Preschool Portraits - Frequently Asked Questions - Bay Area Preschool Photographer

When new schools reach out inquiring about preschool portraits, they typically ask the same questions. Here are some FAQ’s in my emails:

1. What is your fee if we hire you? I’m FREE! My profit is from print/digital sales :)

2. What areas do you travel to? I typically work with schools within 20-30 miles of Los Altos, CA. However, if a school is located further, I will charge a traveling fee.

3. What is your processing time? I am to have galleries sent out to families within 7 days of photo day. Galleries remain open for 7-10 days. Print packages will be delivered to the school within 2-3 weeks.

4. How much time do you spend with each child? I typically spend anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes depending on the child. Some children take a bit longer to engage with me and some are ready to chat right off the bat!

5. How much room do you need to set up? I need enough for a small stool, some shade and a few feet of space. I do not bring in any external flash, stands, reflectors or large props. My gear and space are both minimal.

6. Are you contracting with new schools? Yes. I still have room in my 2024-2025 calendar to add a few more preschools in the fall and in the spring. I currently work with preschools in Los Altos, Saratoga, Menlo Park, Woodside, and San Jose.

As a photographer, I am always keeping my eye out for new photography locations. I have spent countless hours driving around looking for spots, checking the light, practicing in different areas and asking friends/neighbors for any locations they may know of. I found my latest location by exploring different areas of McClellan Ranch Preserve. Here are a few things I look for when finding a new location:

1. Parking - is their parking for my clients and is it easily accessible? I need to make sure my clients have a safe and easily accessible place to park.

2. Backgrounds - I need to make sure I have beautiful backgrounds when I’m facing the sun (sun is always to the side or behind my clients). I look for foliage and large trees to help filter the light. I make sure there are no distracting houses/buildings, parking lots, streets, signs, trash cans, etc. in my backgrounds.

3. Variety - are there places that my clients can sit and stand? I look for bridges, steps, rocks, tree stumps, fallen branches, benches, etc. to add variety to my posing.

4. Distance - I always keep in mind how far I will be making my clients/families walk to get to our location. I am always upfront with clients if there will be a bit of walking involved. For families with small children, I always recommend locations that aren’t too far from the parking lot.

Here are a few images from my latest sessions at the new location I discovered. There was easy parking, minimal walking, and a variety of areas with different spots to sit/stand. I can’t wait to use this spot for lots of fall photos this year!

Wondering what to wear for your senior portrait session? Don’t worry, I got you covered! Here are a few things to think about when planning for your session:

1. If you wouldn’t wear it on a “normal” day, don’t wear it to your photo session! Your senior portraits should reflect YOU and YOUR style. If you would never wear a mini skirt and a crop top then SKIP IT! I promise you won’t feel comfortable in it and your photos will reflect that. If you would normally wear jean shorts, converse and a tank top, then GO FOR IT!

2. Wear what you LOVE. Have a favorite shirt? Wear it. Have a favorite dress? Wear it. Have a favorite necklace or hat? Wear it. Have a favorite pair of cowgirl boots and a sequin top? Wear it. You will naturally feel comfortable and happy in clothes that you love. Your photos will easily reflect that.

3. Keep in mind that BOLD colors always photograph well. Having color on your clothing helps the photo to really “pop” from the background.

4. Textures and layers are a great idea. Wearing a denim jacket, scarf or a waffle knit cardigan add dimension to the photo and can be taken off or put on for different looks.

5. Always bring 2-3 shirt or outfit changes. I always recommend changing at least once to add variety to the final album.

Here is an example of a senior wearing what she loves! She had three outfit changes and each style was authentic to her true self.

Preschool Portrait Tips and Tricks!

1.     Have each child SIT on a bench, stool, chair, etc. I have found that kids are more likely to wriggle and move when they stand. Sitting helps them relax and get a bit comfortable!

2.     Make sure their faces/noses are clean before starting. This will be a huge time saver so you are not photoshopping food and or boogers from their face. I always bring a package of baby wipes for dirty faces.

3.     Have them clasp their hands together and put them in their lap. This prevents them from fidgeting, playing with a zipper, etc.

4.     Don’t be afraid to get silly. I wear an eyeball headband, put stickers on my face and throw a ball in the air to get them giggling.

5.     Take a variety of shots – both portrait and landscape style.

6.     I always shoot around F 2.5 and keep my shutter speed high to keep images super sharp!

7.     Keep is short and sweet. Kids lose focus easily and naturally want to move around. The first 30-60 seconds is usually when I get my best images.

How To Take Professional Headshots In Harsh Sun

1.     Search for shade- this is KEY. You want to find a pocket of shade for you and your client to stand in. Usually large trees will provide enough shade to shoot under for harsh afternoon sunlight.

2.     Search for natural background – you’ll want to shoot into bushes, trees, flowers, something that filters the sunlight.

3.     Use a wide open aperture – you will want to shoot with a wide open aperture in order to create bokeh (that nice blurred background). You should be able to get warm colors from the high sun.

4.     Watch out for harsh highlights- make sure you aren’t capturing harsh highlights in the background. That’s why shooting into greenery is best. If there is grass in the background, it will most likely be blown out from the sun.

5.     Bring a sun shield- you may need another person to hold a sun shield or reflector in order to block any sun spots that may land on your clients face/head/clothes.

The following headshots were taken around 1 pm in the afternoon when the sun was the brightest and highest. I found a pocket of shade and some greenery/trees in a parking lot across the street. I had an assistant holding a reflector to block some sun that was still peeking through the trees.

You may have heard the term “sitter session” before and wondered what it meant. Sitter sessions are with babies who have reached their “sitting” milestone. This is one of my FAVORITE sessions to do! Most babies this age are not mobile yet, and are full of smiles and cute expressions. You do not want to miss capturing this adorable time with your baby. I recommend scheduling a sitter session about two weeks after your baby has been sitting confidently on his/her own.

I love doing sitter sessions outdoors or using a simple white background. We can do both options at your session as well if you can’t decide which look you like best!

Here are a few images from my last sitter session. I set up my background in the client’s garage and then took outdoor photos in the front yard.

Let’s capture those cute thigh rolls, baby dimples and toothless (or toothy) grins!

Even though I adore outdoor photo sessions and gorgeous backlit photos, I also love using my white backdrop. I use my white/black backdrop for my Modern Preschool Photos and for families that want close up, portraits of their kids. Here are a few tips to consider when using a backdrop:

1.) Place the backdrop in a shaded area. You do not want sun streaks on the material or sun hitting faces. Shade will allow for nice, even light to fall on your subject.

2.) If you have shade or place the backdrop under an overhang, you will be able to shoot at anytime of the day. You may need to wait until morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t directly above if you don’t have many shade options.

3.) Place your subject about 2 feet in front of the backdrop. You do not want them standing directly in front or you will photograph every little wrinkle/crease.

4.) Shoot with a wide open aperture. This will allow you to slightly blur the background and place the focus on the child’s face and expressions.

5.) Have the child stand on a marked line so they know exactly where to be. I also like to have them sit on a small bench to keep them from moving around.

Here are some recent photos I took of two sisters using my white backdrop.

Parents, I see you. I know that you’re overwhelmed, overworked, and struggling for a second to decompress at the end of your (work from home) day. With the future so uncertain, scheduling a senior photo session probably is probably the last thing on your mind. 

After all, it feels painful to celebrate a graduation that may not look anything like you or your senior dreamed of. 

As a mom of two little girls, I haven’t faced down high school yet, but I feel that same painful disappointment every time my five year old asks when she can see her friends from preschool or I worry over my toddler’s social development without a support system of caregivers and other children to spend time with. It hurts me to think of the world they’re missing out on. 

But there are moments. Little glimmers of how they’re growing, who they’re becoming despite the pandemic, and the wildfires, and the sense of national and political unrest. And that’s the strangest and most wonderful thing of all—they are growing. Like weeds sprouting up through cracks in the sidewalk, they keep growing. Everyday they take one step closer toward the people they’re going to become. 

No matter what’s going on in the outside world, this is who our kids are, both because of this pandemic and in spite of it. Because of the state of the world and because of the depth of your love. 

We don’t know if graduation will look the same, but one thing’s for sure: your senior will continue to grow—relentlessly. This is a special moment to capture the space between who they are and who they’ll be out in this strange new world. 

1. Simple hair and makeup is best.

   • DON’T apply thick foundation as it will easily show in photos.

   • DON’T do any fancy updos or intricate hairstyles.

   • DO cover any blemishes, light face makeup, lip color and simple eye makeup.

   • DO style your hair as you typically wear it on a daily basis. Avoid any haircuts right before your session.

2. Dress how you would when meeting a new client. What would you wear to present yourself in a positive light? Keep in mind that bold colors always photograph well (navy, maroon, forest green, etc.)

3. Have good posture. Stand up straight, but try to remain relatively relaxed. You want your photo to exude confidence and professionalism.

4. Hire a professional. You want your photo to reflect a quality, professional shot with the correct exposure, composition, high resolution, etc. A professional will know which angles look best, how to use natural (or artificial light), and will be able to get great bokeh (the blurry background effect).

5. Get rest, stay hydrated and eat a snack before your session. All of these things impact your well being and will encourage a positive session.

Over the past few years, we have grown extremely close with our neighbors. Having kids with similar ages, we would swap kid toys, have beach play dates, walk to the park (and stay for hours), have courtyard pizza nights and let the kids ride scooters past bedtime. They are some of our dearest friends, and I have been photographing their family for years. Due to circumstances with Covid, they decided to move to be near family (insert extremely sad emoji). Before they left, we were able to squeeze in one last photo session. Here are a few images from our last session together.

I typically consider a family of 5 or more to be a large family. When thinking of how to pose larger families, I always aim for three different “poses.”

1.) I will have them all stand for a few different shots.

2.) I will have them sit ON something if possible (steps, tree branch, bench, etc.)

3.) I will bring a blanket and have them sit on the ground.

I also try to grab one vertical image and one horizontal image. I tend to shoot mainly horizontal images but you may have  client that needs a vertical image for a certain spot or wall in their house. It’s always great to have options and a little variety in their final album.

In order to keep flow during the session, I will do a whole family shot and then do kids in the same spot. I will have the parents step away and I’ll ask them to make the kids laugh while I snap away. This allows the session to flow smoothly and quickly. I try to get the entire session done within 30-40 minutes. The dads and older kids will love you for keeping it short and sweet!

During SIP, many family photo sessions have been cancelled and photos may not be in the budget for families during this time. If you want to try and take photos of your own kids, these tips and tricks will help you avoid tears and meltdowns. If you don’t have a DSLR camera, your iphone will work just fine! Put it on portrait mode and snap away!

1. Make sure they have eaten - no child performs well when they are HANGRY. Fill those bellies beforehand!

2. Let go of expectations - realize that your child won’t sit still, look at the camera, tilt their head just so and give a natural smile just because you ask them to. You will end up frustrated and so will they!

3. Give them fun and engaging commands - have them pick a dandelion and make a wish, twirl in the grass, hold hands with a sibling and dance, blow a kiss, etc.

4. Bring a fun snack - give them chocolate chips or fruit snacks for listening.

5. Keep it short - 15 minutes max and end on a good note! Keep the experience positive and end it before any frustration sets in.

Here are a few photos I took of my girls in a little field by our house. I brought fruit snacks, played music on my iphone, gave them simple commands and kept it short. The girls were laughing and playing the whole time, and I cut the session short at about 10 minutes while everyone was still smiling :)

We have been sheltering in place for months now and our home has become a true sanctuary. We spend more time on our porches and balconies working on our laptops and breathing in fresh air. The Governor is now allowing outdoor photography sessions with social distance and your home is the perfect location! Porch portraits are done at your home, on your porch, deck, balcony, yard, etc. while wearing your pajamas (if you want!) and shoes are not needed :) Here are a few safety precautions I will take during each session:

• keep 6-10 ft of distance at all times

• wear a face mask

• avoid knocking on door or ringing doorbell

• avoid petting animals (if the family dog is included )

• payment through Venmo or PayPal (no cash handling )

Feel free to use props and get creative! These sessions are meant to be fun, relaxing and stress free!

1.     Encourage parents to let them wear what they want….within reason, of course.  Their clothing and style is how they are known and forcing them to wear something completely different won’t reflect their true self. However, a few simple changes or requests can be made in order to minimize distractions. For example, if your son likes wearing hooded sweatshirts, let him. But instead of wearing one with a large logo or design, he can wear a solid colored one. If you allow your tween/teen to wear an outfit of his/her choice, they will be more comfortable in presence and attitude and it will show in the images.

2.     Lighten things up – don’t be afraid to chat and interact. Getting older kids to talk helps them become more comfortable with you and the experience. Ask about what sports they play, what music they listen to and what they like to do with their friends. The more they talk, the more they relax and their personality starts to shine.

3.     Keep them moving - Teenagers can get bored quickly or start to feel antsy so it’s best to take photos at a few different spots with different poses. Walking to different areas within the location helps to burn nervous energy and keeps them from feeling like time is “dragging.” Any type of movement keeps them engaged and connected to the session.

4.     Take solo photos away from mom and dad - Teens/tweens tend to loosen up a bit if mom and dad aren’t watching them smile and pose for the camera. Walk to a different spot and have the rest of the family stay behind for a few minutes. It’s much easier to loosen up and feel comfortable when someone isn’t watching you pose and smile.

We are so fortunate to live in a place where there is no “bad” season for photos. You can always find green foliage, flowers and palm trees everywhere you look at any time of the year. However, here in Northern California, our “winter” is our rainy season. During this time of year, I have many clients ask, “What will we do if it’s supposed to rain on the day of our session?” If you schedule a session and the forecast shows rain, there are a few options we have.

First, we can reschedule if we find a time that fits both our schedules. But that next date isn’t guaranteed to be rain free either!

Second, we can opt for an in home session. I am happy to come to your house and take photos in the comfort of your own home. All I need is a room/window with natural light or if you have a covered front/back porch.

Third, we can use a backup location that has covered areas. A gorgeous spot that can be used on a rainy day is Stanford’s campus. There are so many beautiful covered hallways, archways, porches, steps, etc. to shoot under.

Here are a few images taken from a recent session that was sprinkling rain on and off during our session. We were able to grab some shots in the open when the sun came out and ducked under the covered areas when it started to sprinkle.

Struggling to find a spot for your engagement session? I’m here to help!

Take a few minutes to think about a spot that represents you as a couple. Here are a few ideas to get your wheels spinning.

1. Do you both love spending time together at a coffee shop? Take photos sipping a latte and getting cozy together at your favorite local joint.

2. Do you spend weekends on the beach? Take photos jumping in the waves and walking along the surf.

3. Did you meet each other or attend the same college? Take photos at your favorite spots around campus or even the exact spot you met.

4. Do you both love exploring nature/hiking/camping, etc? Take photos at a place you think is beautiful or a place you frequent together.

5. Do you enjoy visiting wineries and wine tasting? Take photos sipping your favorite glass of wine at a vineyard.

Here are a few images taken at this couples’ favorite outdoor spot. They love being in nature and wanted a spot that represents their adventurous life.

So many children are trained to say, “Cheeeeeese,” almost automatically when put in front of any camera.  Those “cheesy” grins and fake smiles are cute but don’t capture a natural expression or smile.

When photographing children my goal is to capture true and genuine expressions.  I have NO expectations on how a child should look or smile for the camera. I want them to be free to be themselves. I always interact in a fun and engaging way to help them feel comfortable and form a connection.

 Here are 5 things you can do to help create natural and genuine expressions.

1.     Guess their middle name. I’ll say, “ Hmmm. I bet your middle name is Cheeseburger.” The sillier the names, the bigger the giggles.

2.     Sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” but change the word star to something like “cow” or “pig.”

3.     Ask if they can see the rainbow in your lens. This often leads to a more pensive and serious face.

4.     For kids that are a bit older, play Would You Rather with them.

5.     Sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”…..it gets wiggly kids active and encourages a playful mood.

Some kids may not smile, giggle or want to interact with you and that’s OK. Kids are multi dimensional and all of that should be celebrated!

Six years ago I had my FIRST paid family session at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto. I fell in love with the location and now shoot many sessions throughout the year here.

A few reasons why I love this spot…

1.     Large area- Large outdoor space so if there are other families and photographers there is plenty of room to spread out and get lost amongst the flowers.

2.     Abundance of backdrops- Each time I do a family session here I find a new spot to use. There are rows of flowers, dozens of trees, pathways, benches and even a charming little gazebo.

3.     Pet friendly- Perfect spot for families who want to include their dog. I always have clients keep their dog on a leash and there are fountains for drink breaks J

4.     All year round- the gardens are beautiful all year round. Even during our winter or rainy season you will see plenty of greenery and charm. Each season brings out different flowers, blooms, colors, and beauty.

5.     Lighting- There are tons of large gorgeous trees and foliage to filter the light. I try and schedule all of my sessions during golden hour or 1-2 hours before sunset.

Here are a few images taken at different times of the year.

I recently had a sibling photo session so I thought I’d share some of my tips and tricks for capturing real emotion and connection. These tips work best for ages 5 and up.

1. Break the Ice. Find one spot to have them sit or stand. I immediately break the ice with some Would you Rather Questions. For example, after I get them “posed” I’ll say, “I have a super important question to ask you. Would you rather sleep with a dirty diaper or a rotten fish tonight?” Immediate chuckles and giggles will follow. After a few of these questions the kids are more relaxed and in a playful mood.

2. Follow their lead. Kids are adventurous and curious and will almost always wander off and find something to sit on or look at. I followed this little girl to this old stump I didn’t even notice and some of my favorite images from the session were taken there.

3. Ask them to play. Have them skip down a path, jump on each other’s back, climb trees, collect flowers, etc. When kids are playing they are in their true element. Capturing real, raw emotion and connection is easy when kids are at play.

4. I Bet I can Guess Game. This game never fails when it comes to getting smiles. I’ll “pose” the kids and play this game. I’ll say, “I bet I can guess your middle name. I think its….Cheeseburger? Cinderalla? French Fry?” I’ll also say, “I bet I can guess your favorite movie…I bet it’s Frozen (great for boys and then I’ll sing Let it Go!)” I’ll sing the song off key and totally terrible but it always gets laughs.

5. Keep them moving. Kids can get impatient and bit antsy if you stay in one spot too long. Keep them moving. You can always take a break from one area/spot and come back to it.

After I finish a photo session, I can hardly wait to get home, pop in the sim card and upload the images….because editing is my TRUE JOY. I tend to keep my editing simple and clean by adding a bit of warmth, vibrancy and sharpness. I will also do some cropping and clone out any distracting objects. I shoot 100% manual and always try to keep exposure and white balance consistent throughout the session to keep my workflow even easier. I do all of my post processing in Lightroom and tend to you use Photoshop for more intricate edits.

Straight out of camera is on the left and the final retouched image is on the right.

If you are a photographer, what is your favorite part of the photography process?