Seattle Outdoor Family Photography | Elena S Blair Photography

Family photography matters. In fact, I would say it is essential. When you look back on your life as a family you won't believe how fast it all goes. I want you to have timeless pieces that will remind you exactly what you looked like and exactly how you felt about your family at that exact time. 

Most of my families come to me once a year. My sessions are more of an experience than anything else. Just an hour to celebrate your love for each other. Nothing stiff or uncomfortable. Just exploring one of our incredible locations in Seattle together. 

I hope we get to see you this year! 

Don't Be Afraid to Make a Change | Photography Business Tips

If you are at all familiar with my newborn work you know that it is completely "Lifestyle."

Now the words we use to define our work aren't really important. What is truly important is the feeling behind our work.

My newborn work is family and baby centered. I don't pose my newborns on a beanbag and rarely take them out of their parents arms.

But it didn't used to be that way. Until about four years ago I was still operating as a traditional "posed" newborn photographer. I had the beanbag, brought the heater, and even had the props.

And if you know me you know that this so so NOT me.

But I was believing the lie that in order to make money doing this I had to do it a certain way. I had to pose babies because that is what my families would expect.

After I gave birth to my third daughter I realized that this was so not in align with my artistic vision and my values.

Right then and there I rebranded, took every posed image off my website, and started over.

Guess what happened? My newborn business exploded. Why? Because people can sense when something isn't coming from a place of passion. When something isn't authentic.

So if you are doing something that just doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make a change. I know it is scary to do that, but I am here to tell you that you can and that you SHOULD.

Hey, if you are curious about Lifestyle Newborn Photography and how to get started or make a change to this type of Newborn Photography in your business, grab my free download "Getting Started With Lifestyle Newborn Photography."

I hope you all are having a fantastic week!

Be you!!

Xoxo,

Elena

My Go-To "Posing" Trick for Newborn Photography

One of my favorite things to do when posing newborns is to use the parents' hands.

Now I use the word "pose" loosely as I do very minimal, newborn led posing.

But I do like to get some shots of the baby alone on the bed, awake or asleep, if the baby is okay with it.

Simply ask the parents to come and hold the baby firmly in the position you desire. This allows you to capture the newborn with their parents loving hands on the baby, which is a beautiful shot, then allows you to capture the newborn alone. The baby is usually very calm after he or she has just been comforted by familiar hands.

Parents' hands:

Calm baby:

Try it out next time you photograph a newborn. Let me know how it goes.

Xoxo,

Elena

Meet Chelsea Macor | ESB Associate Photographer

For the past few years as Elena S Blair Photography has become busier, I've been thinking about bringing on an associate photographer so that we can serve more and more families in Seattle. Over the past month, my assistant and I interviewed and met some amazing family photographers in the area and decided to hire Chelsea! She's funny, sweet and super talented.

Chelsea describes her artistic style as "intimate, romantic, filled with life, love and connection." She loves "light and movement, tenderness and realness." When she told us her drink of choice is a margarita, we knew this was going to be a good fit ;) 

We're excited to have her on the team!

Work Smarter, Not Harder | Tips For Your Photography Business

I get asked about time management literally every day. Listen, I don't have more hours in my day than you do.

I am a single mom. I have a full time business. It's a lot.

But what I have learned is that you have to streamline your work and develop systems in order to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.

This past year I signed up with Honeybook. Honeybook is a super easy to use studio management software that has so much power. But my favorite thing Honeybook does is that it allows me to quickly respond to inquires with click of the button email templates.

I made a little video to show you this feature and why I love it so much. If you sign up with Honeybook using any of the links I have shared in this email or in the description on the video you will get 50% off your first year. That is a HUGE saving.

Work smarter, not harder! 

You can see the video by going to the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NNXLfujTRI&featur...

I hope this is helpful for you. :)

Xoxo,

Elena

Try Honeybook now and get 50% off of your first year! Click HERE to check it out!