ARIANA & CHRIS
DONNER LAKE MATERNITY SESSION GUIDE
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DONNER LAKE TRUCKEE, CA
LOCATION INFO
Donner lake is such a spectacular location, and the perfect place to end the summer for a couple session. It’s nestled by mountains and enormous pine trees, Donner lake gives those true summer vibes.
DATE + TIME
Session Date: Saturday September 19, 2020
Session Time: 4 pm - sunset
EMBRACE THE WEATHER
Truth is the weather changes pretty much constantly here, one moment it’s sunny, then the wind picks up, rain falls, and then the sun peaks out again, on and on the cycle goes. SO, I highly recommend to just embrace the elements they actually enhance the images by adding energy, movement, and emotion!
In order for us the get the best lighting possible, we can shoot around these times below: (WILL UPDATE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO OUR SESSION)
Evening
Golden Hour 6:28 pm - 7:20 pm
Sunset 7:03 pm
Blue Hour 7:20 pm - 7:30 pm
WHERE WE’LL BEGIN OUR ADVENTURE
Before we start our session, let’s grab some coffee at our meeting spot, and some snacks to refuel us throughout our session.
This isn’t going to be an afternoon of staged, awkward feeling, forced smiles and poses. I’m not going to be making you turn to the right a little bit and smile at me during our session. It’ll be way, way more than that. I like to create an experience out of these so it’s more than just an hour of you standing in front of my camera. We'll make it fun and personal, so it's like a really cool date. We’ll make a day of it! Seriously! This is your ADVENTURE engagement session!
OUR MEET UP SPOT
HOW TO GET HERE
STARBUCKS
424 S Auburn St,
Colfax, CA 95713
Hours
Saturday
5AM–9PM
Phone
530.346.6536
My mobile number:
408.375.4844
WHAT TO WEAR
Generally, I suggest wearing something you feel comfortable in and makes you happy, but take into consideration that this is a photo session, and will probably be shared and printed to hang on your walls. Bring different layers and options in the car to pull and choose from, you can change as many times as you want this works great since we’ll be changing locations often and it will add a lot of variety to your images! Sticking to neutral colors and earth tones work well with any landscape. Nothing to bright and loud, unless that’s the look we’re going for. Also, consider wearing something classic that will remain timeless in your photos. Instead of buying new clothes for the photoshoot, consider renting dresses. This is a more affordable alternative than buying an expensive dress. Here are a few links that rents dresses at a great price. You can also just google search dress rentals.
***ASOS offers 2 day shipping on those last minute outfit ideas
Pro Tip: Consider a flowy long dress to wear on the coast they make for some amazing images because the wind really brings the dress to life.
CAN I BRING PROPS?
My approach to photography leans more on the natural side, meaning I like using what’s around us to make our photos stand out. But I don’t mind you bringing a blanket, that will compliment your photos. The blanket should be neutral in color and one you don’t mind getting a little dirty. You can also bring a champagne bottle to pop or a floral bouquet.
ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE DETAIL SHOTS?
Yes, absolutely! I love taking detailed shoots, so make sure your nails are trimmed, hair combed and looking nice. If you’re a blogger that is collaborating with a designer or store, you can wear those pieces to the shoot, and we’ll make sure to capture some detail shots.
WHAT SHOES SHOULD I WEAR?
The terrain varies at Donner Lake. Wear something comfortable, that will match your outfit, like some brown sandals, or some boots.
If you have any more question about what to wear, feel free to reach out to me!!
THINGS TO CONSIDER
These session are a great way to utilize your hair/makeup trial to be done the day of your session! It’s also a great way to collaborate with a local make-up artist. This will not only allow you to look your best in your portraits, but you will be able to see what your makeup and hair styles look like in photos. It's a win win! I always suggest doing your makeup trial the day of your session, but your hair trial will depend on how you are having your hair styled. You could ask for natural-looking makeup and a casual blowout, beach wave, or soft ponytail- you can select any hair and makeup look you love, but the benefit of having a professional handle its execution is that it'll translate beautifully in photos. A professional knows just how much to apply for the camera so that you look your best. And when you look your best you'll feel your best. It will also come across in the photos, too!
DON’T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR TRIAL APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR HAIR/MAKEUP ARTIST
WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT
Whether this is your first time hiring a photographer or not, I want you to be sure the experience I wanna give you is everything you could dream of and more. It’s worth being captured in a way that will bring back all the feels for generations to come. I want you to be able to look back at these photos for decades and feel the love you feel for each other right now. This session is an opportunity to be authentically you. To feel relaxed, come as you are and more so feel the vibe of the environment and the moment.
My style is heavily focused on real moments. Nothing staged, nothing forced, nothing set up, no awkward half smiles. It’s the real good stuff. I of course will guide you as we shoot so you’re not awkwardly standing there wondering what to do, but it’s important to me that you two are being fully yourselves and present with one another. This way, we can capture you for who you really are.
We create together.
I make sure that the way I’m interacting, shooting, and editing is reflective of who you are and how things actually felt. It’s the little details like this that go a long way. The artistic choices I make aren’t to benefit me because these are your memories, not mine. I focus on quality over quantity so we can create something together you’ll value forever.
LETS CAPTURE YOUR ADVENTURE, FIERCELY AND BEAUTIFULLY TOGETHER.
If at any point you don’t feel comfortable, just let me know. Or if you want some specific poses that you like, also let me know. Communication is key here. I want to make sure that I give you what you want and you get what you need. Please don’t hesitate to throw in ideas, after all this is a two way relationship, and we’re creating together.
AFTER OUR SESSION
I know you cannot wait to get a glimpse of your photos and I promise I will send a sneak peek your way as soon as I possibly can. You will receive your gallery no later than 4 weeks after your session date.
I am so happy when you share your images with friends and family. Make sure to credit and tag me when you post them online. It’s highly appreciated, because I’m always excited to see your favorites and others that like the images can easily find their way to my page.
Also I kindly ask you to not add any filters when posting on Instagram (or similar apps).
ALBUMS + PRINTS
Have you ever experienced that you get photos printed and the colors look nothing like they did on your computer? That sucks, as does letting your photos waste away on hard drives and USB sticks. You have invested a lot of heart, thought and effort into your family session and the photographs tell this story. Celebrate them by putting them in an album that is always at hand when you want to flip through these memories. Personally, I make a huge effort to print both my professional and personal work as often as possible. The feelings of holding these memories in your hands is just so special.
ALBUMS
I offer a handful of beautiful albums that I have picked carefully after comparing a ton of options out on the market. My standards are high and I would never compromise quality, considering how important these photographs are for you and how long this album will keep you company; a lifetime.
PRINTS
I’ve made it especially easy for you to print quality photos straight from the gallery you’ll receive from me. Your photos will be printed in quality paper true to color.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
LET’S CONNECT
I’m all ears! Let me know if there’s something I missed that you’re still wondering about! Other than that, I can’t wait to create some beautiful memories with you!