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Pretty in Pink Senior Session

This year has been filled with high school senior photography sessions and they have been becoming some of my favorites.  I especially love it when a family I have been photographing for years, has a graduating senior.  Instead of photographing the whole family, it gives me the opportunity to work one on one with the senior.  For the ladies, that includes a fun modeling makeover complete with hair styling, professional makeup and working with our stylist to put three fun looks together.  

Megan came all the way from Dallas to have her session in the canyon and at the beach.  The Rodgers family comes every year to Laguna Beach for their family vacation, so it holds a special place for them.  Here is a sneak peak of senior session!  She looks amazing in pink!  Enjoy!

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Best Posing secrets for a slim face: Chin Out and down

I am constantly joking with clients about how often I tell them to put their chin’s down.  I often demonstrate on myself by saying: “see when my chins up, my eyes look small, but as I lower my chin, my eyes open up and look big”.  Since as they say “the eyes are the windows to the soul”, the most important part of an image for me is to get beautiful, light filled, sharp eyes on for my clients (unless of course the eyes are closed).

There is a common misconception that if you chin is up, you face will look slim.  This has something to do with the dreaded double chin.  That is the second part of the chin trick.  My clients need to slightly push their chins forward to get rid of the double chin and create a strong jaw line.  I promise, promise, promise this works every time!

Here is an example of the beautiful Rose with her chin up.  It isn’t a terrible shot, but it could be so much better!

Now let’s see what happens when I ask her to put her chin down and out:

Her face looks slimmer, her jaw line looks gorgeous and her eyes are stunning!  A few more of my favorite images of Rose! Enjoy!

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Downtown Laguna Beach: High School Senior Session

The challenge with photographing lots of families, year after year, is always producing a unique, inspired and storytelling group of images that represent “your” family at this stage in your life.  So many of the wonderful families we photograph at Blue Sky’s Studio want to document their lives each year (I do this too).   As we are getting ready to send our oldest out into the world, I absolutely cherish the albums we have put together from our family photography sessions each year of our kids lives.  

One of the best ways I know to produce unique images, is to choose a different location in Orange County, each year, to have your family photographed.

Recently, I went through  loads of sessions and put together an album of all of my favorite locations, so Blue Sky’s clients would have the opportunity to page through lots of sessions and get inspired.  You can check it out by clicking here.  Each year, I try to add additional locations to my repertoire, which gets more difficult as you can imagine!  The fact is, we are truly blessed to have a studio in Laguna Canyon.  Not only is the studio a spectacular place to have your portraits taken as the lighting is heavenly, but it is also surrounded but fields, urban areas and very close to the beach.  Seriously, in one session, you can have Urban, Coastal and studio images!  Pretty cool if you ask me!  

Here is a highlight of one of the areas in my own backyard (our family moved to downtown Laguna Beach this year and I can walk out my door and be in any of these spots within minutes).  This location features the beautiful Victoria Blakemore, who will be attending the prestigious Parson’s School of Design in New York!

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Six Things Guys Need to Know for Senior Pictures

guys-senior-photo-tipsWhen guys think about getting their senior portrait taken, they often think it is going to be painful!  You know, Mom wants you to wear clothes you would never wear and the location is typically in an old fashion studio!  Guess what, it doesn’t have to be like that!  Blue Sky’s Studio session’s can include anywhere you hang out, like an old warehouse, a skate park, the beach an urban area… the list is endless!   Here are a few tips to help make your senior pictures turn out easy, fun and looking awesome:

  • Wear what you like. You know you’re going to need to wear that outfit mom picked out at some point.  So go ahead and do it for mom, but also bring several other oufits that you like the most. Your favorite band t-shirts, that jacket that fits you just right, jerseys, hoodies and even hats can make for great personality shots.
  • A little color is good, but avoid being overly tan or sunburned. It is harder to color-correct and process, which will add to your cost.
  • Don’t hesitate to bring some of your favorite hobby props. A bike, guitar, skateboard, etc. can be a great way to show your personality.
  • If we’re shooting outdoors for a part of your session make sure to bring a friend or parent–it’s good to have someone to help.
  • Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before, so you look your best.
  • Bring links, screenshots or pictures of looks that you like–the kind of shots you want to have. To see some ideas for guys poses and wardrobe check out my Pinterest board: High School Senior Guy Inspiration 
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8 Easy Fashion Tips for Girls Senior Pictures

girls-senior-photo-fashion-tipsHere are a few ways you can prepare for your best senior pictures portrait session:

  • Come to the session clean faced, with clean, dry hair.  Our professional makeup artist will do the rest.  It is also a great idea to bring a picture of makeup you really love so we can give you that perfect look that represents.. YOU!
  • Avoid being overly tan, sunburned or having obvious tan lines. They are harder to color-correct and process, which will add to your cost.
  • Don’t hesitate to rock your favorite accessories and shoes. They are a fun way to show your personality.
  • Make a personalized Pinterest board with images you love and share them with Blue Sky’s.  We want to capture images that you totally love!
  • Vary your necklines and sleeve lengths for different looks.
  • Check those bra straps; correcting strap lines later on is time-consuming and costly.
  • Avoid wearing busy, striped clothing as they tend not to photograph well. 
  • Be hydrated!  Bring water and drink plenty of water prior to your session.  We want you skin to glow!
  • Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before, so you look your best.