maternity. I jumped at the chance I needed to shake things up creatively, to do something different from anything I’d done before.  

All I can tell you is I am in love.

Here’s the thing about in-home sessions. They’re comfortable. You’re in your own environment, you’re relaxed, you’re doing things you might normally do at home, only there’s someone there lurking around like a stalker taking pictures of you. JUST KIDDING. Okay, sure, it’s weird to have someone with a camera following you around your house, so you may not be completely relaxed, but I’m here to tell you it’s worth it.

Lifestyle photo sessions are just that — a documentary of you living your life. Granted, it won’t be entirely organic (no one wants a picture of themselves doing the dishes), but even the “poses” come across as natural and easy. It’s just you, your significant other, maybe a kiddo or two, interacting with each other. Being together.

And the connections that get captured are nothing short of magical.

Know why? You’re not looking at me. You’re looking at each other. Feeling all that love, that joy, all that anticipation for the life that’s growing inside you.

You might be thinking, “My house is a mess, I can’t have pictures taken here!” And that’s okay. It’s why we have Airbnb — well, one reason, anyway. We’ll find someplace local that’s got just the right aesthetic, and use that as your “home”. I have a feeling you’ll be just as relaxed — if not more so — than if you were in your own home.

So if you’re into the more organic, relaxed vibe, then an in-home maternity photo session is perfect for you. Ready to get started? Click the button below and let me know exactly what you’re looking for!

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