Christmas Sessions In Calgary

by patil | Nov 7, 2023 | Family, Kids, Life, Outdoor Sessions, Studio Sessions

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

Fall Family Photos: Where to go, what to wear

by patil | Oct 1, 2023 | Family, Outdoor Sessions, Places We Go

Fall Family Photos: Where to go, what to wear

Fall is the most popular time for family photos. Maybe the amazing colours of the season makes it so popular or the cooling weather and upcoming holidays reminds us the family time. Fall evokes feelings of warmth, coziness, and togetherness. These emotions can translate well into family photos, capturing the love and unity within the family.

Fall often brings families together for gatherings, making it a convenient time for family photos. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a birthday, or simply a weekend reunion, families can use these gatherings as an opportunity for a photo session.

Autumn is known for its stunning natural beauty as the leaves on trees change colors. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows create a picturesque backdrop for family photos, making the pictures visually captivating. Soft, diffused autumn light, which occurs as the sun sits lower in the sky makes fall photos even more beautiful, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Where to go for fall photos in Calgary

Calgary, Alberta offers a variety of picturesque locations for fall family photos. The city and its nearby parks and natural areas provide stunning backdrops with vibrant autumn foliage. Here are some excellent places in Calgary to consider for your fall family photo session:

1. Bowness Park

Bowness Park is the first place that comes to my mind when it’s time for fall family photos. The park offers picturesque lake views, walking trails, a kid size train tracks and a historic lagoon. The fall foliage and reflections in the water makes for beautiful images.On the river side the rocky shore is another fine spot for photos. When it is close to the sunset time, the leaves on the trees look like little lanterns shining through the pathway.

2. Nose Hill Park

Known for its panoramic views of the city, Nose Hill Park features rolling hills, wide open grassy fields and treed areas.

Nosehill Park

During the fall, the park’s tall grasses and trees turn beautiful shades of red and orange. Since it is a big park, be ready for long walks, but it is worth for blue sky and yellow grass on the sunny hills. You can also see some wild life here. It is a perfect place if you like golden hour photos and silhouettes. You can check out my blog post about nosehill park photo session here

3. Fish Creek Provincial Park

This is one of the largest urban parks in Canada and offers a diverse range of landscapes, including dense forests, open meadows, and the picturesque Bow River. The park’s trails and bridges make for great photo opportunities.

4. Edworthy Park

Edworthy Park is situated between the Bow River and the train tracks, providing scenic views of the river and the surrounding hills. The park can be accessed from Wilwood SW or Montgomery NW. Google map will direct you to the south entrance, but if you live in the north, you can also use the north entrance where Angel’s Cafe is located by the bridge. On the weekends it is busier, you have a better chance to find parking in NW side of the park. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables throughout the park, making it easy to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. When you come to this park for a photo shoot, there are multiple spots to visit. One is the Edworthy bridge connecting south and north sides of the park. Another one is the tall tree area behind the central playground on the south side. It is a perfect place for soft light and perspective shots giving a sense of depth to your photos. For open space photos, I recommend north side of picnic sites 8 and 9. This is also the place where you will find apple blossoms (so called cherry blossoms) in the spring time. To include the river in your photos, you can go down to the river shore, but it may be a bit challenging to avoid people in your photos as many people go there to swim the in summer. If you want a foresty look, you can go past the train tracks and follow the bike path in the east direction. I had a couples session here. They brought their cat, dog and wine, we had a full wagon filled with stuff haha.

Edworthy Park

5. Silver Springs Boardwalk and Botanical Garden

When going north on Crowchild Trail, If you turn left to Silver Springs way, you have two options for your fall photos. If you go right from the first intersection you will arrive Silver Springs botanical gardens, if you go left, you will come to Bowmont Park, also known as Silver Springs Boardwalk.
Boardwalk offers wooden pathway cleaving a grassy area with vibrant yellows and reds along the way, then you will walk through a treed area and then arrive at the Bow River. The lookout at this point is a beautiful spot with the alluring river views. I have a dedicated post about this park if you would like to read, click here. If you climb up the wooden steps ahead of this point, you will see a breath-taking view of the river, train bridge and Paskapoo slops. This maybe a rough spot for the families with babies as you don’t want to climb those stairs carrying a baby.

I recommend Silver Springs Botanical Gardens for those who have little ones or elderlies in the family. Botanical gardens offer a nice flat area which you immediately arrive after parking. The light here is perfect for fall family photos, as it comes filtered through the yellow and pink coloured leaves. You can go into the treed areas for a forest look. The wide walking pathway is a great spot for big families. Beware that this is an off-leash area so you may not want to choose to have picnic here. Once I did a cakesmash session there. We managed to protect the cake during the photoshoot but it eventually got smashed by the dogs, not the baby, haha.

Silver Springs Botanical Gardens

Bowness Park

Confederation Park

Edworthy Park

6. Strathcona Ravine

This is a hidden gem in the SW Calgary nicely camuflaged behind the houses and streets. Actually there is a secret entrance to the park from a cul de sac. Since it is a ravine, you go down through wooden steps alongside trees, which makes a great photo location by itself. Through the pathway, you are surrounded by tall trees with narrow trunks. You feel like you are in a forest, not in the middle of a residential area. Strathcona Ravine is a perfect place to get some pretty fall family photos. The sun beams filtered by the tree leaves provide a warm ambience. If you follow the path in the NW direction, you will arrive a wooden boardwalk with lush foliage with interesting plants and more trees. If you choose this place as your photo location, do not go there too late as it is like a canyon and you cannot get the last rays of the sun and it will look dull without sunlight.

7. Confederation Park

Located in the heart of Calgary, Confederation Park boasts a lagoon, tree-lined pathways and wooden bridges. It’s an excellent spot for capturing the fall colors. You may need to wait until October to see bright yellows in this park but it is worth the wait. You will not want to leave the park even after the photo shoot.

8. Riley Park

This park features a beautiful garden with a wide variety of flowers and plants. In the fall, the garden is transformed by colorful leaves, creating a lovely setting for photos. Huge trees on the west side of the park make you look like you are somewhere in BC. Warm colours of earth on the ground look so inviting with the shadows of the tree trunks and branches. Riley Park wading pool area is also a nice spot to capture some yellow leaves where the tree branches hanging all the way to the ground. For little kids, I usually look for trees with low branches.

University Research Park

Stanley Park

Carburn Park

Bowness Park

9. Prince’s Island Park

Situated in the Bow River, Prince’s Island Park is known for its picturesque bridges, water features, and walking trails. The fall foliage along the riverbanks can be particularly stunning. At Prince’s Island Park, it is possible to get both groomed urban park looks and a wild park feeling at the same time. Beautiful trees by the river nicely blocks the downtown buildings. It’s up to you if you want to include the highrises in the background in your family photos.

10. Stanley Park

This urban park in Calgary’s southwest offers a tranquil setting with a small lake, walking paths and plenty of trees that turn vibrant colors in the fall. There is also a playground if you have kids. You can get some awesome fall family photos at the beach area, and then if you continue walking on the pathway towards the Rideau bridge, you will arrive at a brighter place and will see the turqoise waters of the Elbow river between bright yellow leaves. My favourite colours in one frame! What else can I ask for?

11. Lindsay Park

This park in the mission area, gets so pretty yellow all around in the fall. Little body of water, bridges and wooden fences offers great photography opportunities. If you have kids, they can enjoy the playground located in the centre of the park at the end of the session.

12. Carburn Park

Another hidden gem in the SE Calgary. I found this park when I was searching for a nearby photography location for my clients to make it convenient for them, as they had two little kids and a baby. In Carburn park, A beautiful lagoon with a little island in it provides amazing views for your fall family photos. It doesn’t matter if the park is crowded, when you turn your back to the lagoon, there will be only nature in the background of your photos.

13. University Research Park

This is a beautiful little park, located near the University campus in NW, with a lovely duck pond in the middle. If you are looking for a peaceful and quite place, then this is it. Along with the duck pond, it features a wooden deck next to the pond, a treed area and a wooden bridge over a little stream. There is a playground for little kids on site. Perfect for families with babies.

Lindsay Park

Edworthy Park

Confederation Park

Strathcona Ravine

What to wear for your fall family portrait session

The fall season allows for a wide range of clothing choices, from cozy sweaters and scarves to stylish boots and hats. Families can have fun coordinating their outfits and expressing their personal style in photos.

Choosing the right clothing for a fall family photo session is vital for creating a cohesive and visually appealing look. Here are some tips on what to wear for a fall family photo session:

Coordinate, Don’t Match: Instead of everyone wearing the exact same outfit, aim for coordinated colour schemes. Choose a colour palette with complementary or analogous colors. For fall, warm tones like earthy browns, deep reds, rich oranges, and muted greens work well.

Layering: Fall weather can be unpredictable, so layering is a great option. Sweaters, cardigans, scarves, vests, and jackets not only keep you warm but also add texture and dimension to your photos.

Avoid Loud Patterns: Large or busy patterns can be distracting in photos. Opt for simpler, subtle patterns or solid colours. Plaids, subtle stripes, or small floral prints can work if they fit within your chosen color palette.

Textures and Fabrics: Embrace the textures of fall. Wool, knit, tweed, denim, and corduroy can add depth to your photos. Consider using some fabrics with texture in your outfits.

Dress for the Location: Think about where the photo session will take place. If it’s in a park with colourful foliage, earthy and warm tones may work best. If you’re in an urban setting, you might go for a more polished or casual look depending on the vibe.

Accessories: Accessories can enhance your outfits. Hats, scarves, belts, and statement jewelry can add personality and style to your photos. Just be mindful not to overdo it; less is often more.

Comfort is Key: When you are getting ready for your fall family photos, make sure everyone is comfortable in their outfits. Uncomfortable clothing can lead to awkward poses and expressions. Ensure that the kids’ clothing allows for movement and play.

Shoes Matter: Don’t forget about footwear. Shoes should match the overall style and colour scheme. Closed-toe shoes or boots are often a good choice for fall sessions, as they keep feet warm and can look stylish.

Consider Skin Tones: Think about how the chosen colors will complement your family’s skin tones. Some colours can make skin appear washed out, while others can enhance it. Jewel tones often work well for a variety of skin tones.

Test Outfits in Advance: Before the photo session, have everyone try on their outfits to ensure they fit well and are comfortable. This can also help you spot any potential issues with colours or patterns that clash.

Be Weather-Ready: Bring along extra layers or coats just in case the weather turns chilly during the session. These layers can also be incorporated into the photos for a cozy look.

Personal Style: Let each family member’s personality shine through in their outfit choices. This adds authenticity and individuality to the photos.

Avoid Logos and Branding: Clothing with large logos or branding can be distracting in photos. Opt for plain or subtly branded clothing items.

Remember that the goal is to create a harmonious and visually pleasing ensemble that reflects your family’s style and personality while complementing the fall season’s colours and atmosphere.

If you haven’t booked your fall family photos yet, let me help you nail down some unforgettable family moments this fall. You can call or book your session online from the website, choosing the time works best for you. www.alpinaphotography.com

Picture Day At Akidemy Preschool

by patil | Sep 15, 2023 | Kids, Life, Uncategorized

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

by patil | May 1, 2023 | Family, Life

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

by patil | Mar 23, 2023 | Life, Studio Sessions

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 photo Highlight 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.

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