Welcome
A NOTE ABOUT THIS GUIDE
I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION! Whether I’m capturing your sweet family, or celebrating a special moment in your life, like a graduation, birthday, anniversary or new baby, I’m so honored to help you create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. I’ve created this guide to help you get the most out of your photos, and by the time you’ve read through this page, you'll have all your questions answered and feel more than ready and prepared for your session. Then I’ll take care of the rest! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever. I can’t wait to get you in front of the camera!
Chelsea
xoxo,
I'm a natural light specialist because I believe that natural light, from the sun and its reflections, creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless and truest to you. I begin all portrait sessions at least two hours before the scheduled sunset during “the golden hour,” when the light is the dreamiest. Use a sunset calculator online to determine the scheduled sunset for the date and location you’d like to do your session. Then, just subtract two hours to figure out your start time. Remember, the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your portrait session date, especially if you’re taking off work or have evening plans afterward.
To get the most out of your session, please plan a buffer when getting ready so you can arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. We’re only able to shoot when natural light is still in the sky, so we’ll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down. If you’re wearing two outfits, save your favorite one for the second half, and if you’re wearing one, arrive in that.
Is there a "good" time to take photos?
TIME & LIGHT
While I shoot most of my sessions between April and November, sessions can take place all year. Most of my clients choose a season based on the location where they want to shoot.
A few things to keep in mind during each season:
Seasons
Winter
snowfall, hot cocoa and cozy coats
If you’re planning to take your photos during the winter, keep in mind that if your session takes place in the evening, we could begin shooting as early as 2:30pm to catch the sunset. I recommend dressing in layers so that in between photos you can warm up. Make sure you bring a little extra makeup and tissues in case your nose begins running.
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Summer
walks on the beach hand in hand
In spite of the heat, I'm a big fan of summer sessions! Because of the later sunset, sessions sometimes begin as late as 6pm. If you’re taking your photos during the summer, I recommend bringing extra makeup and a few towels to make sure you stay fresh throughout your session.
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Want your photos to look more editorial? Bring a little extra something with you! Fresh flowers bring an extra “wow” factor to just about everything, especially when they’re attached to something else, like a bicycle basket, tree swing, tent, picnic basket, balloons or car bumper. Whether you want to incorporate larger items like classic cars or bikes, or smaller ones like blankets or hats, even planning for just one extra styled item could be a fun way to make your session more unique.
Styling your session
Locations
Portrait LOCATIONS
The location of your portrait session is up to you! As you can see throughout this guide, most of my clients want to showcase some sort of natural beauty in their portrait sessions. That isn’t the only option though! Cityscapes or any other special spot you may have will look great. There are lots of interesting places around the state, and I’m always up for exploring a new spot together.
Hotel Teatro
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
City and County Building
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Cielo at Castle Pines
Grant Humphrey's Mansion
Manor House
Highlands Ranch Mansion
Cheesman Park
CLASSIC & ELEGANT
URBAN
Kingman Estates Winery
Cherokee Ranch & Castle
The Barn at Alderfer Three Sisters Park
17 Mile House Farm Park
RUSTIC
Mount Falcon Park
Brainard Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Chatfield State Park
Chautauqua Park
Roxborough State Park
Maroon Bells
Maxwell Falls
ADVENTURE
These locations are all beautiful but I also love exploring meaningful locations with my clients!
I encourage you to brainstorm unique locations that you might have special access to that most people don’t. For example, maybe you, or someone in your personal or professional network, can secure permission to a location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, country club or resort. Maybe it’s a family ranch, upscale hotel or even an airplane hangar. The sky is literally the limit! Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around. You’ll be surprised with what you come up with. Plus, if something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask! My clients have secured permission to some pretty amazing places in the past. If you get stuck or need inspiration, check out the portrait galleries in my portfolio. I have some great go-to locations around town that I can always hit, too. Just let me know which session you love and we will go from there! Easy. Peasy.
This is the time to think outside the box!
PARKs
Destination Portrait Sessions
While I take most of my sessions in the Denver area, I'm always up for sessions in any location you wish! If you have a location in mind that is significant to you, let me know because if our schedules align, we might be able to take your photos outside of my normal area.
Travel fees may apply depending on the location and my availability.
My cat is huge part of my family, which is why I love when clients choose to incorporate pets into their session. Keep in mind that bringing a pet along often means that we’ll need to choose a pet friendly location.
I recommend planning for your pet to be at the first part of your session and then either dropping them off or having a friend take them home. We won’t use the pet in every single photo so it’s also nice to have a friend available to hold him or her in between shots.
If you’re going to bring a pet, I recommend exercising your pet before the session and bringing your pets favorite toy or treats! Depending on your pet’s fur type, it might also be a good idea to groom them before the shoot.
Pets
Outfits
TIPS FOR LOOKING YOUR BEST
When picking outfits I recommend keeping the word “complement” in mind, rather than “match.” For example, if your significant other is wearing a blue and pink pastel plaid shirt, you may want to choose a long, soft blue dress. It can also be a great idea to choose “color-families,” such as pastels or jewel tones.
Generally clients pick two outfits for a session: a more formal outfit and a casual outfit. I recommend saving your favorite outfit for later in the session, when clients usually feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And don’t forget to bring a few accessories! Statement necklaces, cute shoes and classic watches are great ways to add detail to outfits.
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Heels lengthen legs but if your heels aren’t comfortable for walking, bring an extra pair of shoes to slip into in between shots.
I love the way larger patterns photograph - just be careful not to choose a pattern that is too small - it may accidentally make your photo look a little too busy.
Softer, lighter tones and more muted shades tend to photograph better than bright colors - especially since bright colors could reflect on your skin. I love bright, neon dresses, but I don’t love the neon reflection they add to your complexion.
Wardrobe Tips
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images.
When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses photograph beautifully, but if you have little ones in your photos, a floor-length dress or skirt, or perhaps a cute midi-skirt, will make moving around with your kids much easier, and look perfect on camera, too.
If you’re an expecting mother, I always recommend floor-length gowns or maxi dresses. These dresses create the best silhouettes to flatter your figure and really highlight your bump. A lot of my expecting mothers love to incorporate flower crowns or headpieces as well.
Dress it up
ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
for the ladies
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Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in when you’re coordinating with a group. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not be as noticeable on camera.
Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown can be a really romantic touch for you or your girls as well.
Accessories
for the ladies
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
Rent the Runway
ASOS
Morning Lavender
J. Crew
Anthropologie
Free People
Favorite Shops
Lulu's
Nordstrom
Arden
Francesca’s
Bohme
ModCloth
for the ladies
on to the next
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
Professional Hair and Makeup is on the top of most of my clients’ checklists because it looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own. This is the time to treat yourself! Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light we’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera.Professionally done hair & makeup lasts longer than typical hair & makeup. They also tend to hold up better for humidity and wind.
Hair & Makeup
for the ladies
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
There will probably be times during your session when I'm shooting your hands in some fashion - which means it’s a good idea to clean up your nails before your session (this applies to the guys too!).
Manicure
for the ladies
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ACCESSORIES
WHERE TO SHOP
HAIR & MAKEUP
MANICURE
Outfits
find it fast
Long, fitted pants and closed-toe shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home, too, as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants or fitted colored pants work best on camera. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also recommend staying away from graphics and logos.
Many of my guys love to mix a suit coat, blazer or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some extra visual interest, and break up the color tones. I'm a big fan of this fresh take on a timeless classic.
Wardrobe
for the gents
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WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
Details
Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera, so even when it’s hot outside, trust me when I say that it’s worth an hour or two of discomfort for photos that will last you both a lifetime. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a V-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long- sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!
Wardrobe: Layers!
for the gents
on to the next
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WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
Details
Brown leather dress shoes complement almost every look whether he’s wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants. Ties, bowties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp complements to any outfit for men and boys alike. If you bring two outfits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two looks are too stressful, no problem! One will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to complement both of her dresses without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, it's a win.
Details
for the gents
on to the next
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WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
Details
Rent the Runway
ASOS
Banana Republic
J. Crew
Zara
Leather & Cotton
Jack Threads
Frank & Oak
Nordstrom
Urban Outfitters
Wardrobe
for the gents
find it fast
WHERE TO SHOP
Outfits
Details
Most men aren't overly excited to take photos because they don’t have an expectation of what’s to come and why it’s so important to you. Take fifteen minutes to educate and empower your guy. Tell him why you chose me and my style of photography. Show him your three favorite sessions that I've done, explain why you love them and express to him how much it means to you. Trust me, once he knows it’s important, he’ll light up the camera for you! The most common thing I hear from guys before photo sessions is this: because of a bad experience in the past, they don’t like taking photos or don’t think they’ll be good at it. By the time we’re done, though, they can’t believe how fast it went and just how much fun they had!
Prepping the Men
Prepping your family
because they won't be little forever
For example, if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with a white button-down and gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square (making navy his dominant color). Your daughter could wear a soft blue top with a white tulle skirt (making a soft blue her dominant color) while your son wears light beige pants with navy suspenders and a white button down (making white his dominant color). Now each person has their own dominant color while still incorporating a few touches of the others that will pull all the looks together. This will break up the color visually and highlight each personality. Most of my moms choose their dress first, and then build the rest of the family’s outfits based around that.
Remember, I recommend selecting those softer, lighter tones and avoiding those ultra-bright, bold colors. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown and white. Feel free to vary the shades of the colors, too. That softer color palette fits beautifully into a natural environment, and can easily be paired in so many different ways.
As you’re coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually “match.” In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about “matching,” and instead think about what “fits” together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through.
The goal for coordinating a family is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. The more we can mix that up, the better. I encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate. When you’re planning each family member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’s going to look great all together.
Before your session, pack a bag with snacks, water and any small objects (like toys or lollipops) that might help us get their attention when it’s time for them to look at the camera. If they are old enough to understand you, it’s a good idea to prepare them for what’s to come before the session starts. Explain how much the photos mean to you so they know to be on their best behavior. A lot of families discuss and pick something fun in advance as a treat after the session if they’re good listeners, like an ice cream cone, for example.
Prepping The littles
It also helps if their bellies are full and they’ve had some good rest beforehand. Once your prepare them physically and mentally, then feel free to give them (and you!) grace! They’re little, and I know that some days don’t always go as planned. I've seen it all and will make sure to get you great photos, regardless of their moods. My goal is to make this as fun and stress- free as it possibly can be for you and your family!
When it comes to posing for your portrait session, you don’t need to worry about a thing! I'll guide you through the entire process beginning with “poses” that are super easy and natural. If I tell you to do something that feels a little funny, it’s probably because I know it’s going to make you laugh - and that’s the photo I'm actually looking for.
Throughout your session, I'll keep an eye on your hair, makeup and outfits to make sure things stay in place. I want you to feel as relaxed as possible and enjoy your time together!
"What do I do with my hands"?
"What do I do
with my hands"?
POSING
WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR IMAGES
When shooting with both film & digital, I will send the film off to be scanned by my film lab on the next business day after your session. Once I receive the film scans back, I will match your digital images to the film for a consistent and beautifully timeless gallery. You can expect this process to take between 3 and 4 weeks after your session date.
I know I just gave you a lot to think about. I created this guide to help make your portrait session experience something you’ll look back fondly on for years and years to come. At the end of the day, though, the location you choose and the outfits you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you make together.
Have fun together. Laugh a lot. And I’ll take care of the rest!
If there is something I missed, or you need a recommendation feel free to email chelsea@chelseasliwaphotography.com.
THANK YOU!
