How to Create the Perfect Shot List for your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

It’s finally time to start planning the details of your personal brand shoot, so get excited! Creating a shot list is an individual experience, as no two brands are the same, especially in a city like Boston. The digital world is getting crazier by the day, so If you don’t know where to even begin when drawing inspiration for your branding photoshoot, let me offer some guidance…

1. Give your photographer as much insight as possible to your brand! In addition to having all my clients fill out a thorough questionnaire, I also schedule a phone call. Talking about your brand, your expectations, your ideal client, always gives me little golden nuggets of info to use when creating the perfect shot list.

2. Create an inspiration board. Pinterest is ideal, but any visual representation of your brand goals, the vibe you are going for, posing you love, etc, is essential in communicating what you want your brand photos to look like to your photographer

3. Know what you need ahead of time. If you’ve hired a pro photographer, you’re going to get great photos. But to get the BEST set of photos to launch your brand to the next level, you need to dig deep and figure out your photo priorities. Do you need a banner image for your website that shows your team hard at work? Do you need a series of verticals for an Instagram reel? A unique horizontal of each team member for a blurb about what they do?

Building the perfect shot list is as much about the vibes and the visual inspiration as it is about the nitty-gritty details. Having a clear vision for your brand ensures that we can capture exactly what you need from your shoot… and also allows us space to get creative on location and potentially create something we might have never dreamed up in planning. You give us your brand story, we translate it into next-level visuals that attract your ideal customers.

My Top 3 Ways to Display Your Favorite Family Photos | Boston Family Photographer

Print those photos! The task can be so daunting, but the theme here is not perfection, in my house, it’s always a work in progress. I love seeing how my clients display their favorite family photos, and while I can admit, sometimes I fall behind, seeing how much my kids love actual physical photos is the best motivation to keep it going (and of course I love them too!!)

1. My personal fave: Albums. I make an album every year of my family and it is my kids’ favorite book to look at. These become treasures to pull out as the years go on, for your kids to look back on and laugh at their littler selves.

2. Wall art. I love seeing client photos on their walls. Unfortunately, we don’t have a ton of wall space in our Boston condo, but my favorite two photos of my kids are hanging on the little wall space that we do have, as big as could possibly fit, 30x40 framed black and white portraits.

3. Small tabletop frames, on the fridge, wherever you have space to show printed photos. Honestly, my style of printing photos is in book form or BIG, but it always comes down to personal preference, and having them printed is the important theme here. I have lots of clients with amazing mantle or bookshelf displays of family photos that fill up their space perfectly.

An alternative idea for small prints is to hang them in a fun, easy way in your kids’ room, hallway, playroom; somewhere that has a casual vibe, and this allows you to rotate them out regularly without having to reframe. Gallery walls have also been huge lately, and another great method for easily adding or swapping in new images.

I love finding new ways to display photos, and always keep my eye out for inspiration. We are living in the day and age of digital frames and TV’s camouflaged as art pieces, but a part of me will always love the tangible images the most.

Haven’t done anything with your photos yet? Want me to design your album? Click here to send me a note to get started

How to Attract Your Ideal Client from Your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

Being a Boston-based small business owner myself, if you’re a New England brand looking to take your business to the next level, you've landed in the right spot. As a branding photographer, I am super passionate about helping small businesses and female entrepreneurs create stunning visuals that can help you reach your audience and attract your ideal client with your brand photos.

The Importance of Strong Visuals

First things first, strong visuals are essential. In the world of social media and digital marketing, high-quality photos are a non-negotiable part of your professional brand strategy. It’s not just about them looking amazing, but also conveying your brand’s personality and values.

This is where brand photography and lifestyle shots come into play, your photos should reflect your unique style and story, and make your brand instantly recognizable. Pictures are worth a thousand words, and in the crowded online space we want to be remembered.

Knowing Your Audience

No one understands your audience better than you, and we want to create content that speaks to them. Who are they? What do they value? What problems are they looking to solve? This helps me as your photographer to tailor your photoshoot to reflect what you want to say. This is why we start with a call and questionnaire so that I can build the perfect shot list for our shoot.

Telling Your Brand Story

Your brand story is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Behind-the-scenes shots are a fantastic way to give potential clients a glimpse into what it’s like to work with you. This not only builds trust but also adds a personal touch to your professional brand strategy. 

I personally always love to showcase your workspace, process, and team, this makes your brand relatable and engaging. Storytelling through visuals is a trend that’s here to stay, so let’s connect with your clients by showing them the human side (the YOU) of your business.

Attracting your ideal client is really all about showing off who you are and what you do, and really what better way is there than with your brand photos. I’m here to help you navigate the journey and create content that truly speaks to your brand. Remember, great photos aren’t just about looking good—they’re about making a lasting impression. Let’s create something amazing!

Overcoming Camera Shyness: Why You Need to Be in Your Brand Photos | Boston Brand Photographer

Maybe you hate the way you look in photos. This is a common theme I hear from business owners, especially female business owners… which is an issue when you are the face of your business. People want to see you! They want to get to know YOU (spoiler, they don’t care if you have a double chin or wrinkles when you smile), but I get it. We all want to look our best in front of the camera.

1. Let’s make you actually look like yourself. Stop judging your appearance based on camera snapshots with terrible lighting and unflattering angles. We’ll set up the good light, with the good angles, and make you look like you

2. Wipe the fake smile off your face. It’s not your fault, but for some of us, a “smile for the camera” is nothing like our actual genuinely happy-to-see-you smile. We’ll help you get the real smiles and leave the “cheese” at the door.

3. Take a deep breath, channel your inner T Swift, and just get over it :) I know it’s easier said than done, but being overly critical of yourself in front of the camera is often a mental block we just need to knock down.

Have you seen our Ebook: 8 Tips to Look Your Best in Every Photo? This is the best resource I send my clients when we book a brand photoshoot.

Camera shyness plagues our everyday life now as it feels like everyones taking pictures all the time, but this is your moment to shine and let the professional photog take care of all the things that make you nervous. A personal brand session is all about letting your audience get a peek behind the business, and give them a reason to get invested in the person, not just the product.

The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Your Family Photo Session | Boston Family Photographer

Wondering how to get the most out of our time together? Do you have any specific shots in mind already? Have some questions about the shoot? Here is a comprehensive session guide to best prepare you for your Family Photos!

Step 1: Check the style guide for wardrobe.

Step 2: Feel free to send inspiration photos if you have them. If you have a Pinterest board-share it!

Step 3: Answer the questionnaire I sent. It makes all the difference when I know a little about your kids and how to approach them. This is also a great opportunity to let me know if there are any specific shots you really want going into our session.

Step 4: Let the kids be kids and don’t stress if they aren’t “behaving”. Your 3 year old runs from the camera, your 5 year old has no idea how to smile naturally, and your moody 7 year old is done with us before we start. Sound familiar? We are here to make this fun and capture your kids’ true personalities, quirks, silly faces and all. If you are having fun, they will have fun.

3 of my must have shots:

Hugs and kisses

Tickles (or something similar that gets them giggling)

Active playing. Chasing our kids gets sweaty and dirty, and it’s not always glamorous. This is where the real stuff is. The stuff your kids enjoy and more importantly, open up to. All kids are different and if you know what kind of play brings out the best in yours, it is a huge help in capturing their genuine happiness.

Step 5: Go through this checklist to make sure you’re prepared:

1. Make sure everyone is fed and hydrated ahead of time (adults too). Everyone is just more happy when they’re not hangry. Tip: stay away from foods that stain clothes or faces

2. Bring easy snacks and water with you. Snack ideas: cheerios, white cheese, raisins…

3. Have outfits ready ahead of time - like wayyy ahead of time. Pack an extra if you have a young baby, messy blowouts and spit up are definite possibilities.

4. Leave yourself plenty of time. When you need to be somewhere on time, someone will have a meltdown or poop at the very moment you need to leave. Keep your sanity and leave yourself extra time, you don’t want to cut into your session time because your toddler hid his shoes.

5. Bring something your kids love. This is totally optional, but if your kid has a toy or lovey that brings them more happiness than anything else in this world, it would be a great idea to have it with you, and even get it in a few photos - it can make a really sweet memory to look back on. One of my favorite photos of my son is him holding onto his “Lovey” at the end of our family session.

   Now you’re ready for your session! Just show up and have fun with your kiddos.

Reintroduction: Get to Know Your Future Photographer | Boston Brand Photographer

I’m Emily, brand photographer, and creative director of your shoot. I help you plan and execute an amazing (and fun!) photoshoot that is customized to your brand. I’m based in Boston’s South End and especially love to work with the small businesses right in my own community.

This is Mikayla, photo assistant, incredible content creator, and all-around extra set of hands on the day of the shoot.

Who do we work with? Brand photoshoots can scale from 1 individual to a large company. But we LOVE working with small teams. Teams of 1-5 people in any sort of creative field is kind of our sweet spot, as that’s usually where we get to let the inspiration and small team personality shine.

How can we help your business grow? This is where our genius comes in. (see our blog post about how to create amazing mood boards) A pro photog should be able to create great images, but a brand photographer should be able to create compelling images that attract your ideal client. When we work together, we try to gain as much insight into your brand as possible, so that every image we make is intentional, unique, and speaks to your brand. Our goal is to show your customers what is so awesome about working with you. (Oh, and we also like to make it fun, because if you’re not having fun, what’s the point)

Using my small business to uplift others is the ultimate win, and I love to see all the ways clients continue to use their images after the shoot. Let’s uplevel your branding together, we can’t wait to work with you! 

Families That Book Every Year, With The Melahouris Family | Boston Family Photographer

Another family that I am so lucky to see for portraits year after year is the Melahouris family. I’ve been with this trio since 2017, all the way from mom’s maternity shoot and the newborn phase to this year with a kid who’s grown up right before my eyes. Looking back on their outdoor sessions each fall is always a fun reminder of how quickly it goes, and how worth it it is to capture family memories at each new stage.

Their silly and cheerful son has always been a great sport about dressing up for an early morning photoshoot (especially if it means a treat before school with mom and dad, and this year was no different. The family tried a new location for them this year, and we made our way to Great Brook Farm on a chilly fall morning that turned into a gorgeous day.

Between (and during) the shoot we worked in some running around, tickles, and maybe even a visit to the animals on the farm. Having a big outdoor space is so great for shoots with kids because we can switch up locations and keep them engaged without pulling focus from the task at hand, capturing those precious candids with your kid!!

As fall approaches and lots of families start thinking about taking their yearly photos, I always get excited thinking about what new faces I’m going to meet this season that might become old friends within time.

Taking your family photos is such a special time, and should be something you can cherish for a long time. I am once again so thankful for the amazing families I get to visit each year and the memories I get to leave them with to look back on for the years to come.

Creating Curiosity: How to Reach the Small Business Owner with Revby | Boston Brand Photographer

This month I get to spotlight a shoot where I had the pleasure of working with the team of awesome individuals at Revby. Revby is a small business technical assistance provider, and business, marketing, and market research consultancy based in Boston, Massachusetts, and makes it their mission to create a real, human connection with each and every client they work with. As a small business owner myself, I was excited to help them level up their content and give their personal branding the look they were striving for. 

They came to us during a rebrand, looking for original content to highlight their team and how they work together to create a personal experience from one small biz to another. Revby being a smaller team allowed us to focus on the size of their agency, and how amazing it is for clients to get a personalized experience that works for their unique business.

Going into the shoot I also knew one of their main goals to connect with their audience was not just curiosity, but also inspiration. They want the people they work with to have confidence and to be able to approach their small business with energy and motivation for success. We were able to showcase the fun but hard-working dynamic of their group, the images make you feel like you’re sitting right down in the office with them.

We wanted to focus on their team as a whole, and how they collaborate for each client, with their Back Bay, Boston office as a backdrop. I was so excited they wanted “personality” headshots, those are always a blast to do, especially with a team that has so much personality to show. (They had really fun inspiration photos) It’s images like these that really show off the people behind the brand, and the warm, friendly faces you’ll get to know by working with them

I love working with teams and capturing the unique dynamics amongst every group of people, and I can’t wait to work with them again in their branding journey.

Furry Friends Welcome: Including Pets in Your Family Photo Session | Boston Family Photographer

Are you ready to capture some magic of family memories? Here’s something I’ve learned as a family portrait photographer (and dog mama) here in Boston... Bring. Your. Pets. I'm all about capturing the authentic love and fun you have with your family – and that includes your furry, four-legged members too! So, if you’re second-guessing why your dog should be a part of your next family photo session, let me tell you.

You know those candid, natural expressions that make your heart melt? Well, your dog is practically a pro at delivering those on cue! Having their silliness for your photos brings an extra layer of joy and spontaneity to your family portraits, especially with your kids. Your fur babies can be a familiar distraction that keeps your kids from a mid-photoshoot tantrum and also provide the sweetest candids.

Including your dog is especially fun with an outdoor session. Picture this: your family, some classic New England fall vibes, and gorgeous weather. Sounds incredible, right? I have some tips to make it as smooth as possible.

1. Bring a dog wrangler! If you’re able to, have a friend or family member tag along and be there to hold leashes and keep your pet entertained when they’re not in front of the camera so your focus can be on enjoying the moment.

2. Check-in with me ahead of time. Is the location you want to go to dog-friendly? What are the busiest times of day? If your dog is very easily distracted, then an in-home session might be the perfect way to keep them included.

3. Is your dog good with other people and other dogs/wildlife? A great pet-friendly option means that your dog will likely not be the only pup around, or even the only animal around. If your dog is a hunter like mine, the geese along the Charles River might pull a lot of focus, but a chill dog (like Cooper here) wasn’t even phased.

4. Easy on the treats. Like kids, treats can be a great way to motivate your dog, but don’t break them out too early and risk the crazed-treat-obsessed-dog look. You know your dog best, and if they don’t stay calm with treats involved, we may want to hold off on showing them.

As a mom and a photographer, I get it – getting the perfect shot with kids and pets can sometimes feel like herding cats (or dogs!), but trust me, they’re so worth it. Including your dog isn't just about capturing adorable memories – it's about celebrating the bond that ties your family together. Your dog isn't just a pet (ours will always be our first baby!), they're a cherished member of the family, and they’re pretty darn cute.

So, whether your dog is a seasoned poser or a playful puppy with a mind of their own, it’s worth considering if it makes sense to bring them. Your dog is always welcome in our family photo sessions, and we can’t wait to meet them!

Families That Book Every Year, With the Laliberte Family | Boston Family Photographer

As someone who has been photographing families in Boston for a long time, it’s always a good feeling to see a familiar name pop up in my calendar year after year. When parents trust me to capture special memories and milestones of their kids growing up, it is a huge part of what makes my job so worth it. Watching only children turn into big brothers and sisters, or tiny newborns becoming crazy toddlers, it’s all so special! Every year our shoot gets to be a completely one-of-a-kind experience, and getting to know them through the years helps us document their true personalities.

When it comes to photographing siblings, the Laliberte family has it on point. With three young boys who are FULL of energy, the shoot is never boring, never shy, and always a blast. I feel like every session I get to see them fall more into their roles as big, middle and little brothers who love to taunt and annoy each other, but also play together and cheer each other on.

Every kid has such a unique personality when it comes to family photo sessions, and it blows my mind every time a kid who was once slow to warm up turns into my bestie for the day. With the Laliberte fam I never know what direction the boys will take us for photos, and when I let the kids lead the charge, the photos are always some of the best. Will we be hanging ornaments off the christmas tree, roasting marshmallows, or throwing the football around?? Would it be crazy to do all 3 in one session? Nope! The candid magic starts where the posing ends, and those Laliberte brothers know how it’s done.

Family photos should be an experience we both get to look forward to every year. I get to check in with my awesome client families and see how they’ve grown, and you get to go home with memories to cherish for a lifetime at every age.

Families That Book Every Year, With the DuBuc Family | Boston Family Photographer

What makes families keep choosing me, your trusted Boston family photographer, to capture those precious moments year after year? I think it has a lot to do with the pictures, but it’s also about the relationships. You want someone who knows your family, who knows how to talk to your kids and deal with your grumpy husband (just kidding dads, we love you!) It’s like a mini reunion every year and I love already knowing the kids going into a session.

If there is one thing I love about family photography, it’s watching families grow and evolve year after year. It's like having a backstage pass to the most heartwarming show on Earth. Seeing your little ones go from crawling to conquering the world, capturing the subtle changes in your dynamics, and freezing those moments that make your family uniquely yours - I live for it.

I also love seeing moms and dads go from rookies with newborn babies to experienced veteran parents of confident, well loved kiddos.

As a mom of a 2 and 4 year old, I feel like they are different people everyday. This time while they are little is fleeting, and I want to capture everything (which is maybe why we all have 1,587,000 videos of them on our phones), but having these yearly sessions to put in an album and look back on, is one tradition I look forward to and will always prioritize.

So, cheers to our yearly tradition of freezing time and creating a visual diary of your family's incredible journey. Whether it’s for spring blooms, summer on the beach, fall foliage, or braving a snowy winter session, I hope to see you again this year.

Behind the Scenes of a Personal Brand Session in Marblehead with Kelly Duggan | Boston Photographer

This past fall, I was up in Marblehead (which is so beautiful!) every few weeks working with some incredible interior designers and architects. One of the shoots that really brought Marbleadhead to life though, was Kelly’s personal brand session. This all-inclusive, all-day lifestyle session for Kelly was really meant to show off HER. The perfect combo of her biz and life… because honestly is there really that much of a line between the two anymore?

Walking in the door at our first location Kelly chose - a beautiful home overlooking the bay in Marblehead- I gawked at the stunning clothing laid out for this session, which pretty much turned the downstairs entrance into a walk-in closet. Our mutual friend Paula was her hair and makeup artist, and really went above and beyond, taking the role of wardrobe stylist as well, adding accessories to compliment and finalize outfits. (Thank you Paula!) Kelly and Paula absolutely NAILED wardrobe, and Kelly wore her clothes with such confidence. Side-note: even if you are coming to the studio for a quick headshot, I recommend getting your hair and make-up done by Paula. She’s my HMU spirit animal and always creates the perfect camera-ready-but-still-yourself look.

Kelly had a clear vision for her shoot, bringing fun props along with her to clearly define her brand and add some personality (pro move Kelly). How fun is it to have a bunch of balloons and pop some bubbly?! There was even fake snow, which required us to get creative with our cleaning in our efforts to be as eco-friendly as possible. We had an action packed shot list for the day (I may have broken a sweat on multiple occasions), but we ended up with a TON of variety that will fill her content library for months.

And, as always, we had to be flexible in true photoshoot fashion, as one of our locations in town was closed. That just led us to a lovely flower shop right down the street, with great steps for posing, and pristine lighting. Everything worked out beautifully in the end! We ended the day in Lynn, right along the water in time to catch the sunset over Boston; casting a golden glow to the end of our session. Of course, there was a toast to celebrate!

Cooking up a successful brand image with Tyler Kinnett | Boston Photographer

A young (super) successful chef with passion, kindness and humility needs some great photos to up the ante with his brand image.

Tyler was clear in the direction he wanted to go - away from wholesome and typical, and more toward gritty, edgy, Anthony Bourdaine. He wanted to show that he was more than a restaurant chef, he encompassed the total package and had big plans to expand his career.

After learning that sourcing his food is one of his top priorities, I knew we had to make that a highlight of our shoot. Tyler focuses on using ingredients that are not only unexpected, (like pine in sauces and desserts… see above photo), but locally sourced and seasonal as often as possible.

He has a great relationship with one of his suppliers, Allendale Farms, which was clear from the way they greeted each other when we arrived to shoot there. Tyler takes the time to chat with lead farmer, Kate, and she goes through their current and upcoming seasonal crops with him.

It’s always great going into a shoot with someone who is so passionate about what they do, it makes it easy to create beautiful, genuine images for them.

How to prepare for your session: The ultimate guide | Boston Photographer

Wondering how to get the most out of our time together? Do you have any specific shots in mind already? Have some questions about the shoot? Here is a comprehensive session guide to best prepare you for your Family Photos!

Step 1: Check the style guide for wardrobe.

Step 2: Feel free to send inspiration photos if you have them. If you have a pinterest board-share it!

Step 3: Answer the questionnaire I sent. It makes all the difference when I know a little about your kids and how to approach them. This is also a great opportunity to let me know if there are any specific shots you really want going into our session.

Step 4: Let the kids be kids and don’t stress if they aren’t “behaving”. Your 3 year old runs from the camera, your 5 year old has no idea how to smile naturally, and your moody 7 year old is done with us before we start. Sound familiar? We are here to make this fun and capture your kids’ true personalities, quirks, silly faces and all. If you are having fun, they will have fun.

3 of my must have shots:

Hugs and kisses

Tickles (or something similar that gets them giggling)

Active playing. Chasing our kids gets sweaty and dirty, and it’s not always glamorous. This is where the real stuff is. The stuff your kids enjoy and more importantly, open up to. All kids are different and if you know what kind of play brings out the best in yours, it is a huge help in capturing their genuine happiness.

Step 5: Go through this checklist to make sure you’re prepared:

1. Make sure everyone is fed and hydrated ahead of time (adults too). Everyone is just more happy when they’re not hangry. Tip: stay away from foods that stain clothes or faces

2. Bring easy snacks and water with you. Snack ideas: cheerios, white cheese, raisins…

3. Have outfits ready ahead of time - like wayyy ahead of time. Pack an extra if you have a young baby, messy blowouts and spit up are definite possibilities.

4. Leave yourself plenty of time. When you need to be somewhere on time, someone will have a meltdown or poop at the very moment you need to leave. Keep your sanity and leave yourself extra time, you don’t want to cut into your session time because your toddler hid his shoes.

5. Bring something your kids love. This is totally optional, but if your kid has a toy or lovey that brings them more happiness than anything else in this world, it would be a great idea to have it with you, and even get it in a few photos - it can make a really sweet memory to look back on. One of my favorite photos of my son is him holding onto his “Lovey” at the end of our family session.

Now you’re ready for your session! Just show up and have fun with your kiddos.

Boston Portrait Photographer | My Favorite Place for Family Photos in May

SPRING. IS. FINALLY. HERE. There are so many beautiful rural places to get great family photos in the springtime, but I think my answer will surprise you. Boston. More specifically, the South End of Boston. Maybe I am biased because this has been my neighborhood for almost 10 years but I just love the way the whole neighborhood transforms when the magnolia and cherry blossom trees blossom.

The other thing about the South End is that it has so many options. You can find old, new, colorful, muted, and don’t even get me started on the incredible doorways. I often use people’s stoops, and of course, as soon as I sit a family down on someone’s stoop, the resident comes walking in or out. Luckily they are usually super friendly about it.

I find myself photographing the South End/Back Bay neighborhoods in the fall because of the rich browns and cobblestone, but those backdrops really make the blossoms and spring colors pop. Don’t get me wrong, I love Boston in the fall for that reason in particular, but if it’s foliage you are looking for, you won’t find much in the South End. No, the blooms in this neighborhood are totally meant for spring.

Almost equally as important a perk as the gorgeous scenery? The outdoor patios. I love when my clients plan on heading to dinner at one of the outdoor patios after our session. Luckily we have a lot of awesome families in the South End, so it usually isn’t a problem finding one that is kid friendly – my favorite is Picco. Best pizza in Boston AND they make their own ice cream. Done.

Boston Portrait Photographer | Taylor's Editorial Shoot

Class of 2018 Senior Rep Victoria C introduced us to Taylor. Both of their moms are co-owners of Cupcake City, which by the way are some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted, Twix and Sm’ores are among my favorites, though I’m not opposed to trying every single flavor.... Ok back to Taylor- what a riot this girl is!

She brought so much fun and laughter on set. She was not afraid to call it how it is when a pose felt awkward, and we love that! It brings out natural smiles and really represents a subject’s true personality in the photos. Taylor wanted her senior shoot to have an editorial aesthetic, and also to highlight her favorite shoes: Christian Louboutin heels.

Naturally, we headed over to the mill buildings for a grunge meets high fashion feel. We played around and laughed so hard as we were trying to capture some movement to show the bottom of her heels, We called this one her “fashion editorial spread” Having started out in a black slouchy sweater, we noticed as the photoshoot progressed her sweater seemed to be growing! Certain fabrics can stretch like crazy throughout a shoot, and Taylor’s sweater seemed intent on growing into a sweater dress.

Taylor dealt with it with grace, laughter, and eventually an outfit change. Outfit number two matched perfectly with a rusty basin that we found on the floor (maybe meant to catch drips from the leaky ceiling?). After propping it up, Taylor sat down and worked her unique background.

For our final shots, we noticed how beautifully the light was coming into the room, so we moved fast and captured some fun dramatic images. The results are some of our favorite shots of the day!

Boston Portrait Photographer | Rene's Edgy Mill Session

Having heard about our client’s Jayna’s experience with her senior shoot, Rene contacted us for her senior portraits. Rene was looking for a unique and edgy location for her senior portraits and we had just the spot: the mill buildings. When Rene walked into the studio, the first thing we noticed was how expertly done her makeup was.

One of Rene’s many passions is hair and makeup. She’s part of her school’s drama department and does the makeup for the whole cast. So naturally, Rene did her own makeup for her senior portraits. We could have sworn that she had gone to a salon to get it done, the girl has got skills!

Throughout the shoot, we couldn’t help but ask for her makeup tips and tricks. Rene’s mom came along for the shoot, and we could see her beaming over her daughter. We convinced to the two of them to get in for a mother/daughter photo and they snuggled close for a very special moment.

After getting shot after shot of Rene absolutely working the camera, we wrapped up the shoot with a fun laughing shot of Rene in front of the vintage windows of the mill. Her bubbly personality truly shined in front of that red door, which makes it one of our favorite shots from our session.

Boston Portrait Photographer | Victoria and family in the city

Victoria is another one of our Class of 2018 Senior Reps! We were so excited to shoot with her and her family, mostly because we already knew how much fun they were. We photographed her older brother Chris last year in the same location. We always encourage our high school seniors to bring siblings, friends, or Mom on their sessions. Victoria’s senior session was a little different because we also were having a family session with her family at the beginning!

She got to have Mom, Dad, and Chris cracking jokes and making her smile while she posed for her solo shots later on in the shoot. We met the Cataldo family at Boston Common and started with some group shots on the benches to get everyone relaxed. There were lots of laughter and inside jokes being thrown around between the two siblings, which of course made Mom and Dad laugh too.

As we made our way out of the park, and into Back Bay, we stopped to use some of the city's’ unique architecture as our backdrop; the mall, the brownstones, the wrought-iron fences.

As the shoot turned into Victoria’s senior shoot, we started to focus more on Victoria’s passion - dance. We are convinced that one day we will see her as the prima ballerina in one of the world’s most prestigious dance companies.

Boy does she have skill and drive! We don’t normally show our clients photos during the shoot, but for Victoria, it was important to see her form and how it photographed. And the results are stunning!

We ended the shoot on the Charles right as the sun was about to touch the water. People passing by were convinced we were shooting a movie or advertisement, and that Victoria was a celebrity. We can see how they thought so!

Boston Portrait Photographer | Brianna's Day Off (Bueller....?)

Who wouldn’t want to skip school for a photoshoot? That’s what senior Brianna got to do for her senior portraits! Brianna is friends and soccer teammates with one of our Senior Reps, Alena. At the crack of 8:30am, we met at the studio for Brianna’s mill building inspired shoot.

Right off the bat, Brianna worked it. She has the natural smize down. For those of you who don’t know the Tyra Banks coined term, smize = “smile with your eyes”. And look at all of that hair! It was a bit of a wind storm when we made it outside, but she wrangled all of her long locks effortlessly.

I even have to say, that the more windblown her hair got, the better it looked, does this girl ever have a bad hair day?? After a quick outfit change, she pulled out one of our favorite winter accessories: the blanket scarf.

Not only is it perfect for a brisk December morning, you can’t help but have some fun with it. Soon Brianna was laughing at having to sway continuously, which brought out her fun, happy personality in the photos.

We ended the shoot across the street in the mill buildings. I am beginning to love this early morning winter light in the mills. Showcasing a bright red off the shoulder shirt with the gritty, monochromatic backdrop resulted in Brianna absolutely shining.

Boston Portrait Photographer | Newborn Twins in Back Bay

In their cozy of Back Bay home, we met Shannon, her husband Daryl, and their newborn twins for a truly special photoshoot. The twins had come earlier than planned, and were just 5 lbs each. But as the saying goes, good things come in small packages. We started out the photoshoot in the twins’ nursery that was designed by Shannon.

With a palette of creams, gold, silver, and rose gold, as well as stars and furs scattered throughout the room, the nursery was the embodiment of Shannon’s vision for the photoshoot. The twins were just beginning to nod off as we swaddled the two of them in soft pink and blue wraps.

As we started the shoot, Oscar the cat slunk his way into the room. He sat patiently and watched us as we worked, keeping a watchful eye over his new roommates. Halfway though, Grandma popped in to see how her new grandchildren were doing, and found them fast asleep comfy in the fabric and fur that was their background.

After finishing in the nursery, Shannon, Daryl, the twins, and even Oscar joined us in Mom and Dad’s room. The family piled onto the bed and snuggled close, again surrounded in the pinks and creams that Shannon so thoughtfully decorated with.

The results reflect the warmth and love found in their home. Congratulations Shannon and Daryl on your growing family!