Christmas Sessions In Calgary

outdoor christmas session

Christmas Sessions in Calgary

 

It’s that time of the year again, and I am so excited for Christmas photo shoots. If you are wondering what your options in Calgary for a Christmas photo session are, let me tell you about our Christmas themed sessions at Alpina Photography.

Christmas is hands down, the most festive holiday of the year. It’s a premium family time that brings people together, taking a break from the everyday hassle and connecting with each other. As a child, it was my most favourite holiday which felt like living in a fairy tale. Decorating the house, writing post cards for the family and watching Christmas movies was the biggest fun for me. Years passed and I grew up be a mom of two kids, but the inner child gazing into the snow globe and dreaming stayed the same.

Photography being my passion, I live a double Christmas joy capturing holiday memories for families,  painting a picture of love and happiness.

Instead of Christmas minis, which feel like serial production with the same theme and concept, I tend to do regular family sessions with Christmas theme customized to each client. If you feel the same and want to go beyond the cliché mall Santa photos we can together create a personalized Christmas session for you. In that manner, we can capture unique photos for your family with the choice of location, decors and style on your mind. If you are busy, you can leave the whole session design to me, which is my pleasure. Like many other portraits sessions, Christmas family photos can also be done both outdoors or in the studio.

 

Ourdoor Christmas Sessions

Christmas-themed outdoor photo sessions can be a fantastic way to capture the holiday spirit and essence of the season against a natural backdrop. In the outdoors, we can create beautiful photos with the winter’s natural soft light, landscape in the background and if we are lucky, snowflakes falling from the sky. Besides,  the whiteness of the snow covering the ground makes beautiful bright photos where you can add some vivid colours with clothing and accessories.

Here you can read more about winter time outdoor sessions from a previous post: Photo Shoot In The Snow

When we do outdoor portrait sessions, you can determine the style and feel of the photo shoot. We discuss your ideas and vision for the outdoor Christmas session. You can share your preferences for locations, props, and the overall style you want to achieve. The location can be your favourite park, an inner city neighbourhood or downtown Calgary. As for props, we can incorporate some small items such as holiday garlands, cozy blankets or coffee mugs. If you have a specific Christmassy article, place or vehicle, we can definitely use it in your photos.

Outdoor sessions result in more candid images with some action shots and genuine emotions. These are not posed photos where the photographer tells you exactly where to stand and what to do.  The biggest benefit of outdoor sessions is that large outside space gives a wide range of focus and framing options from landscape to portraits, from action shots to shallow dept of field. Not being confined in a limited space gives the photographer freedom of focal length and bokeh (blurred background) options. We get the advantage of being creative with composition, using variety of different lenses including wide angle, zoom or prime lenses.

Studio Christmas Sessions

Christmas photo sessions performed in the studio could be the right option if you are looking for posed photos, staged with curated decors and colours in front of a certain background. Alpina Photography has a wide selection of Christmas props and decors, especially for children.

My home studio is located in Montgomery NW and free street parking is available. Studio sessions take about 45-60 minutes in average. Since it is indoor, we are free from the weather conditions and you can dress as fancy as you want. Definitely this is the right time to shine under the studio lights!

As a portrait photographer who doesn’t believe the portrait photos has to be taken in a certain way, I am always open to ideas and personal touches during a photo shoot. Indeed, it is a perfect balance of what you envision for your photos with the experience, creativity and mastery that the photographer brings to the table.

For studio Christmas sessions, coordinate wardrobe choices for yourself and any family members involved in the session, ensuring that everyone is dressed in a way that complements the festive theme.

If you need Christmas outfits for your kids, I may have something for you. Wardrobe usage is free. We will be discussing the style, background and clothing during our pre-session phone meeting. Some clients prefer plain backdrop with a touch of Christmas décor in the back. If you are one of them, you can share your vision during this meeting as well.

Whether you choose outdoor or studio session, on the day of the photo shoot, relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience with your loved ones. Since a relaxed and joyful atmosphere will help create beautiful, candid holiday memories.

Ready to start planning your session together? Get in touch!

If you want to secure your session date, you can book here

Picture Day At Akidemy Preschool

Calgary Preschool Photos

Picture Day At Akidemy Preschool

 

Today, I would like to share with you my photo day experience at Akidemy Preschool in Calgary and a few tips and tricks about how I photograph little kids and how I retouch those photos.

Starting out as a baby and kid’s photographer, children has always been my most favorite subject of photography. They are full of fun and energy. They look so adorable in their special photo day clothes and hairstyles! I feel like I’m shooting for ZARA kids catalogue. Those school photos can actually be used for modeling agencies, ha ha.

Once again, I was at Akidemy Preschool for student portraits. This time we decided to do it in the spring instead of fall, as the kids get better acclimated to the school and feel more comfortable on the photo day.

Whenever I come to Akidemy Preschool, I just want to be a kid again and dive into those activity tables with tons of different toys, fun materials and supplies laid on them. At Akidemy, they have such an adorable space tastefully decorated with natural wood furniture and pastel colours all around. An amazing place professionally desinged for safe, sterile and fun environment. If they opened this school 10 years ago, it was a no brainer to send my kids to Akidemy. Those days are gone and I am not a preschool parent anymore, but I am now a preschool photographer.

The preschool has a nice backyard with some trees, so I used this space to have a nature background in kids’ portraits. When the weather was cool or rainy, we stayed inside and took advantage of the pretty wallpaper they have on the school walls.

 

Tips and tricks to get a good smile

People often ask me how I manage to capture such good looking photos of kids. First thing first, you must break the ice with the kids and show your friendly face. This is most probably their first time getting in front of a professional photographer; at least the first they can remember. After spending quite a long time with kids photography, I came up with some tricks to get cute and natural looks from young kids during the photo shoot. One of them is giving the kids some objects like maracas, basketball, flowers or plush toys so they have something to hold in their hands, making them focus and keep busy. For example they love shaking maracas and this makes them smile. As soon as they hold the plush bunnies or kitties, they hug them or start pretend playing. These props are also great conversation starter. When the kids join in the tittle-tattle, they forget about being shy posing in front of a camera. For preschool photos, my target is first getting the typical or natural look of the child and then capture a variety of different expressions that parents would love to remember after years.

Some kids are not a chatterbox, so to encourage them for a conversation, I ask questions about their brothers or sisters, birthdays or what they will ask from Santa this year. When they start talking, I continuously click on my shutter button to capture some cute talking faces. When they are focused on the story they are telling you, they look quite like themselves, using their authentic facial expressions, instead of giving you fake smiles.

Some kids are hyper and can’t just stand still during the photo shoot. When I spot hyper kids, I encourage them to be active and ask them to jump as high as they can or reach for the sky. In the heat of the action, their facial expressions and body language can add excitement to the shot. I allow the child to be creative and try different jumping poses or styles. Sometimes their own ideas can lead to unique and memorable photos.

Another tip is using music at the photo session. I made a custom Spotify playlist that I use for preschool photo shoots. You know, baby shark, wheels on the bus or B-I-N-G-O, all those top tracks from preschool world. 😊 These familiar tunes make kids comfortable and cooperate better during the photo shoot.

The key point is to connect with the child and start a communication. When they see you as a friend, they trust you and relax. When they relax, they look natural and happy in their photos. Most of the time, parents are quite surprised when they receive their online proof gallery and see how capable their kids are when it comes to posing.

 

Editing is important

Preschool photos are important for parents, so they shouldn’t be taken lightly. As a portrait photographer, I am often asked by my clients to touch up their wrinkles, double chin, white hair or flatten their tummies.  When my subjects are 3-4 year-olds, they don’t need any of those touch ups but they need others like editing out the goo around nose, a last minute bruise, stains on the dress… It doesn’t matter how beautifully their mom dressed them on the photo day, how pretty they fixed their hair, this all can change until the photo time. They can get cheerios in their hair, playdoh on their nose, their shirt collar may be folded inside, their cheeks may be marked with a pen. 😊 In my opinion it is also hilarious to take their photo with playdoh on their face, but I guess most parents would like a clean photo, ha ha.

So first thing before photographing a kid, I take a look at the child to make sure everything looks good and try to fix anything fixable. Even so, you may end up with unwanted looks on your portraits, because high-end professional cameras can capture the littlest flaws you normally don’t see with your own eyes, such as dry skin, a tiny mucus in the nose or sleep crusts on the corner of the eyes or food crumbs around the mouth left from snack time.

At Alpina Photography, my clients do not need to worry about any of these, as I do detailed retouching on preschool photos just like my business headshots. In the end, they take home beautiful, frame worthy portraits they proudly display on their house walls.

 

Sibling photos

Preschool photo-shoots can be a great opportunity for some sibling photos. So at Alpina Photography I offer sibling photos for the preschool kids who have sisters or brothers. This is a great option for the parents who would like a quick portrait of their kids together to send to grandma. Capturing sibling photos while they hug, kiss, or play together can indeed be a priceless and heartwarming experience. Basically, the families bring their children to the preschool with them on the photo day and I give them priority so they can leave as soon as their sibling photos are taken. You can check our preschool portrates page to learn more about Alpina Photography’s preschool photos offering.

 

A few words on candid photos

All moms and dads know how kids hate to stand still to pose for a photo. The best way to get beautiful and genuine photos of your kids is capturing the moments as they naturally occur. Even for preschool photos I try to create sincere moments and capture a candid look or smile from the children. So it is best to avoid forcing poses or expressions; the genuine moments are often the most precious. Be patient and ready to capture spontaneous moments. Interact with the child and encourage them to play or engage in an activity they enjoy. This can help you capture their authentic expressions and reactions.

Enable continuous shooting or burst mode on your camera to capture a series of shots in quick succession. This can help you catch that perfect moment when the child’s expression is just right.

If the child is shy or easily distracted by the camera, use a zoom or telephoto lens to capture candid shots from a distance without intruding on their space.

If you like to capture some great memories with your kids you can check out our kids and family sessions here.

https://www.alpinaphotography.com/kids-sessions

https://www.alpinaphotography.com/family-sessions

 

Here is a link to Akidemy Preschool website for the ones who live in Calgary and would like to know more about this amazing preschool. www.akidemy.ca

Mother’s Day Photo Sessions

mother's day photo

Mother’s Day Photo Sessions – The best mother’s day gift ever

Camera is one of most magical inventions in history that gives us the power to freeze the time. Our life is like a compilation of millions of different moments in time. We don’t remember each and every moment, but we clearly remember the ones we photograph. We can even say that photography creates memories for us, which otherwise will be forgotten.

As a Calgary photographer, my mission is help creating memories for families before the time flies away.

When we become a mom or dad, we get lost in the busy pace of parent life and forget about the connection with our own moms. We are still their babies, and they are still our moms.

As our moms grow older, it becomes increasingly important to cherish the time we have left with them.

Take the time to connect with your mom, listen to her stories, share your own, take a trip down memory lane, do something fun together, take care of her. They have a place in our hearts that can never be filled by anything else. Celebrate your mom and all that she’s done for you. Throw her a surprise party, cook her favorite meal, or simply tell her how much she means to you. Sometimes we can’t express our love in words. Celebrating your mom or giving her a special gift will help her to feel appreciated and loved.

 

A Special Gift for Mother’s Day 2023

With mother’s day coming up, most of us are thinking of a different present to give them this year. Not like fulfilling your annual duty. Something special that you don’t gift just anyone. If you are in Calgary, I got you covered! A photography session is a great way to celebrate your mom. It’s a chance to make her feel special and appreciated. It’s a way to say thank you for all that she’s done for you and to remind them how much they mean to you. A gift that would be a treasure to look back on in the future.

When was the last time you had your photo taken with your mom? Months ago? Years ago? Let this one be a special photoshoot with a touch of a professional photographer. Many of my clients tell me that it was their first ever photo session with their family. This was once an old family tradition to go to a photography studio and get a professional photo done. As the point and shoot cameras had become more common, this tradition is almost forgotten. Then, cell phones with cameras came in our lives. Now we take photos of every moment with our cell phones, but it’s more sloppy and less artistic and we are not in most of those photos.

Lately getting professional photo services is once again becoming popular as people understand the value that comes with hiring a professional photographer.

Professional photographers have experience capturing special moments, posing subjects, and working in different lighting conditions. They can make you feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, and can capture beautiful photos that you will treasure for a lifetime .

 

Mother’s day photo sessions by Alpina Photography

I love taking photos of moms and their children as I get to capture one of the purest emotions between two people.  As a Calgary photographer, I get to shoot in many beautiful Calgary parks and public places, so you have a wide variety of options to choose for your family session.

Alpina Photography-Mother's day gift certificate

Mother’s day sessions are regular family sessions with a focus on mother’s day and with extra flexibility to choose your shooting location.

Be it an outdoor shoot at a park, at your house or senior’s place, we can accommodate your mommy and me session wherever possible. If there is any special bond, a shared interest or special article between you and your mom, we can make it a themed session using it as part of our photo shoot. A few years ago I asked local people during a giveaway campaign what was their most favourite places in Calgary for photography. You can find a list of great Calgary location in this post: https://www.alpinaphotography.com/2020/02/16/valentines-day-contest-calgary/

Besides digital images to share on social media, you also have an option to order prints to frame or put in an album. You can book your session online from “family sessions” page of Alpina Photography website:

www.alpinaphotography.com/family-sessions

There are two different packages for single and extended families. You can always reach me directly for any questions.

As an alternative, you can give her a gift certificate where she can pick her photo shoot date and schedule it for later. Either way this will be the most unforgettable mother’s day for her.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

How To Prepare For Your Headshot Session

photshoot with mom

How To Prepare For Your Headshot Session

 

It is the photographer’s job to set up the lighting in the best possible way, guide you through the photo shoot, provide posing suggestions, and help you feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera. On the other hand, there are few things you can do to prepare for your headshot.

Preparing for a good headshot photo involves several aspects, including grooming, make up, clothing, and posing. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a successful headshot.

Grooming and Make-up

A natural, polished look is best for a business headshot. Make sure to get a fresh haircut or trim, shave or style facial hair, and clean and moisturize your face before the photoshoot. This will ensure that your skin looks clear and bright in the photo.Avoid heavy or dramatic makeup, as this can be distracting in a professional setting. Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and provides light to medium coverage. Be sure to blend the foundation into your neck and jawline for a seamless look. make up for a headshot photoHighlight your eyes as they are an important focal point in a headshot. Use neutral eyeshadow shades to create a subtle definition and apply mascara to lengthen and volumize your lashes. Keep your lips simple. A natural-looking lip color is best for a business headshot. Choose a lipstick or gloss that is close to your natural lip color, or opt for a subtle, neutral shade.

How to dress for your session

When choosing what to wear for a headshot photo, it’s important to keep in mind that the focus should be on your face, so it’s best to avoid clothing with bold patterns. distracting graphics or logos. Solid colors work best for headshot photos. Neutral colors like black, white, gray, and navy blue are timeless and work well in professional settings. Dress in a style that represents your profession or industry. For example, if you work in a more creative field, you may be able to wear more casual attire, whereas a more formal industry may require a suit or blazer. If you are a new graduate or just starting your career, here is some more information on how to dress for work.

If you booked a studio headshot with Alpina Photography, you can bring a few outfit options to the photoshoot to see what looks best on camera. Just avoid anything too trendy or flashy.

The goal of a headshot is to showcase your face, so keep the outfit simple and let your face shine.

How to pose for a business headshot

Good posture is key in any headshot.  Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin slightly lifted. This will convey confidence and professionalism.

Relax your shoulders to avoid a stiff or uncomfortable look. You need to create a more natural, approachable look.how to pose for a headshot photo

Avoid leaning or tilting your head too much, as this can create unflattering shadows.

Find your best angle: Experiment with different angles by turning your head slightly to the left or right. This will help you find your best angle and ensure that your face is fully visible in the photo.

Practice your facial expressions: Smiling is always a good idea for a portrait, but try to avoid a forced or cheesy grin. Instead, think happy thoughts and let your smile come naturally. Practice your smile in the mirror beforehand, and aim for a natural, relaxed smile. You want to convey a sense of warmth and approachability in your photo.You can also try a more serious expression or a slight smirk for a different look.

Use your hands: You can use your hands to create a more natural and engaging pose. Try placing your hands in your pockets or lightly resting them on a nearby surface.

Remember, a business headshot should convey professionalism and approachability. With these posing tips in mind, you can create a photo that showcases your best self.

If you didn’t do it yet, you can book your business headshot with Alpina Photography in minutes through our website. www.alpinaphotography.com/headshot-sessions

Leave all your worries behind, I am here to help you look spectacular in your portraits.

 

Tips on what to wear for your maternity shoot

what to wear for maternity photo shoot

Tips on What to Wear For Your Maternity Photo Shoot

 

What to wear for your maternity photo session is an important point that needs to be decided beforehand. No panic! This can be a pleasant and fun experience for you!
You can start with your maternity photographer. If they have some outfits to your liking, you don’t have to go through the whole outfit decision process.
Inquire with your photographer if they have a maternity closet available for clients. If they do, you can ask them to share some pictures of the outfits. I have recently added a little section on my maternity photos page to give an idea about what style of clothing is available at Alpina Photography

Alpina Photography-Maternity wardrobe

 

In our maternity wardrobe, it is possible to find formal or casual dress options.  Even tutus! There is no strict rule about what to wear for a maternity session. You can decide it based on what style or look white lace maternity dressyou want for your maternity photos. For studio photo shoots, we usually recommend formal gowns. They in fact work in any setting from natural outdoor shoots to formal studio sessions. If it is an outdoor shoot in a natural setting, you can go with the casual styles too.

In my studio photo shoots, I like using loose fabrics to get a more artistic look. It is so versatile that you can get a few different impressions using the same cut of fabric. When it comes to loose fabric, I love laces, chiffons and tulles. They look very elegant and poetic in maternity pictures.

You can check out this video of Kelly Brown on Youtube:  DIY Maternity Dress with Kelly Brown    This gives an idea on how we drape fabrics on models as an alternative to sewn outfits.

Split open dresses gives you the option to show or hide your belly.

Flower headbands complement lacy outfits so well like an “angel” or a “fairy”. That innocence and purity of “childbearing” cannot be expressed better in pictures.

If you have a very specific style that you are after, you can either buy it online or have it sewn for you. Fabricland has a variety of amazing fabrics that you can buy in Calgary.

As for sizes, maternity dresses are easy to fit different body types, as they are mostly made of stretchy fabrics or adjustable straps. We have sizes from small to extra-large. If you are on the smaller side, you can choose any dress from small to large. We will make sure to make it look good on you during your photo shoot. If you are on the larger side, dresses from medium to extra-large should fit you nicely.

 

If you are planning a DIY maternity shoot 

The most important aspect of a maternity shoot outfit is revealing the maternity belly. Whether it is made of stretchy fabrics or have a split open skirt under the bust, it must do a good job on showing your belly in a flattering way.

Decide whether you want a casual or a formal style. Then you can narrow it down by browsing maternity photos on the Internet and photographers’ websites.

Avoid stripes on your dress as it would make you look wider. Try to choose solid colours as opposed to busy patterns to draw the focus on you. Remember this photo shoot is not about fashion, but your pregnancy belly.

You can use your regular jeans for maternity shoot, just leaving buttons or zipper open. Maternity jeans are not a good fit for photography as it is hard to hide the bulky elastic section on the belly.

For ready-made maternity dresses, I can recommend two online stores: www.asosmaternity.com and www.pinkblushmaternity.com they have both formal and casual styles.

Here is a few maternity clothing ideas for you:

Boho style dresses are perfect for outdoor shoots in a nature setting.

Bandeau bralette and tutu skirt fitted under the belly can be a cute option.

Long sleeve stretchy crop top showing off belly goes perfect with jeans or stretchy tube skirts

For an elegant style, you can consider dresses with deep v neck and rich skirts.

Lacy dresses with long sleeve or cold shoulder.

To be on the safe side, choose solid colours whatever style you decide. Black, white, pink, red, blue. Any colour, just solids! There can be some exceptions where a floral print can be beautiful on a casual dress, depending on its model.

 

Dos and Don’ts when coming to your maternity session

Most maternity outfits that are used in photoshoots have transparent sections like lace or chiffon, so it is best to avoid black, white or colour underwear. Skin colour underwear is the best bet to hide it under the garment. If it is seamless, even better. If you have a tube or bandeau bra, bring it with you; it may come in handy for strapless dresses or loose fabric draping.

Prior to your maternity session, make sure to wear loose underwear so there is no marks on the skin from elastics.

If you need a hair cut or a touch up on your hair roots, get it done before your maternity session.

If your partner will be in the pictures, they should dress the same style as you. If you are wearing a fancy gown, they should choose a dress pants and shirt. If you are going with a casual style, your partner should match it too.

Don’t miss this deal expiring on March 31, 2022Alpina Photography-maternity promotion

Alpina Photography is currently offering a promotion in Calgary, Alberta where you can get $100 off on your maternity sessions. You can save instantly at the time of online booking. All you need is to enter the promo code SPECIAL100 during check out. Your session can be booked for months later but booking needs to be done until March 31, 2022. Don’t miss it, book it today: www.alpinaphotography.com/maternity-sessions

 Contact Alpina Photography:

email: pinar@alpinaphotography.com

Phone: (403) 926-4832

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