Blog - Fifth and Chestnut

Gorgeous Summer Lake Tahoe Family Portraits with the Hoff Family | Lake Tahoe Family Photographer

July 29, 2022 In Uncategorized No Comment

These breathtaking summer Lake Tahoe family portraits were a highlight of my very busy June this year! I photographed Mark & Kirsten’s incredible Lake Tahoe wedding 4 years ago and I was so happy to meet their almost-2-year-old Erik!

Like all toddlers, Erik took a little bit to warm up to the stranger danger that I present (🤣) and then like all toddlers do, had a short stretch of smiles and mischief with me followed by refusal to participate LOL. But I say this in a truly loving way – the toddlers I photograph hold a special place in my heart because I REALLY get a glimpse into their personalities with how much I have to pry it out of them! And Erik is such a sweet, fun-loving boy!

Meadows & The Sandy Beach for Tahoe Family Portraits

We spent some time in the meadow part of Kiva Beach and then worked our way to the warm sand and water. It was a STUNNING evening in South Lake Tahoe for family portraits!

I especially loved that there was some water washed up on the sand so I could catch some reflections as well. And I just can’t get over the AMAZING filtered light on this partly cloudy day. It was just such a perfect afternoon in every way!

Please get in touch today if you would like your own stunning summer Lake Tahoe family portraits with me as your Lake Tahoe Family Photographer. Summer and fall months book up quickly!

Spring Wildflower Portraits of Sisters by Reno Family Photographer

July 2, 2022 In Babies & Kids No Comment

These lovely spring wildflower portraits of sisters were one of the highlights of my spring family photography! This duo was so much fun and I loved photographing them!

I am also thankful to this duo’s mom for being patient with the flower blooming situation! Luckily we got to spend some extra time together since my plans for my mini sessions kind of fell apart.

These gals were so lighthearted and fun during our session – and I love their casual outfits, too!

Lupine Superbloom | Reno Spring Wildflower Portraits

Photographing kids and families amongst the spring wildflowers in Reno has to be one of my FAVORITE parts of the year! Make sure to connect with me if you want spring portraits like the ones below!

If you want spring wildflower portraits, make sure to contact me to sign up for my email list so you can be the first to schedule these amazing Spring sessions! The timing of the spring wildflowers is very limited so you want to make sure you book well in advance!

Also make sure to follow me on Instagram to be in the know!

Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. is a Reno Family Photographer with over a decade of experience and LOVES photographing Reno families and children!

Springtime family Portraits in Reno of a family of three at Caughlin Ranch by Reno Family Photographer

Springtime Family Portraits in Reno | Reno Family Photographer

June 14, 2022 In Family No Comment

I am so excited to share these springtime family portraits in Reno (and three-year photos) of one of the sweetest families I’ve ever been honored to photograph!

The Haradas have been my clients since they got married and I’ve been so happy to see their family grow. To be part of the documentation of a child’s milestones and growth is an absolute honor.

So you guys – Alyssa is THREE now! I can’t even believe how fast time flies. I know I say that all the time 🙂 But seriously, check out her portraits from just last year here. She looks so little looking back!!

Caughlin Ranch

For this spring session, we met up at one of my favorite places to shoot – the Caughlin Ranch ponds. The willow trees, streams, bridges and rocks offer SUCH awesome scenery.

Luckily for us, this was a BEAUTIFUL afternoon in Reno for family portraits. It seems like March and April were plagued with wind, but May 1st offered a calm, warm day. Then it was crazy the next afternoon!

Cute Wardrobe Changes for Springtime Family Portraits in Reno

Alyssa had several adorable outfits for our shoot – aren’t her little rainbow wings so cute? And I ADORE how her blue dress complimented her mama’s so well. The color combos mixed so nicely with our beautiful green landscape.

And her rainbow dress??! SO CUTE. Plus, she had the SWEETEST 50th Anniversary Minnie Mouse dress from her recent trip to Disney World and her Chinese New Year dress apparently inspired her to rock climb 🤣

I hope you love viewing these images, and if you’re in need of a family photographer in Reno, please navigate to my contact section on my home page and get in touch!

Springtime family Portraits in Reno in the willow trees at caughling ranch by Reno Family Photographer

Choosing the Senior Photographer Who’s Right For You

May 24, 2022 In Tips and Tricks No Comment

When it comes to Reno senior photographers, you have a lot of choices. In any budget or style, there is a multitude of people willing to serve you. As a mom who very highly values family photography in my personal life, I know how overwhelming this process can be.

I am grateful that you have found ME and you are interested in timeless senior portraiture, but whether or not you select me to create portraits for you, I’d like to share 3 big tips for finding Reno Senior Photographer who’s a good fit for you.

How do you choose the RIGHT Reno Senior Photographer for YOU?

Tip 1: Professionalism, Attitude & Personality

Your Reno Senior Photographer should be a good fit for you. At minimum, you want a Reno Family Photographer who is friendly and professional.

You also want someone who has a wonderful attitude to make the process of a senior photography session FUN and not stressful. You’ll want someone who will help prepare you so that you have the BEST session of your life to document this incredible milestone.

And finally, you need to be comfortable in front of the camera to LOOK comfortable in front of the camera. Your photographer should give you an experience that makes you feel good while their lens is pointed at you!

Tip 2: Products & Keepsakes

What good are your senior photos if they sit on a hard drive as digital files, or only make a brief appearance on social media? Part of a senior photographer’s basic skills should include being able to professionally design an heirloom-quality photo album and/or other quality display items. These are some things to consider while looking at a family photographer’s sample products:

Do you notice any tearing/crackling in the binding or edges of their sample album pages? Your photo album is meant to be a lasting heirloom. If a photographer’s sample album is literally falling apart, that’s not a good sign.
Are their albums designed in a timeless way? Do the images flow from well from one to the next?
Does the photographer provide other products aside from an album? Can you get a professional canvas from them? How about a professional print or other wall display? Do they carry products you LIKE?
Can you purchase gift options to treat the special people in your life? Think of grandparents etc who would love to be sent a photographic gift with your senior portraits!

Magical Moon Rocks Senior portraits by Reno Senior Photographer

Tip 3: Style, Portfolio & Consistency

While searching for your Reno Senior Photographer, you might be overwhelmed by the choices. If you rush while selecting your photographer, you could overlook an important aspect of their photography – their style, or more importantly, the consistency of their work.

A Reno Senior Photographer’s style isn’t just about the technical aspects or the angles. It is about their unique perspective and creativity. It’s also the way in which they edit the images. And in fact, it is the WAY they take the images. You’ll notice that my photos are bright…light and “airy.”

I also SERIOUSLY love using backlighting techniques. I don’t shoot in direct sun and I make sure the light on your face is soft and natural. That’s MY style, and if you dig through my portfolio, that is what you will see.

Is your Reno Senior Photographer’s style a fit for you? Is it timeless? Or are they using a trendy one-click filter that will look cheesy and cheap in a little while? Will they meticulously edit your photos? Or will they rush your pictures to you without hardly glancing at their final product? Do they CHANGE their style like the wind changes directions? How do you know you’ll get the style you think you will? Pro tip: ask photographers to send you an entire client gallery so you can see how consistent their work is in the course of one single senior session.

A quality Reno Senior Photographer will take a beautiful photo on the day of your session and edit it to make it stellar. They will provide a collection of incredible photos that flow well together and could all go on one wall and look AMAZING.

Professional senior photographers should spend a considerable amount of time editing images. If they shoot your session on “auto mode” and give you the images straight out of the camera…that is not the work of a professional OR an artist. A friend could take a snapshot on your iPhone just as easily. But that isn’t the experience you’re going for if you’re reading this!

A reno high school senior sits on steps at Galena Creek Park for her reno high school senior portraits

Conclusion

These are the top things to consider carefully when choosing your Reno Senior Photographer. But one more thing: although price is something most people have to consider for their varying budgets, you may not want to make it THE deciding factor.

One day, photographs are going to be the ONLY keepsakes you have left after time moves on. They are also one of the major things people hand down to their children. The value of your portraits is immeasurable even though it may be hard to understand that right now.

Watch for red flags when selecting a photographer whose prices seem too good to be true. Low prices are usually an indicator of inexperience.

Reno Family Photography is an investment. No one deserves the feeling of regret when viewing their senior photos after spending so much time preparing for them. We hope these tips will help you avoid that situation as much as possible.

Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. is a Reno Senior Photographer. We serve the greater Northern Nevada and Northern California areas. Contact us and find out how this Reno Senior Photographer can create incredible one-of-a-kind senior portraits for you!

Senior Portrait Photography FAQ

May 24, 2022 In FAQs No Comment

FIFTH AND CHESTNUT PHOTO CO. SENIOR PORTRAITS | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I put this FAQ together to prepare my clients and clients-to-be for a senior portrait session with me. I have tried to answer the common questions I receive (and some not-so-common). I know that choosing me as your Reno senior photographer isn’t a decision you take lightly – if you are reading this, I know that you are looking for the best of the best and you love my work. That’s why I want to educate my clients and potential clients about the Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. senior photography experience.

Session Information
My portrait sessions are made up of two parts:
1) A session fee that covers my creative camera time & culling, editing, preparing your images for viewing and other behind-the-scenes stuff I do for your session. No images, prints or products are included in your session fee.
2) A minimum product order (pre-tax) at an in-person Image Premiere where you’ll view your images and place a print/product order with me.

Contact me for detailed pricing information.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

How would you describe your style?
I describe my style as authentic and heartfelt. It’s bright, cheery and natural. I don’t use trendy filters in my editing process, nor do I fall into the hype of other trends because your photos should stand up to the test of time. Over the years, I have developed my own unique editing process to give my images the look and feel that they have.

What kind of investment should we be prepared for?
I several product collections for senior portraits. I also have an extensive a la carte menu and special pricing for senior families who purchase a collection. Most families invest $2799 or more in their senior photo products and display items. Very few families invest the minimum required.

Ordering Appointment
If you live in the Reno/Sparks area – your Image Premiere & Ordering Appointment is a required part of the photography process. My goal is for you to display your portraits in your home via wall displays, albums or other photo products. This ordering appointment is pivotal in achieving that goal.

Digital Images
My goal is always to create heirloom-quality photographic products for you, and although I love digital images for sharing with friends and family (and for long term safe-keeping) – they most often get stuck on a hard drive or lost when you get a new computer and forgotten. I am very passionate about providing prints, canvases and other physical photographic display items! Hi-res images are available for purchase, but web-sized digital images are provided to match every print/product purchased so that you can share those precious images on social media like you want to!

Will you travel for my session?
I am happy to travel around northern Nevada & northern California for an additional fee. Contact me for rates.

Can we book you for more than 1 hour?
Yes, and in fact, I recommend that seniors book a 2 hour shoot so you can change outfits and get lots of variety for your senior portraits.

What if our session is going over time?
I don’t necessarily keep my eye on my watch, but I tend to know when our time is almost up, and I will check to see how we’re doing so that our session ends on time. I don’t want to keep my clients from the rest of their day’s plans by shooting past what has been agreed upon, and I often have other commitments to attend to as well. If you ask me to stay past our allotted time, I do have to invoice you for the extra time, so it is best to plan out our exact time allotments in advance.

Can we wear more than one outfit?
In a 1-hour session, I recommend no more than two outfits. I’m happy to schedule a 2-hour shoot to accommodate several outfit changes! And if you’d like to change into your clothes once you arrive at the location (rather than wrinkle them during the car ride), plan accordingly and arrive 10-15 minutes early to get dressed and ready. I have a pop-up privacy tent you can use to change into your other outfits, too. Make sure to tell me your number of outfits so I make sure to bring the tent!

Speaking of outfits, what should we wear and bring to our session?
I have this whole blog post dedicated to answering this question about senior wardrobe and props!

Can you shoot in a certain style that I want or use a certain backdrop at a location?
I trust that you have looked through my portfolio and have chosen me as your photographer because you like what you saw! I use soft, natural light and backlighting techniques to get the beautiful portraits shown in my portfolio. I photograph my clients within certain landscapes at specific directions because I am looking at the LIGHT. I can’t control the light (sun), but I can control where I place you! Occasionally I will take photos in the bright sun for dramatic effect, but it’s not often and I usually reserve that for candid shots. If you are wanting something that you don’t see in my portfolio, I encourage you to discuss what you’re looking for before selecting me as your photographer. You get the best portraits when you trust my location suggestions, poses and methods.

Can you photograph us in front of Lake Tahoe?
Everyone loves Lake Tahoe. It’s a fact! But if you’re more interested in getting that beautiful blue lake & mountainous skyline with blue sky above it in the background than you are in having soft, beautiful light on your family’s faces, that’s just not the type of photos I offer. I am a natural light photographer (meaning – I don’t bring off-camera lighting with me to my shoots), and simply can’t get that gorgeous blue lake & sky in all it’s glory unless I photograph you with your face TO the sun. That means squinty/unpleasant expressions and sometimes drips of sweat running down cheeks. It’s not my style. I will happily photograph you walking down the beach candidly and get some beautiful lake scenery that way…but I am not a fan of photographing people looking into the sun. It’s not even possible at every location. Some spots are just not situated appropriately to get the pristine Tahoe blue background – there may be shadows caused by mountains or trees in the way, or we just can’t physically shoot in the proper direction due to the shoreline. Although a beautiful landscape can be part of your senior portraits (and the Tahoe examples in my portfolio ARE gorgeous the way I shoot them), it is not the focus.

Can I give you a shot list from Pinterest? I really love some images I found there.

I don’t accept shot lists of any kind. Pinterest is a fun tool for planning your wardrobe and props, but asking me to recreate a shot by another photographer is asking me to copy someone else (aka copyright infringement – yikes). Also, I can’t recreate things like the time of day in which a photo was taken, or a particular landscape that just doesn’t exist at your chosen location. If I attempt to recreate something purposely, you may be disappointed – and I never want to disappoint a client. But rest assured that I will photograph you in a way that is true to my artistic vision and style. I enjoy working with seniors who completely trust me to create amazing images that are authentic to their personalities & style. That level of trust is paramount in our relationship.

What happens if I’m late to the session?
Sessions are simply cut short when clients are late, and in cases where seniors are more than 20 minutes behind, the session must be cancelled. Sessions are scheduled at the perfect time of day to achieve my style of portraiture…and when the light goes away, there is no bringing it back! And of course I also have a schedule of my own at play.

What if the forecast calls for rain/snow?
My inclement weather procedure is to wait until the day of our scheduled shoot to see how the area’s weather is doing about 4 hours before the session start time (our weather in Northern Nevada can be unpredictable despite the forecasts). Rain will damage my equipment, so I do not shoot in the rain. In the case of snow, a light snow can be beautiful in photos so clients have the option to go ahead with a snowy shoot (unless it’s so snowy & wet that my equipment is at risk of damage) or reschedule at a later date. Wind can range from mild to severe in Northern Nevada, so we also touch base on windy days to see how you feel about the outlook (I can always shoot in heavy wind, but you may not want to).

THE PHOTOS

When will our photos be ready?
Portrait photos are typically ready to view at your Image Premiere 3 weeks after your session date. I typically don’t post “sneak peeks” prior to your Image Premiere.

Can you rush my images?
Since I am a mom of four with busy schedules, I can NOT rush images at this time. To do so, I would have to miss events or other things that are important to me and my family.

Can we have your RAW images?
I don’t transfer my RAW files under any circumstances. Any outtakes, out of focus images (or images I just decide not to include in your collection) hit the cutting room floor and are deleted prior to your Image Premier & Ordering Appointment.

THE BUSINESS

Do you have proper business credentials and insurance?
You bet I do! Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co is a Limited Liability Company, and I am insured and carry state and city business licenses. I also pay taxes – including the state sales sax that I collect when you make your product purchase. In addition, I carry a Washoe County Parks Permit which gives me permission to photograph you in our lovely local city parks.

Tell us more about you, the woman behind the scenes!
Although I breathe, sweat and bleed (mostly because I’m clumsy and will do almost anything for the perfect shot) for my photography business, I also do all of those things for my beautiful family. My devotion to my family has helped me shape my business into something that brings a work-life-balance to our lives. It offers me flexibility to be with my family at important times, and to spend precious time with my kids…helping them grow and learn. It keeps me passionate about what I do. My photography business is such a personal part of myself that it’s sometimes hard to separate, but I am always striving for the perfect balance between being an artist/entrepreneur with being a great wife and mommy. To that end, my availability is limited, and when you book with me, you have a LOT of my attention because I am not working on 30 other jobs simultaneously. I have four kids and my husband works for the magnificent City of Sparks, where we also live!

I also have graphic design and illustration skills, and one of my dreams is to write and illustrate a children’s book. My work experience has taken me from political marketing to advertising to graphic design in the music industry to the corporate world and now my passion for photography has taken over my life!

If you have any questions about me or how I can provide an amazing Reno senior portrait photography experience for you, please get in touch. I want to get to know you, and I want to create senior portraits that you and your family will treasure for a lifetime!

Reno Senior Photographer Editing Process for Senior Photos

May 11, 2022 In Senior Portraits Tips and Tricks No Comment

I know you’re worried about not looking like yourself in your senior portraits. I know that you want to look like YOU. The best version of you! That’s why I want to give you a peek into my editing process for senior photos. One of the things I have SO MUCH pride in is how my editing is a natural process that won’t leave your skin looking like plastic, or change your skin tone, features or the things that make you YOU.

When I whiten teeth, I do it realistically. Your skin will still show that you have pores. Your eyes won’t look unnaturally bright (that looks straight up creepy). My aim is to enhance your natural beauty instead of changing how you look. Because you’re beautiful as you are!! But yes, a zit will NOT be making an appearance in your gorgeous portraits.

When you book your senior portraits with me, you’ll get a careful editing process that preserves your natural beauty while reducing temporary things like blemishes. You can be sure that your senior portraits will actually be a realistic representation of your personality and style – your authentic self!

HOW I PRESERVE YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY WHILE EDITING & RETOUCHING

The first thing to note is that getting the exposure and temperature RIGHT in-camera is the first thing that helps me achieve a natural and realistic look to your senior portraits. And that’s just PART of what my fourteen YEARS of experience adds to your portraits!

How I preserve your natural beauty with my editing process for senior photos:

Retouching skin: I’ll definitely remove blemishes and dry skin while reducing the appearance of scars (acne & otherwise), but I WON’T overly smooth your skin and remove your pores or freckles to make you look like plastic. This process is INSANELY detailed and takes me a lot of time, but I believe it’s truly important to preserve your skin texture while making it look like your BEST skin day, ever.

Real Colors: I edit to maintain the true colors of your skin tone, your clothing and the environment in which we’re shooting. A trendy thing with photography these days is to turn everything into a weird orange overtone and desaturate greenery. I don’t do that. Your photos are going to stand the test of time because they will be realistic representations of you AND the environment.

Keeping Your Features: Although I’ll add a little vibrance to your portraits, I won’t be adjusting your natural features like warping your lips or nose…or bringing your waist or arms in. Adjusting your appearance isn’t showcasing your true beauty. But please feel confident that I will guide you into flattering poses to look like the best version of yourself.

Booking YOUR Senior Portraits

If you are looking for a Reno senior photographer who will use a natural process for editing and retouching, I’d be honored to work with you in capturing this pivitol time in your life! Contact me through my contact form and get the ball rolling on booking with me. I’ll send you my Senior Magazine which shares ALL the info you’ll need to help you decide if I’m the right photographer for you.

Reno High School Senior walking through a spring meadow with a red balloon wearing a cute white mini dress

What Should I Wear for Senior Pictures? Reno Senior Photography

May 6, 2022 In Senior Portraits Tips and Tricks 2 Comments

One of the questions I get asked most often is “what should I wear for senior pictures?” So I thought I’d give you some of my best tips for selecting your senior portrait wardrobe as a professional high school senior photographer!

This informative blog post will serve as your guide on what to wear as you start to plan your Reno/Tahoe senior photoshoot!

My hope is that these TEN tips help you feel confident and inspired as you begin to put together your incredible looks for your once-in-a-lifetime senior shoot!

Tip 1: Choose your locations first for your senior portraits

Choosing your location(s) first before stepping into wardrobe choices allows you to get a starting point for thinking of colors, patterns and styles. If you LOVE the look of a downtown Reno senior portrait session, that will serve as the whole VIBE for your session. Choosing a frilly dress may not be the best choice if we’re going for that grungy downtown look. But a lush meadow? That’s the spot for a feminine dress.

Tip 2: Determine your color schemes

There are lots of different color schemes you can decide for your senior pictures. How do you feel about pastels? Vibrant colors? Dark tones?

You can find guides online about what colors look best with certain skin tones, but at the end of the day – every senior should wear colors they love.

Neutral colors are great to incorporate into your senior portrait outfits. Black, white, grey, ivory and shades of khaki or brown can be so powerful in your portraits.

Pastel or muted colors are great for spring/summer sessions and our meadow & lake locations in the Reno/Tahoe area.

Vibrant colors can also be excellent in the summertime, but also especially look gorgeous in the fall and winter. But be careful! Neon colors produce color-cast on skin and don’t photograph well. If you pick a vibrant color, I suggest choosing a darker VS brighter tones (ie: mustard yellow instead of neon yellow, cranberry red instead of cherry red).

Patterns can be used beautifully, but you have to be careful with them! Busy or small patterns don’t photograph well, and larger patterns can be pretty distracting as well. It’s always a good idea to run a pattern by your photographer to see what their opinion on it is.

Did you know? Fifth and Chestnut Seniors get my free Senior Style Guide which has even more detail on what colors/patterns to avoid for senior portraits? Email me if you want to see what being a Fifth and Chestnut Senior is all about!

Tip 3: Decide fashion styles

Should I wear a dress? How about a romper? How about a two-piece top and skirt? What I always suggest is to pick at least one dress, one outfit with jeans (or shorts) and one other outfit (rompers are so cute). This is one of the easier decisions to make once you have your colors decided! You know what looks best on your body. If you want an outfit to elongate your body, consider long pants or a long maxi dress. Want to show off your legs? A mini dress is super cute!

Another thing to think about is your overall vibe (remember when we decided locations?) – you’ll be able to select styles based on that. Some examples are:

Downtown grunge = leather jacket and jeans.
Green meadow = pastel ruffled dress.
Lake = Crop top and shorts.
Desert = elegant solid-colored dress.

Tip 4: Consider your accessories

Hats, scarves, jewelry and sunglasses can all be used to change up your senior photos and provide lots of visual interest. Sunglasses especially have that fun “instagram influencer” look that can be exciting to try!

It’s definitely important to choose accessories that go seamlessly with all of your outfit choices.

Tip 5: Don’t forget to choose the right shoes for your senior portraits!

Shoes are a really fun way to be unique with your senior photos. Make sure that your shoe choice fits the season we’re shooting in. Examples are boots in winter, flip flops in summer! And also consider your comfort because we do have to walk around a bit!

I love when seniors choose shoes for their photoshoots that really add to their outfit but don’t distract from it. As with outfits, your senior photographer can help you if you run your ideas by them!

Tip 6: Go shopping for your senior picture outfits!

If you shop online like most seniors do, you’ll want to purchase items in different sizes & shades so that you can pick the best options out of the bunch.

It’s better to order too much and have to return some things than have to wait for an additional item because you weren’t sure you LOVED the first round of clothes.

Some places seniors love to shop: Free People, Nordstrom Rack, Amazon Fashion, Nomad Boutique, Breath of Youth Clothing.

Tip 7: Final try-ons & layout outfits

Get a bird’s eye view of your outfits all together. Do these all look like they mesh well with your locations? Do they all work TOGETHER well? Think how pictures of you in all of these outfits will look in a photo album. Do you really love these looks? You should LOVE seeing these outfits layed out together. If you don’t – make some changes!

Tip 8: Get your hair & makeup inspiration ready

With your locations in mind and your outfits decided, search Pinterest for hair and makeup inspiration to provide your professional hair and makeup artist(s) so they can give you the exact look you’re going for.

Tip 9: Plan for your nails

Not everyone loves getting their nails done, but I highly recommend at least giving yourself a mani/pedi with a neutral nail color that will go nicely with ALL of your outfits. This is an important step because your nails will be visible in your senior pictures!

Tip 10: Enjoy your senior portrait session!

Now that you’ve taken all this info and carefully selected your clothing and accessories, it’s simply time to enjoy your time in those beautiful senior portrait outfits!

Don’t forget that your senior photographer should be helping you through EVERY part of the senior photography experience, including getting ready for your senior photoshoot! Want MY help? Make sure to email me ASAP and get on my calendar with plenty of time to spare so you have ample time to plan and shop!

A high school senior in a blue sequin dress leans on a rock at Moon Rocks for her unique and exquisite Reno senior portraits by Reno Senior Photographer

Should I Get My Hair and Makeup Done for Senior Pictures? | Reno Senior Photographer Answers

May 3, 2022 In Senior Portraits Tips and Tricks No Comment

I was just reminiscing about my prom experience after seeing so many prom pics on Instagram and Tik Tok recently. It hit me that I actually include hair and makeup for my senior clients BECAUSE of my prom experience. So I’ll tell you all about it to answer the burning question of “should I get my hair and makeup done for senior pictures?”

A Prom Experience and Why It Makes a point about getting hair and makeup done for senior pictures

In the weeks leading up to senior prom, I had spent HOURS picking out my baby blue prom dress. I had never worn such a delicate or beautiful item in my LIFE.

At the time, I was a complete tom boy. In my mind, I was trying to look like Avril Lavigne. In reality, I looked like a sack of potatoes with my oversized shirts, baggy pants and skater shoes. My eyeliner was lined thickly only on my bottom eyelid. I did not use mascara. Wet n’ wild lip gloss on fleek.

I had no idea what I was doing as a teenager, okay? It was the early 2000’s and things were a little crazy fashion-wise. I also PURELY wore my hair in a high ponytail – kind of like I do today. Except back then, I had a middle part and wispy bangs. My goodness.

Luckily, for our prom, my best friend scheduled hair appointments at a local salon. She also got us scheduled with makeup artists at a fancy department store in my home town. If she hadn’t done this, I honestly don’t know what kind of disaster my wannabe “skater boi” face & hair would have been with my elegant dress.

Hair & Makeup Experience Before Prom

As I sat in that makeup artist’s chair and chatted with her about my plans, my fears about how I’m going to look in my dress started to fade away as she showed me my eyeshadow. I started envisioning myself in the dress I had so lovingly chosen.

When I saw my face at the end of my makeup session, I was actually stunned. I had never felt so beautiful. And my hair wasn’t even done yet! My blemishes were invisible. I looked like I had clear skin for the first time in years. My cheeks were rosy – and I had previously NEVER used blush. It was also the first time I had ever worn real lipstick.

When my hair was completed, all curled in an updo, I felt like a million dollars. I couldn’t wait to put on my dress and get into the luxury van my Dad had rented to take my bestie and our boyfriends to prom in San Francisco. My parents took pictures of us and we felt on top of the world.

Why you should get hair and makeup done for senior portraits

When I think about those moments leading up to prom – I see a girl who was going out of her comfort zone and was a little fearful. I see a girl who was stressed because she was so unsure of HOW to do her makeup and hair. She really loved the idea of this baby blue dress, but felt like an imposter standing in it. And AFTER getting all dolled up? Well, then I see a girl who was happy, relaxed and confident BECAUSE professionals took care of the things that she did not know how to do. The stress washed away with all of the fears and doubts.

And this is why I include hair and makeup services in my senior portrait sessions.

I believe that EVERY senior deserves to feel that on-top-of-the-world confidence as I capture their authentic self on camera so that they have senior portraits they look back on one day with complete joy.

You should reminisce happily about your senior year and remember the experience of getting pampered with hair & makeup services before your photoshoot. I want you to feel CONFIDENT with blemishes covered and your hair done exactly how you envision it. I want you to LOVE your senior portraits…and I want your parents to love them, too.

I hope your senior year is filled with joy and wonder as you begin to embark on the next part of your life. And I’d love for the senior portrait experience I provide to be part of it!

What if I’m not a fan of makeup or want a natural look?

I find that most teens aren’t necessarily opposed to makeup – it’s usually that they just don’t know HOW to do it. However, there are teens out there that are truly not fans of makeup. And I understand that perspective, so let’s talk about that more!

Your senior portraits are just that – yours. They are literally ALL about YOU. So if you want a natural look because you never wear makeup and are worried about your photos not representing your authentic self, I am here to take those worries away.

You have ALL the control with your makeup artist. The professional makeup artist I book for you will know how to ENHANCE your natural beauty and give you a “no-makeup” look if that’s what you desire. We can skip the GLAM and go all natural if that’s your jam. You’re in the driver’s seat at all times, don’t worry!

A high school student in a blue sequin prom dress shows off her professional hair and makeup for reno senior portraits by Reno senior photographer at Moon Rocks

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Fifth and Chestnut Photo Co. is Reno senior photographer in Reno/Tahoe who believes that every senior deserves an incredible portrait experience that adds to the overall joy of their senior year and provides authentic portraits that they and their parents are absolutely in love with. Learn more about becoming a Fifth and Chestnut senior here!

Adriana’s Early Spring Reno Headshots | Reno Headshot Photographer

April 21, 2022 In Headshots No Comment

I had such a great time photographing Adriana’s new early spring Reno headshots as she recently joined Caliber Home Loans in Reno, NV!

In our short session together, we got a fun variety of poses to suit Adriana’s professional portrait needs.

Our weather on this late morning was a little windy and cold. However, Adriana was a trooper through our cold 15 minutes together!

Spring Reno Headshots

Our window light was great for indoor portraits at the office. The colors in the offices are lovely and welcoming, too. And the couch in the lobby was a perfect setting for some of Adriana’s headshots!

The outdoor settings at Caliber Home Loans on South McCarran are so pretty as well. We took advantage of the soft light outside provided by cloud cover!

If you’re in need of updated Reno headshots or branding images, please get in touch with me to help provide professional portraits that represent you or your brand beautifully!

If you’re looking for new headshots, I would love to chat with you about my headshot and/or branding packages. Please use the contact feature on my website to get in touch. We can discuss your needs and figure out a great solution that gets you incredible images to showcase your business or brand!

A family of three sits on a suspended fallen log with snow surrounding them for winter Reno family portraits by Reno Family Photographer

Adorable Winter Reno Family Portraits by Reno Family Photographer

March 18, 2022 In Family No Comment

I loved working with this adorable family of three on a sunny winter afternoon to create their winter Reno family portraits!

Our shoot in the forest was a great plan because it happened to be very windy in the valley. In the mountains, though – the weather was great. Just a little chilly.

We had a lovely mix of greenery and snow. And I absolutely LOVED the colors and patterns that Michelle brought together for this winter shoot. Since it’s almost spring, her flowery and flowing dress was stunning against our melting snow backgrounds.

The color tones in their ensembles also set them apart beautifully from our forest landscape.

Winter Reno Family Portraits + Toddler Portraits

Jack Jack was such a GREAT toddler to photograph. I truly mean that. It’s not always easy being a teething toddler. But Jack Jack handled the cold and our location changes like a little champion.

It was really fun to see him walk towards my camera and also check out pinecones with such curiosity. I would say this age range usually lasts 30 minutes at a shoot and requires many breaks, but Jack Jack gave me a FULL one hour with the best attitude!

Thank you so much, Michelle, Jack & Jack Jack for such an awesome winter shoot – I can’t wait to see you all again!