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Category Archives: Tips

Senior Beach Session Tips

Sessions at the beach are always a great idea – especially if it is at a meaningful place and will fit your home decor. If you are planning on doing a senior beach session in the near future, here are a few beach session tips to help things run smoother.

what to wear senior portraits soon the beach

Timing is everything.

I would recommend holding your session on the first day if possible. This will make it so that you can relax for the rest of your vacation, but you also don’t have to worry about tan/burn lines. Sunrise or sunset sessions are the best time in terms of lighting – but this is going to depend on where you are. Some beaches are best at sunrise and some are better at sunset. Talk to your photographer and heed their advice on this. For this particular session, we could have done sunrise or sunset due to where the sun is in relation to the beach. We settled on a sunset session so this senior could sleep in, but also dodge morning rain.

senior portraits 30AGrayton Beach 30A senior photos

Beach hair tips.

Wind and humid are a thing for beach sessions. Plan accordingly when styling your hair. If your hair tends to frizz, style your hair in a way where it won’t be as much of an issue and use products to help cut down the frizz. Beachy hair is beautiful. For girls, try an updo, braids, barrettes, hats or other accessories that will work with the elements. As your photographer, I will try to find a some areas before we get on the beach for some portraits where the wind will be a bit more blocked. This will ensure that your hair is looking its best before the wind and humidity take over. I will also try to position you in ways where the wind blows your hair in the most flattering way possible.

senior portraits on beach tipstips for senior portraits on beachSunset senior portraits on beach

Make up tips.

For make up, don’t go too heavy. You don’t want your makeup to melt. Waterproof mascara is always a good idea. A polished, more natural look is always fitting for the beach. Think dewey skin, flushed cheeks and a pretty pop of color on your lips. Make sure that your lip gloss doesn’t make your hair stick to your lips. Wind and sticky lips/makeup aren’t a good combination. Consider a gel manicure and pedicure before your beach portrait session. Salt water and sand tend to make nail polish come off.

tips on senior photos on beach Grayton, FLHigh school senior photos on beach during Spring Break.

What to wear for your beach session.

A soft color palette in natural and flowing fabrics is always a win. Think of fabrics that breathe and move. Natural linens, tulle and cotton are all great ideas. Comfort is key. For the ladies, make sure your dress or skirt isn’t too short as you don’t want to risk showing too much when you move and when the wind picks up your garment. Textures are great to add some more interest and can even mimic the waves and sand beautifully too. Go bare foot and enjoy the natural pedicure you will get from the sand. Wear clothes that allow you to get your feet wet!

If you are doing a family portrait session on the beach with your senior, I suggest your graduate picks their outfit first and then have everyone coordinate to them. You don’t have to be matchy matchy. Use some of the color palettes listed below for inspiration. I am always here to help you with your selection too!

Beach wardrobe color palettes.

For color palettes, I suggest softer hues. White, cream and sandy taupes are popular options. Variations of colors found at the beach are also great options blues, greens, taupes and white. Pastels also work wonderfully for a beach photo session.

Go with the flow.

Snuggle, explore and have fun. If you are doing a senior session or a beach photo session by yourself, get ready to walk, run, kick and wade in the water. If you have family and/or friends joining you, then you will do all of those things, but there will also be a lot of snuggling, laughing and playing too. Just have fun with it and go with the flow. Don’t worry so much about your hair and things out of your control. Trust that I will do my best to capture the most flattering images of yourself and of your family.

30A beach photos

Items to bring to your senior beach session.

I will bring a little kit of essentials, such as hair spray, nail polish remover, bug spray, brush, hair pins, wipes. I recommend that you bring some items as well to help you before, during and after your session.

  • Drinking water
  • Facial blotting papers
  • Lip balm and/or lipstick
  • Flip flops
  • Towel
  • Change of outfit (in case yours gets wet or sandy and you have plans to go somewhere afterwards)

Senior portraits sunset Grayton Beach

Ready to book your beach session? Hope these tips help you prepare. Contact me for details on being added to the Yvonne Niemann Photography travel calendar. Currently booking Spring and Summer portrait sessions. I am located in the Athens, GA area, but travel for commissioned work across the United States. Don’t hesitate to reach out for your next beach portraits! info@yvonneniemannphotography.com  |  706.713.0676

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At Home Newborn Photographer | Athens, GA

What a joy to be an at home newborn photographer where I get to document families in those first moments with their infant. This little baby is two months old and her sister is just over a year. I photographed big sister for her own newborn photo session, so it was extra special to come back as their family grew to a family of four.

Toddler with baby sister in bassinet photo taken by at home newborn photographer

Tricks/Games that work every time with toddlers

To get this sweet image, I had to use one of my trusty tricks that always works with toddlers. You cannot even spot what we did to get this result, which is the goal as well. Don’t worry if you have a little one who doesn’t always want to sit still for portraits with their new sibling. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to get sweet images like this. After I leave, I bet you will even use some of the same tricks and games to get results like this on your own.

What to wear for newborn portraits

Love how mom dressed her girls for their at home newborn photography session. Baby sister is wearing the same swaddle that big sister wore just over a year ago. They used the same bassinet too. Big sister is wearing the sweetest pastel pink Feltman Brothers heirloom dress that has been passed down in the family. Traditional attire like this is always a win and good idea as your portraits will never look dated. They will truly stand the test of time.

When to book at home newborn photo session

If you are expecting and would like a session in the comfort of your home, contact me, the at home newborn photographer today. Would love to discuss all the options and details with you and to add you to the calendar. Newborn sessions are best booked in third or fourth trimester, before your newborn is born. This ensures that there is a spot available for you. I photograph babies of all ages, so if your baby has already arrived, no worries. I can still photograph your little one just as he/she is. Inquire for details: info@yvonneniemannphotography.com  |  706.713.0676

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Christmas Family Portraits At Tree Farm In Bishop, GA

Christmas family portraits at a tree farm is always a classic choice! How fitting is this family’s wardrobe too? The tartan wool skirt, quilted vest, knitted baby sweater and bloomers, and the traditional Southern red Christmas dress is just pure perfection. Mom’s outfit really reminds me of one of Kate Middleton’s Christmas party outfits she wore back in 2018. Great example of what to wear for your Christmas family portraits. These outfits will never go out of style.

Tartan Christmas family portraits at tree farm in Bishop, GAChristmas family portraits at tree farm in Bishop, GA of sisters.

I love holding Christmas family portraits at a tree farm. Such a subtle way of announcing Christmas without it being too in your face. Great to keep focus on the subjects versus a bunch of props. We did utilize my vintage snow sleigh for the sibling image to help stabilize the kiddos in a safe and fitting way.

Christmas family portraits at tree farm in Bishop, GAMotherhood Christmas family portraits at tree farm in Bishop, GAFashion Christmas family portraits at tree farm in Bishop, GASouthern Christmas family portraits at tree farm in Oconee County, GA.

One thing to think about when holding your session at a tree farm are the hours and days. You do not want to schedule your Christmas family portraits at this type of location when the farm is super busy over the weekend when everyone is searching for their perfect tree. Another considerate thing to do is to purchase either a tree, wreath, garland or some other item to support the farm even more. Yes, tree farms do require a fee to photograph on their property, but it is always a nice things to make a purchase too. Great for the business, but also gives you something to take home and relish in the Holiday festivities even more!

Christmas family portraits at tree farm near Athens, GA.

I still have December openings for Christmas family portraits. Inquire for details and to be added to the calendar. Both Signature Sessions and shorter Simplicity Sessions are available. Hope to se you soon!!!! info@yvonneniemannphotography.com  |  706.713.0676

Athens, Georgia | info@yvonneniemannphotography.com

706.713.0676