Seattle lifestyle family photographer, Elena S Blair, specializes custom newborn, maternity, and family photography.
Summer in Seattle is a magical time. I always say, if the weather was like this year around we would have a major population problem!
Summer in Seattle is also the start of what I like to call Family Portrait Season. This is when I start photographing families every weekend all over Seattle.
We enjoy the sunshine, our beautiful parks and beaches, and each other.
My parents have classic photos of themselves when they were school age and they are incredible.
What is odd is that as time when on the images became more "cheesy." Odd backgrounds were introduced and stiff posing was encouraged.
It is almost like it has become a right of passage to have a bad school photo taken.
But I disagree.
Not all families prioritize custom portraiture.
So why not offer a better experience? Why not offer a better product? Why not offer a Fine Art Portrait in place of the standard cheesy School Portrait?
Each year I photograph over a thousand children at various schools across the greater Seattle area.
I know this is well received.
It has helped launch businesses, given photographers alternate revenue streams, and provided amazing direct marketing for hundreds of photographers across the globe.
Each month we have a cover contest in our group to champion our peers and share our journey.
Below are the photographs that my students took and shared this month. Aren't they incredible?
Cami Graham Turpin "I didn't think school portraits were something that would fit my brand or that I'd even want to do. I don't love studio or formal portrait photography at all! But now that I've done several schools using what I've learned from this course, I believe this fits my brand perfectly. I'm SO happy to be able to offer this to schools! The parents are happy, and I'm building long-term relationships with schools who appreciate my artistic approach and ability to capture personalities."
https://www.instagram.com/bluehillimages/ | http://www.bluehillimages.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/bluehillimages/
Christi Allen Curtis "Love this group! I am working on getting all my info together and ready and have made my first contact for a preschool in the fall."
https://m.facebook.com/christiallencurtisphotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/christiallencurtis/ | www.christiallencurtis.com
Jocelyn Miller "This course has made me more comfortable taking portraits and has allowed me another source of income."
www.facebook.com/yellowroomphotography | www.instagram.com/yellowroomphoto
Karra Cappelli "This course has helped me become more comfortable with simple portraits! I’m so much more confident when chatting with kids (it seems silly, I know!) Thank you Elena!!!"
www.facebook.com/karralynnphotography | www.instagram.com/karralynnphoto | www.karralynnphotography.com
Sara Thom "Just my own kiddos that I’m practicing on right now. I haven’t reached out to schools yet but my goal this month is to get my portfolio together so I can start reaching out to schools. I am hoping I get some yeses and that this takes off! I don’t know of anyone else in my area that offers school portraits like this! I hope I can get this going!"
www.facebook.com/sarathomphotography | www.instagram.com/sarathomphoto | www.sarathomphotography.com
Jana Bain "When I first wanted to get into school photography I kept on getting stuck at how the whole workflow would go. This course was amazing at helping me see just how easily I could do this and maximise my profit. I have just completed my first school of 50 children and have made more than I anticipated I would. Thanks for the course and all your wisdom Elena!"
www.facebook.com/janabainphotography | www.instagram.com/jana.bain.photography | https://janabain.photography/
Jenn Reese "My photography business has been a part-time job since I left teaching Kindergarten six years ago. Now that my kids are in school, I have a lot more time to commit to my business but I had no idea which direction to take it. The "Schooled" course popped up in my feed and I immediately knew it would be an incredible way to bring together my experience and love for teaching little ones as well my drive to build my business. In just one month of offering the portraits after learning the process through Elena's extremely detailed modules, I've tripled my monthly income from this time last year. I've also had numerous inquiries and bookings from families whose children did portraits with me. I'm totally hooked and can't wait for Fall when school starts up again and I can dive back into school portraits!"
https://www.facebook.com/JennReesePhotography | www.instagram.com/jennreesephotography | www.jennreesephoto.com
Andra Ogden "This course has completely opened my eyes to the possibility of creating stunning and meaningful portraits, not just school photos! I am so grateful ❤️"
https://www.instagram.com/andrablythephotography | https://www.facebook.com/andrablythephotography/ | https://andrablythe.com/
Amanda Evans "I recently relocated and getting into a couple of preschools has helped me grow my family photo business too! Love that. So glad to have the tools from the Schooled course!"
www.instagram.com/amandaevansphoto | https://www.amandaevansphoto.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/amandaevansphoto/
Amy Williams "I've been a photographer since my grandma first taught me how to hold a camera. I tried to take my photography full time but it was so stressful I ended up going back to work as a graphic designer. I still take sessions on the weekends and in the evenings during the summer, I can't not be a photographer.
Then I saw the Schooled course and I immediately purchased it. I've been nervous to send out emails to schools but sent out my first seven today!! I am keeping all fingers and toes crossed that this could be a new start for me...again!"
https://www.instagram.com/amywilliams_photography/ | http://www.amywilliamsphotography.ca/ | https://www.facebook.com/AmyWilliamsPhotography
Anela Deisler "I took this course right as I established my business and it gave me everything I needed to get rolling. I was surprised at how much I enjoy getting to be in the schools and how how honored I am to deliver these images to the families."
https://www.instagram.com/aneladeisler_photography/ | https://www.facebook.com/aneladeislerphotography | https://www.aneladeislerphotography.com/
Shannon Garbaccio "Elena gives you all the tools you need to start capturing school portraits tomorrow! It has been a wonderful addition to my business."
https://www.instagram.com/shannongarbacciophoto/ | https://www.facebook.com/shannongarbacciophotography/ | https://www.shannongarbaccio.com/
Rachael Turner "I’m still building my portfolio but I am so excited about all that I’ve learned from this course already! Elena addressed parts of the process that I didn’t even realize I hadn’t thought of yet. If I had jumped in to school photography before thinking of those workflow aspects, I easily would have been in over my head. I have approached my first organizations with confidence and their initial reaction is so encouraging! I am so excited about this new business endeavor."
www.facebook.com/rachaelmariephotog | Www.instagram.com/rachaelmarie_photography | www.rachaelmturner.com
Kerie Griggs "I love photographing kiddos but I never thought about doing school photos because I never knew they could be so beautiful until I saw Elena's school photos. I am so glad I took her class! I have photographed 3 schools in the past 6 months and I am booked to photograph them again next year. This additional revenue stream for my business has been a blessing!"
https://www.facebook.com/kgriggsphotography | https://www.instagram.com/kgriggsphotography | http://www.kgriggsphotography.com/
Rochelle Hepworth "Being able to create school portraits that are true to my lifestyle brand has been eye-opening! In fact, something that I thought would just be a side-business for slow times has shown itself to be a source of both income and job satisfaction that can rival and exceed traditional family sessions! This course has been a game-changer for me!"
http://www.rochellehepworth.com/school-photography-vancouver/ | https://www.facebook.com/rochellehepworthphotography
Natalie Marotta "This course has been amazing in so many ways! Every little detail has helped me along the way and continues to do so with this amazing community!"
http://nataliemarotta.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/natalie_marotta/ | https://www.facebook.com/nataliemarottaphotography/
Alice Akiyama "This course has changed my view on my business and marketing 100%. It's been SO great to learn not only from the course but from everyone active in this group. I can't even tell you how much I refer back to the class materials when working on my own school portrait portfolio etc. I am so thankful!"
Sarah Hailey "Elena's systems she gives in the course are worth every penny. I would have been lost doing my first school without them. This course has changes my business for the better!"
www.sarahhaileyphotography.com | https://www.instagram.com/sarahhaileyphoto/ | https://www.facebook.com/sarahhaileyphotography/
Every person that is in my Family Posing Made Easy class is granted access to an active online community where they share their work and inspire their peers. Each month we do a cover contest so we can see what our peers have been up to.
Check out this last months submissions!
Marti Austin | "This class has been so beneficial in helping me see the beauty in the imperfect, unposed, and candid moments."
martiaustinphotography.com | Instagram.com/martiaustinphotography | Facebook.com/martiaustinphoto
AnneMarie Hamant | "This posing course made my fall busy season so effortless! I was able to maximize my time with families and it gave me some go-to poses that made my sessions feel more organized and consistent."
www.facebook.com/annemariehamantportraitsstories | www.annemariehamant.com | www.instagram.com/annemariehamant
Nicole Eliason | "I have built my business on taking “candid“ photos of families connecting with each other, but I always struggled because my success was hit or miss this course allowed me the freedom to POSE those candid connections!!"
www.nicoleeliasonphotography.com | www.facebook.com/nicoleeliasonphotography | www.instagram.com/nicoleeliasonphotography
Hali Resney Tomczak | "[This course] has given me the confidence to direct my clients into connected poses and let them be themselves from there!"
Www.sweetlivphotography.com | www.instagram.com/sweetlivphotography | www.facebook.com/sweetlivphotography
Elena Streeter | "The course helped me not to stress out about what to do if kids don't cooperate. It helped me to better tell the story of clients I serve. Now that I'm getting away from standard look at the camera photos, those images feed my soul! I'm working on the changing my portfolio."
https://www.elenastreeterphotography.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/elena_streeter/
Amanda Hilfer | "I have photographed five families at this location in the last four days and I have driven home each time with a grin from ear to ear. This course has given me the confidence to direct my families beyond past stiff and uncomfortable poses and entice each and every member to laugh, giggle and be fully present in the moment. And sometimes being present means the kids are running around while the parents share a quiet moment to themselves. The feedback I receive when I deliver a client gallery has gone from "thanks so much" to "Amanda! A thousand thank yous for the photos!!! They are absolutely stunning." But the best part....I can feel that every family member had a blast on the shoot and family photos no longer feel like a chore to my clients. If you want to create images that you can actual FEEL, this guide will get you there."
www.amandajoy-photography.com | https://www.instagram.com/amandajoy_photography/
Liz Greenleaf | "I've been able to create more connected photographs for my clients. The details in Elena's posing guide have made such a difference in the flow and feel of my sessions. ❤️"
Www.facebook.com/elizabethgreenleafphotography |Www.instagram.com/elizabethgreenleaf_photography | Www.lizgreenleafphotography.com
Kathleen Williams | "I love having go to poses. I am more confident in following my heart when it comes to posing. I am more mindful to the whole experience when it comes to my clients. Talking and having fun the whole way through. 😊"
Kathleenwilliamsphotos.com | Facebook.com/kathleenwilliamsphotography | Instagram.com/kathleenwilliamsphotogtaphy
Karissa Michele | "As a lifestyle family photographer, it was refreshing and freeing to hear from Elena that posing is not only okay, but also necessary! My families appreciate the guidance, and it helps them feel more confident and comfortable through all the real moments and interactions that then follow naturally."
www.karissamichelephotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/karissamichelephotography/
Leah Wagner | "This course has impacted myself by showing me that I need to take control of the sessions and that gentle posing is really, really needed. Clients feel more secure in what you are doing when you take the reins of the session and guide them. It gives them confidence and builds their trust in you. I love that this course showed me how to get connection in my photos and most importantly what to do with client's hands :)"
www.leahwagnerphotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/leahwagnerphotography
Stacey Still | "I have learned SO much."
www.staceystillphotography.com | www.facebook.com/staceystillphotography | www.instagram.com/stacey.still.photography
Tess Davis | "Loved this course. It made me realize it’s ok to “pose” them for natural emotion. You can guide them and still get the candid feel in your images. I love being able to look back and get a refreshers if needed as well. It’s also given me a good workflow to use through my session."
www.tessdavisphotography.com | www.instagram.com/tessdavisphotography | www.facebook.com/tessdavisphotography
Jenn Reese | "Before this course, I focused on the technical aspects of photography and even thought I had certain poses down; but, the final product was missing the strong emotional connection that I longed to capture. After taking the posing course, Elena spoke so much about providing cues for the parents to look at their children, look at each other, kiss one another, even "take in their smell" (I love saying this to families, it always get a great laugh which usually yields such sweet pictures too!) Her pose suggestions helped promote these interactions by getting their bodies closer and more comfortable. I've noticed how much more comfortable my families feel when they know exactly what I want them to do, even when kissing one another is something they do multiple times a day! When they feel the most comfortable, the images show it and my confidence in posing has made that all happen so much easier! Thank you, Elena, for sharing your incredible talent!"
www.jennreesephoto.com | https://www.facebook.com/JennReesePhotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/jennreesephotography/
Amy Liehr | "I loved how this course gave me a new found confidence when going into lifestyle family sessions. I no longer show up and HOPE that I capture something magical. I now have the tools to confidently MAKE magic happen! I used to feel distracted and disconnected from families a lot of the time; trying to visualize in my head what I wanted to create and then secretly "wishing" for it to come together. Now I can be present and get to know a family while casually posing them. Even though I now have several "go-to" poses, no two families look alike. They're true personalities and connection are able to shine through."
http://www.amyliehr.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/amyliehrphotography/ | https://www.facebook.com/amyliehr/
I have known this family for years and had the privilege of capturing them multiple times. They are laid back and so much fun to be around.
Every time I get to see them I feel like we should probably grab a beer after. ;)
Enjoy!
