4 Tips to do better with this timeless classicHeading over to the pumpkin patch to take some pictures? Here are some tips to help you get the best shots possible with your phone. 1. Plan your Pumpkin Patch Shoot Outfits Even if it’s 85 degrees out, you can still make it look like fall by wearing the right colors. Think about deep, rich tones and if you wear white, go with a creamy off-white. 2. Pick a fall nail color You will probably want some shots holding pumpkins or gourds. So now’s the time to get yourself a cute fall manicure! Burgundy and nude are great choices that will carry you into November. 3. Shoot with your back to the sun. Shooting with your back to the sun will mean that you can get the bluest of blue skies and super bright orange pumpkins.
Yes, it does also mean that the people in the pictures will be looking directly into the sun. To help with that, do a “three, two, one” countdown with their eyes closed and have everyone open their eyes on “one.” One other thing to be aware of: is your own shadow. If the sun is to your back, be careful that you aren’t casting a shadow onto the people in the shot. The easiest way to avoid this is to get down low (either squat or sit down) when you are shooting. 4. It's a pumpkin patch: have fun!Some of the best pumpkin patch shots are ones you won’t think of until you arrive and see what there is to play with.
Don’t be afraid to get silly. Juggle some baby pumpkins, jump in the air, or skip down a lane of hay bales. Look for motion and emotion to get the best pictures. You got this!
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 Senior pictures for guys don't have to be boring. It just takes a bit of planning to create something fantastic. 1. Guy Senior Pictures with Smoke BombsYou can get smoke bombs on Amazon, and you'll want to buy a bunch: they typically only last around 30 seconds.
Pro tip: find a shooting location that has very little wind (even a slight breeze blows the smoke away.) and keep a bucket of water ready to go in case you need to extinguish one of these. 2. Guy Senior Pictures with Dramatic Lighting
The key here is to find a spotlight effect created by the sun. Main character energy because of that cinematic quality shot. 3. Guy Senior Pictures featuring TalentsHighlight your passion during your senior pictures.  Pro Tip: find a location that really highlights what you want to showcase. This is a parking garage, but it was perfect for mixed martial arts senior pictures. 
  4. Guy Senior Pictures with Suits & SportsIf you've played your sport forever, you probably have a ton of team photos in your uniform. Let's put a classy spin on this.
5. Guy Senior Pictures with Significant OthersHave a significant other? Why not bring them along for some shots together?
 I have TERRIBLE pictures from my own high school graduation. I’m squinting. There’s a chain link fence in the background. Random people photobombing every picture. I really regret not having any nice pictures to commemorate the day! Let’s do better for you at your cap & gown mini shoot! You’ll have beautiful pictures for your graduation announcements, and to display at your grad party. Here are some shot ideas that I want to make sure we get for you! Let's start with some fundamentals. 1. Close Up with your cap, gown, tassel & year charm White is the graduation color for Carondelet & Athenian. I have a white cap & gown set for you to borrow if we shoot your cap & gown pictures before your school gives them out. 2. Fully body shot- front & backNext, a full body. I like this best with the gown unzipped, because otherwise they tend to look bulky.   3. More fun graduation pictures: the jump shot!Why not? This is a time to celebrate.  4. Glitter BlowIf you decide to try this on your own, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE ENVIRONMENT put down an old sheet or something to catch all the glitter.  Pro tip: make sure your year charm is facing forward! 5. College SwagBring a pennant and a college tee or sweatshirt – these are great shots to put on your graduation announcement to show where you are headed next year.  Another pro tip: wearing white under your gown is great because it will go equally well with your high school graduation colors and with your college's colors.  If your high school colors are the same as your college colors, then you can go all out! 6. Tassel Explosion!Full disclosure: this is a tough shot to get. We probably won’t nail it on the first take. But I have some tricks for getting it just right.  Try flicking your finger tips up & out: away from your face. 7. The DetailsEverybody forgets to do these, but they are so cute!  Make sure to get that decorated cap!   I love the super close up with your tassel & year charm. Pro tip: since graduation colors tend to be bold, consider wearing a lip color that pops! Bonus: Looking Back The turning around and looking back shot is a must-have. Symbolic of heading off to your future!  Don't Miss Out!I typically offer my cap & gown mini shoots in late April/early May.
These sessions are extremely limited and made available first to everyone on my newsletter. To inquire about pricing & availability just click the button below. I can’t wait to celebrate your graduation with you at your photoshoot!  I can't tell you the number of clients who have told me, "the last time we did family pictures was when the kids were in pre-school!" OK! Well this is going to be different from last time. And better. Let's dive in. 1. Less StressSo let me tell you the good news: this is going to be a walk in the park compared to the wrangling you had to deal with last time! Nobody's nap will get interrupted (hopefully)! No one needs a bribe to be there. Everyone can get themselves dressed, and into the car. You can go out for a nice dinner together afterwards without forcing everyone to change out of their "nice" shirt. These are all big wins and mean that you have time to make yourself look nice beforehand. Wonderful.  You can finally get a nice headshot! 2. Posing to Look Your BestWe won't be throwing anyone up in the air. Or playing peekaboo. Instead, the focus is on posing so that every single person looks their best.
 3. Highlighting PersonalityThe goal is to capture who you really are at this moment in your lives.  
4. Now it's Your TurnHas it been forever since you did family pictures? Let's fix this! Get in touch today so we can plan the perfect photoshoot for your family.
The Best Locations for Pictures in Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, and Dublin, ca12/18/2022  When I'm scouting for photoshoot locations in the east bay I'm looking for a number of factors. But before you pick a location, first look at the decor in your home: What are the colors in the room where you'd like to display artwork? Is your room decorated with warm neutrals like cream & taupe? Cool neutrals like grey/silver? Pops of color? The number one way to decide on a location is to look at the decor in the room. Is it rustic? Formal? The goal is to create artwork that looks perfect in your space.  If you have a more formal dining room and you'd love to hang a family portrait above the buffet, wear dressier outfits to your shoot, and we'll pick a more formal location. If you have a cozy family room and you'd love a gallery wall above your sofa, wear more casual outfits, and we will pick a more rustic spot.  Next, consider the seasonSome locations look *extra beautiful* at specific times of year. If this is important to you, make sure to book a photoshoot several months in advance to secure a date. Fall photoshoot locationsThis spot in Livermore is very pretty in the spring and summer, but is spectacular in fall. Artwork from this type of a shoot looks wonderful in a room decorated with natural woods, taupes, and creams.    I recommend booking a fall foliage photoshoot by September at the latest to make sure to get your perfect November date. Winter photoshoot locationsThis photoshoot location, near Blackhawk, is pretty in the summer and fall, but is otherworldly during the last 2 weeks of February. Artwork from this type of shoot looks wonderful in a room that has light decor- white or off white paint, lighter woods.  
If you want cherry blossom pictures I highly recommend making plans for this during December. White and pink outfits look especially lovely here. The Best Location for casual pictures, year-roundIf you'd like a rustic look for your casual photoshoot, the Barn is a terrific spot.  There is greenery here year-round. So even in the peak of summer you can have lush foliage in your pictures.  This spot also gets really nice golden hour lighting, just before sunset.
There's also a cute cafe area and this walkway, which looks terrific with backlighting.   The Best Location for formal pictures, year-roundThe Piazza is an elegant spot, which features hardscape throughout. This is nice for anyone wearing heels. Artwork from a shoot here is terrific for more formal spaces in your home and in family rooms decorated with a rich color palette.  The landscaping here is evergreen, which means it looks great even in December, January, and February.
A cute side note: this family's picture was featured in my lab's holiday card marketing.   Golden GrassesAhh, the fields of golden grasses in Livermore. If your home is decorated with warm or cream tones, this is an excellent spot for your photoshoot.
Additional Locations for picturesThese are my most requested spots for photoshoots, but I have plenty of additional beautiful venues ranging from Livermore to Walnut Creek.
If you didn't see exactly what you are looking for in this post, get in touch and let me help you find the perfect spot for your pictures!  Am I the only one who stresses out over this? We want things to be perfect. To look right. But are there any "rules" to help us hang artwork correctly? It turns out yes, yes there are. And I shamelessly copied them from an article about this in the New York Times. Enjoy!     Updated Family Pictures Time!But wait! Before you go hang all that artwork that you picked up at HomeGoods, why not make your home more personalized with a portrait of your family? Custom Designed Family Portraits Let me do the work for you!
Samantha Grant Photography offers custom family portraits that are designed specifically for your space. Your portrait is shot intentionally to look perfect on the walls of your home(s). And you get to see the designs superimposed on photos of your actual rooms to make sure your artwork sizing is correct before ordering. Let's talk about how I can make your family photoshoot an easy, stress-free experience that results in the artwork you've always wanted. |
AuthorSamantha Grant Photography is based in Pleasanton, Ca and specializes in high school senior and family portraits. Archives
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