Seattle lifestyle family photographer, Elena S Blair, specializes custom newborn, maternity, and family photography.
I adore sun drenched images, however there is something so special and beautiful about a cloudy sky. It brings a depth and beauty that is so unique. I believe as a photographer it is important to be able to photograph in any type of light. I only cancel a shoot if it is super rainy.
I have had the privilege of capturing this Seattle Family a few times and it is lovely fun time. We played in the sand, threw rocks in the water, and enjoyed a cloudy Seattle spring evening together.
One of my favorite things to do in my family work is to incorporate the environment.
Here in the Pacific Northwest we have a vast amount of beautiful locations all less than an hour from Seattle! It really is incredible.
My families get to choose what type of location they prefer. Beach, park, field, urban, or mountain. Then, based on what I know about light and accessibility I help them to choose the best location in their chosen category.
This family wanted to go to the mountains! Luckily I have a few favorite mountain locations that are super easy to get to.
When you have a session with me it is a bit like an adventure. We explore the environment and really get to know each other.
You get to spend quality time with your family and let me take care of any of the "stress" of having family photos taken.
It really is a lot of fun!
One of the biggest struggles photographers have is posing.
You want your families to look relaxed. You want the family photos you take to look "unopposed." You want your families to love their photos. Right!?
We all do.
Most of the posing guides out there are basically a look book. Something you can find on Pinterest.
This is why it took me so long to put a posing guide out there. I wanted to find a way to teach posing that was valuable. I wanted to figure out a way that would teach HOW to pose, not just give ideas.
That is why I developed, Family Posing Made Easy. This class is literally a step by step guide to posing. It breaks over 40 family poses down into steps that you can implement right away.
It is NOT just a visual guide.
My students have been putting out incredible work with their newly learned skills. Each month we do a cover contest and we share our latest family work to inspire and grow together.
I am so darn proud of my students!
Enjoy!
Marti Austin "Since taking this course I've learned how to gently guide my families into natural positions and then let the moments unfold naturally to truly capture their personalities and relationships!"
martiaustinphotography.com | Facebook.com/martiaustinphoto | Instagram.com/martiaustinphotography
Hali Resney Tomczak "I love having go to poses to go to, I feel so much more confident directing my clients into connected poses and then letting their beauty together shine trough from there💛"
www.sweetlivphotography.com | https://m.facebook.com/sweetlivphotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/sweetlivphotography/
Maleah Metz "This course had made me so much more confident when going into sessions (and not just family photography!) I still consider myself a beginner, but I’m so much more comfortable now with interacting with clients and making them feel more relaxed and at ease in front of the camera ✨"
www.maleahmetzphotography.squarespace.com | www.facebook.com/maleahmetzphotography | www.instagram.com/maleahmetzphotography
Karra Cappelli "This course has helped me be more vocal during sessions. Elena lays out simple commands and actions that can be implemented in all sessions. Thank you Elena!!!"
www.facebook.com/karralynnphotography | www.instagram.com/karralynnphoto | www.karralynnphotography.com
Tiffany Magnuson "This course has helped me to see the natural way of "posing" It's no longer stressful to get shots of families."
Cheryl Minix "I've learned to direct so that I am able to capture connection. This little just learned how to give "lovins". Momma clearly is soaking up the moment, closing her eyes and freezing this moment into her heart for evermore. And Daddy? Daddy is thinking what did I ever do to deserve all this...Thank you Lord!"
https://www.facebook.com/MyOnlySunshineCherylMinix/ | www.instagram.com/myonlysunshinecm | cherylminix.zenfolio.com
Sarah Hailey "I learned to first of all set expectations with my families before we even begin the shoot, especially with dads! Getting these relaxed poses actually takes a lot of coaching. I also learned to slow down and pay attention to the little details. A little change in posing can make a huge difference!"
www.sarahhaileyphotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/sarahhaileyphotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/sarahhaileyphoto/
Kristen Pay "To date, this is one of my favourite family captures. The pure bliss on mom's face. The way dad is whispering in her ear. The kiddos looking on in complete wonder. I love it. <3 The raw emotion of people photography gets me every single time - it is hands down my passion to capture other peoples realness.
This course was one of the best purchases I've made. I love photography, but when I started up my business I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. I was terrified to direct people. Being able to rely on ideas and cues that I've learnt has been pivotal in me overcoming these fears. Because I've been able to overcome these fears, my photography skill has greatly improved. Because I've learnt HOW to talk and direct, I can now really focus on getting the images I want."
https://www.kristenpayphotography.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/kristenpayphotography | www.instagram.com/kristen_pay_photography_
Cari Bradley "I have learned so much from taking this course and have taken huge steps towards the more connective family photos I love!!"
Cariannephotography.com | Facebook.com/cariannephotography | Instagram.com/carianne_photography
Rishelle Barber "I am working on focusing on family posing more and moving around a location less. AKA more variety with posing vs. a million different spots in a location. Also, I love when hair blows around in the breeze. This course has made a huge difference in establishing the building blocks of my family sessions. I give the poses names to help me remember them... like "french fries" (everyone standing in a bunched up group), "kid sandwich" (duh), "love line" or "condiments" (holding hands, but spread out a bit), etc."
www.instagram.com/rosey.shell_photography | www.facebook.com/roseyshell | www.roseyshell.com
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/
