Jessica Almada Photography
Simplicity made beautiful.
Studio Session Tips
Be on time for your appointment and don't schedule any appointments or activities directly after your photo shoot. Quality portraiture requires a good amount of time, you won't want to rush your session.
1. If your child (or anyone) is ill, please reschedule. Children don't photograph well when they are not feeling good and my majority of clients are newborns and infants, I cannot stress enough about keeping them in a germ-free environment.
2. For newborns, I recommend photographing them within the first 2 weeks (if not sooner), to get the "newborn look". They change so quickly. These sessions can last up to 2 hrs. depending on the baby. Keep in mind the baby might want to eat or can get fussy, causing a delay, that is why the session might take that long. The majority of the photos are taken while the baby is sleeping. So try to schedule your appointment when the baby will most likely stay asleep, usually mid-day.
*If you wish to be in the photos, you should wear black or white clothing, with no buttons and no logos.
3. For family, group or engagement portraits; coordinate clothing and select one color theme. Or, everyone can each wear one solid color, like a rainbow. Don't forget to coordinate socks and footwear. Many of my best casual portraits are taken on the floor either barefoot or in socks!
4. Solid colors are best, busy patterns and logos attract too much attention and are distracting.
5. Try to wear traditional styles that will not 'date' your photo. Or think about what type of portrait you want and wear your favorite outfit that captures that look.
6. Don't wear shimmery lotions, or glitter, on the body or on make-up. It does not photograph well.
7. If you wear glasses all of the time, you'll probably want them in your portraits but please keep in mind that light will glare and reflect on the lenses. Also, tinted lenses may darken under studio lighting. It is very difficult to remove the glare once a photo is produced so it may be best to avoid it entirely by removing your glasses or removing the lenses temporarily from your frames.
8. Give your children a satisfying snack or feed your children before the photo shoot, they will be a lot happier. Bring the babies and children's favorite toys, or have the toys available for them to play with or to distract them if they start to fuss.
*If you have something you would like to use in the photograph, bring it along!
9. Pets have to be clean and well groomed, and they must be vaccinated. For dogs; take them for a good walk before the photo session, they will be much more relaxed and more obedient.
10. Please don't bring people or children along who won't be in the photos. Space is limited and distractions will interfere with getting good results.
11. Please don't allow children to run around or play in the studio. Due to the space, equipment can easily be knocked over and damaged, therefore, leaving you responsible.
P.S. Bring images you've torn out of magazines or found on the web when you meet with me. Showing examples is the best way to communicate about the type of look and mood you want for your portraits.
1. If your child (or anyone) is ill, please reschedule. Children don't photograph well when they are not feeling good and my majority of clients are newborns and infants, I cannot stress enough about keeping them in a germ-free environment.
2. For newborns, I recommend photographing them within the first 2 weeks (if not sooner), to get the "newborn look". They change so quickly. These sessions can last up to 2 hrs. depending on the baby. Keep in mind the baby might want to eat or can get fussy, causing a delay, that is why the session might take that long. The majority of the photos are taken while the baby is sleeping. So try to schedule your appointment when the baby will most likely stay asleep, usually mid-day.
*If you wish to be in the photos, you should wear black or white clothing, with no buttons and no logos.
3. For family, group or engagement portraits; coordinate clothing and select one color theme. Or, everyone can each wear one solid color, like a rainbow. Don't forget to coordinate socks and footwear. Many of my best casual portraits are taken on the floor either barefoot or in socks!
4. Solid colors are best, busy patterns and logos attract too much attention and are distracting.
5. Try to wear traditional styles that will not 'date' your photo. Or think about what type of portrait you want and wear your favorite outfit that captures that look.
6. Don't wear shimmery lotions, or glitter, on the body or on make-up. It does not photograph well.
7. If you wear glasses all of the time, you'll probably want them in your portraits but please keep in mind that light will glare and reflect on the lenses. Also, tinted lenses may darken under studio lighting. It is very difficult to remove the glare once a photo is produced so it may be best to avoid it entirely by removing your glasses or removing the lenses temporarily from your frames.
8. Give your children a satisfying snack or feed your children before the photo shoot, they will be a lot happier. Bring the babies and children's favorite toys, or have the toys available for them to play with or to distract them if they start to fuss.
*If you have something you would like to use in the photograph, bring it along!
9. Pets have to be clean and well groomed, and they must be vaccinated. For dogs; take them for a good walk before the photo session, they will be much more relaxed and more obedient.
10. Please don't bring people or children along who won't be in the photos. Space is limited and distractions will interfere with getting good results.
11. Please don't allow children to run around or play in the studio. Due to the space, equipment can easily be knocked over and damaged, therefore, leaving you responsible.
P.S. Bring images you've torn out of magazines or found on the web when you meet with me. Showing examples is the best way to communicate about the type of look and mood you want for your portraits.
