Savannah {One year old}

Spring sessions: Fashion Inspiration

"F" Family {PREVIEW}

Looking for Class of 2013 Senior Reps! Free photo session!

Want a free photo session and an opportunity to earn free prints?

As a rep you'll receive:

-a FREE mini outdoor photo session in March or April of 2012 (location TBA, in or around Lansing)
-a set of wallet size rep cards with a photo of you from the session (and our business info) to give out to your friends and classmates.
-digital watermarked images for use on Facebook
-$20 print credit for every session booked and paid for that is referred by you

As a senior rep you are expected to:

-Be a current high school junior graduating in 2013
-Live in and attend school in the Mid Michigan area
-Promote business for Jamie Lewis Photography (spread the word, show off your photos, pass out rep cards)
-Tag me on your session photos on Facebook
-Be outgoing, positive, have fun, and earn some free prints!


Just send me a message (jamie@jamielewisphoto.com) with your name and email, High school you attend and attach a recent photo of yourself.


Senior Gallery

Tips and Techniques: Choosing the right clothing for senior portraits

Need help putting outfits together for your upcoming senior session? Here are a few suggestions on clothing to help you have a great portrait session creating truly flattering images.

-Keep it simple. Patterns and colors are fun and can enhance an image, but you really want your face and expressions to stand out in your portrait. Avoid wearing tops with logos/pictures/words or large, contrasty patterns that are too distracting. Bold, horizontal stripes will make you look one size bigger than you are. Also, keep the style classic- anything too trendy will date your photographs.

-As a general rule, medium to dark colors a preferable (except those that match your skin tone, which will make you look washed out). They not only slenderize, but they also dont detract attention from the subject as much as lighter colors do. (Our eyes will always find the lightest part of an image first.) For this reason, always make your bottom half (skirt, pant, etc..) darker than your top. Also keep in mind that while bright colors are fun, some really bright colors (lime green, super bright yellows, etc...) are very reflective and can affect your skin tone.

-Bring a variety of color, and change up the style- consider bringing a couple of casual outfits and at least one dressy or semi-dressy outfit that expresses who you are. Its also a good idea to bring at least one outfit that your parents will love.

-Involved in a sport or other activity that requires a uniform? Feel free to bring the uniform for one of your outfits. Equipment/props are okay, too.

-When choosing outfits, we sometimes forget about shoes and accessories, but shoes may be visible in some of your photos, and accessories can be really fun, so consider them when putting your outfits together. Just keep them simple and classic. If you don't want your shoes to stand out, choose a darker, muted color. If you're wearing socks, make sure they match your outfit!


-Check your clothing ahead of time to make sure it isn’t spotted or faded, and transport your outfits on hangers to prevent wrinkles.

-If you wear glasses and want them included in your portraits, consider asking your optician to remove the lenses from your frames for the photo session. Most will do this for you at no charge, but give them plenty of notice so there is no rush. This will prevent glare and reflections from the glass. 

-Although it's tempting to tan before a photograph (whether from the sun, salon, or bottle), it's not recommended before a photo session. In fact, load up on sunscreen from head to toe for the few weeks before your session- you'll want to avoid any unflattering tan lines or peeling burns (this goes for you guys, too).

-If you'll be requiring a yearbook photo, make sure to have an appropriate outfit (solid color, semi dressy/dressy, modest neckline and longer sleeves). 




Girls

-For a casual look, consider a fun dress, your favorite jeans, some cute shorts, a trendy sweater, a cute t-shirt, etc... Layers and textures are great, as are accessories (hats, scarves, jewelry- just keep it simple). It's also great to incorporate a little color and fun prints.


-Dressier looks should be a bit more formal. Stay away from bold colors or patterns. Most girls opt to wear a dress or a skirt, but dress pants and a blouse works nice, too.

-The camera (or more accurately, the lens) will sometimes exaggerate and distort bare arms and legs, and the eyes will be naturally drawn to the exposed skin and contrasting light. If you are self conscious about these areas, you can minimize them by staying away from strapless and sleeveless tops, and wearing shirts with longer sleeves and longer shorts/skirts or pants. Remember that short skirts or dresses will limit your posing options, so think about that when choosing outfits. Also, avoid really low or wide necklines, and ill-fitting (too tight or too loose) clothing. 

-Apply your makeup as you normally look on a day-to-day basis. Dont use foundation/base with SPF- it will make you look shiny. Avoid glitter or anything sparkly – it tends to reflect the flash and leaves white spots. Also avoid too much lip gloss. If you need a haircut, do it at least a couple of weeks before the shoot, and ask for your usual style- now is not the time to experiment. Remember to touch up your manicure, as your hands will be visible in many of the images (goes for toe nails, too, if your wearing sandals). Bring brushes/combs and a make-up kit with a mirror for touch ups at your session. 

-Undergarments should match your skin tone, not your clothing.

Here are a couple of looks I put together to give you some ideas...

Guys



-You have lots of options for casual outfits- jeans, khakis, shorts, t-shirts, polo tops, sweaters, etc... Just avoid wearing anything too casual (sweatpants, anything that doesn't fit properly, anything with stains, holes that aren't intentional, etc...). Layers are a great option for changing up the look without having to change the whole outfit. Don't forget your favorite hat or jacket.


-If you are going to bring a dressy outfit, a dress shirt and a sweater works great. If you want to wear a dress shirt and tie, wear a colored shirt if you aren't wearing a jacket.

-If you have oily skin, consider bringing some face powder. A little shine can really be exaggerated in a photograph. As long as the color matches your skin tone and you blend it carefully, the powder wont be visible in portraits and it will make your skin look great, yet natural.


-A fresh shave for guys is recommended, and mustaches or beards should be neatly trimmed. Get a haircut at least a week in advance to give your hair a chance to adjust and look natural (now is not the time to try a new look). Also, remember to trim your finger nails (and toe nails, if you'll be wearing sandals). Its a good idea to bring a comb or brush and a mirror.

Here are a couple of looks I put together to give you some ideas...

These are only a few basic guidelines, but hopefully it gives you a general idea of what to wear for a portrait session.

Just remember... some rules are meant to be broken, so don't be afraid to get creative!

Savannah {9 Months}

Ashlie and Cameron {Wedding}

Ok, I don't normally shoot weddings, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to shoot Ashlie & Cameron's wedding portraits. They are such a cute couple! Their ceremony took place on a miraculously warm, sunny OCTOBER afternoon (in Michigan!)- they were insanely lucky. Seriously, if it weren't for the fallen leaves, you would have thought it was June.



Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot...