The Truth About Lifestyle Photography | Photography Tips

I wanted to share with you a common "lie" I hear about Lifestyle Photography. Hang with me?

One thing I see all the time on social media, and from well known or talented Lifestyle Photographers at that, is they say things like "I just adore in between moments." Or, "I am obsessed with capturing candid shots." Or, "I hate posed photos."

And this always makes me do a silent eye roll. Why? Because it is probably not true and I think it confuses new photographers or even potential clients. Because the truth of the matter is that most "in-between" moments or "candid" moments were orchestrated. They were posed and directed.

Now if you have seen my work you know that my families don't look posed or stiff in the least. But I am here to tell you that I pose and direct my clients 100%.

I am fortunate enough to be friends with some of the most well known Lifestyle Photographers in the USA and we all chat about how this is a very common misconception.

And it's simply unfair to new photographers.

Why is it unfair, you ask?

Because it sets new photographers us for total frustration. I should know, I was once one of them.

I would arrive at a shoot and want to create beautiful, carefree, laid back, romantic, amazing, moments. Moments that I thought were unfolding naturally for the photographers that I admired.

I was so frustrated and literally almost quit family photography because I thought I was simply not talented enough to capture those types of moments.

But thankfully I took a different approach and started being in control of my sessions 100% and I couldn't believe the difference. I realized that I actually had to direct and pose my families exactly how I wanted them.

Truth.

When I started doing this my work finally looked like I always imagined. My visions finally became a reality.

And my clients were happier too. They wanted me to tell them what to do. They wanted me to be the expert.

So I want you in on that secret. When you see beautiful moments captured, there was likely a skilled photographer directing that moment.

And you can do it too. Promise.

How To Stay Motivated As A Photographer | Photography Business Tips And Advice

I will never forget the thrill of my first booked year. Finally, after lots of trial and error I managed to book up my fall months. It was amazing! I was finally making a good income with this photography gig and was really finding my way in business. 

Then January came and cue the crickets. My inbox was empty and so was my bank account. But whats worse is my motivation was also in the tank. 

It is hard to stay motivated when you are judging success on inquiries. I get it. I have been there. Self doubt creeps in and you think "maybe this isn't for me?"

But it's not true, friend. This is for you! Here are a few things you can do right now to get your motivation back and start planning to make this year awesome! 

 Start shooting for yourself again. I know my personal work goes by the waist side when my business is busy. I take the winter months to take a class, think about my art and really start picking up the camera for my own personal use again. 

2. Ramp up your in home photography sessions. I will reach out to past clients and say that I am taking in home sessions for the months of January- March. This gets them thinking about me and excited about a new photo shoot option. (Photo above was an in home session.) 

3. Get business savvy. Guess what, friend? Having a photography business that thrives is about 20% art, 80% business. I now don't have a slow season. Sure, fall is far busier, however I have steady bookings all year long. Because I have learned how to be a good business woman. So dive in to business podcasts, education, and content. You have the art thing down, now it's time to get the business thing down. What better time to learn about business then when business is slow?

So use this time wisely. Busy season will come again and you will be so much better prepared if you use this time well to educate yourself and to grow. You got this! 
Have a great week, friend!! 

Five Tips To Make Mothers Feel Amazing At Photo Shoots | Elena S Blair Photography Education

I wanted to share with you something that I think is so very important. 

Let's face it. Being a mother is hard and often under appreciated. When a session is booked with me 99.9% of the time it's the mom who booked the shoot. She is usually the one who does most of the arranging for the family. 

So when she gets in front of my lens I want her to feel like a goddess. I make a huge effort to reaffirm the mama of the family that she looks amazing and I spend just as much effort making sure the actually looks amazing. 

I am excited to share five posing and guiding tips that will be sure to leave your mothers looking and feeling amazing!

1. Photograph her from above. After I arrange the family in a pose, I guide them to lean into each other. Then, I either stand on something (a stool would work great) or I hold the camera above my head and shoot from a slightly elevated angle. Or if they are sitting on the ground, I stand up and shoot from above.This flatters mother's features and also provides an intimate and unique perspective.

2. Remind her not to look at you but instead to look at her children or spouse. I know this may seem obvious, but most people are hardwired to look right at the camera. A mother is going to look and feel her best when she is looking at her loved ones rather than right in the camera. I encourage her to interact and snuggle with her children. She is always pleasantly surprised with how much she loves her photos and I think it is because they aren’t traditional photos of her staring right at the camera, but rather looking at and interacting with her loved ones.

3. Ask her to look down and slightly to the side. I love to make sure to grab at least one photo of my mother's alone. Remember, she may be the main photographer in the family and chances are there aren’t many photos of her alone. Her children need photos of her. I ask her to look down and slightly to the side. She immediately relaxes and I am able to capture her gorgeous face.

4. Incorporate movement. I love to ask mom to hold one of her children and spin them around. Movement relaxes her body and usually makes her hair move in beautiful way. Moms love seeing themselves playing and moving with their kiddos.

5. When photographing the family as a group, make sure mom's shoulders aren’t square to the camera. A slight angle really flatters the female frame.

There you go! Using these five simple tips, you can make your mothers look and feel their absolute best. Have fun!

Three Tips To Working With Dads In Family Photography | Family Photography Tips

Hey Friends,
I asked my IG community where they most needed help during family sessions and one thing I heard over and over again is "how do you work with cranky dad's?" Or "How do you get the dad's to relax during the session?" 

Well my friends, I got you covered. I can honestly say that I rarely ever have a dad who is hard to work with and the main reason is I know exactly who my people are and generally only attract those people, but the other reason is that I know how to set them at east and help them to relax into the session. 

Here are three easy tips for helping your dad's to relax during your family sessions. 

1. Talk to him. Okay, this sounds easy right? But it's important. I immediatly start talking to Dad during my sessions.

I ask him where he works. "Oh you work at Amazon, I have a friend who works for kindle and he says it's super cut throat." 

I let him know I understand that this may not be his idea of a fun Saturday night but assure him it will be easy. "Hey I know photo sessions can seem like torture, but I promise, mine are quick, fun and painless." 

Simply talking directly to Dad will allow him to realize that you are on his side and not just there for mom.(when really you probably are ;) ) 

2. Let him know that your only expectation is for him to love on his family. Sometimes dad's look stiff and uncomfortable because they are trying to look you straight in the camera with their best smile. I say over and over AND OVER again, "don't look at me, look at your gorgeous wife and children. That's all you have to do." Once they realize you don't want them to look at you and that you only want them to be with their family, they chill out. 

3. Encourage him to play with his kids and love on his wife. Usually dad's feel most comfortable when they are doing something. I ask them to throw their kiddos in the air, spin them around, tickle them, chase them, anything playful. Then I tell them to kiss their wife, grab her butt (yup, I do that), or nuzzle their neck. This usually relaxes them and lets them know I am laid back and okay with some fun. 

Dad's really just need to be reassured that this isn't a typical photo shoot. That I am not requiring them to wear a stiff outfit and a stiff grin. That they can play with their family and love on their wife. 

Luckily, I educate my families pretty well before shoots so they usually know this, but some Dad's need more encouraging. 

Hope that helps. :)

Stop Pressuring Yourself | Photography Tips and Advice | Photography Projects

Hey Friend,

With the new year here and folks talking about all their photography projects I thought this article was something you might want to hear....

Are you feeling guilty because you don't have your camera strapped to you constantly? 

Release the pressure you put on yourself to shoot every day. 

Social media makes it seem like everyone has their camera attached to their hip and that they are taking gorgeous photos of their gorgeous kids in gorgeous outfits in gorgeous light all day. All day! 

Maybe some are.

But I feel like there is this “pressure” to be shooting every moment of our kids days beautifully all while running our own business drinking a frothy latte with a cute messy bun while sitting in bed. 

I mean….. who is with me here?!  

Maybe it’s just me. 

I used to beat myself up because I wasn’t photographing my kids all the time. 

I don’t anymore. I have made peace with it. 

Sometimes I want to give my baby a bath in gorgeous light and simply be present in the beauty of the moment. I want to trust my heart to remember how I felt. Sure, sometimes I photograph these things, but if we are being honest I don’t do it very often. 

When I feel like it I take photos of them. When I don’t, I don’t. 

So friend, if you feel like you should give a 365 a try for the 10th year in a row but you really don’t feel like it, relax. 

You aren’t any less of a photographer, mother, or documenter if you decide to just enjoy the moment rather than photograph it.