It’s Senior Portrait Season!

As the end of school approaches, and your teen looks forward to their senior year, summer is the perfect time to schedule a Senior Portrait Session. 

Why Now?

• By creating your teen’s Senior Portraits before the school year starts, this senior milestone will already be accomplished.

• You can take advantage of our early summer cooler weather.

How Will We Use our Senior Portraits?

• If your school allows personalized images in the yearbook, these can be used in their portrait section, personality section, or for your Congratulation message at the end of the book.

• Milestone portraits to share with family.

• Many parents like to provide their teen with a Mini Book or other photo items, as a keepsake after graduation.

Special Offers

• We’ll go to a place with special meaning to your teen, or create a classic session in the studio.

• I also include another Cap & Gown Session at the end of their Senior Year, including a few end-of-high-school portraits.  This second session is at no cost.  It is my gift to you.

What a Parent Says

“My daughter requested her senior portraits be done with Donna. The session was at the beach with natural light, which is no easy feat, but they turned out beautifully. They are very high drama pictures. My daughter was in absolute heaven. Donna managed to capture her personality and essence in the portraits.

After the session, Isabela was so happy. She was charged with such good energy and was excited not just about the pictures but also about her future plans. I think having a formal session really helped kickstart the graduation transition. The portraits turned out beautifully. It was so hard to choose!

I would recommend Donna for senior portraits because she exudes calm and kindness. She puts everyone at ease very quickly and always maintains a professional demeanor. She knows what she’s doing, and she does it beautifully. Our final portraits exceeded our expectations.”

~Alida C

I am a Southern California based Portrait and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here
Donna Edman Photography

To schedule a session or chat about your Portrait experience, call me! 
(714) 746-2418

Together, we can capture YOUR LIFE, One Image at a Time!

Capturing Personalities In Portraits ~ The Portrait Rodeo

The Portrait Rodeo

For some of you, especially those of you with young children, the thought of having family portraits created makes your hands clammy and fills you with more dread than a root canal. I understand.

Children have abundant stores of energy and usually choose to release bursts at the most unexpected times. These bursts often bring about fits of laughter in those of us who are friends and grandparents, but generally, parents feel that getting those kiddos to behave is like wresting a rodeo steer. You prepare to wrangle them and tire them out.

Capturing Personalities in Portraits

When the time comes for taking that trip to see me, here are a few tips for getting the best portraits of your children that you’ll cherish forever.

I know I’m not the only one who laughs at silly family portraits online. You know what I’m talking about; those awkward family photos. Everyone is trying to be so serious while one child is knuckle deep in his nasal cavity. Consider this: Staid and static is boring.

With me, playfulness is encouraged.

iRobot

Here’s my suggestion to parents of toddlers and young children before we start our photo session. Don’t expect your kids to suddenly become little robots, who will sit still until you give them the command to move.

The expressiveness and unabashed nature of a child is really what we want to capture. When your adorable rambunctious 4-year-old has grown up and suddenly breaks out the old photo album, laughter trumps cringing any day of the week.

During the time I spend behind the lens with the children, I want to not only see, but feel their energy and personality in the finished portraits. Believe me. You’ll thank me later.

Remember, our precious babes are small for such a short period of time. It’s so much more fun to capture that magic together and then enjoy your portraits for a lifetime.

Can’t You Just Settle Down?

What I encourage parents to understand is not to expect the tykes to settle down. How has that worked the rest of the time? I thought so. Let them have fun with the whole process. There will come a day when your kids will stand still and smile in front of the camera. That might not be today.

My motto is: If they want to run, let ‘em run… and jump… and twirl. Let them burn off the excess energy. If that expressiveness is stifled, you better believe it’ll show up in the pictures.

To sum this all up, kids will be kids. Every moment is fleeting and never to be repeated. Try to relax and enjoy the ride.

As they grow older, you’ll long for these days. Enjoy their exuberance and innocence. Make memories for your children by letting their personalities shine like diamonds in these photos.

Do a little exercise for me now. Think about what brings you joy. I bet a screaming and crying child was not conjured.

So, in order to set you up for success for your next family portrait session, do these things I suggest. You will love your family’s portraits displayed on your wall!

Wouldn’t you like your memories to reflect the sweet, silly and fun time you spent with your family in front of the camera? I thought so.

I Capture Personalities in Portraits!

Let’s create a fun session for you and your family.

For Portrait Ideas, check out my galleries here
Portraits Ideas

I am a Southern California based Portrait and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here
Donna Edman Photography

To schedule a session or chat about your Family Portrait experience, call me! 
(714) 746-2418

Together, we can capture YOUR FAMILY’S LIFE, One Image at a Time!

Capturing Personalities In Portraits ~ Let Kids Be Kids

In Part 1 of this series, I encouraged parents of small children to enjoy the “Portrait Rodeo” ride.  Expect kids to run around and be silly or to be shy and observant.  The expressiveness and unabashed nature of a child is what I want to capture in your family portraits.  To read the Part 1, click here:  Capturing Personalities In Portraits

Let’s continue…

Encourage, Don’t Discourage 

Each child has their own individual personality, and it’s that uniqueness you want to capture. Encourage them to make faces and behave silly for the camera. These are the “Kodak” moments. When they make silly sounds and whisper goofy secrets, the results are genuine expressions.

It’s Not Play Time? 

It may seem counter intuitive but preparing for family photos is exactly the time to play. Getting your wee one to act natural in an unnatural situation isn’t easy. Making up games, or playing old standbys, like Simon Says, can be an excellent way to get your stiff soldier to loosen up and have some fun.

If your shy, quiet child won’t smile, try playing a game where they’re not allowed to smile. Reverse psychology works.  Music works too!  Load up a few of their favorite songs on your phone.  Of course, for your wee ones, singing a few verses of “Baby Shark do do do do do do” is always engaging.

Security Blankets and Well-Loved Toys

Another tip I like to tell my parents is to bring props (e.g., favorite toys, stuffed animals, sports equipment, and hats) which is a good way to get your child to focus on something else besides the lens.

Candid portraits with an unaware child at play can be the best. I know you weren’t expecting to have a pink bunny in your photos, but a big smile on your little one’s face is priceless.

Take a Break

No matter if the session lasts 20 minutes or two hours, kids are always either starving to death or dying of thirst (when they’re not running to the bathroom) within ten minutes of starting the session. Am I right?

Children’s metabolism is usually on eleven and they burn more fuel than a fighter jet.  It’s wise to pack water or juice and some light, non-sticky snacks — snacks that do not melt on their face or stick in their teeth.

Now, whether you use it as a reward or bribery is up to your discretion.

Relax – Kids will be Kids!

To sum this all up, kids will be kids. Every moment is fleeting and never to be repeated. Try to relax and enjoy the ride.

As they grow older, you’ll long for these days. Enjoy their exuberance and innocence. Make memories for your children by letting their personalities shine like diamonds in these portraits.

Here’s what Mary says about this session with her two running kiddos…

“Donna is an amazing photographer.  How easy it was to work with her including our two small children.  We’re never sure how the kids will react to strangers.  They felt right at ease with Donna.  We love our family photos!”

While you are preparing for your portrait session, think about letting your kids be themselves. Think about how we’ll capture their genuine expressions and how you’ll love your family’s portraits displayed.

Wouldn’t you like your memories to reflect the sweet, silly and fun time you spent with your family in front of the camera? I thought so.

I Capture Personalities in Portraits.

Let’s create a fun session for you and your family!

For Portrait Ideas, check out my galleries here
Portraits Ideas

I am a Southern California based Portrait and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here
Donna Edman Photography.

To schedule a session or chat about your Family Portrait experience, call me! 
(714) 746-2418

Together, we can capture YOUR FAMILY’S LIFE, One Image at a Time!

A Gift to Say, “I Love You”

Everyone has a different and specific type of gift that rings their bell. Some are material, but other “gifts” can be intangible, like an idea or a feeling. Gary Chapman, in his book, The 5 Love Languages, broke down five ideals on how we give and receive love.

Below is a sampling of his work, but his book is an excellent read and can be found here: https://www.5lovelanguages.com/5-love-languages/

  Words of Affirmation

The old saying, actions speak louder than words, isn’t always true. Letting a loved one know you are thinking about them and appreciate them with words of affirmation means more than any physical gift. A simple statement of “I love you,” and hearing the reasons why they are special to you feeds their soul.

  Acts of Service

Easing the burden of responsibilities can be the greatest gift of all to some. Whether it’s cooking a meal, mowing the lawn or merely hanging a picture on the wall, there are those of us who think an act of service is better than the most fabulously wrapped present.

For this type of person, words of affirmation hold no meaning and actions speak loudly. Let’s say  you vacuumed the living room. There’s a treasure chest of gratitude for the recipient of this gift of service.

  Receiving Gifts

Most of us love to receive gifts. Many like the joy of discovery. The anticipation of opening a wrapped package is something that has been instilled in many of us since childhood. Birthdays, Christmas, weddings and anniversaries, receiving gifts has become an expected and exciting part of life.

When considering a gift to someone who has this love language, it’s not just the gift, it’s the thought you put into it. Last-minute flowers from the local 7-11 may not float their boat, but a hand-picked rose from your garden would be mightily cherished.

  Quality Time

We all know that time is in limited supply. There are only so many hours in the day, days in the week and weeks in the year. Setting aside time to spend with someone special can seem like a trivial thing but is often the hardest gift to give.

Is this your special someone’s love language? Then turn off the TV and the iPhone and give them your full attention. You’ll make them very happy.

  Physical Touch

Physical touch is a very up close and personal gift. If this is your love language, the perfect gift would be hugs, a pat on the back or simply thoughtful touches. These can communicate safety, love and warmth.

For those who prefer physical closeness, diamond rings and “Attaboys” won’t communicate love more than a touch.

. . . . .

Arranging a Portrait Session with your loved one is a gift of service.  During your creative session you will have quality time together to say “I Love You.”  Each time you see your portraits, you will remember the experience and it will be a treasured gift for a lifetime!

I would be honored to create loving portraits for you.

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!

 

What to Wear ~ Know Your Color Palette

Do You Shine Like a Diamond?

Not every color looks good on every person. Have you ever looked in the mirror when you’re trying on new clothes and your skin appeared green? The reason for your skin color transformation was due to wearing an unflattering color, according to your skin’s undertone.

So the next question is: Do you know your color palette? You may be a cool, a neutral or a warm. The first step to determining which of the three you are, is to discover your undertone.

While skin overtone can change based upon factors such as sun exposure, illness, or blood pressure, your undertone is defined by genetics and will never change. A simple test to determine if you’re a COOL or WARM is to put a dab of pink-based foundation on one cheek, and a dab of yellow-based foundation on the other. Spread the foundation evenly on each cheek, creating a thin layer. Check the mirror for which foundation blends in versus which one appears painted on. The one that blends is your match.

Pink means COOL and yellow means WARM. Easy peasy. If your husband or son won’t sit for this foundation test, read on to discover other ways to find undertones.

Hair Color

We are talking natural hair color, here.

If your hair is colored, let’s hope your stylist has helped to find a color that goes with your skin undertone.

You cools might rock very dark brown or black hair to sunny blonde. You have skin with a bluish undertone ranging from the fairest of the fair to very dark.

If your hair is dirty blonde, blonde with ashy streaks or warm-toned browns with highlights, these are all considered neutral. Skin tone for those of you who are true neutrals can be difficult to determine and is variable from warm to cool.

You’re probably a warm if your hair color is in the dark brown to dark blonde shades. Skin tones for warms range from greenish to yellow undertones and some have an olive complexion.

For those sporting red hair, the shade of red lets you move between color palettes, but you’ll typically roam within the Neutral Undertones.

What to Wear?

Cool Undertone

• Cool colors will include bright to royal and sapphire blues, emerald greens, and moderate to deep purples, like amethyst or shades of lavender.
• Warm colors might include ruddy hues, such as rose and reddish pinks to tomato.
• For neutrals, your best bet is pure white, navy and grays.
• Don’t you dare do oranges or yellows.

Neutral Undertone

• You look fabulous in peachy hues, and jade green to muted turquoise.
• Pinks, such as soft rose and blush-toned pinks are your BFFs.
• Icy blues should also be included in your fashion choices.
• Burgundy and fire engine red (don’t be shy) will look amazing on you.
• Taupe, grey, and off white, like eggshell and ivory, are super when you want to go neutral.
• Bright (red is the exception) and vibrant colors can overwhelm neutrals.

Warm Undertone

• Your best warm colors are oranges, reds, golden yellow, amber, and honey gold.
• Cool colors that work equally well on warm skin tones are greens and blues.
• Olives, deeper turquoise, green moss, fern, pesto, red purples like magenta and orchid are also good choices.
• If your chosen portrait scheme is more neutral, stick with taupe, light chocolates, off whites and wheat.
• Colors to avoid are light blues and jeweled tones.

Color is fun to consider in your wardrobe.  However, it is important to keep comfort first. If you are dressed comfortably, you will act more naturally during the photo session. By focusing on colors and styles that look best, you will confidently enjoy the process and the portraits will shine…like a diamond.

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!

Special Moments for the Holidays

 

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”
-Ansel Adams

 

 

When Our Heads Forget, Our Hearts Remember

December is a wonderful time to reflect on the past year and reminisce. It’s a time to think about accomplishments, as well as look forward to the upcoming year.

As 2019 is coming to an end, take a deep breath and focus for just a few moments on remembering the highlights. Think about time spent with your loved ones; birthdays, costume parties,  new arrivals, and perhaps sad good-byes.

Are you suddenly an empty nester? If your answer is yes, sometimes that comes with mixed feelings. There’s now more room in the house, but your heart might just hurt a little each time you walk past that vacant bedroom.

Family Traditions Dictate the Conditions

So now let’s focus on families coming together for the holidays. How do you celebrate? Is it with a handful of guests at the dining room table or with 50 cousins and aunts and uncles gathered at Grandma’s house?

What about party styles, do you do things last minute or are you a planner? And how about traditions, is there something special everyone looks forward to doing together?

No matter the size of your family or your party style, gift giving most likely plays a big part in your celebration.

It’s a Wrap, so Let’s Tie that Bow on the Box

Given that humans are visual beings, it’s hard not to make snap judgments based on presentation, and gift giving is no exception. When a person makes the effort to artfully wrap a gift, it never goes unnoticed.

According to certain studies, we apparently attribute more worth to the exact same present if it was skillfully wrapped in beautiful paper with ribbons than if it was given unwrapped.

Here’s a fun fact: The idea of wrapping presents to get them to seem more valuable or make them stand out from the pack is not new. As far back as the Han dynasty in China, paper was used for wrapping, possibly even before being used for writing.

Koreans have practiced the art of gift wrapping presents in colorful and patterned bojagi, a cloth made from a variety of materials, such as silk or ramie, and the art has been traced back to at least the Three Kingdoms Period (220–280 AD).

Love is Capturing Special Moments

A family photograph fulfills many of love language’s ideals, from time spent together to closeness to acts of service. The idea that you went out of your way to gather the family and commit to a few hours outdoors or in the studio, shows your loved ones how much you care.

So, my holiday helpers, let’s tie a nice, big, fat, red bow on ideas for this season of gifting. As a person who captures images for a living, I get front-row seats to the most joyful moments with families.

My clients tell me that the beautifully framed photographs on the wall have become treasured keepsakes. Knowing how much people love seeing their families, but there are times when they can no longer travel and visit, a family photograph becomes the perfect gift.

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Commercial and Fine Art Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!

The Importance of a Professional Business Portrait

People Do Business with People.

You are the face of your business. That’s why having a professional business portrait is essential.  To a prospective client, a high quality image means a high quality experience.

Most professionals schedule a business portrait session once a year.  They want to ensure their image is consistent with their current brand.

Consider hiring a clothing & hair stylist and and makeup artist.  They can help you create the right look to match your brand.  The clothing stylist can put together your professional look from items in your closet or accompany you on a shopping trip.  The hair stylist and makeup artist will tidy up an existing style or suggest one that more closely matches your industry and brand.

Make it Easy for the Media.

In addition to getting that perfect headshot, also consider full body shots and family pictures that can be use for media interviews. Often times when magazines do feature articles, they request at least 4 photos other than a headshot. This may include a spouse, children or pet; in the studio or on location.

You may also want 3/4 or full body images for banners and signs.  All of these images should capture who you are and what you do.

Tell Your Story.

Think outside the box.  What clients do you want to reach?  What story do you want to tell?  How will you use images to accomplish your goals?

Consider using your images on

• Business Card
• Print Marketing: brochures, banners, signs, promotions, mailers, newsletters
• Digital Marketing: Profile image, website Home & About pages, email signature
• Promotions: Speaking engagements, conferences & art shows
• Bio descriptions and art catalogs
• Blogs and Magazine Articles
• Book Covers: Print and Digital

5 Steps to a Superior Image.

Whether you are ready for a full image session or a simple head-shot, consider these steps:

1. Hire a professional photographer, hair stylist and makeup artist.
2. If you need to tweak your style, hire a professional clothing stylist to go shopping with you to pick out a few outfits that would be flattering and represents your brand.
3. Select at least two looks to be photographed.  Color can be good if it doesn’t distract from your face.  Click here for tips on What to Wear.
4. Plan on spending at least $200 for a head-shot session and $500 for a full session.
5. Be sure to receive high and low resolution files so you can use them in print and online.

It’s important to have a visual brand that presents you at your best with expert lighting, artful editing and re-touching, with an up-to-date look.  It will do wonders for your business!

Ready to invest in your professional business image?  Let’s talk!

Some of these ideas were found in a Huffington Post article by Melinda Emerson.

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Fine Art and Commercial Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!

What to Wear for Your Photo Session

Getting ready for your photo session?  Here are some helpful ideas!

• Coordinate and Compliment.
• Accessorize.
• Layers & Textures.
• Subtle Props.
• On Your Feet.
• How Will the Images be Used?
• Don’t Date Yourself.
• Movement.
• Get Comfortable.
• Patterns are Good.
• Think About Location.
• A Few More Tips.

Coordinate and Compliment
… but no Mini-Me

 When styling a photo session, let’s start out with a basic color palette.  For group sessions no patterns are best.  If there is a “Center Stage” person who is to stand out, it helps to have just that one person in a pattern of which the rest in the group can pull from with complimentary colors and accessories, keeping their outfits more simple.  Another idea is to have all folks in your group wear different colors but all within the same tone.  This means for all colors to be bright, dull, or neutral.  For pants, jeans or dark colors are best.

Accessorize
… add color & interest

Think outside the box.  Scarves, hats, jewelry, sweaters, vests, jackets, flowers in the hair for girls – All of these things can make an image look interesting and feel complete.  However, don’t overwhelm the subject, as the viewer’s attention should remain on the subject’s face.  See how in this photo, her blue headband is accessorizing his blue shirt, and his tie is accessorizing her nail polish? The location colors also compliment the subjects!

Layers and Texture
… add detail and depth

Tweed, crochet and embroidery details, lace, hand knit items, smocking, ribbons and ruffles can add interest to a photo creating layers and textures.  Also adding different layers of clothing and accessories can add another dimension to the overall texture of the image.  These are especially important in black and white images.

Subtle Props
… add meaning

The absolute best prop is something that is meaningful to you.  This can be grandpa’s vintage camera, a child’s favorite stuffed animal, a vintage magazine, mom’s handmade quilt or the family’s pet.   Without distraction, props add meaning to, and compliment  your image.

On Your Feet
… shoes matter

The choice of shoes can make or break an outfit.  Slipping on a pair of hip distressed boots, colorful stylish flats or funky colorful Converse can tie everything together. Pick a color or texture to accent your clothing. Sometimes wearing no shoes at all look best, especially if you’ll be posing where the bottoms of shoes can be seen.  And don’t forget to add another splash of color with some funky socks if your overall look is fun and bright.

How Will They be Used?
… where will they be displayed?

Think about the primary reason you are doing the session and dress accordingly.  For a business or actor’s head shot, consider your industry standard.  Then decide to match or deviate from it.  What message do you want to portray – conservative, artistic, trustworthy?  Will the image be displayed on a business card, website, brochures? Will the family or children’s image be displayed in the drawing room, family room, bedroom?  Is the image to say, “conservative”, “fun”, “funky”?

Don’t Date Yourself
… A timeless look extends the life of photos

Considering Who You Are Today, choose clothing that is timeless, perhaps a little vintage in style. Use soft neutral tones with a pop of color then add interesting accessories, layers and textures.  I do love color so consider bright and funky as long as it’s not distracting from your face or personality.  Of course, this is a personal choice and many folks will go all out in the latest trends, thinking of their clothing choice as a time stamp.

Movement
… clothing that flows and moves

In both the studio and in wide open locations, I love movement and flow.  Nothing better than a twirly, whirly dress or scarf or hat that moves when dancing, spinning, jumping.

Get Comfortable
… to be You

Make sure clothing and accessories are comfortable, without the pull or scratch of some new items, especially with children.  Allowing children help to pick out their outfit can make them much happier during the session and  allows their beautiful personality shine through in images.  Think of layers instead of changing outfits.  For both children and adults, make sure you select an outfit that makes you feel stunning and relaxed.

Patterns are Good
… in moderation

Patterns can add visual interest and texture as well as a good does of personality.  Just make sure that either just one person is in a pattern with the rest of the folks in simple, more solid color pieces or the patterns are subtle and complementary.  A patterned dress can actually be the secondary focus  and part of the story as long as it doesn’t distract from the face.

Think About Location
… dress to compliment

Make sure your wardrobe complements the surroundings.  In a park, a little girl can be dressed in a simple, vintage style dress with boots.  That same look might be out of place in an urban setting in front of a harsh graffiti wall.

A Few More Tips
… things to do & not to do

• Avoid anything with logos, graphics characters, labels, etc. They distract from the face and take the professional portrait down a few notches.
• Wait two weeks after a hair cut for the most natural look.
• Don’t make everyone wear the same color. Matching is boring and dated.  Let everyone have a their own spin on the same color palette.
• While staying current, avoid obvious fashion trends that will be dated soon.
• No bright white socks and no sneakers unless we’re talking about something fashionable like funky Converse. Remove watches or jewelry not complementary to the session’s look.
• Clothing should cover your arms to at least the elbows. All that extra skin can distract from your face.  With that said this depends on the purpose of the portrait.
• Nails should be trimmed and clean. Gals, newly applied nail polish or none at all.
• Guys, make sure your neck and any facial hair is trimmed of those pesky little hairs.

Check out Pinterest for some great examples at “Paint the Moon” and other fashion pages.

These ideas were gathered from Annie at Paint the Moon.  The best  collection of What to Wear tips I’ve found.

Images are selected from my work, Annie’s and a few others. 

I am a Southern California based Portrait, Fine Art and Commercial Photographer who sees the world a bit differently.

You can view more of my work here > Donna Edman Photography.
If you’d like to book a session, I’d be honored > Contact Me.

Together, we can Capture YOUR Life, One Image at a Time!