A Shot In The Dark

Is there a good time of day to do portraits?

  It’s probably not a question most people ask.  But ask yourself; is there a good time of day to do portraits?

 The answer is YES!

 Introducing……….. THE GOLDEN HOUR!

 The golden hour is the hour during sunrise and sunset.  It’s what gives your portraits that creamy, dreamy look that everyone wants. It’s also the most flattering light and gives highlights and dimensions you’ll never see at high noon.

 Speaking of high noon, if you’re into harsh shadows and raccoon eyes, go ahead and schedule your appointment at this time.

  But, Melissa, what about location?

 Think about what you want in your background.  Is there an open field of your favorite flowers?  Do you have a wonderful “thinking spot” out in the tree line in your back yard?  

 Certain locations can and will affect the time of day to shoot.

 Let’s take the tree line example:  If these are 50 foot pines with branches to the ground, we may want to shoot a little earlier in the day to allow adequate light for that area.   If it’s a more open forest, golden hour light will stream through like a dream.

 So, when you schedule your Senior Portrait or Family session with me, be sure to ask….

 When’s the best time to have my session?

 I’ll see you bright and early in the morning or in the late evening.

What should I wear for my senior portraits?

 In all honesty, less is more.  So, what should you wear for your senior portraits?

Most seniors want a handful of clothing options for their portraits.  And who can blame them?  But here’s the key to making it work.

  Find your most flattering items in your closet.  Don’t go shopping for something new the week or day before the shoot.  If it isn’t something you have worn multiple times before, leave it at the store.

Of the items from your closet, make sure they are distinctive enough from each other, but can be worn with the same pants or shoes.  You want to be able to mix AND match your clothing.

You’ll want to know what order to wear these clothes by your hair style as well (See my blog post from this past Monday to see why).

And most of all, make sure they truly express who you are and that you feel your best wearing them.

When asked what you’re most excited about your up coming senior year.....

I’m most excited for just about everything!  Last year of football and rugby.  It’s going to be a wild and really great year overall!  ~ Dallas Z.

Professional Hair and Makeup artist.

Why should I get a professional hair and makeup session for my Senior Portraits? 

I know you may have a certain style.  You might even have this contouring thing down pat. Maybe you’re like me and barely use make up at all, saving it for special occasions.

But when it comes to your Senior Portrait session, having a professional do the work for you is important for many reasons:

1)      Your make up won’t cover flaws the way a professional can.  You’re makeup is great for everyday use because the human eye blurs what it sees and has seen repeatedly.  So the brain automatically gives you that “soft veil” look to our memory. Photographs aren’t so forgiving in that same respect.  A professional has special makeup and techniques specifically for portraits to blend away imperfections.

2)      Boys need photo make up too!  Anyone who’s worked in theater knows hair and makeup enhances your character.  The same goes for your Senior Portrait session. We want to give you a smooth look while bringing out your chiseled good looks.

3)      Their work helps enhance my post production editing.  So the same make up your artist put on for you makes that light, airy, feminine portrait we did in a field of flowers can still work for that darker, edgier look of you in your sports uniform.

4)      The hair style you get can easily transform from one look to the next.  You might start with a sweeping up do that with a pull of some bobby pins now makes you look like a country super star.

5)      The better your hair and makeup is, the less time is spent digitally editing out the imperfections.  Which means you get your portraits back faster for your viewing/ordering session?  And who can wait to see the finished images?  I know I can’t and I’m the one taking them!

So there you have it. The top 5 reasons you need a hair and makeup artist for your Senior Portrait session.  

A Professional Hair and Makeup session is included with your creative fee when you book your sessions with me.  If you are interested in learning more about how you can book your session, please visit my website www.melissachallisphoto.com  or you can like my Facebook page  or follow me on Instagram, melissachallisphotography.

Of all the catch phrases I’ve heard in my life, none have stuck with me like “Always stay a student”. It means always be open to learning. New things, old things (because some lessons are hard to learn), for yourself or your business. And sometimes you just feel like you need someone’s blessings to make the leap. But don’t get that confused with “permission”. Asking permission is making it someone else’s decision for you. Blessing is the “I believe in you. Go do it!” when you don’t quite believe in yourself. Well… this student is going to VEGAS BABY!

WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photography Conference+Expo)

I VALUE MY WORK, my art, my craft.

Earlier this week, a friend tagged me on another mutual friend’s post, looking for someone to design a logo for their construction business.

I had a warm and fuzzy feeling at this half-ass referral. Even though design is not my top skill (photography is), I’ve been drawing and painting all my life and considered myself a very well versed person in Photoshop. I thought I’d ask some questions to see if we’d work well together.

Me: “Got any more info like … Budget, concepts, etc?”

“Case of beer. Lol”

Me: “nice!” (Silently rolling my eyes)

“I’m a cheep ass!” (At least he was honest)

Then a friend of his pops in with his two cents, going on about he doesn’t need a copyright and he’ll draw up something for him.

I laughed out loud as I typed, “There’s your case of beer” YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

My point all of his is: why do people think it’s ok to offer low-ball offers to legitimate work?! Do you think he’d accept a couple of mini Heineken kegs for a bathroom add-on? Hell no! So why should my work be any different?

I have 15+ years experience. I went to college for this. Graduated with high honors. I am constantly reading up on new techniques, software and equipment. I have invested thousands in equipment over the years. I do everything in my power to bring quality to my creations every day I’m behind that lens.

THE LOST GENERATION is already here. And I, too, have fallen victim to technology. In the 10 years my husband and I have been together, we have only one set of professional pictures taken of us that is not our wedding. But we have plenty of digital selfies on our phones *roll eyes here*

That’s why I have been diligently working to redirect my photography business and start creating more tangible art.

Albums, wall portraits, printed photos. These are the things that your children and grandchildren will want to find first when you pass away.

Photographs are the time machine to seeing our past, to help our memories last forever. Photographs help tell the stories to younger generations.

“Mom? Who’s that?”, pointing to a person in the picture. “Well, honey. That’s you great uncle John. You see, here, he just got out of the army and him and Aunt Betty bought their first farm……”

Do you see where this is going?

Children today have no history to look back on, no stories, no sense of self.

Like a man without a country, kids and young adults today don’t know their place in life or what they stand for.

They are lost.