See how many looks we are able to capture in this gorgeous maternity session done in our studio, located in Denville, New Jersey.
Melissa and Michael's Engagement Session
Another beautiful day at Skylands Manor…
I’ve known Melissa and Mike for many years, so when they asked me to photograph their Engagement session at Skylands Manor in Ringwood, NJ I was beyond excited to capture this special time for them. In fact, I will have the opportunity to attend their wedding as a guest this coming May at the beautiful Crossed Keys Estate.
The day of our shoot, we weren’t sure if we were going to have to make last minute changes to our plans as it started pouring rain only moments before we were about to start. The good thing about rain though on a day of a shoot is that it makes for AMAZING sunsets like this one. As Paulo Coehlo said, “Don’t forget, beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies”.
As always, I recommended having two different outfits ready for the shoot-one casual, and one dress. Melissa being a fellow Virgo girl opted for the earth tones that complimented her perfectly.
If you are thinking about planning an Engagement session at Skylands Manor, reach out to me with any questions! I will guide you through what to wear, when to shoot and how to prepare for you session!
Mommy and Me Mini Sessions!
It’s happening again!
Due to high demand we are hosting our second annual Cherry Blossom mini sessions at Verona Park! These 20 minute sessions are the perfect opportunity to create beautiful images for Mother's Day 🌸
This isn't just for Mom's with young children either. Photos of Mother and child are so precious regardless of age, and are memories that will last a life time. If you are a mother-to-be you can take the opportunity to show off that bump too!
Spots are limited so sign up today! Click here to reserve your spot today!
Now to answer some frequently asked questions…
Can I bring my husband/pet?
Yes, both are welcome 😂 These sessions can be used for almost any type of portrait session. This includes family portraits, maternity images, just the kids, communion portraits, etc. If you have never worked with me before and just want to do a “test shoot” this is the time to do it!
What is the minimum age requirement for my child?
At least 6 months. I do not recommend bringing infants younger than that age as they typically require more time and a more comfortable working environment.
Can i upgrade for more images after my shoot?
Of course! Toddlers can be temperamental so I typically recommend most clients book the base collections and upgrade after seeing the proofs!
How do i rent a couture dress for my shoot?
Couture dresses are the perfect prop for any session! For our clients convenience, we offer a variety of dresses to choose from. Click here to view and reserve your dress!
If you have any further questions regarding the sessions, drop us an email via bookings@nicolettesarzosa.com
We can't wait to see you there!
Nicolette
Preparing for your Senior Portrait Session!
Senior Portrait Sessions are one of my favorite kinds of Photoshoots! Here’s why…
When I look back at the person I was in High School and into College, I see how every decision, interest, hobby, job, internship, etc molded me into the person I am today. It was through this life journey that I discovered art, friendships and a passion for travel. Having an education and the opportunity to explore what I wanted to do with the rest of my life was something I will never take for granted. It was some of the best years of my life!
Sunset Senior Session at Laurelwood Arboretum
Senior portraits are all about documenting this monumental time. They are so much more than just a headshot in a graduation cap. It should be a reflection of the person that earned that graduation cap.
While of course I encourage all of my Seniors to have a few “Formal” images in their cap and gown (mostly for mom and dad) I also want to see the real YOU! This will probably be one of the most fun and personal photoshoots you will experience in your lifetime. Here are some tips on how to get beautiful and authentic images.
incorporate your hobbies and interests
In my opinion, this is the best part about Senior Portrait Sessions. I have had the pleasure of photographing Volunteer Firefighters, Surfers, Soccer Players, Cheerleaders, Gamers and more! I have never experience two senior sessions that are the same. Each has been unique and story telling in its’ own way! Whatever it is that interests you, let me know and we will find a way to incorporate it into your session.
Choose a Location that is a Reflection of You
Caroline loves surfing and it is an important part of her identity. We loved photographing this beach session in LBI, New Jersey!
Going along with your hobbies and interests, finding the right location is a crucial part of Senior sessions. Do you love the city? Doing your shoot at Liberty State Park with the NYC Skyline or in Dumbo with the Brooklyn Bridge could be an option! More of a nature person? I have plenty of parks and trails to recommend! If your not sure where to have your session, we will collaborate together to find somewhere that is the perfect fit!
bring multiple outfits
Jake wore a neutral, summery suit that worked perfectly for this grad session at Montclair State University!
I usually recommend having 2-3 outfits on hand for your session including your Cap and Gown if that is something you are interested in having photographed. For ladies, I find a white dress has been the most popular look for more of the formal images. For guys, I recommend a neutral suit or jeans with a nice button down.
Alia wore a jean jacket she made herself!
For a casual look, this can be anything you want! One of my past seniors enjoyed making her own clothes, so we of course had to photograph her in something she made herself! Another idea could be to include your sports teams jersey. A popular look is including a tee-shirt or sweatshirt with a college logo on it. Not sure what to wear? Just ask and I am happy to help!
Adriana rocked a Drew University tee shirt for part of her Senior session!
Just be you 😊
This is the best piece of advice I can give. Senior portraits are meant to be an intimate reflection of the person you are today, and who you aspire to be in the future. Have fun, and be yourself!
Preparing for your Family session (with kids!)
I know we haven’t even gotten to Halloween yet but trust me, the holiday season is right around the corner…
And yea, here in New Jersey it is the most wonderful time of the year. Leaves are starting to change color, it’s cozy sweater season and Starbucks finally has pumpkin spice coffee again!
So why am I talking about holiday portraits in October? Because this is the time of year everyone wants to take family portraits for the holiday cards. I try to book these sessions as early in the fall as possible to make sure I can accommodate each and every one of my clients. I always start with fall themed portraits from September until mid-November, and holiday themed portraits from mid-October through the end of November.
While I put together the themes for the session, props and choose the locations, there are a few things I would like to mention so you can have your family ready for the picture perfect photo session…
Schedule the session around your child’s nap-time
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to put a cranky kid in front of the camera. I certainly don’t want them to miserable the entire photo session either. A photo shoot should be a fun experience which means your child needs to be comfortable. This also means they shouldn’t be hungry before the session either because being hangry isn’t fun for anyone. I usually have enough flexibility in scheduling to be able to accommodate your child’s needs so we get lots of smiles for the camera!
What should my children wear to their photo-shoot?
My rule of thumb is neutral/earth tones. An exception to this would of course be red if your doing a Christmas shoot, but in that case I would still stay away from large patterns as they can be distracting in the image.
If your doing family photos with everyone it is important to coordinate outfits as well. This doesn’t necessarily mean everyone has to be in white shirts and jeans-wearing similar neutrals such as greys, blacks, taupes, etc. and keeping the attire simple makes for beautiful portraits. When in doubt, think less is more. Less pops of color, less jewelry, less accessories=better photos.
For girls, I do offer couture dress rentals which are the perfect prop to any photo-shoot! I offer special packages when booking where you receive additional images for renting a dress!
have your child’s favorite toy, music, show at the ready
Wondering how I get children to look at the camera? It’s honestly not a big secret. I usually have parents dangling some type of object over the lens of my camera such as a toy or something that makes sound to draw in their attention.
Another good trick is playing their favorite music or show on an iPhone. When you fill out a questionnaire prior to your session you could mention a few of their favorite songs to me so I can have a playlist ready to go!
go with the flow…
While this may not be a “picture perfect” moment, it certainly is real! The parent’s ended up loving this shot and buying it because it’s something the kids will always be able to look back and laugh about! Isn’t that the best part of making memories after all?!
I mention this in a lot of my blogs regarding photo sessions. The best shoots I have with kids is when they are stress free. We will get awesome photos of your kids, even if you see they are making silly faces, not sitting still, or even running away from the camera! (Lol!)If we make the photo-shoot feel like a “job” they are going to lose interest real quick. I say “let kids be kids” and use those silly moments to capture great candids. With some patience and positive reinforcement we will get some great portraits for you to cherish and share with your loved ones.
Alia's Graduation Portrait Session
“Be bold, be courageous, be your best.”
– Gabrielle Giffords
Alia is a bright and cheerful teen getting ready for her first adult adventure, college! Our location is Alia’s home. Her mother has grown this beautiful garden, it truly feels like you are in an enchanted forest! You may even recognize this location from one year ago for her sister’s Senior Session.
Alia is heading to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota this coming september. Congratulations to you, Alia, as you continue to discover your passions and grow your mind!
The artificial sun flare look was created with my favorite Magnet Mod light modifiers! I used a full CTO and 1/2 CTO gel stacked to create a golden hour light behind my subject.
It is always exciting to hear about our clients endeavors, especially our seniors! Their stories always take us back down memory lane. Alia expressed to us that she loves photography herself and is always taking pictures of her friends! This gave us the opportunity to have some fun with posing.
Senior Sessions get two outfit choices, graduation cap and gown and an outfit of their choice. We love a good personality pic to portray the client’s current interests! Alia loves to spice up her clothes by adding additional designs. You will see her hand crafted denim jacket and her college t-shirt. She loves to create her own look rather than the ones you see in the store!
Our session with Alia was incredible, best of luck to her in college and all future endeavors!
Shelli's Maternity Session!
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~ Elizabeth Stone
Every single maternity shoot is extraordinary. Of course there is a method to the madness, but each mom-to-be brings her own personal touch. Shelli is a first time mom with the heart of gold. Her smile is infectious, and her love of life exuded through these photos! Her husband, Lenny, also a first time dad, joined in on the fun to create everlasting memories for their growing family!
Where’d she get the dress?!
Shelli’s dress was purchased at Pink Blush. Pink Blush is a online boutique with a gorgeous maternity line.
Find this style coming soon to my Maternity Closet!
The Location
Cross Estate Gardens is located in Bernardsville, NJ. This special spot is a photographers dream! There are so many little details to create many diverse photos with minimal walking for our lovely mama to be! If you are a New Jersey local, this is a must see place. Professional photographer or not, this magical location has something to offer everyone.
College Graduations Are Looking a Little Different These Days.
“My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small and that you never need to carry more than you can hold.”– Rascal Flatts
As a beautiful strong woman, Adriana found herself leaving Texas in 2017 to continue her education in New Jersey at Drew University. Adriana studied Art History and Spanish for the past three years and will be moving to Boston to continue onto her Masters at Boston University. During our session, Adriana expressed that she was always the child who was ready to go to new places and explore the world!
As the pandemic is still very prevalent, her family is not able to join her in celebration as she graduates. To keep this memory alive for her family, we created multiple images representing her life at Drew University and all of her accomplishments. We had a blast working with Adriana! Wishing her the best of luck as she moves on to her next academic venture!
From drew University to Boston University.
Adriana is an extremely motivated young woman. Throughout the shoot she told stories about her family history and all the places they have lived. Both New Jersey and Boston, Mass are part of that story. Adriana’s academic journey takes her down memory lane as she embraces all the places that have written part of her story as a child. She will be attending Boston University in the Fall to continue studying Art History. Wishing Adriana nothing but success and happiness!
Creating milestone images for these peak moments in life are always so monumental, especially after receiving overjoyed emails from clients! Senior portrait sessions are always a lot of fun, purely because the client is usually so excited for their next steps in life. I am able to direct the shoot to incorporate the senior’s personality and interests, giving them multiple options for their final selections. Check out Adriana’s final selections below:
Mother's Day!
“Motherhood is the biggest gamble in the world. It is the glorious life force. It’s huge and scary – it’s an act of infinite optimism.” —Gilda Radner
Being a mom is a full time job,
all the moments of motherhood fly by, as I can imagine. There is so much strategy, effort and love behind everything a mother does on a day to day basis. Nurturing a path for this tiny human they have created to be loved. I believe there to be an indescribable connection between mother and child, it’s a sense of understanding with the eyes closed. Most of use have heard the saying, “Seeing is Believing.” Yet, a mother holds a sense of trust for the future that the eyes are there only to prove how they feel. We can not pinpoint how anyone’s life will go, but a mom provides a foundation for their child to be fearless and resilient in who they are and who they are to become.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you for a wonderful spring filled with amazing Mommy and Me Sessions!
Lauren and Ryan's Princeton University Engagement Session
Have wanderlust but stuck in Jersey? The architecture at Princeton University is sure to make you feel like you suddenly landed in Europe without the jet-lag
Gothic towers, ivy covered facades, marble pillars…need I say more? If you love the idea of architecture being the backdrop for your engagement session, Princeton University is the place for you.
If you’ve travelled to Europe, you may be familiar with this style of architecture. Notre-Dame, Westminster Abbey and the Duomo di Milano are just a few examples of gothic style buildings. While they can appear imposing at first glance, the pointed arches and ribbed vaults create a stunning and geometrical backdrop for any type of session.
But enough history, let’s talk romance.
Check out that ring! Lauren’s marquise-cut diamond is not only beautiful but incredibly unique!
After 5 years of dating, Ryan popped the question on the beaches of Cape May. They have two adorable fur babies named Limoncello and Delilah, and are currently counting down the days to their July 2021 wedding!
Lauren had a certain vision in mind for the Engagement session, and after some research and samples from previous engagement sessions, they decided Princeton would be a good fit. The best part was that neither of them had visited Princeton before, so as we turned each corner they were continuously astounded by the diversity and beauty of the campus.
Still not convinced?! Then scroll down to see more from their romantic engagement session!
Top 3 Parks to Photograph Fall Portraits in New Jersey
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”
If you are reading this and from the Tri-State area, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The leaves are changing color, the air is crisp, there’s so many fun outdoor activities for you and the family to do. This is the time of year everyone in the area looks forward to.
As a portrait photographer, walking out to do a shoot on a beautiful fall day, I get that feeling of a kid in a candy shop. There is just SO MUCH to work with! I’m not one to keep secrets so I would like to take a moment to share with you all some of my favorite places to photograph this time of year and why. Here’s my go to list of recommendations:
Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton
Interested to learn more? Scroll down to see some images from each location and learn more about hosting a photo session there!
Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
The pros: Chances are if you are a photographer from New Jersey you have been here before. If your not a photographer and reading this, chances are still likely that you’ve been here before because Skylands Manor is not just a popular photo destination but also a venue.
This park is #1 on my list for a reason. You can spend HOURS here and still discover a new hidden corner on your next visit. I’m surprised each time I photograph here (which is usually 1-2 times a week) because the landscape changes from one day to the next. As a photographer, you have the choice to keep your backdrop “scenic” by utilizing the landscape or more “ industrial” by incorporating the water fountains and buildings on the property.
The cons: There are two “downfalls” I would say about Skylands. One, don’t go here on a weekend. The place is filled with photographers, families and tourists. I have my “secret spots” that I’ve learned over time shooting here that are usually pretty empty, but I would recommend booking your shoots during the week.
The other downside is that the permits are a bit pricey at $175/year. However, as I previously mentioned I shoot here 1-2 times a week so I definitely get my money’s worth. Be careful not to shoot here without a permit as they do check.
Skylands manor is located at 5 Morris Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Small bridge in the Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Laurelwood Arboretum
The pros: If you are looking for a small park with a lot to offer, look no further! Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne is beautiful year-round, but I do particularly love the fall colors you will get in their botanical garden and near Laurel pond at the top of Azalea Way trail.
As you can see from the image above, the park offers bridges, gazebos, flowers, trees and even more! You can do an entire session in the entrance area alone, but it’s worth making the short trek up the trail to see more.
Pro tip-If you are planning a shoot at Laurelwood Arboretum around golden hour, do your actual “sunset shot” 3 miles down the road at Terhune Park. It’s a four minute drive and the sun sets right over the water. No permit needed!
The cons: Like many parks, it does tend to get crowded here, especially after work hours. Because it is a smaller park it can be difficult to shoot around the people visiting so be sure to know your way around first to know where to work around.
The permit for this park is also priced high at $150/year, however you can book one session for only $50! Learn more by visiting their website.
Laurelwood Arboretum is located at 725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470
Grounds for sculpture
Sculpture: Dorian by Bruce Beasely
The pros: There was no way I was going to make a list of my favorite places and not include Grounds for Sculpture. This park is an absolute gem and I would shoot here over and over again. The grounds are perfectly maintained and every corner you turn is different, so you can offer your clients a variety of looks.
During the fall there are many parts of the park that you can capture the beauty of the leaves changing. Besides the artwork there are bridges, hedges, fountains, and gardens that can be utilized to create a picturesque scene for your clients.
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Township
The cons: I’ll be honest, I don’t have anything bad to say about this place. The permit price is more than reasonable at $18/shoot. You do have to sign a waiver that you will give credit to the artists who’s work is featured in your photos which is a very reasonable request. I would recommend this location to anyone looking for a unique shoot location!
Grounds for Sculpture is located at 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
While it’s not much I hope I offered you all a few different options for locations to capture beautiful portraits that you can be excited about for your upcoming sessions. I look forward to all the portrait sessions I have coming up this season at all of my favorite parks! Don’t forget, you can still book your fall portrait session with me at any of these locations by clicking here. Thanks again for taking the time to stay up to date with my blog 🍂
Baptism Photography
Let’s start by asking “what is the real meaning of a Baptism?”
Many Christians believe that a baptism is important because Jesus was baptized, and after his resurrection he told his disciples that they should be baptized too. This tradition has carried on centuries into our modern day society for those who are part of the Christian Church. It is an act in which water is sprinkled onto a person’s forehead (or sometimes a full immersion into water) and it symbolizes rebirth or a purification. This is how one gains passage into the Christian Church.
Beautiful interior of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Ascension
I’ve been a witness to so many different Baptisms and each are unique in their own way. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing a Greek Orthodox Baptism, in which after the immersion the family, godparent and priest circle the baptismal font three times. I’ve photographed a Polish Orthodox Baptism, and Baptisms in the Catholic Church. Prior to becoming a photographer, I didn’t know much of a difference between all of these different types of Ceremonies. Now having been a part of these celebrations, I’m fascinated by how each culture has it’s differences.
Now let’s talk about what gets photographed
Prior to the Ceremony, many families ask to have photos of the baby “getting ready”. If you remember the getting ready part of your Wedding day, you will find it’s very similar to this. I always ask that parents have the “details” ready. This includes the following:
• Pre-Ceremony Outfit
• Baptismal Outfit
• Baptismal Cross and Chain
• Olive Oil
• White hand towels
• Baptismal Candles
• Martyrika-in some cultures these witness pins are used which are handed out to guests at the end of a ceremony
•Additional items include shoes, a copy of the invitation for the guests, florals, or any other details you see fit.
If time allows, I usually like to get some family photos done prior to the Ceremony, but at this point in time I primarily focus on candids.
The Ceremony
Again, depending on the type of Baptism your child receives, a ceremony can be anywhere from 45-90 minutes. During this time I confirm with the Priest where I am allowed to stand and photograph. In most cases they allow me onto the alter to take close-up photos of the baby being submerged. Other than that we have the lighting of the candles and the blessings which are typically done while the Godparents, family and baby are seated in the pews. Having done many Baptisms, I am very familiar with the timing of these events.
After the Ceremony
Immediately after the Ceremony concludes I ask the Priest to jump in for a family photo. After that, we will proceed to the remaining family portrait combinations. To learn more about what types of family photos I typically take during an event you can refer to my recent blog post “Family Portrait Combinations”
The Reception
Now it’s time to have fun! During the reception I will be capturing the decor details, cake, food, cocktail reception and plenty of candids! At this point all the family photos and important rituals are covered, so parents get to sit back and enjoy. I hope this post helped those of you who are planning a Baptism in the future and be sure to send me a message with any questions you may have!
How many hours of coverage do I need for my event?
This one is great for clients and photographers!
Many of you don’t know this, but I photograph about 50+ Weddings a year! 😱 I work for an awesome company called Milton Gil Photographers, which I’m sure if you are based in New Jersey you have probably heard of them. Seeing that I do so many Weddings, your probably wondering why I don’t advertise them. To be honest, it’s not my passion and it is much more manageable for me to prioritize my portrait work while still having a side hustle (because who doesn’t love a good side hustle?!). That being said, I am happy to photograph small events, anything up to 8 hours maximum. These include Baptisms, Mitzvahs, Baby or Bridal Showers, Engagement Parties, you name it.
Since I do so many events throughout the year, I’ve really nailed down exactly how much time is required for everything to be photographed. My hopes is that whoever is reading this post really gets something out of it whether you are trying to figure out how many hours of coverage is right for your Wedding/Event, or if your a photographer breaking into the field.
building a timeline is how you manage your clients expectations.
Where to start…
When having a consultation with a client you should be prepared with a list of questions. What time does your event start? Would you like photos getting ready? Who absolutely needs to be photographed? What time are guests arriving?
I send all my clients a questionnaire using an awesome booking software called Session. I’ve heard you can do the same with programs such as Honeybook. These questionnaires are essential in planning your clients day because if you don’t schedule enough time to capture everything they requested, that’s on you, not them.
That being said, it’s important I mention the next point…
Photographers don’t take “one or two” pictures of things.
This one is really important. I hear a lot “I only need one or two pictures of…”
But I’ve never had someone complain that I gave them “Too many pictures.”
The same way you wouldn’t want your hairstylist to rush through your haircut, we don’t want to be rushed to take a photo. We risk someone blinking, having their mouth open, the picture being out of focus or maybe the exposure wasn’t ideal because we were trying so hard just to get the shot in a matter of seconds.
It’s also nice to have a few different versions of the same type of image in case you want to make an album or product after the fact and we have different options to work with that will best fit the layout. If we take “one or two pictures” of everything we might miss something like an awesome candid moment or an opportunity to create a different look using lighting.
There will always be one family member that is running late for group photos.
How to plan for this…
If your scheduling group photos for 3:00 pm, tell everyone 2:45 or maybe 2:30 for that person you know is always late. There will ALWAYS be that one person that is stuck in traffic or forgot something at the hotel room or can’t find the spot where we are taking photos or maybe forgot about the pictures all together and is now hitting up all the stations at cocktail hour 🙈 I’ve seen it all! It’s better to have everyone ready a little bit earlier so we can get through the family photos quickly and easily.
If you want to learn more about different types of family photos I take with larger groups, check out my recent blog post.
Tell your hairstylist or makeup artist you need to be ready 15 minutes prior to the time the photographer actually arrives.
Let me start by saying I LOVE all my friends and family members that are hairstylists and makeup artists because I know a lot of them and they are probably rolling their eyes at me right now 😅
Not all the time, but a lot of the times our schedule runs behind because hair and makeup needs more time. Let me say this is usually not their fault! Same way that we can’t rush a photo, they can’t rush putting makeup on your face. If my start time is 12:00, I usually ask my client to let the makeup artist know I will be arriving at 11:45 and they need to be finishing up by then. This gives everyone a little extra time to work, and more time means less stress for everyone!
Companies I highly recommend: D’Amelio Cosmetics, The Lounge Hair Studio, Beauty on Demand, The Real Beauty and the Blush, Allyson Rubin Cosmetics
If your having “getting ready” photos done, here are the details we usually photograph to have them ready for when we arrive.
I always start with photographing details such as flowers, invitations, shoes, etc. Having all the details set aside for when we arrive so we aren’t interrupting you while having your hair and makeup done is super helpful! Here’s examples of details that are usually photographed:
Invitations
Flowers
Balloons
Rings/Jewelry
Cufflinks
Hair pieces
Clutch
Dress/Tux
Baptism, Communion or Mitzvah attire
Shoes
Any customized details such as signs, shirts, flasks, etc.
Family heirlooms
Basically anything that is important to you on your special day!
The timeline is not written in blood.
Expect the unexpected and be prepared for the timeline to change. I’m saying this for both clients and photographers because it is super rare that things go according to plan, and that’s ok! Your still going to have an incredible day and we are going to capture awesome images of you. I always try to create the timeline so I have enough wiggle room for things to change and be able to adapt to what’s happening in the moment. After all, being prepared to capture spontaneous moments and documenting the day is our job!
What you’ve all been waiting for…Here’s a sample of how I build my timeline!
First, I find out what time the ceremony/event is going to start. Let’s say I have a client for a Baptism and the ceremony starts at 12:00 pm…
If they want “Getting Ready” photos, I start 2-2.5 hours prior to the ceremony.
Here’s the breakdown…
-5-10 minutes to set-up
-30 minutes to photograph details
-30 minutes to photograph “getting dressed” and individual portraits
-1 hour to photograph family portraits (see blog post to see all the different combinations covered in a typical session)
-Break down and travel time
Without “Getting Ready” photos but family portraits prior to the ceremony, I usually start 1.5 hours ahead of time.
This also depends if the family portraits are at the same location as the ceremony, and how large the family is. Again, I always count on someone being late, so I like to allow for enough time.
No getting ready or portraits prior to the ceremony, I usually arrive 30 minutes before start time.
This allows me to have an adequate amount of time to set up my gear, check out the space, evaluate lighting, and meet my client prior to the start of the event.
If you do not do family portraits prior to the ceremony start time, it’s really important to stay organized.
If the Baptism is at 12:00, the reception following will most likely start at 2 or 2:30. A ceremony such as a Baptism typically takes around 30 minutes unless it is a Greek baptism for example which tend to take longer. The hardest part about having the portraits done after the ceremony is organizing everyone together because everyone starts to mingle, talk, or head out to the reception. In my experience the priest/pastor/rabbi has always made an announcement at the end of the ceremony to let guests know that there will be photos proceeding the event.
Also, you have to be sure that the Church does not have any events immediately proceeding. I usually encourage my clients to take as many family photos as possible prior to the ceremony for this reason.
Cocktail hour
Again, if all the portraits are not completed prior to the ceremony or at the church I will reserve a portion of cocktail hour for photos. Keep in mind, everyone wants to enjoy cocktail hour so it is important that if your using this time for any family photos you discuss this with the client prior to the event so they can let their family members know.
If you already did family photos, take a few pictures of the cocktail hour layout! ESPECIALLY if there are any ice sculptures, signature cocktails or custom decor.
Finally, if there is a separate room for the reception with decorations, be sure to reserve enough time to go in an photograph the tables, details, and an outside shot of the building.
Reception
Candid time! If your event has any special entrances or surprises be sure to let the photographers know ahead of time. This is where we capture speeches, people hitting the dance floor, cake cutting and lots of reactions from the guests! If you require any additional group shots this can be organized with the DJ to help bring guests together.
Night shot
This is more common with wedding photography but if you are working an event that goes past sunset be sure to take your clients out to create a memorable night photo!
I hope this guide helps anyone reading it plan their event or feel more confident when booking clients. If you are looking to schedule an event with me or have questions click here!
LBI Senior Portrait Session
We actually didn’t plan to have this session at sunrise…
Generally, I book my sessions around “golden hour” aka that magical time of day before sunset when the light is “just right”. Well, the day of our session it decided to rain alllll day long, which of course can happen when planning a shoot outdoors. The issue was, Hannah and her family drove all the way from Tennessee for their family vacation and were driving back the next day so the pictures had to be done! What to do? Set 10 alarms to be up at 4:30 am, have coffee at the ready, and catch the sunrise!
I’m a big believer in “everything is meant to be”. In this case, Hannah looks like an actual angel in this all white outfit and perfectly puffy clouds in the backdrop. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect morning to shoot.
Behind the scenes…
Equipment used: Godox AD600, Glow EZ Lock 25” Beauty Dish, wearing Holdfast Money Maker harness in buffalo and shot with a Canon EOS-R , Tamron 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens
Final image using the lighting setup listed on the left
While it was very sunny being the sky was so clear, I always have my Magnetmod modifiers or my Glow EZ-Lock 25” Beauty Dish at the ready and Godox lights to help conquer the sun. If your a photographer reading this and want to learn more about the lighting setup, be sure to follow me on Instagram @nicolettesarzosa_photo 📸 or leave a comment below!
As originally planned, we worked with two different outfits and had a sunhat for a prop. I’m loving the contrast of Hannah’s red beach dress amongst the blue sky. I always recommend two outfit changes for any portrait session to have a more dynamic and diverse gallery. (If you aren’t sure what to wear for your session and want to consider a couture dress I also offer rentals from Bentley + Lace! )
Scroll down to see a few more of my favorite images from this beautiful senior session and be sure to visit my senior portrait gallery for more recent work!
For Photographers-Why You Should Offer Prints & Products
This isn’t about up-selling, it’s about maintaining the quality of your work
I see a lot of blog posts teaching photographers how to sell prints and how they will make a huge profit offering this service to their clients. While profit might seem like enough of an incentive to get started, I actually want to talk about the importance of why you should be managing how your work gets printed.
I offer a wide variety of products for my clients such as prints, wall art, photo albums, custom USB’s, etc. I also never provide my clients with digital files that can print larger than 8”x10” unless they purchase the larger files (which I price according the size of the print they intend to make). The purpose of all this isn’t so much so I can up-sell; in fact it costs much more to produce products than to simply provide clients with a USB containing all the high-res images. Also, it takes a lot more time because you have to color grade the photos for printing, design a photo album or custom product in photoshop. So why do I bother selling fine art prints?
Because I hate seeing my photographs printed at Wal-Mart 🙈
Or Costco, or Shutterfly or ESPECIALLY Walgreens 😭
You all know exactly what I’m talking about. The horrible color grading, super glossy paper, incorrect cropping…it’s any photographers nightmare.
I made the mistake of giving away high-res files when I first started out.
What made me change my mind is that every time I visited a clients home I would see my once beautiful photograph, printed on a canvas from Wal-Mart and what I witnessed was a direct misrepresentation of my work.
This isn’t a pride thing. I could have easily walked away saying “Who cares, I got paid, they can print them however they want.” If I did that though, I could be potentially losing out on future clients. Why?
Because Not only will I see a bad print, but their friends and family members who come over the house will also see it.
It’s one thing to have your photos look great on Instagram, and another to have them look great printed. If people see that an image looks really good online but “doesn’t print nicely” because it was not printed properly there’s a chance they might not hire you because they don’t believe in the quality of the work. So you can see, having good prints isn’t about up-selling one client, it is about making more clients.
Your work should be impactful, and contrary to popular belief I don’t always think that impact will be made on a cell phone screen. Maybe I’m old school, but anytime I visit a gallery or museum and confronted with a physical work of art, I’m moved in ways that I cannot describe. Think of your clients home as a gallery space, and curate a timeless collection for them they can enjoy everyday.
Not all print shops are created equal.
After ordering a few samples of prints and products from different labs, I found which work best for me. These are my go-to labs for creating products for my clients:
Millers Professional Imaging:
What I love: I use Millers lab for all of my albums and books. There are so many different options for covers such as leather, acrylic, image wraps, and my favorite, personalized foil! They have a really quick turn around time, 2-3 days, and are very cost efficient making it an easy up-sell. I also order smaller products for client gifts such as accordion books through them. A lot of photographers use Millers so there are plenty of templates for albums and products on Etsy making product design super easy!
What I don’t love: Personally, I’m not a fan of their wall prints. Myself and other photographers I know who have ordered from them have seen little dents in the printing, or incorrect color grading. I’m also not crazy about their holiday cards which I argue are the MOST important product you can print because it is like sending out a personal business flyer to thousands of people! Read on to see who I use for card printing.
White House Custom Colour:
What I love: If you are looking for luxury prints, look no further. I’ve ordered custom cards, metal prints, mounted prints and more from WHCC and have yet to be disappointed. Their care and attention to detail is incredible and the customer service is 5 Star. They also provide you with a lot of resources to help you sell your products such as unbranded online catalogues. The holiday cards are especially my favorite and I splurge on quality paper when creating them for my clients. The soft matte paper literally feels like velvet! Every year I get new clients around the holidays reaching out because of the “incredible holiday card their friend sent out last year” so you know it’s not being overlooked! If all that is STILL not enough to convince you, they also give you lollipops when sending over your print 😁
What I don’t love: The albums and books. I’m patiently waiting for them to come out with more options for cover designs so until then I will continue using Millers. Also, if you are not making much of a profit off of your prints and products (which maybe re-evaluating your pricing structure is the simple answer for this) please note that WHCC is pricier than other labs so make sure you are charging enough.
Tyndell Photographic:
What I love: For the quality and price, you can’t beat Tyndell Photographic. I use this company for all my crystal rose-gold USB’s and presentation folders. I love that I was easily able to upload my logo and I only pay one time for them to create a mold for my business. Keep in mind that you are paying for each size they create, so for example I paid for the mold for USBs as well as a 2”x3” mold for folders. You can also order bags, boxes, USB cases and more. The pricing scale is based on how many of each product you purchase so I usually evaluate how many sessions I have booked per quarter and order based on that. Be sure to check out their starter packs for premium pricing options.
What I don’t love: The shipping time 😕. It usually takes about two weeks to get the products in so if you know you have a bunch of sessions coming up during busy season and are running low on your presentation products I would order ASAP to get them on time. No client wants to wait weeks on end to receive their products.
While I haven’t used the following companies, these are some recommendations from fellow photographer friends:
I hope this post inspires you all and gives you the tools you need to get started selling prints! In the coming weeks I’ll be developing an online course going into how I sell prints! Subscribe to my blog to stay updated ☺️
For Photographers-Why I love Shootproof
Savings codes for Shootproof & Session available at the bottom!
Let me start by saying, there are soooo many awesome programs out there right now…
I mean honestly, what an amazing time to be a photographer. I remember the days in college when I was first starting out and I spent countless nights in the darkroom developing film. All my developed film still sits nice and tidy in a binder on a bookshelf in my room, hopefully not collecting too much dust.
I’ve had countless hard drives, servers and online cloud accounts to back up my photos over the years and have sent files to clients a million different ways. In the past few years I finally created a system using Shootproof to help store my files and deliver my clients’ photos seamlessly.
To start, I love having tools that allow for consistent branding.
While the given fonts may not match my branding exactly, I’m happy to still be able to adjust the color scheme of the galleries to match my website. You can also directly upload your logo so it appears in the client galleries along with contracts and invoices.
Easy to navigate Dashboard
Something else I love about this program is that everything is clearly laid out on the dashboard. You can easily see who has visited their galleries, downloaded photos, favorited photos, and who purchased photos! It even shows how many times the clients visited the gallery.
managing your workflow
Shootproof is not just for storing photos and sending them off to clients. It is a program designed to make your workflow manageable. When I first started using Shootproof I utilized the entire program, meaning I used the address book, sent clients contracts and invoices, and sold image packages using their sales tools. Today I use a program called Session to manage my bookings, contracts, invoices and questionnaires, but the best part is that it works as a plug-in with Shootproof! So once my clients book their sessions Shootproof immediately creates a gallery for their images.
Tons of resources
These guys really think of everything. Especially with the way the world is now, it is SO important to have a good contract. When I went to set up my contract in Shootproof I was totally lost. Luckily they have a link directly going to the Lawtog’s website where you can download contracts and they will be stored in your shootproof account. Once the contracts are sent out to the clients they can easily sign digitally and you will be notified immediately to countersign. No more mailing out or scanning contracts again!
P.S. If you have never heard of the Lawtog you are missing out! Not only can you purchase contracts through them but they have so many tools to help your business such as Trademark and Copyright kits, Release contracts, and Business Planning tools.
You can also easily add “variables” such as contract date, due dates and fillable fields with long text or short text.
Make online sales super easy
I rarely use the pricing sheets and print fulfillment through Shootproof because I primarily do IPS, but if your not ready to get on that bandwagon and want to increase your sales they have a lot of tools to help you get setup.
You can create digital file packages that will appear when your client views their galleries by clicking on the images. They also work with many different labs for print fulfillment. The best part is that the order is submitted directly to the lab so you can literally make money while your sleeping!
Now of course the best part, STORAGE!!!
This is primarily what I use Shootproof for. I have the unlimited plan that way I don’t have to worry about going in and deleting any past galleries. I definitely recommend if you can to sign up for the year to save some money! Take a look below to see what’s included in the paid plans.
There are so many settings for the galleries that you can change for your clients such as adding passwords, requiring e-mail addresses upon login (which I highly recommend) adding watermarks to the images and what size they are allowed to download.
If you only do online sales something I would definitely recommend is to purchase their music plan so when clients go to their galleries they can watch a slideshow of the images to music! It’s a really nice added touch and helps your clients emotionally connect to the images they are seeing.
These are just a few things that I love about Shootproof and use to help my overall workflow. You can see a full list of all their features by clicking here!
Now here’s what you actually came for 😂
New, first time users save 15% Off your first 12 months of Shootproof with my code SARZOSA15
$5 Off your first month of Session with code : nicolette
Family Portrait Combinations
With family portraits, I always strive to provide my clients with a variety of images to create a complete collection. This is so much more than just your standard “family photo”. Check out my blog to see different family portrait combinations created in a single session, and why these combinations are so important!
Precautions to be taken after COVID-19
Well, this isn’t exactly how I imagined my first blog post…
I’ve always wanted to have the time to blog and create content to share with all of you, DIY videos, photography tips and tricks, etc. Now that I finally have the time to write, I figured I’d start off with acknowledging the elephant in the room.
Covid-19
Needless to say, it has impacted the world in ways we can’t even imagine. We continue to live in the solidarity of our homes. People have lost their lives and the lives of people they love. Businesses have been shut down for months and many will not recover. I want you all to know that I do plan on continuing to work once the state has re-opened, but things will be different.
you should know, I’m a total germ-a-phobe
So yea, I’m taking this thing pretty seriously. Especially because the majority of the time I’m working with kids so I have a responsibility to the parents to ensure that their children are in a safe environment. In normal circumstances, this means securing any equipment to prevent accidents, keeping small objects away that they can choke on, making sure all the props are clean before the next child uses them. You get the idea…
Postponing existing photo sessions
To start, all existing photo sessions will be moved to late June/early July and fingers crossed those can happen. Only outdoor sessions will be scheduled so there will be no in-home or studio shoots. Any new client inquiries will be scheduled for mid-July or August.
“I heard the parks re-opened, so Why do I have to wait to have my photo session?”
Although state parks have re-opened they are not allowing photo sessions at this time. They are still working to maintain social distancing laws, and until further notice they are not allowing photographers to schedule sessions. If photographers are seen on the premises working they can be ticketed and heavily fined.
If you are looking to have a photo session earlier than the last week of June, I will have to contact the local police station to receive some type of permit authorizing me to conduct a photo session.
safety precautions
These are the actions I will be taking to ensure each and every client will be safe during their session
Questionnaires: I used this time off to set up a new program that I’m super excited about when booking clients. Everyone will receive a questionnaire prior to their session so I can gain more information about their wants and needs to provide them with a customized photo shoot experience. I’m also utilizing this new tool as a waiver that clients can fill out in regards to Covid-19 safety.
Please please please fill out the waiver honestly. Your session will not be cancelled indefinitely if you have been exposed, it will just be postponed until deemed safe. This works both ways. if I were to find out my household member has Covid, or if I were to travel or been exposed, I will postpone our session at least 14 days. Again, while I know this isn’t convenient it is for everyones safety ESPECIALLY the children involved.
2. No newborn sessions until further notice. I feel like this one kind of goes without saying, but until Covid becomes a thing of the past I will not be taking any newborn clients or selling annual collections. If you are interested in Maternity sessions those will be hosted outdoors once the parks re-open.
3. PPE: I will be wearing a mask and gloves to every session, and have a bottle of sanitizer at the ready. I do ask parents if you are not involved in the session to please also wear a mask.
4. Social distancing: This is probably the most important point. I want to let you know that it is very easy for me to maintain 6+ ft distance away from you and your child while I’m working. I have long lenses and high resolution cameras that allow me to create tack sharp images from even 15 ft away. What will be different is I will not have the ability to pose the children without your help. Parents will have to be more involved during the session more-so than usual to help pose the children. That being said, sessions may run a little longer than normal but I will not be charging for such excess time.
5. Minimal props: This one makes me want to cry 😭You guys all know how much I love creating custom sets for all of you, but in order to minimize exposure I will not be using any props that children can handle for the time being. Basically, anything that they would normally touch like pillows, blankets, baskets, swings etc. I will not be using. However, anything decorative that will be in the background will still be included. We might have to get creative together to collaborate before the session, and feel free to bring anything from home that you think will work for the shoot. We can do this!
6. No dress rentals until further notice: Wahhhhh!!!! I feel your pain. Bentley and Lace dresses are my favorite and I would so love to rent them out for your sessions. I will definitely be making an announcement once we are able to rent these out again!
Lastly, I want you all to know how much i miss each and every one of you, and i cannot wait to start working again!
And I promise after this no more depressing posts! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this and from now on it will definitely be more up-beat and inspiring news. I hope you are all staying safe, healthy and happy during this difficult time. If you have any questions for me please feel free to reach out, or if you just need someone to talk to I’m here! Love you all and thank you for your continued support 💕
Xo,
Nicolette