Evan + April's Wedding Highlights

We had an amazing time photographing April and Evan’s wedding a few months ago.
The wedding was held at a science camps facility surrounded by redwoods, greenery, and fresh air!
It was an amazing day.

I love couples that want to do silly photos on their wedding day. We, of course, want to get the romantic, but don’t be afraid to get weird! This is YOUR day. If you have any questions feel free to email me at righterphoto@gmail.com

We cover all over California!

Take a peak at the images we captured below.

How To Look The Best In Your Wedding Photographs

You want to look and feel your best, but there are many details to manage. In this article, we'll provide you with a guide on what you should do to look best on your wedding day so that everything runs smoothly and you can enjoy this special occasion without any stress.

Hire a Wedding Coordinator!

We can’t stress it enough. Hiring a wedding coordinator (WC) is one of the smartest things you can do when planning a wedding.  WC’s know all the in’s and out’s of the wedding industry.
With many weddings under a professional’s belt, they can point you to the best venue, photographer, and caterer, depending on the style you're looking for, all while keeping your budget in mind.

What to Wear on your Wedding Day

It's important to start thinking about what you and your partner will wear on your wedding day, as well as any other members of the wedding party. You'll want to take into account the time of year, the location of the wedding, and the overall theme or style you're going for.

You will see a lot of  lighter fabrics like linen or cotton during summer weddings. Winter weddings, opt for something heavier like wool or velvet. If you're not sure what style you want, take a look at some recent weddings in magazines or online. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration. 

Once you have an idea of what you want, start shopping around for dresses, suits, or tuxedos. It's always a good idea to get fitted by a professional so that everything looks perfect on your wedding day. Give yourself enough time to get alterations done as well.

Finally, don't forget about accessories! The right shoes, jewelry, and tie can really complete your look. Again, it's helpful to consult with a professional stylist if you're feeling unsure about what to wear on your wedding day.

Hair and Make Up Preparation

As the big day approaches, it's important to start thinking about hair and makeup. This is a great time to start thinking about what kind of look you want to go for. If you're not sure, there are plenty of resources available online and in magazines to help you decide.

Once you have an idea of the kind of look you want, it's time to start planning for it. If you're doing your own hair and makeup, start practicing now so you can perfect your technique. If you're hiring a professional, start looking around for options and book your appointment as soon as possible.

In either case, it's important to make sure you have everything you need well in advance. Make a list of the products you'll need and buy them ahead of time so you're not scrambling at the last minute. And if you're hiring a professional, make sure to get all the details worked out ahead of  time so there are no surprises on the big day.

Prepping Your Skin

If you're like most brides, you want to look your absolute best on your wedding day. And while there's no shortage of advice out there on how to achieve that perfect glow, it can be tough to sift through all the noise and figure out what actually works.

Here's a little secret: getting your skin ready for your big day doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, with just a few simple tweaks to your skincare routine, you can see a noticeable difference in the way your skin looks and feels.

Here are a few things to do one month before your wedding to get your skin ready for the big day:

1. Exfoliate regularly.

One of the best ways to prep your skin for makeup is to make sure it's well-exfoliated. This will help create a smooth, even canvas for foundation and concealer, and will also help prevent any pesky breakouts. Look for an exfoliating cleanser or scrub that contains small beads or particles; avoid anything with large, harsh grains that could irritate your skin. Exfoliate 2-3 times per week for best results.

2. Amp up your hydration game.

Drinking plenty of water is always important for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. But if you want your skin to look extra dewy and radiant on your wedding day, upping your water intake is key. Aim to drink 8-10 cups of water a day.

Micke Grove - Adult Kids Family Session

Righter Portraits is photography studio based in Stockton, Ca.

We photograph family portraits, weddings, senior portraits, school photography, real estate, and more.

Last week we visited a new park called Micke Grove in Lodi, Ca for a family session.

These kids aren’t kids anymore, but still wanted to take a few photographs for moms their mom’s birthday. Here are a few of our favorites portraits from Micke Grove Japanese Garden, Lodi, Ca.

Environmental Portraits with Natalia

"A home should be just as functional as it is beautiful, and tell the story of the people that inhabit the space. It should reflect their lifestyle, likes, and most importantly personalities. All of these elements come together to create the essence of what we call home.” -Natalia Avalos

We spent a few hours with Natalia of Natalia Avalos Interiors updating her website. Here are a few of the portraits we chose. Sessions like these cost $495. You receive 10 retouched images to use for any content or social platform.

As you can see Natalia has an amazing eye for color, space, shape, and all the details in between. She is easy to be around, and one of the most organized clients I have had the pleasure of working with. I asked a few questions to get to know Natalia the Designer BETTER! Take a read.

http://www.nataliaavalosinteriors.com/

How long have you been an interior Designer and what made you get into the business?

10 years. At age of 6, I discovered my passion for art and started painting after I met my first teacher, an artist from Denmark who had a studio in my hometown. Since then, I have developed a passion for creating art into a skill for creating beautiful spaces. I truly don't see myself doing anything else.

Who or what do you look at for inspiration?

In my travels in general. I get inspired by beautiful Architecture, places, nature, and People! people inspire me too.

Do you have any tips for the everyday home decorator?

Find things that inspire you; it doesn't have to be expensive or big things. It can be things anything such as fresh flowers, fresh scents, beautiful pottery, or anything really just make sure to make it personal so it feels like home to you.

Brag about yourself!! Tell me something great about you & your business.

I was born and raised in Mexico; maybe you already noticed. I love textures and neutral colors. I love layering elements, textures, and materials to create a flawless, well-developed space. I design with culture in mind and try to get people out of their comfort zone. I am obsessed with design details and considered myself a pretty organized woman. My biggest passion is to travel and get to see new places. I enjoy spending time with my family, my friends and always in the mood for good laugher.

My focus is on residential; I love seeing homes being transformed and the impact they can create in people's lives.

Contact Natalia at:

http://www.nataliaavalosinteriors.com/

Thanks for tuning in! Consider contacting Righter Portraits for your photographic needs! -Ethan Righter, Owner/Photographer

Your Next Family Session

So, you’ve finally decided to book a family portrait session -- sweet! Where do you go from here?

Well, thankfully you've stumbled upon our blog! We are honored to do a family portrait for you. Come along with me as I go over our typical custom family session options!

-OUR PRICING, PRINTING, AND TIME SLOTS

Family Mini Sessions: 30 minutes, $350 and includes a gallery of high-resolution images. A family of 4 can expect about 50 images, as we photograph as many family member combinations as we can fit within this timeframe. The high-resolution images we send you can print up to 16x20 with impressive clarity.

Custom Family Session: 60 minutes, $395. Multiple same-day photo locations can be arranged, and additional charges may apply depending on what you are looking for. Contact us directly for more information! Session Timeframes: We understand that sometimes unexpected things happen, but please try to be on time, so that you get the most out of your session! There may be family sessions before and after yours, and we want to provide you with the best photos possible!

Printing and Retouching Services: Your gallery of images will be softly retouched. However, if you wish to have an image retouched further, there is an additional charge. We also offer printing! Each image is carefully edited for printing, and color corrected to perfection. The prints are mailed directly to your house. Visit Print Pricing!

-CONNECTING WITH THE FAM & KIDDOS

I love connecting with the kiddos as soon as possible! It isn't uncommon for me to chat with the family and kids as we meet at the location and walk to the most ideal photo spot. The more I chat and interact with the kids, the better connection I can make when photo time comes. Connecting with open-ended questions is the best way to chat with kids, such as: “What’s your favorite ….X Y or Z?" This style of question encourages them to respond with something other than just a yes or no answer. I can see how their minds run through a bunch of fun thoughts as they are trying to answer their “favorite” question. I tend to not pull out my camera until I have chatted with the family for a few minutes, helping break the ice.

-FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATION

Those who are interested in being photographed by us will have many photo locations all over the Bay Area to choose from. I am also open to new locations, or photographing at your residence! Feel free to take a look at my favorite locations HERE. The location you chose will portray a feeling in your photographs. A grassy morning session will create a different feel than a night session in the city. Choose wisely! About 95% of our family sessions are outdoor in a natural area. Outdoor family sessions are my personal favorite photo sessions, by far!

-TIPS ON WHAT TO WEAR

I find that everyone wearing the exact same top and bottoms creates a zebra-like appearance. So having your family wear different tones of the same color is the best way to go. Instead of everyone wearing the same blue, wear a royal blue, light blue, dark blue, etc. Wearing the same color in different tones shows your family is a unit, but still individual members. I tend to stay away from white and black tops, if possible. Black and white can look great. It’s not a stringent rule. Adding a scarf is never a bad idea! Here is an in-depth discussion on what to wear. HERE

-PHOTOS ARE DONE, NOW WHAT?

Once we photograph your awesome family, give us up to one week to deliver your digital gallery of images. Your images will be gently retouched. After receiving your images, we can do extra retouching and/or printing for an additional charge. Depending on how many family members you have, expect anywhere from 25-50 images. You will be able to download these upon receiving an email from me stating your photos are ready!

-PAYMENT

A 25% deposit is required for all sessions. As photographers, if there is a cancellation last minute, that means we aren't able to fill that slot with another family. Families with 6+ individuals will need a custom quote. Reminder, please be on time for your time slot so you can the most out of the session! Here's our pricing overview again at a glance:

Family Mini Session 30 Minutes $350 25-50 images

Custom Family Session 60 minutes $395 50-100 images

Thank you for reading, and we genuinely hope you choose us to capture your family through photographs!

Example Family Session Highlights

20 Questions with Actor, Ryan Kendrick

Ryan and I went to Foothill High School together and graduated in 2007. We both took athletic paths in High School, but ended up in the Arts. I love connecting with my fellow High School alumni that I consider friends. Ryan, it was great to reconnect with you and I’ll be keeping an eye out for you on the big screen. I can’t wait for our next project.

LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT ACTOR - RYAN KENDRICK

1. What sparked your interest in acting?

I was watching my favorite TV Shows and movies as a kid and saying hey I can do that and I can do it better!

2. Who's your favorite Actor/Actress?

Ben Stiller, his role in Heavyweights made me want to become an Actor.

3. Pizza or Tacos?

Pizza, I was born into it!

4. What's your dream role?

I’d love playing Santa Claus! I’m serious too!

5. What's your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

I get out and network! Being around people is my thing!

6. Favorite sports team?

The 90s Chicago Bulls! Best team ever!

7. You're 16, driving to school, what are you wearing and what is on your car stereo?

I’m wearing Sean John and listening to Mac Dre! You remember Ethan!

8. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

10 and they all serve a purpose!

 9. What's your favorite album?

All Eyez On Me - 2PAC....he’s the GOAT! Gone way too soon!

10. What has surprised you the most about acting?

People thinking I’m really funny when I’m not trying to be at all, I guess I’m a huge dork!

11. Would you be the first actor on Mars?

Ummm, hell yeah! The Mars rookie actor sounds fun!

12. Who is your biggest hero?

Michael Jordan! Greatest athlete ever!

13. White Sneakers or Converse?

White Sneaks!

14. Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

Lambs tongue! It tasted good though!

15. Baseball Cap or Beanie?

Baseball cap! Oakland A’s!

16. What’s your favorite film?

Casino, I just love those old mob movies! They never get old.

17. How was working with Meryl Streep?

Amazing! And she was so down to earth and friendly. Blessed to have spent a whole day with her! So inspiring!

18. Scrambled, Fried or Poached?

Fried! Crunchier the better

19. Do you put toast in a toaster?

Yup! I put the T in TOAST! ( YOU PUT BREAD IN THE TOASTER RYAN!…HEHE…TRICK QUESTION)

20. Who's your favorite photographer?

Easy one, ETHAN RIGHTER! (GOOD ANSWER)

CHECK OUT RYAN’S IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1940739/#actor

A Morning Downtown With Sunny Tripathy - Filmmaker - East Bay Native

Where to begin? Sunny Tripathy and I graduated from Foothill High School in 2007. I always remember Sunny possessed a welcoming and notably friendly aura. But as an Indian-American student, he wasn’t always supported in his artistic drive. He was pushed into traditional engineering or medical fields, following cultural norms. Typical bullies made middle school years not as enjoyable as they should have been. A couple of years after middle school, he was jumped walking down a suburban Pleasanton street. I am grateful that Sunny is still here. He tells me the story as he pointed to a scar from the night he was jumped. It was Prom of all nights. As a fellow human, I’m astonished at Sunny’s warm, comical, and cheerful outlook after such an awful experience.

After graduating from UCLA, Sunny started writing in LA.

Fast forward 10 years. (Wow adult life moves fast.)

Sunny is a filmmaker, writer, and maverick in his industry. He has worked with the likes of Will Arnett, Ivan Reitman, Timur Bekmambetov, Lilly Sing, Jay Ellis, and the Executive Producers of Bob’s Burgers. Sunny states that any successful writer should have at least 10 projects going on at one time. Don’t put all your eggs into one story-basket!

Sunny and I made a portrait session bro-date in Downtown Pleasanton. Here are some of my favorites.

After snapping some amazing portraits we sat down and chatted about LA living, his amazing girlfriend, his self-proclaimed addiction to coffee, family life, millennials’ everyday struggles, politics, etc. It was a great experience. His modesty, warmth, and respect for people, the arts, and life will take him places in Hollywood!

You can see what he’s working on at www.SunnyTripathy.com

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOUR NAME ON A BIG SCREEN MY FRIEND.

IM SO PROUD OF YOU!

Photographing The Ages

1 Week - 1 Month

It is best if babies are kept warm, cozy, and fed for the photoshoot! Then we just hope they don’t #1 or #2 while photographing (but if they do, it's only natural and we can take a break!). You can basically mold a baby this little into any position. Feeding them before a session can be a great idea, just be ready for poop! When photographing in someone's home, I like to bring shoe covers, a space heater, and a cushion for my own tush.

1 Month - 3 Months
Babies at this age are way more receptive to their surroundings, so I stay low at their level and use bell toys for attention. These babies are following with their eyes now, reactive to sounds, and tend to have lots of drool. Be prepared! Holding their head up on their own is always a great milestone and makes for a great photograph too!

3 Months - 6 Months These little but fastly growing babies can now reach for toys, and want to put everything in their mouth. Shaking toys and making noise will always get their attention. Parents can help by rolling them from their belly to their back and interacting, as this is always connecting! Peek a boo is a classic way to keep a 3-month-olds attention and I surely use that as a strategy.

1 Year
12 month old babies have lots of expressions, use more toys, make silly sounds, and are often so happy and giggly. They are also incredibly wiggly! I use a toy to get the child’s attention and bring it back to near the camera so they know where to look!

2 Years At this age, many kids have their first experience with photos in preschool, if they haven't already had newborn photographs. They may be overwhelmed with photo day, so I speak softly and use happy tones, and any special toys are welcome! Some kids are open to connecting, and some aren’t. But that's okay. You won’t win every single child over, but I do my best to get their best self showing!

3 Years I can ask these kiddos simple open ended questions, but some are still really shy. But, if I show that I am happy, they feed off of that! These kids can’t read words yet, but they sure can read facial expressions and body language. It is important to always start positive!

4 - 6 Years For kids this age, I use open-ended questions to start a light happy conversation, such as: “who’s your favorite superhero?" This helps to start dialog and connection. I try not to ask a question where the child can just say “ Yes or No”.

7 - 10 Years Kids who are approaching the double digits are often still dressed by mom and pops. This is a cool age to goof around with them. Although ,if you say a goofy comment you will get roasted (and I have been!).

11 - 13 Years Now these kids are slowly becoming young adults, so there may be some occasional additude. I laugh it off! Silly pre-teens, I have been there myself and remember the feeling. This age is usually the start of puberty, so acne and oily hair can be something to look out for. Attention parents: I am always happy to edit out things like shine, acne marks, and braces for a small fee!

14 - 17 Years At this point, I try to treat everyone as an adult. I obviously don’t ask them about their 401k provider, but we can chat about sports, movies, social media, etc. I start with an open-ended question and let the conversation flow from there.

18 Years SENIOR PORTRAITS WOOHOO! So by now, these kids have had 4 years of school photos, sports photos, band photos, and a million others on their cell phones. Some seniors know exactly how they want their bangs, outfit, pose, etc. Others may need help posing, which I can surely do! I pick poses where the senior will look confident and relaxed.

19 - 22 Years These people are adults now! They may be in college, trade school, or entered the workforce. By now, they have some life experience so I ask them those open-ended questions about themselves to break the ice, whether that be sports, food, gaming, movies, you name it! If I am photographing a bunch of football players at a college, I would not ask them about the last ballet they attended. That is, unless they really are both a football player and a ballet dancer... which is beyond impressive!

23 - 35 Years Adults in this age group may be dating, have jobs, kids, or are on another life path. Most of my clients in this bracket hire me for weddings, family portraits, and professional headshots. Maybe someone is switching careers because they find out they don’t enjoy their job or aren't getting that big promotion, they will hire me for a headshot that showcases who they are for the next journey. Some people have a“ best side”, so it is never a bad idea to ask what they prefer! I want to work with people and their best angle.

35 - 55 Years My clients in this group tend to include professional headshots and a ton of family portraits! Staying positive and connecting with my clients is the key! Open-ended questions are still a great idea, no matter what age you are, as it is providing new information for me to chat with you about.

55+ Years I understand that aging can be sensitive for many people, and maybe getting in front of the camera makes you nervous. I strive to make every single client happy and looking their absolute best. It's nice to connect with people about their family, careers, or adventures. Everyone loves chatting about their grandkid's first steps or their child’s new promotion!

Final Thoughts: I strive to be authentic. Whether the person I am photographing is a toddler, an adult, or a senior, they will all be able to tell when I am being fake. But luckily with me that does not happen, because I am 100% involved with my clients’ stories and what they are sharing with me! I love connecting with people. Plain and simple. The camera just happens to capture the moment when you and I are sitting on opposite ends. Tell me about your life: the struggles, the epiphanies, or what you are grateful for today. Your smile, grimace, smirk, or cackle tells a story deeper than your surface expression. If I can get you to laugh and ease any tension of being in front of the camera, then I have done my job right! Thank you for listening. Please consider booking a photo session with me so I can capture the beauty that it is to be alive and with loved ones. Cheers!

10% off Business Portraits all January and February!!

Wedding Rings: Where Did They Come From?

Let’s start with the basics. Wedding rings are a token of a couples love, worn on the left hand of each better half. Traditional beliefs say that the blood vein on the left ring finger runs directly to your heart, which is referred to as the “Vena Amoris” or Vein of Love.

But where did it all begin? The oldest wedding rings that have been found are from the Ancient Egyptians. Western customs of the wedding ring can be traced back in history to the Romans and Greece. Most people in today’s society wear their rings day and night.

THE FIRST RINGS

Around 5,000 years ago, The Egyptians often used woven reeds or leather as their wedding “rings”. They had a very strong belief that the ring or circle was a powerful symbol. A circle represents eternal life and love. Rings were very highly regarded in Egypt.

Lovers Heads Rings were very popular in the Roman Era and carried on into the Byzantine Empire. These rings had the faces of both people who were getting hitched, sometimes depicting a cross with them.

Fede Rings were very popular in Europe for thousands of years. These rings can be seen with two hands clasping in a lovers agreement. Over time, these designs became more intricate and ornate. Today, the Claddagh ring is still often worn in the country of Ireland. The Claddagh ring has two hands holding a crown with a heart, and was first designed in the 16th century after the Fede ring of 13th century Rome.

Posy Rings are probably my personal favorite traditional style ring. It looks like a Lord of the Rings, ring! These circular bands of love have a poem inscribed on the inside of the ring. At first, these rings were bold and big, with really detailed designs. Over time, the rings became much more simple, and the poems on the inside became more personal. The change in design over time may show how marriages came from business transactions between families, or how marriages were founded purely on love. Historically, rings were made from simple melted gold coins. Sometimes less is more, and the true beauty is on the underside (where the poem is inscribed)!

Gimmel Rings, popular from 15th-17th century, was a ring on jewel steroids! These intricate, complex, downright amazing rings became even more magnificent with the advances in goldsmith techniques. The Gimmel rings typically consisted of 2-3 interlocking rings.  The bride and groom would each wear a single band leading up to the wedding day. After the ceremony, the second band would be added to symbolize the joining of two people. These rings had beautiful stones, Fede hand designs, red hearts, and forget me not flowers.

Later designs also included depictions such as a skeleton and a baby (symbolizing life, death and an eternal love beyond this life).

Now, onto Diamond Rings. The oldest diamond ring found was made around 100 AD in Rome. Diamonds have always been valuable and tough, but their popularity vastly grew when technology permitted creation of the shiny, glittery diamonds we see today. Diamond engagement rings grew in acclaim over the 19th century, but did not become the norm until De Beers' launched their "Diamond is Forever" campaign. The first known use of a diamond ring to signify an engagement, was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he was betrothed to Mary of Burgundy in the 15th century.

Modern design with a great halo setting. Gorgeous ring!

Copyright Ethan Righter

More people are steering away from the traditional diamonds.

Copyright Ethan Righter

TODAY’S TRADITIONS

With the intermingling and meshing of cultures within couples today, many traditions are being mixed and tweaked when joining hands. I love seeing couples create their own connection with what wedding rings truly mean to them. As a wedding photographs, I have even witnessed people steering clear of the diamond ring altogether, due to the awareness of “blood diamonds.” Some men now days even opt for a ring created from sturdy rubber material for safety reasons. After all, it is supposed to be a SYMBOL of love… and that may mean something different to everyone.

What’s next, you ask? TATTOO “RINGS”!

Great Bay Area Photo Locations

As a bay area photographer, I spend countless hours researching the best places to take my clients. Here are a few of my favorite parks. Are you a fellow photographer? Feel free to share this and utilize these wonderful bay area photo locations.

Copyright Unknown

PLEASANTON, CA

Adobe Alviso Park: This park is a 7-acre park in the city of Pleasanton, California. It is built around an adobe house constructed in 1854 by Francisco Alviso on the Rancho Santa Rita Mexican Land Grant. There are great colors and many different settings to choose from. Free Parking! Doggies welcome! 

Address: 3465 Old Foothill Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94588

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/Sfztvj

Copyright Sandra Michaelis

LIVERMORE, CA

Sycamore Grove Park:  A 775 acre park in Livermore with varied wildlife, a creek & valley views. This spot also has many large trees and a great path to walk a stroller down. This spot also has a large bridge for family portraits. Many settings are just off the path. Bring $5 for parking! No doggies off leash.

$50+ permit: Fill out Form Here

Address: 1051 Wetmore Rd, Livermore, CA 94550

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/GR4zps

Copyright Unknown

HAYWARD, CA

Garin Regional Park:  This Regional park is located in Hayward, California just off Mission Blvd. It is part of the East Bay Regional Parks system as well. This place has a pond, a beautiful hill covered in yellow mustard plants (only a short time in the spring), a creek that goes on for days, and gorgeous red barn. No doggies off leash.

Address: 1320 Garin Ave, Hayward, CA 94544

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/Bz4ofg

Copyright Karl Gercens

PALO ALTO, CA

Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden: This square block of a garden with a stunning house was donated to Palo Alto. They have many volunteers that keep up the flowers and surrounding area. This is by far the most colorful setting in the area. Free parking, and don't step off the path. Doggies welcome, but not preferred.

Address: 1431 Waverley St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

More photo and information: https://goo.gl/VtXMxP

Copyright Unknown

CASTRO VALLEY, CA

Lake Chabot Park: Parkland featuring a 315-acre reservoir for canoeing & fishing, plus trails, picnic areas & a cafe, ( great for clothing changes!). This park has a ton of great nature. You can walk around the paved path all around the lake. (Its 8 miles around, so we won't take you around the whole lake) Doggies welcome! Free Parking.

Address: 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/HhsCor

Copyright unknown

OAKLAND, CA

Redwood Skyline Entrance: The trail is lined with beautiful Redwoods and Eucalyptus Trees.  The trail is generally well-maintained, but can get narrow in the winter. There is a gorgeous redwood grove at the bottom of the loop. Dogs are allowed in Redwood Regional Park but must be kept on leash. Be ready to walk a mile or so, but SO WORTH IT. Free Parking.

Address:8490 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/aUFPT8

Copyright Ethan Righter

SUNOL, CA

Sunol Ohlone Park: Almost 10k acres of pristine foothills. Large Oak trees scatter the landscape. There is also a beautiful creek with countless settings perfect for a family or engagement shoot. 

Address: 1895 Geary Rd, Sunol, CA 94586

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/2FGwJk

Copyright Ethan Righter

MOSS BEACH (NEAR HALF MOON BAY. CA)

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a marine reserve in California on the Pacific Ocean, located just north of Pillar Point Harbor and Mavericks. It has beautiful beach access ( small area), a dense forest of thin straight trees, & numerous flowers and trails.

Address: 200 Nevada Ave, Moss Beach, CA 94038

More photos and information: https://goo.gl/z49xzB

Finding beautiful, natural light for your next portrait

 Golden hour and Blue hour are a two perfect times to use natural light to your advantage. These occur an hour before and after sunrise and sunset. 

Golden hour is prime time for capturing amazing, soft and perfectly lit portraits There aren’t exact times, but here is a great website to help you find the perfect time in your area!

http://www.golden-hour.com/

Blue hour is a very short period between civil twilight, and nautical twilight. It is a small window of time but casts a great blue-ish hue on your subject. Civil twilight is when you can distinguish between the horizon and sky, and the brightest stars are starting to show themselves. Nautical twilight is when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon. Spoiler alert, despite being referred to as the blue hour... if you want the perfect photo you will have to work faster than that. 

Overcast days are a prime opportunity to take your camera out for some portrait fun. The clouds act as a natural soft-box for your subject. If you want to get fancy with flash photography, a cloudy day gives substantial fill light.

I personally prefer to stay away from photographing between 11am-2pm. The sun is directly above you, creating shadows that are unflattering. Don’t forget to look around in your environment and study your intended background. Look out for bright reflectors like colored walls, grass, brick, etc. These can cast an unwanted shade of color onto your subject.

Look for directional light. This can enhance mood and composition. Placing a subject near a window is a great way to use directional light to your advantage. Do not place your subject directly in the sun! If you want to get real creative, open your blinds just a tad. Streak-arific for sure! Look at everything around you in a room. A door is a great light modifier as well. By opening and closing a door, you can control the intensity of light. 

You can use the directional light strategy outdoors too. I like to find a large tree that acts as a shade over the subjects head. Then, move the subject back and forward under the tree to find the perfect amount of light. Too much light will flatten out the subjects face, as well as too little light darkens the subject, and creates hard shadows.

The most serendipitous engagement session <3

I was going through my old computer last night and stumbled upon one of my favorite images of all time. 

Here's a little back story. Jon and Melyn lived in an apartment 2 buildings down from me a few years ago. Walking around the neighboorhood one day when I decided to strike up a conversation both of them. Next thing you know, its 10pm and were all standing outside with beers in our hands chatting it up. Instantly, I knew we would all be friends. New friends are always awesome! Especially within walking distance.  

Fast forward quite a few months. It's engagement photo day! We picked a sweet location in the Ohlone-Sunol Regional Park and were on our way. 

We arrived and started the engagement session. Typically I choose 3-4 spots to photograph to give my couples all the options they need. At some point we decided to take a random turn and ended up near the creek bank. The water was slowly washing over stones, the trees limbs rustling in the breeze. It was the perfect setting.

As I'm looking around, trying to find where I want to set up my next photo, I stumble upon a painted rock.  Curious, I bend over and pick it up.

To my UTTER AMAZEMENT, there is an "J <3 M" PAINTED ON THE FRIKKIN ROCK!

I WAS BLOWN AWAY. At that moment I realized these two love birds were meant to be together forever. It was one of the most serendipitous moments of my life and im so thankful I was able to enjoy it with them. Seeing their reactions was even better. 

Connecting with your Subject

Stick a camera in front of anyone's face and see how they respond. Most of the time, I would say most people are not their authentic selves. True expression is not an easy thing to pull out of a person, with the pressure of a photo lense staring them in the face. 

I like to connect with people before my camera leaves the bag. Especially if there are young children in the session.

Sometimes they will just walk right up to you and sit in your lap like this little cutie pie.

Finding out who is going to be in your session is key! 

I always ask my clients to list the names and ages of whom are in the family, preceding the photo session. This way, I already know everyone's name and it can help break the ice a little bit faster. 

If young children are present, I introduce myself to the parents first to show them that I am friendly. Shortly after, I try to connect on the youngsters level. For me, this means sometimes literally getting to their height level. Playing with them and their toys can build an instant connection. Even getting down on one knee and asking to get a high five or "knuckles" can dramatically change your dynamic with a little girl or dude. If you can use their toy as an attention grabber, you have gained a step in the game! Do not hesitate to make silly noises, laughs, hiccups, or any other sound to grab the little one's attention.

As your subjects get older, you may have to use different techniques to grab their attention. Knowing Disney characters, up and coming pop stars, and even social media influencers can help you connect with different ages. Getting a pop culture reference wrong with the wrong age group can make you end up look like a big dork. But guess what? I am a big dork, so they usually just end up laughing anyway. Which is my goal! 

Engagement Session Fitzgerald Marine Reserve 2017

Open-ended questions are a great way to get someone to open up to you. A simple yes or no question can make it difficult to keep a two-sided, natural conversation going. 

Instead of saying, "Did you have a good weekend?" say something along the lines of, " What are you up to this next weekend?" This might seem personal to some, but even if they say, "Eh, I don't really have anything planned," I can still reply with, " Ahh, man! I love those sorta weekends. Spontaneous plans are awesome." It is hard for people to not agree. It almost always leads to another question or topic of discussion.

Bring up questions that can boost positivity, confidence, and happy family memories.

As I photograph my clients, I truly love learning about who they are. Learning and feeling out family dynamics can improve your chances of getting the perfect photo. Working with children can have its challenges, but they can be hilarious and a ton of fun to work with.

Trying different poses with the family can open up different connections. Maybe the daughter leans on dad more, while the son wants to hold the dog. These are the details that can create an amazing family connection through the camera that does not appear forced. 

What to wear to your family portrait session

When planning for a family portrait, it is a great idea to have your outfits chosen before the day of your photo session. Trying to pick out your clothes, Dad’s and the kids may add even more stress than needed. The morning of, you are likely trying to keep everyone smiling and getting along; let alone having to deal with your own hair and makeup too.

When selecting clothing, I tell my clients to stay away from matching in the same exact color. I recommend choosing a single color, and then select different shades for each family member to wear.

I love to stick with blues, greys, beiges, & some pastels. The palette here would be a great choice in just about any setting.

These shades although different, unify the members of your family while still showing each person as an individual. If your family all wore the same color, it might look like one large person with a bunch of limbs sticking out everywhere. On the other hand, too many separate bright colors can confuse the viewer and look less unifying. Avoiding stripes and busy patterns are always a good idea as well. Among other good strategies, I suggest wearing small accessories to allow each family member to express their own personality.

Make sure your level of dress code matches. Decide as a family if you would prefer casual, fancy or semi-formal. Family portraits are always fun when deciding what to wear, but make sure to remind Uncle Tom not to wear a suit if you are playing it casual.

The general make up rule for women is to wear makeup that is somewhere in between natural and not too bold, even in daytime sessions. Try not to gloss your lips too heavily, as it can look overly shiny in the photographs. As far as dad and kids are concerned, just give them a little chapstick.

Wearing black and white may sound like the commonly chosen classic family attire. However, it can result in over/underexposed subjects and make seeing the separation between you and your other family members difficult.

Rule #1 is to have fun. Your photo sessions are meant to be enjoyable and show the happiness in your family. Smile, let loose, & laugh. It’s going to be a great session!

For more clothing ideas: Family Photo Session Clothing Ideas