Schooled Online | Alumni Shares Of Boutique School Photography Workshop

Let me tell you about my students!!! They are amazing. My online community for Schooled is bangin! They took the course material from Schooled, a complete guide to boutique school photography, and ran with it! They are booking schools and making art. I am so excited to share this with you! 

Natalie Marotta "Elena's Schooled Facebook community has been invaluable to me. Everyone is super supportive and helpful in answering any and all my questions! I have learned so much from Elena in this course and my peers."

https://nataliemarotta.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/nataliemarottaphotography/

Kelli White "This course and community has been so wonderful! I have just started seeking out and booking schools, but seeing everyones incredible success within this group has been so motivating! Very excited to see what the future will hold for my business with this new addition to my work. Thank you Elena!"

www.kelliwhitephotography.com | https://www.facebook.com/kelliwhitephotography/

Carol Lucey Davis "I'm so glad I took Elena's Schooled course and joined in with this amazing Facebook group. The camaraderie among the members is so encouraging. Everyone is so helpful and willing to share ideas and practices they’ve implemented. There is no sense of competition here, just building each other up."

www.desertbloomphotography.com

Masha Vesset "Elena’s class is the most generous, information-dense, empowering class I have ever taken. The same can be said about the community she created."

www.mashavesset.com

Sasha Darnell "I loved Elena's Schooled course. It is full of so much information that not only elevated my portraits but gave me the option to expand my business, and do it confidently."

https://www.littleoakphotography.com/

Kristen Vallejo "I am on a mission to change school photography and I am a big believer in keeping things simple. Simplicity is exactly what this course offers! Elena Sanchez Blair's formula for success is obtainable and practical. I feel empowered to celebrate the face and all of its marvelous possibilities, and to provide timeless and treasured heirlooms that will last a lifetime for the families with whom I am privileged to work."

www.kristenvallejo.com | https://www.facebook.com/KristenVallejoPhoto/

Malerie Veillon "I love the simple honesty of this style of photographing kids!"

www.joyfuljanephotography.com

Karra Cappelli "Besides the amazing course materials, the Facebook group is fantastic. It is full of insights, tips, and common questions. It was my go-to resource when I was prepping for my school photo sessions."

www.karralynnphotography.com

Meg Cole Miller "It is obvious that Elena pours her heart into everything she does. She supplies her students with wonderful materials, fantastics tips, and then continues to support and encourage us long after the course has finished."

https://www.facebook.com/photographybymegmiller/

Neyssa Lee "The Schooled workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to take their photography business to the next level. By implementing the workflow and strategies Elena lays out in her workshop, I was able to take on 4 additional schools this past year, making it my best year yet."

https://www.facebook.com/neyssaleephotography/

Tracy Lynn "This course was exactly what I needed to get my school portrait business off the ground, and the Facebook community is such a vital part of it! Everyone is super encouraging and full of suggestions and information. It is wonderful to be part of such a great group."

www.tracylphotography.com | www.facebook.com/tracylphotography

Baby Silas | Seattle Newborn Photography

I have been lucky enough to capture both of this families newborns born just a few years apart. There love is one that I know is deep and real. I feel it when I walk in to their home and leave feeling warm and loved just by being in their presence. These babies are so fortunate to be surrounded by such deep love. 

Newborn photography in Seattle has a cozy feel. It is usually rainy outside so the warmth in the home feels extra special. In home newborn photography is sacred. It guarantees that you won't forget those fleeting moments right after your newborn is born. Newborn photography has my heart for sure. 

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!