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As a portrait photographer, I welcome families with teenagers. I look at it as an opportunity to engage a young adult who is not running away from me at the beach as toddlers may do. Instead, I look for a line of communication that will inspire the teenager, even to  humor me and his family in the often required portrait session. Just getting a teenager to commit to attending may involve a trade or bribe between parent and child. Use any means at hand for cooperation. Once at the location, I have six suggestions to help make the portrait session with your teenagers a success. 

Photographing teenagers
1. Clothing: I have a clothing guideline for families where the suggestions apply to teenagers; however it’s important for them to also bring some of their favorite outfits. They’re at the age where their idea of the “traditional portrait” might not necessarily be in line their parent’s idea. It’s important to have options.

2. Treat them like adults: Enter conversation to engage them in topics they are interested in. Are they involved with sports? Music? Computers? Reading? Find a common ground.

Photographing teenagers

3. Engage them in an activity they enjoy: For beach photography, I often ask parents what sports their kids enjoy. Do they play football, baseball, or frisbee? Do they like to swim, boogie board or surf? Maybe they still like making huge sand castles. Find out what they like and have them bring along their toys. Any way I can get them to be engaged in an activity of their choice, I will probably be able make candid natural looking photographs.

Photographing teenagers

4. The Shy or Unsmiling Teenager: Not every photograph has to have the subject looking at the camera or smiling. I love a pensive reflective look. There is always the imagined “GQ” pose for guys where a smile would be laughed at. I like to let them be themselves. Forced smiles never look good. Kids with braces can be too embarrassed and feel there non-smile look is best. Never force a “smile”. Candid photographs from the side can reveal the true personality too.

Photographing teenagers

5. The Unexpected: Sometimes I ask them what they would like to do? This group of boys all jumped up in the air. They thought it was hilarious and it turned out to be a nice photograph as well. Do something unexpected. Ask for the ridiculous if necessary.

Photographing teens

6. Speed: These kids are smart, keep things moving. Don’t linger long in one place or overwork one idea. They will lose interest fast.

The art of photographing teenagers requires grace and tact. These young adults are striving to have their own unique style and sense about the world. As a portrait photographer, I want to reveal who they are at this time in their lives. Their long hair, torn jeans, earrings and hobbies are part of their identity . It’s important to have fun together and create beautiful photographs with pleasant memories.

Lately, the teenage trend for popular clothing is American Eagle. Please visit the link below for a sampling of their clothing.

http://bit.ly/2D4OIlK http://bit.ly/2D4OIlK
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Growing up with horses, I learned early on that each one was unique and special. Building the bond between horse and rider was developed over time. Learning about your horse’s personality was the best part of the adventure. Does your horse nicker when he hears your voice? Maybe a soothing hand on his neck calms his anxious temperament? Do you ever hum when you are riding? Just being in the presence of your horse can bring so much joy. Having made the decision to book a professional equestrian portrait session now is the time to prepare for success. With a horse portrait session there are two to get ready, your horse and you. Today I am going to cover how the rider can prepare. Here are five tips to create a work of art.

  1. The first thing to consider is your concept. Think about if you want your portrait to be about being a “Rider” with your amazing talented horse or about a photography session with your “Best Friend”.
Preparing for Your Equestrian Portrait Session
Mary Ann and Cayado. A longtime western equestrian, this was her first show hunter. An occasion to be celebrated.

If you want to be a “Rider”, horse show clothes always look nice. Black boots, britches and a riding shirt is another approach. Maybe you don’t show and all you ride in is jeans and boots. That works too. Think about wearing lighter colored shirts than darker. Avoid bold logos and stripes. Always bring a few outfits for clothing changes.

Preparing for your Equestrian Portrait Sesison
Luna and Kate. Kate’s wearing a ballroom dance gown from my collection

If this session is more about being with your “Best Friend”, you can wear a beautiful gown, a nice dress, a pair of slacks or jeans. Don’t forget you are going to be around your horse, a creature weighing twelve hundred pounds or more and your footwear must keep you safe as well as compliment your outfit.

Preparing for your equestrian portrait session
Nicole and Indy. Nicole is wearing her prom dress. A blast from the past.

 2. Keep in mind the color of your horse when selecting what to wear. Here are some suggestions:
 For a gray horse, there are lots of options; white, black, red, pink, blue or green.
A black or dark colored horse looks great with many colors; red, magenta, pink, ivory, white, blue and green. Black is not suggested.

Preparing for your equestrian portrait session
Amber, a High School senior heading off to college. Lily and Evan, team up for a a bright future

 A chestnut looks stunning in blues and greens. Certain shades of pink and ivory can also go well.
For a bay horse, I like blues, greens and ivory.

Preparing for your equestrian portrait session
Dress up with Lily and Evan

Pick a selection of outfits that you feel great in. Since horses come in many different colors, if you have a question it’s always good to ask your photographer ahead of time. For my clients if a home visit is not possible in advance, texting photographs of dresses or outfits work.

 3. Hair and makeup: No matter what type of portrait you are having, freshly blown dried hair adds to the beauty of the overall portrait. Depending on the amount of makeup you normally wear, use what you are comfortable with. For gowns, I might use an evening makeup style. Schedule a hair and makeup session in advance of the shoot. A makeup artist can also be present during the session. 

4. Nails: Either polished or unpolished, nothing in between. Your hands will be seen in the photographs, particularly the closeups. If using  polish select a color that compliments your outfit.

5. Personal health: We are going to be asking a lot of you and your horse and I like you feeling great before we began. Come to your session rested and hydrated. You will feel good and look better.

Preparing for your equestrian portrait session
Kate is wearing another ballroom gown from my collection

I always feel privileged and honored to be selected to create a horse portrait. Not only do I want to make a wall portrait you can treasure for years to come, but I want the whole experience to be fun. Use your imagination, dream big, and I will take care of the rest. Look for my upcoming blog on preparing your horse.
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Family portrait session clothing choices are key to the photographs success. There are many good reasons to have a family portrait made. Your home is recently renovated and now you have the wall space for an heirloom family portrait. Maybe you have a teenager going off to college and not knowing exactly the next time everyone will be together, now is the right time for your portrait session. Maybe your family pet is getting older or do you have a new puppy? Whatever the reason, choosing the right clothing to wear is key to creating the best portrait of your family. This can be a daunting task in the face of all the possibilities and the personalities in your family. There are three key items to consider when choosing your clothing.

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices

Here are three things to consider for choosing what’s best to wear:

1. The location of your family portrait Session.Is this portrait being done in a casual setting like at the beach or a park? Or is this a more formal setting in and around your home? Are you looking for a casual look or more formal look?

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices
2. The room  you are displaying your wall portrait in. Where would you like to hang this portrait? Is it going in a living room? A dining room or bedroom? What are the key colors in those spaces? Are they neutral, if colorful- what colors. Do you like bold colors or pastel?Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices

3. Clothing color combinations.  What colors do you love that coordinate with your room? Think about making a “Bouquet of Flowers”. Since color harmony represents a pleasing balance of two or more colors, not everyone has to wear the exact same colored clothing. Once you choose your basic color, either use a monochromatic relationship varying the hues of that color, or a complimentary relationship of colors that balance each other out as in a flower arrangement. Below are three samples of color choices for family portraits.

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices 
Complimentary: The pink, green and white colors all complement each other. Even though different colors are used, the tonality is the same and the colors blend well making the image a pleasing family portrait.

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices
Monochromatic: A lot of portraits I make are at the beach. Blues of any shade usually look great in the finished portrait. In this photograph, the people are wearing blue and white. The blue water and white foam adds to the harmony of the finished photograph.

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices
Complimentary: The orange and green clothing complement each other. The dune grass in the background adds to the harmonious look with the chosen colored clothing.

 

Don’t forget that simple and plain work best so the focus is on the person’s face. Avoid stripes, patterns and bold logos. Lighter tones are better than darker for outdoor location portraits. If in doubt about your clothing choices I can make a visit to your home before the session or meet you at a store and there is always the iPhone for quick photographs of clothing when you are at a store wondering if you should make the purchase. You can always bring several outfits to a session and if we are going to be at the beach, having at least two outfit changes are always a good idea in case someone gets too wet.

Family Portrait Session Clothing Choices

Most of all, remember to relax and enjoy your time together as a family. I will take care of the rest.