Portrait Guide
I am so excited about your photo session!
Whether you’re seeking a portrait session to commemorate your anniversary, capture your well-earned graduation, or create the perfect annual holiday card, I am excited to collaborate with you. My goal is to ensure you feel confident, prepared and ready to have fun!
When it comes to capturing beautiful and engaging portraits, there are several key principles and techniques to keep in mind. Whether you have your photo taken professionally each year, or this is your first time, this guide will provide you with valuable tips and considerations for creating stunning portraits.
Please read through it well in advance of your session, that way we can discuss any concerns or inquiries you may have.
Understanding Lighting
Natural Light: I love the look of natural light! Early mornings and late afternoons are my favorites for portrait photography as they offer soft, flattering light that can enhance the overall look of your images. However, I sometimes utilize studio lights and/or flash when needed, especially when shooting indoors.
As natural light is optimal for portrait photography, I typically schedule the photo shoot approximately two hours before sunset. However, keep in mind that the time of year (summer, fall, etc.) affects the start time.
Selecting locations
What’s your vibe? Are you looking for a romantic spot? Does the ocean speak to your soul? Does downtown give you energy? Are you at peace in nature? The choice of location for your session is entirely yours! As evident from my portfolio, numerous possibilities exist, especially in San Diego and Sacramento Counties. From natural landscapes, stunning beaches, and picturesque riverbanks to scenic hiking trails, iconic buildings, and museums, the options are limitless. If you need some inspiration, just visit my locations page for ideas.
Planning your time
Allow more time: When scheduling your time to get ready, especially if you hire hair and makeup professionals, ensure to allocate extra time for any unforeseen circumstances. As we're all aware, traffic jams, parking issues, or family-related delays can occur, so it's best to plan accordingly. Additionally, if we're planning to take photographs on a mountain or hill, remember that the sun may set earlier than usual. Therefore making sure you have scheduled extra time to get ready and arrive at your location early, we can take a leisurely walk, savor the breathtaking views, ensuring a stress-free start to our time together. Let's focus on creating delightful memories, without any worries or hassles!
How to prepare your little ones
Preparing your children for a photo shoot can be both exciting and daunting. I understand the importance of ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for both parents and children. Here are some tips to help you prepare your children for a successful photo shoot.
1. Communication is Key
Talk to your children about the photo shoot in a positive and exciting manner. Let them know that it's going to be a fun experience where they get to show their personalities and have a great time. Many families offer rewards for after the shoot. You are all dressed up anyway so why not go out to dinner or get some ice-cream?
2. Comfortable Clothing
Choose outfits that your children feel comfortable and confident in. If they are old enough, giving them a choice between two options may help them feel more empowered and excited about the photo shoot.
3. Snacks and Drinks
Bring along some of your child's favorite snacks and drinks to keep their energy up during the photo shoot. This can also help keep them happy and cooperative throughout the session. Avoid any foods and drinks with strong colors such as red, blue, etc. in case they spill. Bring baby wipes to help clean up their beautiful faces.
4. Favorite Toys or Props
Bringing along a favorite toy or prop can help your child feel more at ease during the shoot. It can also add a personal touch to the photos.
5. Rest and Timing
Ensuring your little ones are rested for our photo shoot will help ensure that they are more cooperative and engaged during the session.
6. Positive Reinforcement
Throughout the photo shoot, offer plenty of praise and encouragement to your child. This positive reinforcement can make the experience more enjoyable for them and help capture genuine smiles and expressions.
7. Trust me
I love children (I worked at Children’s Hospital for 22 years) and have experience working with kids and know how to capture beautiful moments. I will work with you and your little ones to capture their smiles while having a good time. And don’t worry, if your child needs a break, we can definitely pivot until they feel ready again.
8. Bring a friend
I do recommend that you bring along a family member or close family friend who can help with your littles ones. Even if it is just to grab a tissue or snack from the bag… it really does help!
By following these tips, you can help ensure that you and your children are well-prepared and comfortable for their photo shoot, leading to beautiful and meaningful photographs that you and your family will cherish for years to come.
Outfit Selection for your Photoshoot
When preparing for a portrait session the right outfit can make all the difference in the final images. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect outfits for your photoshoot:
1. Consider the Location
Think about where the photoshoot will take place. If it’s outdoors in a natural setting, lighter, earthy tones and flowing fabrics can complement the surroundings beautifully. For an urban setting, consider more modern and edgy styles that fit the cityscape.
2. Coordinate Colors
Coordinating outfits with your family can create a cohesive and visually appealing result. You don’t have to match perfectly, but choosing colors that complement each other can produce stunning images.
3. Express Your Personality
Your outfit should reflect your personal style and the mood you want to convey in the photos. Whether you prefer a casual bohemian look or a more formal, elegant style, your outfit should make you feel confident and comfortable.
4. Avoid Loud Patterns
Busy patterns or logos on clothing can be distracting in photographs. Opt for solid colors or subtle patterns that won’t overshadow the main focus—you!
5. Layer and Accessorize
Adding layers and accessories can bring depth and visual interest to your outfit. Consider adding a scarf, hat, or statement jewelry to elevate your look.
6. Timeless vs. Trendy
While it’s fun to incorporate current trends, consider how you’ll feel about your outfit choices when looking back at the photos years from now. Choosing timeless pieces can ensure that your photos remain classic and relevant for years to come.
7. Number of outfits
Depending on your photo shoot, you can bring 1 - 2 outfits to change it up. Just remember that changing your outfit takes longer than you think.
Family session: 1 outfit
Seniors/graduation: 1 - 2 outfits
Engagement/anniversary/maternity: 1-2 outfits
Remember, the most important thing is to feel like yourself and to be comfortable and confident in your chosen outfits. By considering these tips, you can select outfits that will enhance the beauty and emotion of your portraits.
Seasonal Style Tips
Spring:
With flowers in bloom in the spring, I encourage you to choose a location with many of them in full display such as Balboa Park for the rose gardens or the trees lined with white flowers. However, there are many places you can find flowers in the spring. A blanket of yellow daisies make for a beautiful backdrop as well. Choosing lighter colors compliment those springtime flowers well and look great on all skin tones.
Summer:
The summer months bring warmer weather and availability for weekday photo shoots since the sun sets later (we start 2 hours before sunset). Beach shots are ideal as you won’t freeze when your toes touch the water. Choosing pastels and lighter colors match well with the season as with all skin tones.
Fall:
As the seasons shift and the weather gets cooler, wearing just a dress and heels might not be warm enough. It is a great time to pull out those sweaters and boots and they look amazing in photos, too!
In general, I recommend going for muted colors instead of bold primary colors for all seasons, unless of course, you are going for the Christmas vibe and that is sometimes best with Christmas red! But if your’e not going for that look, then jewel-tones look great on skin tones and on camera. Fall and winter colors that always look great are warm neutrals such as camel, taupe, cream, champagne, and gray. If you want to add some color, go for refined jewel-toned variations of vibrant primary colors.
What are jewel-tones?
If you are not familiar with jewel-tones, no worries, I got you covered!
Instead of red - try wine or burgundy
Instead of yellow - try mustard
Instead of orange - try burnt orange or camel
Instead of blue - try powder blue or navy
Instead of green - try emerald or sage
Hey Ladies!
What to wear: You can never be too dressed up for your portrait session so this is your chance to get that dress you have been eyeing! However, you don’t have to purchase anything new; often times, you have just the right thing in your closet but have not had the excuse to wear it - now is that time!
Remember, dresses and skirts are particularly striking on camera as they complement the female form beautifully – just think about Hollywood and notice how the ladies often wear elegant gowns! Opt for long, flowing dresses or skirts as they suit all body shapes, enhance your appearance on camera, and bring movement and depth to your photos. Maxi and floor-length skirts are perfect for a playful twirl or two! They also create an illusion of length and a slimming effect – who wouldn’t appreciate that? If maxi isn't your style, shorter cocktail-length dresses or skirts offer a cute alternative. I suggest choosing jumpsuits over pants as they also elongate the body and look classy and stunning in pictures.
The Flattering Factor
To sleeve or not to sleeve? In my experience, every woman, regardless of age or dress size, has an area of her body that is her least favorite. Being aware of these areas when you choose a dress is important. Choose clothing that adds a flattering silhouette with colors that complement your skin color and natural features. For example, I am a self-conscious about my arms, so wearing a dress with sleeves takes care of that for me. Sleeveless or skinny straps on dresses are generally not flattering on camera.But what about that sleepless, super cute dress you love? No problem! Add a cute jacket or sweater and voila - problem solved!
Shoe lovers
Open or closed: The shoes you wear can totally change up the look. Generally, closed-toe shoes elongate women’s’ legs and look great on camera. Neutral pumps do a similar job and they go great with just about everything. If you choose open-toe shoes, make the time for a pedicure because your toes will show on your photographs. If your shoes are hidden behind a maxi dress, cute neutral flats or even trendy sneakers can work. I recommend you bring along a pair of flip flops to walk to our final shooting location; you will be surprised how long that walk will feel from the parking lot. Whether you choose pumps or sneakers, just make sure you are comfortable in your final selection and you feel like “you” in your shoes.
Hair & Makeup
Professional hair and makeup is not necessary but let me share with you how it makes a difference.
Not only does it remove the stress of getting ready on your own, especially if don’t feel confident in the application and styling, but it looks amazing on camera. You can decide how much help you want in this area, maybe just lash extensions or just hair styling is all you need to boost your confidence for your photo shoot. Or perhaps you want to go all in and have it all done, whatever you choose you won’t go wrong. A few tips I recommend: Have the makeup artist apply your makeup in natural light if possible as that will give you a good indication of the final results on camera. Clients sometimes feel they look too “made up” but it always looks great in photographs. If you need a recommendation, just let me know. Just a quick note on spray tans, skip it for the photo shoot; they tend to make clients look orange no matter what light you are in!
Shoes: Men have many choices when it comes to shoes, choosing based on outfit and comfort are key. They can either match or add a nice contrast for extra wow. If your location is the beach, going without is also an option.
Tips for Men
Easy peasy: Men have it easy when it comes to choosing their outfit, however there are still some things to keep in mind. Blazers, sports coats and jackets are flattering for men. They accentuate broader shoulders and tend to taper in at the waist. The fit on a suit is more important than the price tag - make sure it has the right fit, not too long or baggy. If you are going without a jacket, long sleeves capture better in photos but short sleeves can look great in beach settings as well. As far as colors, neutrals and soft tones look great on skin tones so try to avoid any distracting patterns or logos. Pants that are slightly darker than your shirt or vice versa adds a nice depth to your outfit. Feel free to add a nice element that speaks “You” like a hat or vest.
Prepping Your Man
Some men may find themselves apprehensive about a two-hour photo session, mainly because they are unaware of its significance to you. To bridge this gap, I suggest spending a few minutes together to let him know why this is so important to you. Share why you selected me and my photography style. Present your top three favorite sessions from my website and express why these photos made an impact on you. Believe me, once he understands how this matters to you, he will be more enthusiastic about participating and might even begin to anticipate it.
The most common concern I hear from men before a portrait session is about a negative past experience or doubts about their photo-taking abilities. That's why I ensure you receive a pre-session guide to assist with outfit, location, and prop suggestions, and of course, I will support you and him throughout the entire shoot with standing, posing and more. By the end of the session he might even end up having a great time!
Let’s talk about props
Up-level your images: If you're aiming for a more editorial vibe in your portrait images, I suggest adding some small, simple props that we can use. This is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and choose what truly reflects your style.
Here are some ideas:
Books - Flowers - Chalkboard signs - Bikes - Musical instruments - Balloons - Blankets - Picnic baskets - Umbrellas - Hats - Scarves - Pets - Vintage furniture - Customized props like signs with wedding dates and more!
The sky is the limit!Just let me know ahead of time if you want to bring something bigger so we can plan accordingly (like a picnic or furniture).
Ultimately, the choice of props should reflect you and your family’s personalities, interests, and the overall theme or mood you want to convey in your photos. I encourage you to choose props that feel authentic and meaningful to you, and don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with it!
While props are not necessary, some clients enjoy them and go all out, while others prefer only one or two items and some solely focus on their outfits – all options are wonderful!
Maternity Sessions
Celebrate this beautiful phase in a woman's life. Embrace your wonderful changing body and capture these precious moments to share with your unborn child while they are still snug inside.
These sessions offer various options for you. You can have a solo session showcasing your growing baby bump, or involve your partner, whole family, or even your furry friends if you wish!
As for attire, you have numerous choices as well. Feel free to refer to the guidelines mentioned earlier in this guide. However, for a more glamorous and unique look, I recommend elegant long, flowy maxi dresses in soft hues such as white, cream, and pastels. If you have difficulty finding the perfect dress, I have five dresses available that you are welcome to wear. Just let me know and I can send you more information.
Now is the perfect moment to add a touch of uniqueness, such as wearing a floral wreath in your hair. Consider bringing props like baby shoes, a cute onesie, or your ultrasound picture. I recommend browsing online or on Pinterest in advance for some creative ideas with enough time to gather some fun props.
Lifestyle Newborn & Infant Sessions
Instead of opting for studio portraits, consider having a photo session in the comfort of your own home.
These sessions capture real-life moments, preserving the unique essence of your family. This approach allows you to feel relaxed, natural and comfortable.
I recommend that moms wear neutral colors as it makes for soft and beautiful images. You might consider a camisole for skin-to-skin images, but if you're not comfortable with that yet, a short-sleeved blouse or a lightweight sweater will work just fine. Colors like white, gray, beige, etc., complement your baby's skin beautifully. Chiffon fabric looks lovely, and a maxi dress is also a great choice. It's advisable to avoid tight-fitting clothes other than camisoles. For dads, jeans, t-shirts, and button-down shirts are ideal. Roll up the sleeves and leave the shirt untucked. V-neck sweaters layered over button-ups, especially in winter, create a polished look. For the baby, stick to a white onesie and any special item you'd like to be photographed with.
I hope this guide has helped you feel confident in your upcoming photo shoot. Here is a check list to make sure you are fully prepared and I can’t wait until your photo shoot!
As always, I am here for you if you have any questions at all!
xoxo!
Angelica
