Bay Area Professional Portrait Photography
Having your portrait taken should be fun. The problem tends to be we often put pressure on ourselves to look perfect. We feel as if the success of the photoshoot is on us, but it should be on me.
Seeing yourself in a beautifully rendered portrait allows you to gain a full picture of who you are in the present moment. As such, an effective portrait transcends the decades to serve as a visual touchstone for where you’ve been and who you are. As a portrait photographer, I take great pride in helping my clients see themselves in the best possible light.
When looking for a professional portrait photographer in the Bay Area, you want someone who makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera. I combine years of experience and education with a keen sense of intuition to capture images of people at their best—creating truly powerful portraits.
What Makes Portrait Photography Effective?
Professional portrait photography in the bay area is all about the people—or the subject of the photograph. There’s a tremendous difference between a professional portrait and a simple selfie. Aside from the high-quality cameras and other equipment professionals use, the right photographer is able to bring the subject out of their shell and craft a story within a single image.
For portrait photography to be effective, the photo should focus all attention on the subject of the image. Most importantly, a portrait should go beyond capturing the person’s likeness and tell the viewer something about who the person is. This storytelling ability is what sets a professional portrait photographer artist in the bay area apart from someone with an untrained eye.
Portrait photography in the bay area is effective when it represents a person as they truly are. Time moves pretty fast, so it’s important to stop and capture memories to carry with you through the years. Booking a portrait session allows you to do just that.
I am there to make you feel comfortable and guide you to your best images. Unlike the early 1900s, today’s digital photography equipment and software are fantastic. It is now easier than ever to delete all the photos which are not perfect.
Portrait photography sessions are in season all year. You can expect 15 - 30 photos from a 30-minute session. If an image looks exceptional, I deliver it to you. I don’t believe in holding back pictures for any reason, and I don’t charge by photo count. I professionally edit all photos and deliver them within seven days of our shoot. Professional edits include blemish removal, color correction, frequency separation as needed as well as any other necessary adjustments.
How to Prepare for a Professional Portrait Session in the Bay Area
While the success of your shoot is largely in the hands of your photographer, capturing a true-to-life image is still something of a team effort. Here are some things you can do to prepare for your portrait session:
Express your personal style. You want to be yourself in your portrait, so choose clothing that best represents you and your style. Just remember that it’s important to be comfortable, so choose clothing items that make you feel confident.
Be mindful of makeup and grooming. In most cases, you should allow your makeup and hairstyle to show you off as you normally are—rather than presenting a stranger to the camera.
Get plenty of sleep. You want to appear well-rested in your portrait. Take steps to ensure that you get adequate sleep the night before your session. For optimal results, work on your general health by eating nutritious foods and exercising. Oftentimes, a healthful glow comes from within.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s common for people to stress about blemishes, stray hairs, and other issues that may be out of your control. Smaller temporary issues can be resolved in post-production so that your portrait accurately preserves your personality rather than a temporary outbreak.
Work with your photographer. If you have a particular idea in mind, then communicate your needs and vision for the photoshoot. Portraits are highly personalized images, so work one-on-one with your photographer to ensure that you are happy with the result.
With a little preparation and the right photographer, you can achieve great results from your portrait session. If you have other questions or concerns about what to expect from a photoshoot, then feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to answer questions.
How to Make the Most of Professional Portraits
Once you receive your professionally rendered portraits, there are many fantastic ways to make the most of them. Here are some ideas:
Hang it on the wall. One of the most obvious uses for portraits is to display them. Frame the photographs and hang them up together—creating a photo wall.
Frame it for your desk or office. A simple frame can go a long way toward giving an already amazing picture a sense of gravitas. A framed photograph allows you to bring a piece of home to the office, or you can give it away to a loved one for them to remember you by.
Use it on social media. A professional image is a great way to give followers an accurate depiction of yourself. It also gives a stunning first impression to all who visit your page.
Include it on invitations. From retirement parties to birthday celebrations, a portrait is a great addition to any event invitation.
Boost your career. A professional portrait is an essential addition to a personal website or LinkedIn profile. The right professional portrait lends greater credibility to your work and professional image.
Celebrate yourself. Ultimately, portrait sessions are about making you feel good about who you are. An effective portrait will boost your confidence and give you a reminder of how exceptional you truly are.
It’s clear that portrait photography has a wide variety of uses. Regardless of how you plan to use yours, working with a professional photographer can make all the difference.
Looking for an experienced portrait photographer in the Bay Area? Reach out and schedule an appointment today.
There are three questions to answer when you schedule an appointment. I use your responses to select a location. If you have a favorite place or type of scene in mind, I am always open to suggestions.
When your photos are ready, you will receive a private link to access and download and or print your images and a variety of media and products.