We’re at the end of our series on how you can take advantage of your very own superpower AND how to turn it into a fun date night with your family or loved one.

This series has focused on creative ways to enjoy and forever capture genuine moments together. If you’ve missed our other ideas, click here to read about silhouettes, reflections, and feet…and fun matching dates to go along with them. This week, we move on with our next idea:

Perspective

I’ve focused for years on teaching different perspectives in my photography classes. It’s something we don’t always think about when taking pictures, but it is a surefire way to create a totally different image. Many times, we tend to get in a rut when taking pictures - pull out the phone, hold it straight up and down, stand up straight, smile, snap. And while there is nothing wrong with these images, sometimes a slight change can be the difference between a snapshot and art.

A difference in perspective can also give you a better sense of the surroundings, helping to add more to the story.

Changing where you stand (or often in my case, where I lay, climb, etc. LOL) can also draw you into the scene, showing the moment from a different point of view.

Walk around before snapping your next picture. Lay on the ground and shoot upward. Step up on something to get higher. Hide behind a wall or door. Record a whole memory in your image. #CollectMomentsNotThings

Pictures are your unmatched ability to not only create moments together, but to capture that memory forever. You have, almost literally, the power to stop time. We’re currently in the middle of a series on how you can take advantage of your very own superpower AND how to turn it into a fun date night with your family or loved one.
 

This series is specifically focused on creative ways to enjoy and forever capture genuine moments together. If you’ve missed our other ideas, click here to read about silhouettes, reflections, AND fun matching dates to go along with them. This week, we move on with our next idea:
 

Feet and footprints

There’s something about pictures of your shoes, standing in the midst of a favorite spot, that just really give me all the feels. There’s so much context happening in that image, even without ever showing a single face. Maybe your shoes are fancy, and they show the fashionista side of you. Maybe they’re super worn-out and each scuff represents memories and miles traveled with friends and loved ones.
 

Shoes speak a lot of silent words. There are so many ideas for pictures here, and they each can say something different. What is your favorite activity together?

Making memories:
 

Do you like to get dressed up and go out on the town? Treat yourselves to dinner at a high-end restaurant in town. Take a picture of your blingy shoes side by side - be sure to include other details for context, such as the welcome mat at the restaurant, or a pretty flower bed in the landscaping. Set up your phone with a timer, and capture the end of the night as you stand together in the distance, holding your shoes in one hand as you give your feet a break. Or hand the phone to your kids and get them involved in the fun of learning how to capture memories, too!

For a budget-friendly version, choose a sunny day at the beach or riverbank. Take a picture of your toes in the sand, or of your child’s footprints. Bonus aesthetic for capturing their blurry silhouette in the distance, playing. (You can also mix and match these ideas with your significant other!)

I hope this will get some of you out and about, making memories together. Please tag me in social media (facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) so I can see your fun images!

If you're looking for portraits and you'd like outside help in making and capturing genuine memories together, contact us so we can chat about it over lattes or mimosas. Your memories are, quite literally, my life's work. It makes my heart sing to be a part of them.

Pictures are your unmatched ability to not only create moments together, but to capture that memory forever. You have, almost literally, the power to stop time.

This series is specifically focused on creative ways to enjoy and forever capture genuine moments together. Last week we began a series on how you can take advantage of your very own superpower AND how to turn it into a fun date night with your family or loved one. If you missed it last week, click here to read about silhouettes and a matching date night. This week, we move on with our next idea:

Reflections

In Florida, it rains all the time, especially in the summer. We have puddles everywhere, so this is a relatively easy idea to capture here. But if there’s no rain in your forecast, we’ve still got you covered. Windows, mirrors, and various bodies of water can be found almost anywhere in your city, and they’re just as great of a resource for reflections.

With reflections, you can either focus on you/your subject, or you can focus on the reflection, allowing your subject to go out of focus. For a full-body image using a puddle on a rainy day, try to find as big of a puddle as you can. For the best results, get your phone/camera as close to the ground as possible and angle upward. Set your focus on the reflection in the puddle. For an interesting self-portrait, find a puddle in a well-lit area, lean slightly over it, and take a selfie of your reflection.

Making memories:

Reflections have a dreamy look to them - You know it’s a real image of a real person, yet softer. Take advantage of the ethereal vibe, and plan your date at a local historical venue. Play tourist and learn about the history of your area. Using the dusty and foggy windows you typically find at such places, take pictures of your reflections together. Embrace the rustic aesthetic and be sure to incorporate it into your composition. For a budget-friendly version, plan an afternoon of window-shopping in a quaint downtown shopping center. Pause at some of your favorite stores and take a reflection picture together as you make future plans. (Be sure to write down those plans so you can check them off your list as you achieve your goals together.)

Bonus (free) activity for adults and children alike - Take advantage of a rainy afternoon (as long as it’s not lightening, of course.) Pull on some cute rain boots, grab a colorful umbrella, and play outside in the rain! Jump in puddles, twirl your umbrella. The messier, the better. Grab your honey, play your favorite slow song on your phone, and dance in the rain. Take pictures of your reflection in a window nearby (or bring a mirror) - embrace the water droplets on the glass for added texture and context to your image.

I hope this will get some of you out and about, making memories together. Please tag me in social media (facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) so I can see your fun images!

If you're looking for portraits and you'd like outside help in making and capturing genuine memories together, contact us so we can chat about it over lattes or mimosas. Your memories are, quite literally, my life's work. It makes my heart sing to be a part of them.

silhouette portraitromantic silhouette portrait

Pictures can be so much more than just an image - they’re your superpower! They give you the unmatched ability to not only create moments together, but to capture that memory forever. You have, almost literally, the power to stop time.

If family portraits are one of your annual traditions or if you’re simply looking to add a little something extra to the images currently displayed in your home, opt for something that goes beyond the usual posed portraits. For the next few weeks, I’ll share a little inspiration to help you capture a different look, as well as family/couple-friendly ideas to help you get the most of your time together. This week, we'll start with silhouettes.

Silhouettes

If you understand how to use the settings on your camera, you can manipulate them to capture silhouettes at any time of day…however, sunrise and sunset offer the easiest way to photograph them - even on your smart phone. Find a location that either has a clean horizon with minimal distractions, like a beach or an open field. You can also opt for a spot with interesting shapes that can add to your image, such as the downtown skyline or a park with tall palm trees. Just be sure not to stand in front of objects that create awkward shapes around your subject. (For example, a tall tree coming out of your child’s head!) With your camera or phone, focus on the sky. This manipulates the automatic settings that tell your camera/phone that there’s more light in the picture than is actually there. This will allow for the main subject to go dark.

Making memories:

Plan a date night for your family or loved one. Make reservations an hour before sunset at a restaurant on the beach or downtown, and request a table outside. Enjoy the view and the time together. As the sun sets and creates a gorgeous glow in the sky, take advantage with silhouette pictures to wrap up the evening. For a budget-friendly version, pick up some caffeine at a local coffee shop an hour before sunrise. Take your camera on a sunrise stroll at your favorite park. As the sky fills up with orange, grab those silhouette images together.

Need more ideas or help? Contact us and let's have a chat about how we can help you capture these moments together.

You likely already understand the importance of a first impression. But gone are the days where that initial in-person meeting is what determines the impact you leave on potential (and current!) clients and employers. What you might not realize, is how your social media profile picture has now become the source of that first impression. Whether or not you’re currently searching for a job, here’s why you need to update your profile image.

This year has completely sucked been quite a challenge.

The unemployment rate has been at epic high numbers. The good news is that we’re on the up-trend, but the bad news is that it means there’s even more competition than normal. And while it might seem like these number only affect those who are currently searching for employment, the reality is that the unknown future of this virus means many of us are freaking out truly navigating some thin ice. The anxiety of being laid off has a grip on us all. So it’s safe to say that your first impression needs some extra insurance.

Personal BrandingPersonal Branding

Here are a few facts you need to know:

• More than 90% of HR professionals and recruiters use social media (like LinkedIn and Facebook) in their search for quality candidates.
• Accounts with a profile picture are 21x more likely to be viewed. And among those numbers, professional profile pictures get 14x more views!
• 50% want to ensure the candidate has a professional online persona.
• 33% of hiring managers were impressed with the candidate's professional image.
• 48% of employers use social networking sites to research CURRENT employees.
• Recent studies show that profile pictures play a huge role in determining which candidates get interviews, and in shaping how an employer views that same candidate when meeting in person. In other words, that picture sticks in their brain.

Professional PortraitsProfessional Portraits

This clearly proves that a headshot plays an important role in your professional life, so now what?

Whether you’re content at your current job, or actively seeking employment, it’s time to update that picture. Ensure your image is well-lit, and with a simple background that is clear of any distractions. Avoid selfies and pictures with other people. Your picture should reflect your personality, as well as the nature of your position/business. The image can range from formal and traditional, to relaxed and welcoming - remembering to always portray a sense of professionalism. (Unless you’re an artist, and then I think it’s OK to be weird eclectic. So don’t judge me when I show up with pink hair!) If traditional isn't your style, it doesn't mean professional portraits aren't for you - you can easily allow for your personality and uniqueness to come through!

If you choose to hire a professional photographer, help her/him to help you. Think about some of the characteristics that exemplify your personal brand. Are you an executive, a blogger, an educator? Maybe you're an artist with an edgy style and personality. Write down keywords and phrases that you feel represent who you are and the image you want to portray. If there are certain props that could help tell your story, talk about them with your photographer.

We usually take a few different shots using various outfits so that you have a good selection from which to choose. I generally recommend one or two power suits for headshots - pantsuit, dress, or both, for a LinkedIn profile. I also encourage a more casual, but still polished outfit (think dressed-up casual Friday) that lends some insight into your personality - perfect for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s important that your look matches the image you’re trying to convey. Equally as important, is that you have fun with your session. A relaxed subject exudes confidence in their pictures, and an *especially good* photographer will offer you a glass of wine first help you feel at ease. =)

Ready to take the next step? Call us to plan your headshot or personal branding session. We have in-studio, on-location, and combination packages available. Our headshot sessions begin at $250 and INCLUDE professional hair and makeup, to help bring out all your best features. We LOVE what we do, and it’s our life’s mission high priority to translate the best you have to offer into fabulous images.

Click here to contact us, and let's get your best foot (face!) forward.

Personal Branding SessionPersonal Branding Session

Sources:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1948550616662123
https://medium.com/@efluenzbe/the-halo-effect-or-the-power-of-your-profile-picture-b7e09f3e2803
https://realclear.software/the-benefits-of-a-good-professional-profile-picture/
https://writestylesonline.com/three-statistics-that-will-make-you-rethink-your-professional-profile-picture/
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/2017-05-05/how-headhunters-use-linkedin-to-find-talented-candidates

San Marco Senior Portrait SessionSan Marco Senior Portrait Session

It’s normal to feel a little awkward when having your senior portraits taken. Often, seniors tend to feel self-conscious about their appearance because they feel uncomfortable as the sole focus of the camera. Below are a few tips for taking on your senior portrait session with grace and confidence, and leaving with photos that you will love for years to come.

Eternal Crown Studio Senior Portrait SessionEternal Crown Studio Senior Portrait Session

Spend time on the details.

This goes for everyone. Ladies, get your hair blown out, your makeup perfected, your nails manicured, and choose an outfit(s) that makes you look and feel your best. Men, take a shower and shave. When you look your best, you feel your best… and when you feel your best, you are naturally more confident. Go the extra mile to walk into your senior session feeling confident, attractive, prepared, and inspired. We include professional hair and makeup in all our senior portrait sessions, so take a whole day to enjoy being pampered.

Downtown Jacksonville Senior Portrait SessionDowntown Jacksonville Senior Portrait Session

Eyes are Key.

Use your eyes to show emotion. This tip builds on one of the tips from our last blog. When you smile naturally, your whole face lights up and your eyes look bright and awake. Before your portrait session, practice smiling in the mirror and use different expressions to see what looks best. Yes, I know this sounds and feels weird - but just try it. It’ll help you see what the camera will capture. Laugh in the mirror - that’s your most natural and infectious smile.

St. Augustine Senior Portrait SessionSt. Augustine Senior Portrait Session

Move.

Avoid a stagnant or forced look by simply moving throughout the session. Even when you’re sitting or standing in one place, changing even the angle of your body can create a fresh look. Lean into the camera a bit to appear more engaged, shift your weight from left to right, raise your shoulder, or simply move your chin slightly up and down. All these small but effective changes give us a variety of facial expressions to capture.

Disney Senior Portrait SessionDisney Senior Portrait Session San Marco Senior Portrait SessionSan Marco Senior Portrait Session

Relax and Enjoy.

Above all else, when you’re relaxed and confident, that’s when the best images take place. This portrait session is the announcement to all your friends and family that you’ve reached a huge milestone in your life. It’s a celebration! Let the excitement of it show through the lens as you take a moment and breathe, relax, and just have fun.

San Marco Senior Portrait SessionSan Marco Senior Portrait Session Downtown Jacksonville Senior Portrait SessionDowntown Jacksonville Senior Portrait Session

• Practice your smile. I know, this sounds goofy - but trust me. Take some time to work on it in the mirror, so you know what it feels and looks like. A natural smile involves your eyes, not just your mouth - and the best way to see your authentic smile is by laughing.

Downtown Jacksonville Senior SessionDowntown Jacksonville Senior Session

• Be careful with your makeup. Everyday selfies and evenings out are one thing, but if you’re preparing for a professional session, subtle and balanced is perfection. Trendy makeup fashions will date your images. Opt for a more timeless look to keep your images classy. Choose your favorite feature and give it a bit more focus. For example, a classic red on your lips can bring a bold and gorgeous look - but then consider something a little softer on your eyes to avoid looking overdone (or vice versa). If applying makeup isn't one of your talents, or if you just want to be pampered on the day of your session, considering hiring a professional makeup artist. (All Eternal Crown portrait sessions include a professional hair and makeup artist in our session fee.)

Jacksonville senior portrait sessionJacksonville senior portrait session

• Pose with angles. An experienced photographer knows how to help you when it comes to posing for photos - but generally speaking, you shouldn’t face the camera straight on. Positioning your body at an angle slims your shape and adds more dimension. Bend your limbs to create visually appealing angles.

San Marco Senior PortraitsSan Marco Senior Portraits

• Choose your outfit carefully. If you like bold colors and prints, be sure to pair it with something solid and/or neutral. For example, a colorful blouse and jeans. This allows you to bring color and personality to your images, without overdoing it. Or go for soft and understated with a simple sundress, to help keep the focus on your face. If you’re wearing your hair up, don’t forget the smaller details like earrings. It’s important to pay attention to the fit and shape of your outfit. Complimenting your figure is much more impactful than trying to incorporate current trends.

San Marco Senior SessionSan Marco Senior Session

Coffee Shop Senior SessionCoffee Shop Senior Session

• Use lighting to your advantage. If you’ve hired a professional photographer, he/she should know how to use lighting (even outside!) to take the image to the next level and give you the WOW factor. But even for basic daily images, there are ways to use existing lighting to your advantage. A large but soft light source is your best friend. If you’re indoors, a large window will usually work well. For outdoor pictures, 30 minutes before sunset is the most flattering time of day. If that isn’t an option, then look for a shady but open area. Whether you’re inside or out, avoid standing directly underneath a bright light source, as it will create harsh and unflattering shadows on your face.

Downtown Jacksonville Senior SessionDowntown Jacksonville Senior Session

Most of all - have fun with your session. A relaxed and happy subject is always the most beautiful one!

Many of us have a little extra time on our hands with our kids right now. I asked local photographer, Christy Whitehead (who specializes in newborns and young children) to share tips for photographing little ones, and ways to capture a few memories during this crazy quarantine.

1. Holding Your Child
Whether it's a baby or a toddler, there are plenty of ways you can hold a child to get a cute picture. Holding your child can make it easier to direct them where to look and can keep them a little more still for the photos. Consider having one parent holding the child while the other kisses them on the cheek or forehead. Or have both parents hold the child between them.

2. Containing Them!
You can use a container like a big basket or bucket to help keep a small child still for a few seconds to grab a few cute photos. Or even a chair with arms. For small children, around 3-6 months, it also helps to hold them upright. If you have some baskets in the child’s room that match the theme, use those. Some things to keep in mind though, make sure the basket won’t fall when the child is in it. In the studio, we have a parent stay within arm’s reach of the child for safety.

3. Swinging
Toddlers love it when someone is swinging them around and this can be ideal for getting a great response. If you have an older child or grandparent living in the home, you can take a photo of each parent holding the toddler's hand and swinging them between the two of you. This is a sure way to get a genuine smile and laugh.

4. In the Background/Select Focus
Let your child take the spotlight in some of the images. If they can sit on their own, have them in front of the parents who look adoringly at their little one from the background. Keep the child in the foreground in focus while the parents are just out of focus in the background. If you have an iPhone, the portrait mode would be a great way to achieve this look. If you have multiple children, put the older children in the back and the youngest in the front for a similar effect.

5. Walking together
If you have an extra hand to take pictures, go for a walk. Right now, a lot of people are doing chalk art and that would add a great dimension to your photo. Having the child between both parents, hand in hand walking down a tree-lined path, or an inspirational message in chalk at your feet would make a great way to incorporate what’s going on in the world into a nice picture. If the child is too young to walk, consider pulling them in a wagon as parents walk with their arms around one another.

6. Having fun
When it comes to taking images that involve kids, whether it is just one child or multiple children, make it fun. You want to capture the true happiness of the family, so play around outside or kick your feet in the water. When you have more fun during your session, you will capture the most memorable poses that won't need any direction.

Moms, this is mostly for you, since we are the ones who are typically guilty of this...but there's a good message in here for you dads, as well.
It's time for you to suck it up for the sake of your family. Take those pictures. 4 reasons why:

1. It isn't really about you.

One of the most common statements I hear, particularly from moms, is, "When I lose weight, I'm going to hire you for family pictures." I REALLLLLY get this. I've been trying to "lose weight" for 20 years. Every winter, I say, "I'm going to lose ___ lbs by summer so I can get a cute bathing suit." And every summer I say, "Well that didn't happen. I'm going to lose ____ lbs by winter so I don't look like a cow in my winter coat."

Every. Single. Year. since I had kids.

The thing is, these pictures aren't just for you. Your family NEEDS them. What will they have when you've passed on? We don't like to talk about death, but it's inevitable. Does your family have pictures they can hang on their walls to show their children, grandchildren, etc? Do they have something of quality they can pass down through the generations? Does a memory of you pop up in their phones while they're scrolling? Do your pictures show your family's personality, engaging together and having fun?

Hubby's Christmas Party

A few years ago, my oldest daughter (after having been denied for a selfie with me for the millionth time) complained with obvious disappointment, "Mom, I have ZERO pictures with you." I quickly dismissed her with some statement about how we have several pictures together and left it at that. But then as that conversation kept running through my head over the next few days, I realized it wasn't true. My daughter (who was 14 when she made that statement) was SEVEN years old in the last family picture I could find of us. Seven. And that was a backyard snapshot taken by my mother-in-law. I, a professional photographer, had NO professional pictures of my family and only ONE snapshot. I immediately reached out to and hired a local photographer to remedy this issue. But it's more than having a wall-worthy image. Your kids want something on their phones, their Instagram accounts, etc. Your spouse wants something on his desk at work. How can we deny them this request? They want photos of US? There are much worse things your kid could otherwise be posting on social media. Now my daughter says multiple times as she scrolls through her phone, "Mom! We take such great selfies together!" We sure do sweetie.

So suck it up, mom. Get in the picture.

senior photo session

2. Your family thinks you're beautiful.

We will always be our worst critic. But our kids don't see us the same way we do. I remember a year ago, I went to bed with wet hair because I was too lazy to dry it. (I mean, I do that all the time, but this memory is from a year ago.) When I let my hair dry naturally, it creates a funky wavy look ESPECIALLY when I sleep on it - so I woke up with what can only be described as Medusa hair. I came out with coffee in hand and sat on the couch, as I heard my daughter say, "Oh my gosh mommy, you look so pretty with your curly hair!" Listen people, I looked like crap. No lie. And it's not like she's a little toddler who doesn't understand fashion - she was 18 years old at the time! But our children see us with a different pair of eyes than we do. They think we're beautiful. Give them something to hold on to.

Get in the picture.

Disney trip with my love

3. You're teaching your daughter to hate her appearance.

Your daughter (and your son) is gorgeous. You know it. Her dad knows it. But she doesn't. She's going through that self-conscious stage when she feels awkward and pressured to look perfect. And you're reinforcing that insecurity when you tell her you won't take a picture with her because you don't have on make-up, or you're not dressed well enough. You're embedding the idea in her head that there's a such thing as "too ugly for photos". You're ensuring that awful but contagious lie that "I'm not good enough". Show her that you're beautiful and she's beautiful and he's handsome. So here I am, in all my makeup-less glory...

Get in the picture.

Love this boy

Disney selfie =)

4. This is a historical time in your life.

Good, bad, ugly...regardless, this time is something you've never experienced before and God-willing, may never experience again. An event that has turned virtually the entire planet upside down. When you talk about this with your future generations, they'll want to see the evidence, the pictures. Get those pictures wearing your mask. Capture the kids next to a pile of toilet paper. Call your favorite photographer to do a front porch session. =)

And. get. in. that. picture.

Here's a couple bonus tips for you:

Hire a professional and talk to her/him about your concerns. Experienced professionals know how to pose you to achieve a more flattering look and help minimize your concerns. Then, if and when you really do lose the weight - take family pictures AGAIN! What a success story you'll have...

HAVE FUN! Don't stress about making sure everyone is looking and smiling perfectly, all at the same time. Have fun together. Crack jokes. Laughter causes authentic smiles, not forced "are we done yet" smiles. Engaging with each other brings out your family's personality and creates memories. Those are the best times to take pictures!

Take the selfie.

Hire the photographer.

Hang the picture on your wall.

Enjoy the moments, captured forever.

Leonard Family PortraitLeonard Family Portrait  

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And suck it up, mom...this one's for them.

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About the photographer:

Kellea is a lifestyle photographer, specializing in family and high school senior portraits. She's located in Jacksonville, FL, but often travels to clients in various parts of the country, including Atlanta, Memphis, Destin, Las Vegas, Orlando, etc.