Every woman wants to look her best during a photo session. If that includes doing her makeup, she should follow the tips for picture-perfect makeup:

Skin Prep

Before beginning to apply makeup, the first step is to moisturize. Many people do this in their normal skin routine, so it probably isn’t an extra step. Doing a facial mask a couple of days before the shoot can make the skin look more refreshed as well.

Foundation

It can be hard to find the right foundation. It should as close as possible to her natural skin tone, so the client doesn’t end up looking too pale, orange, or tan. It might be worth it to go to a makeup counter or boutique before a session and have someone find the right shade.

Eyes

Especially for portraits, eyes are the focal point. Make them stand out by doing them slightly bolder than normal. Black eyeliner and mascara will make her eyes pop more than usual. The eye shadow itself doesn’t need to be a bold color, but the client should try to determine and use the colors of shadow enhance her eye color. Also, filling in sparse or very light-colored eyebrows makes the face look more balanced.

Lips

Don’t go too bold on the lips when getting pictures taken. A lighter pink or plum shade, depending on skin tone, usually works for everyone. If the lips are all that can be seen in the mirror, or they aren’t noticeable at all, it’s not the right color.

Touch-Ups

It’s always good to bring the makeup to the photo session. That way it can be touched up if it smears, runs, or accidentally gets wiped off for some reason. Some photo session can take a while, so it’s always good to be prepared.

When someone looks good, they feel good, and that confidence translates onto film. Keep these makeup tips and tricks in mind while getting ready for a photoshoot with Cindy Sherman Photography.

Preparing for an Engagement Photoshoot

Engagement photographs can be a ton of fun and allows couples to show their creative side. Some couples might not know exactly where to start when planning and preparing for engagement photographs. Here are some tips from Cindy Sherman Photography:

1. Compile Ideas

Pinterest is a great tool for finding photoshoot or prop ideas. Couples can use these to create ideas that show off their personalities, personal style, interests, and more. They can also take a look at the portfolio on Cindy Sherman Photography’s website to get some ideas.

2. Appearance

Ladies should take a little extra time for their hair and makeup. Getting it done professionally can make her feel even more beautiful and confident for the photoshoot. Men should get their hair cut about a week before, so it doesn’t look too fresh, but is still neat. Couples should also stay out of the sun and avoid spray tans so they don’t look bright red or too orange.

3. Outfits

Couples usually pick a couple different outfits for the photographs to give some variety. As with all outfits for photoshoots, they shouldn’t be matchy-matchy or too contrasting. Pick colors from the same palate, and go easy on the accessories.

4. Props

Many couples create or bring props that speak to their style. Some common ones are something with the wedding date written on it, balloons, flowers, etc. These can really make the shoot personal and if it has the date, it could be used for the “Save the Date” card.

5. Have Fun

Engagement photographs are full of smiles, laughs and candid moments. Just enjoy the process and try not to be too nervous.

Schedule a couples or engagement photo session with Cindy Sherman Photography to celebrate a relationship or the start of a new chapter. Visit the website to learn more about session information and pricing.

Benefits of an Indoor Session

While outdoor photo sessions can create beautiful images with stunning scenery, indoor photo sessions also have their benefits. When deciding whether to do and outdoor or indoor photoshoot, take these advantages into consideration:

1. Control of the Elements

Weather can ruin an outdoor photo session pretty quickly. Whether it be rain, wind, snow or a thunderstorm it can really mess up a shot and put a damper on things. With an indoor session, there aren’t any of these issues. The photographer can precisely control the lighting instead of relying on the sun, and the subjects can feel more comfortable.

2. Convenience

Indoor photography studios generally have everything needed for the shoot, and aren’t in a remote location. It can be hard for everyone to get to an out of town location and the studio provides a nice place to change outfits during the session.

3. Professional Look

A photo studio setting is the best way to get a professional-looking photograph. If clients are looking for a more polished look for business photographs, or another type of photo, an indoor session is the way to go.

4. Fewer Distractions

Outdoors can be noisy with traffic and animals running around. Indoor sessions are void of that, which can be good for families taking pictures with highly distractible children. Distractions can take away from the genuine and natural expressions in photographs as well.

5. Background Choices

While Cindy Sherman Photography has an acre of property with a huge variety of outdoor backgrounds, indoor photo sessions also offer many different choices for backgrounds. Whether it’s solid colors, patterns, textures or sceneries, there’s one for every type of photograph.

The Beauty of Maternity Photos

Maternity photoshoots are becoming more common each year. They’ve also gotten more creative over the years. These pregnancy photographs help women celebrate this new chapter of their and their partner’s lives. Here are some reasons to invest in maternity photo sessions:

• Celebrate the Pregnancy

While there are a lot of negative “side effects” with pregnancy, many women feel their best during this time. Pregnancy glow wasn’t just made up, it’s a real thing! These sessions can capture the joy and excitement mothers and even their partners are feeling. They can capture that glow, and make mothers feel beautiful.

• Preserving a Moment

Whether it is a first child or fifth, a new baby brings change into a family’s life. For those having their first child, a maternity photo session can capture the complete excitement of something they’ve never experienced before. Families with older children can have maternity photographs taken to capture what the family looks like before the new arrival and everyone’s excitement over the new baby.

• Gender or Name Reveal

Along with general maternity photo sessions, gender reveal sessions have become increasingly popular. It’s a fun way to capture the anticipation of pregnancy and announce the gender of the child all in one. With the gender reveal, many couples choose to let everyone know the gender by adding pink or blue balloons or other gender specific items. Others include blocks to spell out the name they have picked out for the new baby.

Capture the joy of pregnancy through a maternity photoshoot with Cindy Sherman Photography. Visit the website to learn more about information and pricing and see some of her previous maternity photographs.

Spring is King for Photography

Warmer temperatures and colorful blooms have everyone excited about the arrival of spring in Boise and the Treasure Valley. It’s also quite possibly the best time for outdoor photography sessions. Why? Here are three reasons:

1. Natural Diffused Light

The light due to the sun and clouds in spring provides photographer’s with a very low contrast scene. This causes exposures to be more even than shooting at a different time of year where there is more direct sunshine. This naturally diffused light gives photographers a chance to get shadow-less images when shooting with film. During brighter times of the year, the sun can cast shadows in images.

2. Colors

While fall is known for its beautiful foliage consisting of reds, browns, and oranges, spring is known for gorgeous blooms of purples, pinks, and more. These colors create amazing backgrounds for every type of photography session with their unique color combinations.

3. Temperature

Warmer weather makes shooting photography sessions more fun and comfortable for the photographer and the clients. Summer can sometimes be too hot, which could lead to sweating. Winter is too cold for some people, but spring and fall generally provide comfortable temperatures.

Enjoy springtime while creating some great memories with Cindy Sherman Photography with over an acre of outdoor backgrounds. Whether it’s a family photograph, maternity photos, engagement photographs, or some other special occasion, spring is the perfect time to book a photo session.

Maternity photographs are a fantastic way of celebrating pregnancy and the excitement of the baby’s arrival. These photographs are especially cherished when it is a couple’s first baby. If this is their first time doing a maternity shoot, here are some tips to follow:

• Scheduling

Maternity photo sessions are focused mainly on the belly, so mommies-to-be should think about scheduling their photo session during their 7^th or 8^th month of pregnancy. Usually this is far enough away from the due date that they can still move freely to pose.

• Outfits

Many mommies-to-be choose a flowy shirt or dresses that create a look of elegance. Putting a belt with the outfit just under the bust helps show off the belly even more. Some also do bare belly shots with a bandeau top or something similar.

• Props

Personal props such as the baby’s name, first stuffed animal, baby booties, sonogram pictures, or due date can really personalize the photographs. It can also add variety for posing and picture options.

• Spouses and Children

In can be fun to incorporate other members of the family in the pictures as well. It shows their excitement for the newest member, and can double as a family picture. Just make sure everyone’s outfits coordinate so the attention isn’t taken away from the star of the photoshoot.

• Hair/Makeup/Nails

Clients should spend time before the shoot doing their hair and makeup, but also taking care of their cuticles. In maternity photoshoots, hands are often in the images. Clients should make sure their nails look the way they want, whether that be painted, bare, long or short.

Visit Cindy Sherman Photography’s website to see her portfolio of maternity photos. She also lists the pricing and session information for clients on the page. Her maternity portrait session will help all mothers cherish this wondrous time in their lives.

Almost anyone with a smartphone and Photoshop can call themselves a photographer these days. However, professional photographers are a different breed. They bring knowledge, skill, experience, and passion to the table. When choosing a professional photographer for a project, whether family pictures or corporate headshots, here are some things to consider:

• Style

Ask the photographer about their portrait style. See if their portrait styles and experiences match up with the project in mind. They might be more versed in photojournalistic images, or whimsical and romantic.

• Look at the Portfolio

Most photographers are excited to show off their portfolio full of photos. Whether online or in person, check out what they’ve done in the past. It will give the potential client a pretty good idea of the photographer’s strengths.

• Additional Services

Some photographers offer services such as retouching, altering, removing blemishes, and framing. Many people are interested in these additional services and would like them in included with the photography. If the photographer doesn’t offer these services, often they can point the client to someone who can do this with the pictures they have taken.

• Cost

Clients are often very concerned about cost when it comes to getting pictures taken. There are session fees along with purchasing fees, and more. While the saying “you get what you pay for,” rings mostly true, the client should make sure the photographer isn’t completely taking advantage.

• Testimonials and References

Another item clients should check when selecting a photographer is their testimonials, references, and reviews. If people are happy or unhappy with the photographer’s work, it will be out there to find. Testimonials are generally found on their website, while reviews are found on social media pages like Facebook or Google. For references, check out the Better Business Bureau and other professional associations.

Finding the right photographer can take a little research and a lot of talking to people, but in the end it will be worth it. Photographs can last more than a lifetime. Make sure these special moments are captured by the right photographer.

Great Color Combinations for Family Pictures

It’s been established that when having family photos taken, there should be a color theme instead of everyone wearing the exact same color or pattern. But what color schemes are the best for family photos? Here are some of the best color palette ideas:

Pastels

Going with a pastel theme allows for many different colors to be used, but they still all blend together nicely. Pastels work well with outdoor landscapes and indoor backgrounds, making them versatile. Since it is Easter picture season, pastels also give off that springtime, Easter vibe as well.

Blue and Yellow

Blue and yellow contrast, but still complement each other well. Yellow pops against a darker blue, such as navy. The two can even tie together with some shades of turquoise too. These colors are great for beach family photos.

Black and White

Simple, but elegant. Black and white is a traditional color combo made up of two neutrals. This gives a nice versatility for many backgrounds, whether indoors or outside. It is frequently the easiest color combo to put together because people usually have a lot of black and white already in their closet.

Navy and Green

This color combination goes well with nature backdrops, highlighting the colors that naturally occur in nature. Darker blues work better with the green than a brighter blue, it’s just easier on the eyes. Using tan as an added neutral works great with these two colors.

Green, Navy and Red

These colors makes most people think about the holidays and winter. They are the classic Christmas card colors, and balance together nicely. Keep this combo in mind for the next holiday photographs.

When preparing for a family portrait session with Cindy Sherman Photography, refer back to this blog post for color combination ideas. With a great color combination and Cindy’s expert photography skills, everyone will be jealous of those family photos.

5 Factors for Choosing a Photo Location

When a client is choosing the location for their photography session, they should consider quite a few factors to find the perfect location. Here are the five most important factors:

1. Meaningful

Many clients choose a spot that is meaningful to them whether it be a favorite fishing lake, backyard, family land, etc. It helps to capture their personality and what is important to them. They’ll also feel more comfortable in their favorite spot, making it easier to capture the perfect picture.

2. Natural Lighting

What photographers love about outdoor photoshoots is the natural lighting. It creates beautiful photos, but it also needs to be the right type of light. Having a source of shade nearby such as a shady tree, can create the right soft light photographers love using.

3. Shelter

Shooting in the middle of a field with nowhere to take shelter if the weather turns nasty isn’t always a great idea. Make sure there’s something to take shelter in or under nearby, such as a bridge or building. Or if the cars are parked close enough that would work well too.

4. Calm Areas

Busy areas full of people don’t usually make for good photography locations. Waiting for people to move out of the frame will waste a lot of time. Noises and people could also distract certain subjects like pets or babies.

5. Weather

Outdoor photos are gorgeous, but if the weather is bad, shooting outside may not be an option. Indoor sessions can look fabulous too and the photographer has more control over the surroundings. For winter photographs, a location with both indoor and outdoor settings is the perfect solution. Capturing a few indoor photos while everyone has their hair and make-up perfected and then moving outdoors for some time playing in the leaves or snow can provide a wonderful mix of photographs.

Keep these factors in mind when deciding on a photo session location. Cindy Sherman Photography also has an acre of land with plenty of great photography spots throughout it like the Italian wall, a castle wall, Funky Town, beach, iron gate, etc. She also does indoor sessions as well for those who are interested in an indoor portrait session.

What Not to Wear to Photoshoots

When planning what to wear for a photoshoot, there are a lot of things to consider. Instead of making a list of everything that works well, here are some items to avoid when planning outfits for a photoshoot:

1. Matchy-matchy

Unless it’s a theme portrait, make sure not to match. Coordinate outfits with two or three colors that work well together, or different shades of the same color. If everyone is wearing the same pattern or color, it can be overpowering in the final image.

2. Pattern or color out of place

When choosing outfits, take into consideration where the photos will be taken. Colors and patterns will look differently on certain backgrounds. If the backdrop is going to be busy, try to go for simple colors with no patterns. If the background will be plain, adding some patterns can make it more interesting.

3. Something brand new

Some people enjoy buying new outfits for a photoshoot, but there is a downside to wearing a new outfit. To start with, the clothing may gape or pucker in ways the wearer wasn’t expecting when moving and posing for photographs. New shoes or clothing could also make them feel uncomfortable during the session. It’s better to put on that favorite, comfortable outfit for confident, relaxed photographs.

4. Bright, neon colors

Neon colors are not the most flattering for most skin tones. They can also be harsh and jarring to the eye. The subject should figure out which colors look best with their skin tone and pick from those. It will make them look their best in the photos.

5. Too many accessories

Accessories are fun, and can complete a look. But if someone is wearing too many, it can distract from the beauty of the photographs. Choose either a bracelet, necklace, or statement earrings, but not all of them at once.

Take this all of this into consideration when choosing outfits for a photo session with Cindy Sherman. Also visit the photography FAQ page for more information on what to wear.