What to Expect from a Professional Portrait Photography Session with Yours Truly

A professional portrait photography session is an exciting opportunity to capture stunning images that reflect your personality or brand. Whether it's for personal use, professional profiles, or a family keepsake, understanding what to expect from the session can help you prepare and achieve the best results.

The Importance of Portrait Photography

Portrait photography serves several vital purposes. It allows individuals or groups to present themselves in a polished and professional manner. High-quality portraits can enhance your online presence, boost your confidence, and create lasting memories. According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Professional Photographers, nearly 70% of people believe that a professional portrait enhances one’s credibility.

It is essential to find a photographer who specializes in this area to ensure that your vision is captured effectively. Professional photographers are skilled in lighting, posing, and editing, which can dramatically affect the final output.

Preparing for Your Session

Preparation is key to a successful portrait session. You and I will start with a complimentary consultation, and this is where the fun begins. We'll discuss everything from the general look and feel of your portraits, the backdrops and locations, to color choices and outfit changes.

Choosing outfits is usually a major concern for clients coming in for their shoot. During our consultation, I will walk you through all aspects of your photo shoot, from choosing our locations and backdrops, outfits to bring for a variety of looks, and the overall look and feel of your special day on set!

The Day of the Shoot

On the day of your shoot, we will make sure and take a moment to relax. Making sure that you feel at ease is important to me as your photographer. Before the session starts, I will guide you through the process. No need to be "photogenic"; few of us are! It is my job to direct you and guid you with pose, expression, and all of the little details that will make you love your photos! You do not need to have any special knowledge or experience. This is going to be a fun and casual experience!

Lighting is crucial in portrait photography. Whether the day is cloudy or bright, whether we use natural light or strobe, your photos are going to look natural and not overly "lit". Depending on the look and feel that we want to achieve, I will choose a lighting set up, or set-ups, that will ensure that we are getting fabulous portraits that fit your preferences.

Post-Session Expectations

After your session, we will schedule our reveal session! It is an exciting day! Before then, I will take great care with your images, selecting only the best. At your reveal, we will choose your favorites and you may select from a number of packages and options. Then, I will begin editing your beautiful images tastefully and artfully. I have extensive experience in editing that will result in natural looking, flattering images with excellent color quality. Allow up to two weeks for your images to be polished up and ready to be delivered!

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Portrait Session

Here are some actionable recommendations:

• Go Natural: Avoid heavy makeup and excessive styling unless it reflects your personality or brand. You will feel most comfortable as your authentic self. I will provide a makeup guide, as well as a general guide for preparation. Consider having my hair and makeup artist style you here in the studio before your shoot! If you have hair and makeup done here, just arrive clean and moisturized, with neutral colored nails and dry hair. That is it!

  
  

• Bring Props: If it makes sense, consider bringing props that represent your interests (like musical instruments, books, or hobby-related items) for more personalized shots.

  
  

Understanding these aspects of portrait photography services can help you better prepare for your session and ensure you receive images you will cherish for years to come.

Final Thoughts

A professional portrait photography session can be a rewarding experience, providing you with stunning images that tell your story. By preparing adequately, communicating openly with your photographer, and embracing the process, you can expect to capture beautiful moments that reflect your unique personality.

Investing time and effort into your portrait session can pay off significantly, resulting in memorable and impactful images that portray who you are.

DIY Senior Portrait: Can I just do this myself?

Are you a high school senior looking to capture your unique personality and achievements in a stunning portrait? The countdown to graduation has begun, and you want to mark this milestone with a photo that truly reflects who you are. But hiring a professional photographer can be expensive, and you're wondering: can I DIY my senior portrait?

Why Go the DIY Route?

While having a professional portrait session is a fun experience and will usually offer you the best chance at flattering images that you will love (of course, I may be partial!) it is totally possible to capture your own senior portrait in a flattering way! Remember, NO SELFIES allowed for submitting to yearbook, but you can set up your phone on a stand or have a friend or family member take the picture once you have everything set up and you have taken a few practice shots.

Getting Started with DIY Senior Portraits

1. Choose the Perfect Location

Select a backdrop that speaks to you—a scenic outdoor spot, a vibrant urban setting, or even the cozy familiarity of your own home. The location you choose will set the tone for your portrait and make it uniquely yours.

2. Lighting Is Key

Good lighting can make all the difference in a portrait. Opt for natural light whenever possible, as it tends to be the easiest to work with to get a flattering result. Consider shooting near a window, when there is plenty of light spilling in, but not blinding sunlight, which will most likely create harsh shadows; time of day and what direction the window faces will make a difference. Pay attention to the direction that the light is coming from. Turn your face this way and that to experiment with angles, and change your position and distance from the window. Don't be discouraged with your first attempts. You will get closer and closer to a nice image as you stumble along!

3. Strike a Pose

Don't be afraid to experiment with poses! Whether you want to convey confidence, playfulness, or introspection, try out different stances and expressions to capture the essence of who you are at this moment in your life.

(the image above is an example, AI generated)

DIY Portrait Dos and Don'ts

Dos:

• Express Yourself: Infuse your portrait with elements that represent your interests and passions.

• Bring Props: Got a favorite instrument, book, or sports gear? Incorporate these items for a personalized touch.

• Edit Thoughtfully: Enhance your photo with editing tools to achieve the desired look while keeping it natural.

Don'ts:

• Over-Edit: While editing can enhance your portrait, avoid going overboard with filters and effects.

• Forget About Background: Make sure the background complements, not distracts from, the focal point—you!

Capturing the Moment

Once you've set up your scene, adjusted the lighting, and found your perfect pose, it's time to start snapping away. Don't be afraid to take numerous shots from different angles and distances—this is your moment to shine, so take your time and experiment until you capture that perfect shot!

Preserving Your Memories

Your senior year is a time to remember, and your DIY senior portrait will serve as a lasting memento of this significant chapter in your life. Whether you choose to display it in a frame, share it on social media, or include it in your graduation announcements, your self-captured portrait will proudly tell your story for years to come.

So, can you just DIY your senior portrait? Absolutely! By channeling your creativity and individuality into this project, you'll create a one-of-a-kind image that authentically represents you at this memorable moment in time. Embrace the process, have fun, and get ready to capture your senior year in a way that's uniquely yours!

leg.a.cy

What will you leave behind? My Grandmother was an amazing woman...unbelievably tenacious, loving, and fiercely devoted to her family and her God. She lost her beloved father to a work accident when she was just a girl, and was widowed as a young mother when my father was 4 years old. Her life was filled with struggles and hardships, and in spite of that, she (and her mother) managed to document the stages of her life in photographs. Not just any photographs, but beautiful, professional portraits...pieces of art. These photographs are precious to me. In one of them, she is 14 years old...in another, she is in her 20's. In another, she is a small child, and still in others, she is with her husband and my father as a boy- as a teenager- as a man. These images are absolutely stunning. They remind me of the life she lived...even before I came into this world; they remind me that she was not just "Grandma". She was Elvira Gomez; a person all her own. Her experiences were unique. Her beauty was unique to her, it was honest and fierce, and it came from within. Her entire life was a legacy to me...the lessons she learned and passed on readily to my sister and I will be with me forever. She did not collect fine things...but she collected these photographs of herself and her family that I will be able to pass on to my own children when I am gone. The first two images here are of Elvira, my grandmother. The last two are images I took in my studio, and are inspired by those of my grandmother. I absolutely love being able to create beautiful legacy portraits that will be cherished into the next generation and beyond.