How do I find the best Family Photographer for my family in Seattle? Seattle Family Photographer

Seattle, with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, offers an abundance of choices when it comes to family photographers. But how do you decide who's the best fit for capturing your cherished moments? Here are a few key considerations to help you make the right choice:

1. Style and Portfolio: Start by browsing through photographers' portfolios. Look for a style that resonates with you. Do you prefer candid shots or more posed portraits? Are you drawn to vibrant colors or a softer, more muted palette? Finding a photographer whose style aligns with your vision is crucial for capturing authentic and timeless family memories.

2. Experience and Expertise: Seek out photographers with experience in family photography specifically. They should have a knack for working with children and creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere during the shoot. Experienced photographers will also have the skills to handle different lighting conditions and settings, ensuring stunning results regardless of the location.

3. Reviews and Recommendations: Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from friends, family, or online communities. Reading reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insights into the photographer's professionalism, communication style, and the overall client experience.

   I believe that choosing a family photographer is a personal decision. I would love to capture your family this year! CLICK HERE to find out more about family photography with me.

What Will My Seattle Photo Shoot Be Like When Shelter In Place Is Lifted | Seattle Family Photography

Here at Elena S Blair Photography, we are so excited to get back to work! Because it never feels like work photographing Seattle’s best families!

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all and I truly hope this message finds you healthy and secure. We know how hard it is to be home with little ones, working, schooling, and all the added stress on top of all of that.

It has been confirmed that photographers can start operating again once we enter phase 2 of the reopen plan! 👏🏼

It has been so hard postponing so many photo shoots but we are hopeful that we will enter phase 2 of the “reopen” process by June 1st, and that is when we can start photographing families and newborns again. We were very careful to respect the governors orders by closing down our business and staying home to help flatten the curve.

If you have already booked a session with us between June 1st-September 1st you can assume that we will continue without any needs to reschedule. If not, you will receive a personal email from us. While we hope we can take on our September-November sessions, we are going to encourage fall bookings to consider taking a summer spot, just in case we see a spike in COVID in the fall. We want to ensure that you get your family photos done in time for holiday cards, and simply to ensure that your family is captured this year! If you don’t want to reschedule, that is okay, we are hoping fall goes off without a hitch.

Safety will be our number one priority! Here is what we plan to do to make sure your family stays healthy and happy:

We will be wearing a mask to all outdoor Family Photography Sessions and a mask AND gloves to all our indoor Newborn Photography sessions.

We will not take any chances with health and we will reschedule if ourselves or ANYONE in our household has been sick in any way within a two week span of your session date. We ask that you do the same. We promise to make room in our schedule for all rescheduling needs.

We will practice extreme hand hygiene and minimize touching you and your family during the session.

We will use longer focal length lenses so we can stay six feet away as much as possible which will still allow us to capture images that seem like we are closer.

We will only do one photo session a day.

Family Photography is an investment in your family. It is an absolute privilege to be able to capture your family. We do not take that privilege lightly. ESPECIALLY after this crisis. Which has really shined a light on what matters in this world. And that is our loved ones.

Chelsea and I can’t wait to see you in front of our camera again so very soon!

What's the Best Time of Day for an Outdoor Family Photoshoot? | Seattle Family Photographer

What’s the best time of day for a family photo shoot?

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful place like Seattle. The city, the mountains, the views… breathtaking! We couldn’t live in a more photogenic city.

But here’s the thing: Some times of day are much, much better than others to have your family photos taken. So, when’s the best time of day?

Golden Hour is the best time of day for photos

Golden Hour is the time of day right before sunset where the light is gorgeous and makes everyone and everything look good. We LOVE to schedule outdoor sessions at Golden Hour. For those of you with little ones, we recommend a late nap and a snack/dinner before the session so they’re in the best mood possible.

But some families can’t stay up that late with little ones, and that’s okay! Or maybe there are other scheduling conflicts that get in the way of an evening shoot. Either way, if you can’t do your session in the evening, we are happy to accommodate.

If not Golden Hour, the morning is second best

Here at Elena S Blair Photography, we are masters of light. We will be able to serve your family and deliver beautiful photos no matter the time of day. So, if you can’t make a Golden Hour shoot work, no problem! We will schedule your session for the morning, usually around 9 or 10am when the sun isn’t too far up in the sky just yet. Also, kids are usually in a great mood in the morning, which is another reason to love morning sessions!

Check out this recent morning session, shot by our amazing associate Chelsea!

Chelsea still has a few spots open for the rest of the year, so click the button below to grab a session with her!

And if you’re not quite ready to book, click here to learn more about our sessions and pricing!

Adorama Photo Walk in NYC | Urban Family Photoshoot Ideas

Urban or street photography is somewhat common. But Urban Family Photography is a bit more new to the industry.

I hear a lot of photographers ask “what do you do about the other people all over?” “How do you deal with distracting objects in the background?”

When photographing a family in an urban setting I suggest that you really embrace what makes the city so lively. Warn your clients that there will be some “strangers” in the background in some of the photos. Don’t try and wait for cars to pass, allow the traffic to be part of the story.

Take advantage of the colors and textures that are present in an urban setting.

I pose and guide EXACTLY the same as I would in a field or at a beach, I just embrace the surroundings.

That being said. I do try and find a few spots where I can grab a few portraits without too many distractions. I do this but placing my family right up against a building or by finding a little park nearby.

Don’t be afraid to think on your feet. In the shoot featured here, we walked around the Union Square area in New York City and stopped when we saw fun and beautiful areas. A fire station, an ice cream truck, a public market. We simply enjoyed ourselves.

This shoot was part of my Photo Walk that I did with Adorama last month. There were 50 students along with me. It was super fun!

Have fun and be creative with your next urban session. I know I love doing them!

Why In Home Family Portrait Photography is So Important | Seattle Family Photographer

In home family photography is the perfect way to capture a family exactly how they are. It’s meaningful and relaxed, which is especially perfect when there’s a new baby.

One of the best parts about having an in-home session is that you don’t have to pack up all of your things and go anywhere. Your family can just relax and be themselves while being captured authentically. Plus, the aesthetics of your home are included in the session, making a nice keepsake as well.

This beautiful family was photographed by our amazing associate, Chelsea. She did such a great job and actually brought the mother to tears when she viewed her gallery. We wanted to share some of her kind words about this session and a few highlights below:

“Chelsea! I just got our photos! I am in tears. I’ve never really seen myself as a mama until seeing these pictures. You captured us beautifully! I will cherish these pictures more than you know.”