Incorporating Your Passions Into Your Senior Photo Session

When I was in high school (many, many years ago), the only options we had for "senior pictures" was the usual yearbook photos taken by the local Olan Mills studio - three to four backdrops, maybe two outfits, and a stack of wallet-sized prints that we were never going to give away. No real way to make it personal; to let ourselves truly shine.

Thankfully, things are different now.

Senior year is a big deal and it needs to be celebrated, and your photos should reflect that. A really fun way to do that is to incorporate your personal passions into the shoot.

Music Man

https://www.visitgainesville.com/explore/downtown-gainesville/

Whether you love to dance, paint, play sports, or anything in between, including these hobbies in your photos will make them truly unique and representative of who you are. Senior portraits are all about capturing your personality and your passions, and what better way to do that than by featuring the things you love most?

Not only will this make your photos more memorable, but it will also make the shoot more fun and comfortable for you. When you're doing something you love, it's so much easier to relax and let your personality shine through - which means you'll have photos that are truly authentic and showcase the real you.

Be Who You Are

https://www.visitgainesville.com/explore/downtown-gainesville/

Don't be afraid to get creative with your props and outfits, too! If you're a nature lover, bring along some flowers or incorporate a natural setting into the shoot. If you're a musician, bring your instrument or wear something that represents your favorite genre. The possibilities are endless, and the more unique to you, the better.

Sweet Senior Session

Your senior portraits will be something that you and your family will cherish for years to come. They will serve as a reminder of this special time in your life and the person you were at this moment in time. So, why not make them as special and unique as possible?

Got questions? Hit me up! Head on over to my contact page to get started, and I'll be in touch soon!

Signature

Why You Need a Branding Photography Session

When someone mentions “headshots”, what’s the first thing you think of?

If you’re like most people, you picture a man or woman in a suit jacket or blazer, arms folded & authoritative as they stand in front of a backdrop and smile. And that’s okay for corporate headshots, but for branding? It’s so much more.

Headshots are only part of what goes into branding – and while we want your potential clients to see who they’re working with, we also want them to know who they’re working with. And that’s where branding photography comes in.

You’ve probably heard the saying about letting your potential clients – the ones you see you on social media and your website – get to know, like, and trust you, and that’s exactly what branding is all about. It’s creating a narrative in photos that tells your story as a brand so the folks who see those photos feel like they know you by the time they reach out to hire you. And they’re hiring you because of the brand story you tell.

Co-Founder of One Breath Institute

(www.onebreathinstitute.com)

So how does it all work? We begin with a questionnaire that’s all about you and your brand so I can get an idea of what ideas and personality we want to convey. Then we meet to go over the ideas, answer your questions, and start putting together the look that best fits your brand.

A lot goes into the planning stage, but don’t be dismayed! It can actually be a lot of fun! We’ll be talking wardrobe, location, props, and how to put all of it together in a way that shows the world exactly who you are and what makes you and your brand unique. This part is super important, because what you wear, the tools you use, and the settings you’re in all tell a story, and we want that story to sing!

Local Florida Songwriter

(www.kimlecoutermusic.com)

When it comes to the photo session itself, we’ll select at least two locations that best showcase the work you do and how you do it. If you’re a pastry chef, we’d take pictures of you at the market, shopping for supplies, and then in your kitchen, at work on one of your tasty masterpieces. If you’re a coach, we’ll photograph you working on your computer in a coffee shop or your office, as well as interacting with clients. If you’re a dance or yoga teacher, we’ll show you in your studio teaching or capture you mid-pose.

This is me at my core - goofy & weird

(It works because I make goofy faces during my shoots - I'm awkward and this is how I cope...which is something my clients might want to know about me, so I show them this photo next to the one where I look like a normal, functioning adult) photo by Hearts of Sage Photography - www.heartsofsagephotography.com

You get the idea. But don’t think it’s only about getting pictures of you at work. We’re going to capture your personality, work in your brand colors, document the client journey, and so much more! By the time we’re done, your potential clients will feel like they know – and trust – you, which is absolutely key when it comes to getting – and keeping – clients.

Are you ready to start your branding journey? Hop on over to my Contact page to get started! (www.purpleflyphotography.com/contact-us)

How to Get in the Right Headspace For Your Photo Session

Tips for overcoming the pre-session nerves (and we all get them!)

If you're like most people (including me), the idea of getting in front of a camera is a little bit terrifying. There's a lot of pressure, and suddenly you're self-conscious and awkward so then you get anxious, and before you know it you've got a gallery of photos where you look like an extra from Revenge of the Nerds (if you don't get the reference, I encourage you to check that movie out - it's a cult classic).

So…how do you get over those nerves and get into a self-confident, I’m a bad-ass headspace? There are a few things you can do, actually. Check out these tips below:

First, it's important to communicate with whomever you're working with beforehand. If I'm your photographer, tell me what you're worried about. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to help with nerves, but more importantly I'm here to listen to what you need. This session is all about making you look & feel your best, so that's what we're going to do.

Don't laugh, but I recommend that you take some time to practice posing and facial expressions in front of a mirror. You're going to feel like a crazy person, but I promise, it will help you feel more comfortable and confident in front of the camera. The more you know and understand what your body can do, the more you can control it. Same with your expressions. A lot of why we feel awkward in front of the camera is just not knowing "what to do" with ourselves. If you practice ahead of time and learn to control your facial and body movements, you'll feel TONS more comfortable once I raise the camera to my eye.

Choosing the right outfit can also make a big difference in how you feel during the shoot. Wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable, and avoid anything that is too tight or restrictive. For a more in-depth exploration into styling yourself (and your partner) for your photo session, check out my Instagram feed for some quick tips, or send me an email and let me know you'd love to see my styling guide. I'm happy to share!

If you booked a solo session and you're terrified you'll make a fool of yourself, bring a friend along! They can be your cheerleader, your security blanket, your comic relief - whatever you need!

Having someone you're comfortable with can make the difference between dreading your photo session and laughing all the way through it. And that, my friend, is what makes excellent pictures.

Think of what you'd do to comfort a friend or loved one who was feeling nervous - and do those things for yourself. Need some ideas?

* Take yourself out for a fancy coffee (or tea, if you prefer)

* Go for a walk in Nature (fresh air is sooooo good for the soul!)

* Put on your favorite playlist and turn up the volume (and consider sharing that playlist with me so we can listen to it during the shoot!)

It's natural when you're nervous to hold your breath, but if you focus on breathing - controlling your breath - your nerves will calm themselves and you'll be relaxed and ready for your closeup!

Finally, try to have fun and enjoy the experience! Remember that I'm here to bring out and capture you at your best, and I will guide you through the process to ensure we get the best results. Dance it out if you feel yourself getting stiff, laugh it off if you feel like you're being awkward and weird (you'll be in good company because that's how I am 90% of the time), and always - always - let me know if you need a little boost. I promise...I've got you!

Nancy Dinsmore is a Gainesville, Florida-based photographer specializing in Lifestyle Engagement, Maternity, and Newborn Photography.