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Equestrian portraits for High School seniors has become very popular. With my experience as a lifetime equestrian and as an equestrian photographer, I know how to work with the horses and their riders. Planning and preparation make the sessions flow more effortlessly.

  1. Make sure the horse is fed and well groomed. Do attend to those ears and whiskers.
  2. I like have several outfit changes so bring along a variety from very casual to more formal attire.
  3. Have a groom to help manage the horse and keep him or her calm between clothing changes. Horses do like to take advantage of beautiful green grass and eat it any chance they get.
  4. Another helper can get the horses attention when needed.
  5. Choose a location that has a variety of settings.
  6. Start in the late afternoon to end with golden light.
  7. Bring peppermints!!

 Having had a successful show career with this horse and many others, saying good-bye to a “best friend” is never easy. Feeling the weight of responsibility to create an enjoyable session and lasting memories for Amber, I was helped by her grace, beauty and connection with her horse.

Horse Portraits

 
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 “A baby has a special way of adding joy in every single day”

-Unknown

Being a baby photographer for many years, I know what it takes to create a successful baby portrait session. Photographing newborns and infants requires careful preparation and lots of patience. Follow the seven tips listed below for your upcoming baby portrait session.

Seven tips for baby photography

1. CLOTHING: Keep it simple. Choose clothing in soft colors like pastels. Lighter is better than darker. Avoid stripes, patterns and logos. Make sure the clothing fits properly. Too large a size and the baby disappears, hands and feet are hidden by folds of clothing. In case of accidents, have three to four outfits to choose from. We may only use one or two. it is a good idea to have bloomers to cover the diaper.

2. LOCATION: If the temperature is warm enough, it may be possible to work outside if the light is soft or somewhat shaded. Avoid bright sunlight; young children will keep their eyes closed. Indoors, look for the rooms that have the most light. Sometimes it’s the master bedroom or a living room. Remove any clutter from these areas in advance.

3. BLANKETS: Have available any afghans, quilts, blankets, baby wraps and large scarfs. For photographs without clothes, I like to cover the private areas and will use an edge of a quilt, or baby wrap.

4. BABY WIPES, BURP CLOTHS: These come in very handy!

5. SOUNDS AND SONGS: Babies respond to touch and sounds. If you have any music pillows, rattles, songs you sing, have them ready and be prepared to be silly.

6. PROPS: Was your child given a special stuffed animal, heirloom baby rattle, maybe a hat or scarf? Have those nearby to include in a few photographs.

7. PARENTAL PARTICIPATION: You are an important part of your child’s first session so be prepared to be in some of the photographs. Clothing doesn’t have to be identical but similar tonality is helpful. Moms- wear something that makes you feel good, Dad’s – the plain colored shirts work better than stripes or plaids.

Seven tips for baby photography

Most of all, relax, have fun and enjoy your baby!!

 

 
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Wedding photography is encompassing more aspects of a wedding couple’s relationship than ever before. There is the surprise proposal, the engagement portrait session, the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, and the Sunday brunch.  There are four reasons I love engagement photography!!

1. The session can happen when the light is at its best in a location of your choice.

2. There is plenty of time to relax and create playful images of couples doing what comes most natural.

3. It gives me, the photographer, a chance to get to know the couple before the big day.

4. If the wedding day has a tight schedule where portraiture is given only a small amount of time, in an engagement session, you can create very romantic portraits with no time constraints.

I was fortunate to have the pleasure of photographing Liz and Adam this past weekend at my favorite East Hampton beach. I hope you enjoy these photographs.

Engagement portraits at the beach

Engagement Portrait Session at the beach

If time allows, plan an engagement portrait session along with your wedding day celebration!! If you haven’t proposed yet, check out an earlier blog I wrote on “The Proposal”

https://debkalasportraits.com/engagement-photography-secret-proposal/