What's the Best Time of Day for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot? | Seattle Family Photographer

What’s the best time of day for a family photo shoot?

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful place like Seattle. The city, the mountains, the views… breathtaking! We couldn’t live in a more photogenic city.

But here’s the thing: Some times of day are much, much better than others to have your family photos taken. So, when’s the best time of day?

Golden Hour is the best time of day for photos

Golden Hour is the time of day right before sunset where the light is gorgeous and makes everyone and everything look good. We LOVE to schedule outdoor sessions at Golden Hour. For those of you with little ones, we recommend a late nap and a snack/dinner before the session so they’re in the best mood possible.

But some families can’t stay up that late with little ones, and that’s okay! Or maybe there are other scheduling conflicts that get in the way of an evening shoot. Either way, if you can’t do your session in the evening, we are happy to accommodate.

If not Golden Hour, the morning is second best

Here at Elena S Blair Photography, we are masters of light. We will be able to serve your family and deliver beautiful photos no matter the time of day. So, if you can’t make a Golden Hour shoot work, no problem! We will schedule your session for the morning, usually around 9 or 10am when the sun isn’t too far up in the sky just yet. Also, kids are usually in a great mood in the morning, which is another reason to love morning sessions!

Check out this recent morning session, shot by our amazing associate Chelsea!

Chelsea still has a few spots open for the rest of the year, so click the button below to grab a session with her!

And if you’re not quite ready to book, click here to learn more about our sessions and pricing!

Elena S Blair Photography Education | May Cover Contest Top 10

It’s the beginning of the month (hello May!) which means it’s time for our cover contest over in my education community on Facebook. I feel so grateful for this incredibly engaged and inspiring group of photographers. I’m also humbled by how supportive and constructive they are too! If you’re a photographer just starting out or a seasoned pro, I’d highly recommend joining us. It’s a special little corner of Facebook.

Each month we hold a cover contest thread and this month we had almost 200 submissions… Wow. Congratulations to Whitney Coudray for being our winner and special shoutout to our top 10 (actually, 11) from this month!

Check them out below:

Whitney Coudray | https://www.facebook.com/whitneycoudrayphotography/

Lyndsay Hannah | https://www.facebook.com/lyndsayhannahphotography/

Paula Cunningham

Liz Pachniak

Catherine Kissel | https://www.facebook.com/graceandfirephotography/

Lynn Shapiro | https://www.facebook.com/lynnshapirophotography/

Renee Jordan | https://www.facebook.com/Renee-Jordan-Photography-LLC-2371751649506580/

Christina Anthony | https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaAnthonyPhotography/

Melissa Stewardson | https://www.facebook.com/MelissaStewardsonPhotography/

Cristabel SH | https://www.instagram.com/wonder_and_charm_photography/

Gabrielle Hattman | https://www.facebook.com/capturinglifephotography.llc/

Interested in joining these awesome photographers in my free Facebook group?

Schooled Student Spotlight: Hippy and Bloom Photography | Elena S Blair Photography Education

Schooled Student Spotlight: Hippy and Bloom Photography

Welcome to another Schooled Student Spotlight! Today we’re going international and introducing you to the ladies of Hippy and Bloom Photography in Ireland. Meet Bronwyn O’Brien and Sharon Smith! These ladies have been Schooled students for less than a year, but have definitely found their groove. Check it out!

They have doubled their annual income since taking school

When Bronwyn and Sharon were just started out with fine art school portraits, they “didn’t have a regular income,” with an “odd session here and there.”

Now, they have “a dance school and two national schools (one with 150+ students and the other with 650+ students) on the back of the large ballet school.” They said their annual income has gone up 100%. Nicely done, ladies!

Their business made over $10k from one school

Yes, you read that correctly. When we asked how much they typically make per school, Bronwyn and Sharon told us that “the first two schools were small Montessori's” and they made about €900 ($1,000) per school. But their third school “was a large dancing school with four internal schools and we made €9,000+.” That’s over $10,000 for ONE school!

“from this we got our business off the ground”

Besides the extra income, we asked Bronwyn and Sharon if they could tell us what the most valuable part of taking Schooled was. “EVERYTHING! The set up with background and natural light positioning. Having fun with the kids, camera settings, relaxing about technically sharp etc, culling, batch editing in photoshop, ordering process....the list goes on!!!”

Check out their fine art school portraits below! You can find more from Hippy and Bloom Photography on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

You can also start bringing in extra income!

See if Schooled Online is right for you by grabbing a seat to my free informational webinar about school portrait photography:

Schooled Student Spotlight: Jen Bauldree | Elena S Blair Photography Education

Schooled student spotlight: Jen Bauldree

Welcome to another Schooled Spotlight! If you’d like to check out our previous Schooled Student Spotlights, click here or here.

Today we’re introducing you to Jen Bauldree of Jen Bauldree Photography. Jen joined Schooled two years ago when she decided she was interested in adding an additional revenue stream to her business (hint… it worked!). Plus she thought it would be fun to try!

How was taking Schooled valuable?

“Every aspect of the Schooled course was useful, particularly the videos explaining the set up, equipment and ordering process,” Jen says. “The Facebook community has continued to be an amazingly valuable source of ideas, tips, and support over the last 2 years!!” That’s what we love to hear!

Has it been profitable to add Fine art school photography to your business?

In the past two years since taking Schooled Online, Jen has photographed six preschools and has done four cap and gown preschool portrait sessions. She pulls in over $3,600 per school and made over $14,000 just in the first year alone. Wow.

Besides having a “dependable revenue stream in the spring and fall from the schools,” Jen also has taken the Schooled model and expanded it to now offer Father Daughter dances and mini sessions. Great idea, Jen!

Check out Jen’s work below! You can learn more about Jen at her website, and you can find her on Facebook or Instagram!

Are you interested in taking your business to the next level with Fine Art school portraits? Grab a seat to my free webinar to learn more!

There are times available every day.

The Benefits of In Home Newborn Photography | Seattle Newborn Photographer

Why in home newborn photography?

It’s no secret that I love in home sessions! Staying in home for your newborn (or family!) session is intimate, authentic and safe. I love my outdoor sessions, but there’s always something a little extra special about a family allowing me into their space to capture their life.

In home photography means you don’t have to pack anything or go anywhere.

This is especially beneficial when you’ve just brought home a new baby because odds are, you’re exhausted and the idea of packing up the van to go get photos done sounds like a nightmare… am I right?

In home newborn and family sessions captures your life.

In home sessions are great for capturing more than just your family, love and connection. They also document your home! It’s where you and your family live and grow together and it’s an important piece to document, especially when bringing home a new little family member.

Most importantly, in home newborn sessions are safe.

Newborns have an incredibly sensitive immune system and exposing them to germs outside the home can be risky. And if you’re introducing your new baby to siblings, it’s easier to control those interactions in the comfort of your own home.

Interested in booking an in home session? Click the button below!