Graduation portrait photoshoot tips

Its that time of year! Graduation season is in full effect and I wanted to share some fun posing ideas and tips to make the most of your graduation portraits. Lets get started!

Tell a story.

Graduation portraits should be fun, celebratory and tell a story. A story that shares information such as where the subject is graduating from. Make sure the school logo shows on their gown, and greek letters show on their stole. Capturing details such as their cords, medals or pins shares their personal achievements. Take pictures in front of relevant and meaningful buildings and backdrops. These are all things that the graduate wants to remember in the years to come, so show it all off!

The cap throw.

The cap thrown into the air, or at the camera is another fun, celebratory story telling portrait for graduation. Remember to set your shutter to continous shooting mode. This way you will capture the shot properly. Don’t be afraid to try it a few times to make sure its great. I tell my subjects to look at the camera in one series, and another where they look at their cap. I also like to get low when taking the picture. The more choices, the better. Remind your subject to smile while they are in the process as well. Make sure their arm is NOT blocking their face in the shot. I find if they turn to the side a little and throw with the arm that is not in front is very helpful.

College graduates throwing their caps into the air, or at the camera.

BREAK UP THE COLORS.

The gown can look heavy and overtake the subject. I think its important to take a traditional portrait of your graduate in their gown but also to play around with the look too. Showing their dress, arms, etc can help break up too much of one color and show more lines. This adds interest to the overall image. Below are examples of breaking the gown up a bit by posing with it off the shoulders, or behind the hip. Carrying it over the shoulders is also a fun option.

Make a statement.

Pictures carry power. Simple poses like these can add to the variation of graduation portraits you hand over to your client in the end. Have fun and don’t be afraid to try new things out!

Portrait of college graduates popping champagne in front of fountain.

To see more examples of graduation portraits and behind the scene glimpses from my James Madison University photoshoots, head over to my instagram and watch the reel!

How to keep your annual portraits unique from past years

This can be tough, right? Making sure your photos look different from past years. Especially if you share your images in your yearly holiday card. You don’t want to keep sending out the same shot with a similar background. Personally, when I shoot my own family I try to do the opposite look from the year prior. I always gravitate towards a certain style (because that’s me and that’s my style!), but for the most part it looks different.

In this case, my client said “I’m stumped. I don’t know what direction to go in this year!” We have already done a summer-y backyard shoot, a summer farm shoot, a winter woodland shoot and an urban shoot. What else is there?! I think I had been binge watching Peaky Blinders that week and it was on my mind. I said “what if we do a Peaky Blinders inspired shoot? We could search for tweeds and layered looks…maybe an emerald green dress?” We were both excited and inspired. After seeing what she purchased for the kids, I knew I wanted a backdrop that enhanced the clothing colors and told the story of our vision. This old stable and the greenery of the grass was the perfect way to tie it all together. Enjoy the inspiration!

To see more from this shoot, head over to my instagram page!

Streets of NYC photoshoot inspiration and post-production tips

Here is a little “city street” NYC family portrait session to inspire you. We chose to shoot just outside of Central Park because I had previously done family portraits for these guys in the park. We wanted natural portraits that were unique and captured the spirit of the city. For me, that means we need to keep moving. The more motion, the more natural and alive the images become. Of course, we did stop here and there to take more traditional portraits in our surroundings.

The one snag I felt after looking at the images when I got home had to do with the colors. My eyes need to feel everything gel…the subjects, their clothing, the background. I was struggling with the greenery of the trees and the bright yellow of the cabs mixed with the clothing my clients were wearing. Im showing you a before and after below so you can see how things looked straight from my camera (images on the bottom the grid below) and how I tweaked the colors and tones to make me happy with the colors (images at the top of the grid featured below).

In photoshop I adjusted the colors of yellow, green and cyan by toning them down and upping the magenta. It also effected the tone of the yellow street lines and lights. By doing this I feel the purple dress is complimented against the golden tones of the trees (see middle picture, leaves above models head). The portrait of the family on the bench works better in this tonal palette now. Its minor things like this, that up the level of your images. I don’t like to go crazy in post production, but things like a little color tweak can go a long way.

To see more images from the day, head to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | summer nights on the farm

Sharing two of my favorite images from this farm session I did at the end of the summer. We did all the traditional family portraits in all the beautiful spots but it was these two images I captured at the end that really speak to me. The corn moon (yes that’s a thing people. I googled it!) was rising as the sun was setting. The colors were just magic. I’m sharing that shot above with you, to show you what we saw.

As dusk approached, the kids were playing tag on the hillside and I was just messing around with the silhouettes. Sometimes those little moments of you, the photographer just experimenting are what you need. It brings me back to my own childhood and memories of playing outside in the summer as the sun was setting.

To see more images from this shoot, head on over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Keepin' it casual

For each home session I do, I try to get a sense of what my clients want to capture and then simply go with the flow. I mean, going with the flow but with some direction when needed! For this shoot, we wanted to capture real-life moments but also some nice “casually-formal” portraits too. I’m not sure if “casually-formal” is a thing, but I’m gonna roll with it. I utilize the aspects of the home that I find appealing to my eye for backdrops and also ask my clients to tell me what they love about their own home. Its super helpful and gains me insight into what they may or may not realize they envision from their session with me. For example, when asked what they loved about their yard, the garden and colors in the last image featured was a favorite spot for this mom of three. In the end, you get natural, relaxed portraits that also hold a bit more meaning to those who will-in the end-cherish the pictures most.

To see more like this, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Communion Session

I like to try out new things when I am shooting communion portraits. I grew up during the time when there was only one “look” to a communion portrait. But who says thats the way it has to be? Normally the communion shoots happen in the spring but for this lucky lady we did the pictures in August (this was 2020, so you know). By the time August hit, the wild flowers were popping and I just new I wanted to capture something during the golden hour in such a setting.

For more communion inspiration photos, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Farm Photoshoot

In between the posed family portraits that we all want (and that I am hired to capture)… are those unplanned moments. And I know that you want them both. Honestly, I LOVE when they happen and I can surprise you with them.

We need them both.

We need those traditional portraits where we all look fantastic but those real story telling moments of who we are, unprovoked and unplanned are priceless.

To see more from this location, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Backyard Shoot

Another “at-home” family portrait session to help inspire your next photoshoot.

The premise was “Home for the Holidays.” The goal behind the pictures was to create a unique holiday card base on the “Home for the Holidays” idea but also not making the pictures feel set in holiday mode. This way we kill two birds with one stone: we get the card done but we can also display classically timeless family portraits that translate year round. Not just during the holidays. When I did this session, we were in the middle of the pandemic- it was summer 2020. So the meaning behind HOME was so much more. This was where they spent the majority of their time. When they look back on these pictures, they will see exactly where they were at that time and feel the love.

To check out their sunflower photoshoot, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Equine Portrait Session

If you know me, you know I love to shoot with horses. They are so majestic. Its like watching a piece of art move across the land. So obviously, this was basically one of my favorite days everrrrr.

To make sure I achieved my vision (honestly, I didn’t have a set vision other than the lighting) I made sure to schedule the shoot about 90 minutes before the sun went down. I told the girls to wear whatever they felt good in and that was it. The horse, the girls and real life basically took control after that. I was just there to photograph what I saw. Thankfully, their mom was a pro- horse wrangler and helped me get the positions or angle for the best, magical light. But otherwise it was a take it as it comes kinda session. I think we captured that special bond between the girls and their horses!

To check out another equine style photoshoot, head over to my instagram page!

Jersey Shore Family Photographer | LBI beach shack vibes

Here’s a twist on a beach shoot.

We’ve all seen the usual “summery beach photoshoots.” Trust me, I love a summery beach photoshoot. I also love a fall, winter and spring photoshoot on the beach. The Jersey shore is ideal for all the beachy photoshoots with the neutral tones of the sand, surf and sky. BUT, when my client said she wanted to try something different at the beach- I was ALL IN. The concept was to be more lifestyle, surfer-ish and very colorful. We spent most of our time on the strip of LBI, NJ for this. There are tons of funky store fronts from Surf City all the way to Beach Haven so we were getting hit with non-stop inspiration. The image featured above, was like hitting the jackpot . A custom build surf BENCH and chair, that we could sit in?! Um that was a no brainer. The bright mural painted by a local artist sealed the deal on making this Jersey Shore beach photoshoot a dream come true for both my client and I.

Looking for a different idea for a beach photoshoot? Head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Formal Holiday Session

Here’s a fun idea for a holiday photoshoot, my friends….a black tie inspired “end of the night” look. That end of the night vibe comes across thanks to the styling of the big brother with his undone bowtie and unbuttoned collar.

A shoot like this can take place virtually anywhere; your dining room, the kitchen, studio backdrop, any park or cool tone stone building. Since these guys live a bit far from me, we opted to meet in the middle at a local park. The setting had plenty of features that would add a bit of elegance (stone, arches, fountains and statues).

In the end, the holiday card that I designed read “Extravagant love is never wasted. Wishing you only the best this Holiday.” It tied the whole look of the shoot into a fun, different holiday concept that I’m pretty sure was unforgettable for the folks receiving the card.

To see a studio portrait session with a formal, fashion twist head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | warm fall home session

When my client contacted me for this shoot, she said “I love my home in the fall, there’s such a warm and inviting feeling I get at this time of year. Can we set up a shoot sometime in late October?”

Yes! Yes I will be there.

When I showed up and saw her doorstep with all of its Thansksgiving-home-for-the-holiday feels I was ready for a pumpkin spice latte and a seat by her outdoor fireplace. That fireplace isn’t featured in this post, but guys- it was fabulous. Aside from securing the look and feel of her vision, I also wanted to make sure the story of this core family came across. Three boys and their mom and the personalities that go along with that. We mixed posed, yet laid back portraits with real life moments. Throwing the ball in the backyard, climbing trees and dogs jumping in the pool. You might not see that here, but yes it all happened!

Looking for more fall vibes for your next photoshoot? Head over to my instagram page for inspiration.

New Jersey Family Photographer | Sunflower Session

Yes, I admit I love sunflower sessions.

When these guys signed up for their family photoshoot in the sunflower fields I was ready. There are so many directions you can go with the color palette that the sunflower setting gives off. Rich earthy tones, jewel tones to compliment the yellows, or you can keep it subtle and let the sunflower lead. That is the direction we went for this shoot. Keep it simple with the colors the kids wears so we don’t compete with their beautiful faces and the beauty that surrounds them. This shoot took place around golden hour (maybe an hour or so before the sun dipped behind the trees). We found a quite spot we had all to ourselves and I worked with the sun behind them. Backlit sunflowers are pretty magical because the sun kind of makes those petals glow. Try it out next time you head to the sunflower fields!

For more photoshoot inspiration, head over to my instagram page and check out another sunset wildflower session!

New Jersey Family Photographer | studio backdrop style session +

Sharing a studio style (backdrops and lights) family photoshoot here. I purchased this hand painted canvas backdrop from Kate Backdrops. Its pretty massive (10 feet wide) but this is a large group of people. Everything was very intentionally selected; from the colors chosen to wear and they style of everyones hair. We wanted the boys to have that GQ look and the girls to be in gorgeous dresses. The shot featured above, shows off a whimsical dress rented from Rainey’s Closet. A girl could go hog wild renting things to wear on their website, let me tell you.

The second half of the shoot we spent taking environmental portraits in the home. Honestly, it was much easier to get the whole group in a room as opposed to on the backdrop. In the end, it was a perfect mix of artistically styled studio portraits and at home environmental portraits. Enjoy the inspiration!

To check out more photoshoot ideas, check out my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | mother daughter session

OK, obvi this type of shoot is unique because its set for just two…not all. Just YOU and that one individual. How special is that?! Maybe its extravagant…but I’m fine with that. Its a celebration of your separate bond with just them. If you have a lot of kids, don’t do it all in the same year. Do it when each child turns 10 or 16 or graduating high school. Whatever.

There are no rules.

Little things like this matter!

Click here to check out another mother/daughter image on my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | whimsical fairies in the garden photoshoot idea

I’m a gardener as some of you may know. I started gardening when my kids were babies…its was a way for me to keep busy while they were playing outside. As the years have gone by my garden has grown astronomically (when I look at these pictures I think how small the flower garden is!). The summer I took these pictures, I just kept looking outside and thinking “gosh, I love looking at the garden and all the flowers! Its so magical!!” So thats what sparked this shoot. I wanted to put the girls in their princess dresses and I just so happened to have one set of fairy wings. This is why they aren’t together in the pictures, because I didn’t have two sets of fairy wings. The shoot happened after dinner when the light was just right. Those were the 3 key ingredients: magical, colorful setting, good light, and the necessary outfits to bring the fairy vision to life. The surprise factor for me, was that the pictures also look fun in black and white!

Next time you are feeling inspired to try a new photoshoot idea, go for it. Keep those 3 key ingredients in mind (setting, lighting and outfits) and you will most likely have a successful outcome.

For more garden style photoshoots, head to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Family Reunion on the beach photoshoot inspiration

Here is a family reunion beach photoshoot for you to check out. I photograph this family annually and every year the pictures have their own energy. The images are displayed in collages on my clients walls and it is so fun to go down the hallway and look at each shoot thats taken place over the years.

How do you make this type of shoot a success? It starts by coming up with a color palate that you share with the entire family. One year it might be shades of green and blue, another year it might be shades of pink and grey. The fact that every year is different is crucial.

The next thing is to keep things moving. Never stay still during the shoot. I start clicking when they begin walking down the path to the beach. It allows for me to get that variation we all love, the candid natural moments and the traditional portraits. We do all the combos to keep it fun; the kids, the cousins, the grandparents, etc. If the kids want to play, fine! Having no set parameters are what makes these shoots unique and special.

For more family reunion beach photoshoots, head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photography | Senior portrait session at the lake

Here is a little “lake life” senior portrait session idea for you. When we booked the shoot, my client said she’d love to stay close to home so the pictures reflected where her son grew up. Doing it n their backyard seemed like a no-brainer. The lake and the docks are the obvious places to use for a background- so we did. But I also wanted to have fun with the colorful kayaks that were being stored on the shoreline. When you head to your next photoshoot location, make sure you spend a few minutes walking around. See what catches your eye. You may not want to show the entire THING but little pops of color and texture can really elevate the images.

Need more ideas? Head to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | New Home photoshoot idea

When my client contacted me to tell me she wanted to have her holiday card concept also work as a “we are moving, here’s our new address” card, I was up for the challenge. We shot in the unfinished attic because it had a raw look, was also pretty neutral in color and had tons of natural light. The lines and angles also interested me. The family dressed in neutrals and bundled up to give off a wintery “hoiday” feeling. Next time you are looking to try something different, don’t be afraid to think outside of the norm. Maybe you have the perfect attic too!

Need more inspiration? Head over to my instagram page!

New Jersey Family Photographer | Family portraits with a chic city feel

I live in the country. We have bears and turkeys and deer and all the animals out. here. When my good friend and client shown here said “I want to do something local, but I want it to feel like we are in the city.” I was like “hmmm, this is gonna be tough…”

Then I put my thinking cap on and thought about things like Main Streets and little nooks in the area with store fronts. And then, this spot popped into my head. I had never actually noticed just how perfect it was and how off the beaten track it was from throngs of people. Its perfect for a photoshoot and I want to keep it my secret forever..

Heres the thing; the backs of storefronts are so great for photoshoots. Some might have grafitti, or peeling paint or murals. All of it can be cool and funky if you let it be. Next time you are stumped for a new location, take a minute and just think about where the unexpected might be.

To see more images with these guys, head over to my instagram page!