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One Look, Three Ways

8/2/2018

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by Raegan.  Raegan is a senior at Amador Valley High School.  She enjoys thrifting and all elements of styling.
I often look at my closet, overflowing with clothes, and think: "I have nothing to wear."  But a great way to combat this problem is to take a staple item and style it in different ways.  Take the t-shirt, for example
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
T-shirts are cute, comfortable, and easy to wear.  You probably have a ton of them; I sure do!  T-shirts are  super versatile...so lets take a shirt out of your t-shirt hoarding pile and style it different ways.  I grabbed this black "coke" shirt from Forever 21.  Here are a bunch of different ways to wear it.

Look 1: Out & About

Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
This casual look is perfect for going to the fair, running errands, or even for school. 

​The key to this look is to find a pair of casual shorts, like the vintage Levi's I'm sporting here, and shoes.
  A pair of birkenstocks is a good staple to have in your wardrobe-- plus they are super comfortable, especially for if you are going to be walking around all day.

I accessorized this look with a circle wicker purse from Francescas and a clean/fresh makeup look that can get you out the door fast.
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait

Look 2: Classy but Sassy

Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Take the same black shirt and pair it with a fitted skirt with a cute ruffle, and a pair of suede flat and all of a sudden you've taken a casual look up a notch.  Depending on your job, you could wear this to work, and it would be great for going out to dinner at the end of the day. 

Again I kept my makeup and hair pretty natural with this outfit.  A pale pink lip makes sense when you are wearing shoes that are in the same tones.
​
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait

Look 3: Night Out

Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
That same shirt, knotted in the front and paired with black jeans and ankle boots is perfect for a night out on the town.  

​When wearing black on black, I highly recommend adding in a pop of color with red lips.  
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus's recommended red lipstick for your senior pictures
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait
If you're scared of wearing red lipstick, try what I have on here: Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in Rosetto/Rogue a Lever.  

​I've put this shade on several of my friends who have very different skin tones and it looks great on everybody.
Finally, a fun hairstyle for this look is a half up top-knot.  The key to this look is that the knot isn't too perfect-- messy is good here, and be sure to wave the bottom part that's left down.
Amador Valley High School Senior Raegan Haus on styling looks for your senior portrait

Don't be afraid to style your t-shirt in tons of different ways.  Fashion is all about trying new things and exploring.  Go find your unique style!
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Cal High Formal Faire!

3/15/2018

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All the models from the 2018 Cal High Formal Faire in San Ramon, CA
Each February the Cal High Leadership team puts on the Formal Faire: it's a lunch-time fashion show that takes place at the quad.  A prom dress boutique loans out dresses, Men's Warehouse loans tuxes, a salon donates their time doing full hair and makeup, and for the past two years I've been invited as the paparazzi.  Now, I'm not typically an event photographer but I make an exception for the Formal Faire; it's always a ton of fun.  ​
Picture
Picture
If you are in leadership and would like to bring this event to your school, here are a couple of tips to get you started.
1.  Start planning early.  Definitely get in touch with all the vendors *before winter break*!  November is not too early to start reaching out to explain your concept to local businesses!

2.  Make sure you've got a greenroom available the day of the event where the salon can set up and work on at least 6 people at once.

3.  Find a good centralized location for the catwalk: hopefully outside.

4.  Have people available from leadership to help the vendors set up tables near the catwalk.

5.  Find a charismatic person to be the M.C. Make sure that they have accurate information about the outfits that each couple is wearing so that they can announce everything correctly.

6.  Pick a fun sound track to play leading up to the event and for background music during.
7.  Promote, promote, promote!  Signage, IG posts, do your thing!

8.  Finally, DM me if you'd like more info!  Like I said, this event is so much fun-- I'm happy to help you make it happen at your school!
Seniors at the Cal High Formal Faire in San Ramon, CA
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Maddy W's touch of glamour shoot

8/30/2017

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Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
When planning Maddy's photoshoot we talked about sparkle and shine and a 1940s glamour vibe.  Maddy happened to have a short sequined dress that she had picked up at the Free People store in Walnut Creek and a long shimmery skirt that her aunt had given her so she built her looks around those two pieces. 
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
I normally recommend wearing a neutral nail polish color for photoshoots.  But I have to admit that this shade of grey/blue that Maddy chose actually compliments both of her looks really well.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
It's important, when choosing your outfits, to make sure that they won't become see-through if they are backlit. This comes up a lot with white tops & dresses.  I *love* shooting white tops and dresses, so don't rule them out!  Just make sure to check this before your shoot.  Isn't it beautiful how the outer layer of Maddy's skirt looks with the sun shining through...
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Also, give yourself permission to go with makeup that might be a touch more dramatic than your normal wear.  I wouldn't consider Maddy's lipstick "dark" but it really does pop in the pictures, as compared to, say, just a tinted lip gloss. 
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Now this next section is a complete departure from my normal work, and was just for fun. After Maddy's shoot we were losing light fast but I asked her if she'd be willing to wade into the water and she was totally game for it.  Most of my sessions I shoot with natural light but because this was basically at night I got out my lighting equipment and we played around for a bit.  
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Something about those ripples in the water...
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
Senior portrait in Pleasanton Ca.
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90s Stylized Shoot

6/24/2017

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For Alex's stylized shoot we went with a 90s theme.  Hence the crop top & denim mini, neither of which are particularly hard to come across these days as "90s" is a pretty big trend.  She didn't bring any scrunchies, but that's out there.  
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
Yellow is also having a bit of a moment right now. It's hard to see here but Alex is actually sporting yellow nails.  When I asked her about them she said, "Why not yellow?  I've done every other color."
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
A high school senior model at a 90s stylized photoshoot in Livermore CA.
And I have to mention the glasses.  She brought those along and I'm so glad she did; I really think they complete the look.  Accessories, I'm telling you, can make or break a photoshoot.  So if you are ever on the fence about whether you want to include something, throw it in the bag and bring it along!  
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Shrug It Off, Part I

6/20/2017

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Guest blog post by Taisa; fashion enthusiast.
A girl standing in a row of grapevines at Las Positas Vineyards, Livermore CA
Go out on any given Saturday night and you can't help but notice strapless off-the-shoulder blouses all over the place. They are light, filled with bright energy and are so easy to style during the summer. I have more than I can count; how can I stop myself? They are both the key to making your shoulders look killer and making you feel like a summer goddess.
A girl standing in a row of grapevines at Las Positas Vineyards, Livermore CA
A girl standing in a row of grapevines at Las Positas Vineyards, Livermore CA
There are two basic styles of these tops.  The style I'm wearing here, from Brandy Melville ($19) is the more flowy, romantic peasant style top.  Even though we all have our body hang-ups, these tops really look great on everyone.
An off-the-shoulder blouse in pale yellow
My favorite off-the-shoulder tops come from a variety of stores and the prices are all over the map.  

I like Free People's “Darling off the Shoulder Top” ($48) in pale yellow because it has a relaxed 70s hippie vibe.
 

Brandy Melville is a more affordable option. I am a big fan of all the strapless Brandy tops out right now.  So if the Free People prices are killing you, a great alternative is Brandy’s Beccah top at $19.  ​
An off-the-shoulder blouse in white
These tops can be styled with any type of jeans. I like to wear high waisted denim shorts or jeans when it’s a bit cooler out.   Skirts look great with them too. If you want to mix things up for a more bohemian vibe pair the top with a flowy skirt and some gladiator sandals. ​
A teenage girl in an off-the-shoulder maroon blouse.
A teenage girl in an off-the-shoulder maroon blouse.
This maroon top is from American Eagle ($23).  I just love the bell sleeves-- another trend to keep an eye on.
A teenage girl in an off-the-shoulder maroon blouse.
For jewlery I recommend toning things down with a small necklace and some studs. Simplicity works best considering the gentle, romantic look of this type of blouse.  The necklace I'm wearing here with the tiny elephant charm is from a line called Dogeared.  You can find it at Nordstrom for around $50.  
A teenage girl wearing a white blouse and tiny charm necklace
A teenage girl wearing a white blouse and tiny charm necklace
Stay tuned for Part II, where I cover the other style of off-the-shoulder blouses; those that are form fitting.
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    Samantha

    I am a teen, tween, and high school senior portrait photographer in the SF east bay area.

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