by Natascha | Oct 16, 2015 | Brother & Sister, Cherry Creek, Cherry Hills Village, Clothing, Colorado Children's Portraits, Colorado Family Portraits, Daddy, Denver, Denver Colorado Family Portraits, Denver Headshots, Denver Model Photographer, Denver Photographer, Downtown Denver, Fathers, Featured Post, Flowers, Great Nature Locations, Headshots, Highschool Senior Portraits, Model, Modeling Porfolio, Mother and Child, Outdoors, Raves, Siblings, Sisters, Smiles, Style, Summer, Teen, Testimonial, Urban, Urban Portraits, What to wear
- Ana, tell us a little bit about your family…
We are a mixed bunch! Two teenage daughters, my little baseball player son and hard working husband. We try and make our family time the most important time.
- What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session?
We felt this is a perfect time in everyone’s life to celebrate with a family photo shoot, and look back at this time with appreciation via the portraits.
- Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session?
It’s always nerve wrecking to be in front of a camera. In the end we found that just being ‘us’ gave the best photographed memories.
- How did the actual photo session go?
It went great. It was a bit of a struggle getting the entire family up at 4:00 am and ready for a golden hour (sunrise) shoot but we made it. Wash Park was a perfect choice, weather couldn’t have better and we had a bit of help in the gardens!
- What did you think or feel when you saw your final photos at the viewing session?
The presentation was amazing and it was so much fun! One of our family members wasn’t able to make it and she missed out on a very special experience.
- What made you choose Natascha Lee Studios?
My daughter Lucia was referred by her modeling agency for model portfolio headshots and I loved how Natascha had such lively and patient interactions with her during the first shoot. I was immediately inspired to have her photograph the entire family!
- What do you hope your children will say/feel/think years down the road when looking at these images?
How much fun it was, how those years shaped all of our lives.. That they remember the special dynamic of our family and see the love we all have for one another.
- Any advice to other families before their photo sessions?
During the initial viewing and picking of the photos it helps to view them as large as possible to identify any issues you want to have edited/Photoshoped before the image is printed. I didn’t realize how just the tiniest things jump out at you and is distracting from such a beautiful photo.
- How did you feel/what did you think when received your order/had your products delivered?
I was amazed!!! Shocked and so impressed by the professional presentation, quality of work and care that Natascha goes through to see a smile on everyone’s face. Bravo Natascha! We will definitely be back!
Thanks Ana! I has so much fun getting to know you and your family – I know we are already talking about Spring portraits and I can’t wait! Those kiddos change so quickly! You are wise to capture them regularly!
Denver Photographer for Stylish Urban Families
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by Natascha | Oct 14, 2015 | Colorado Family Photography, Colorado Family Portraits, Denver Colorado baby photography, Denver Colorado Family Portraits, Families, Featured Post, Holiday Portraits, Outdoors, Photography, Portraits, Studio, Tutu, Urban, Urban Portraits, Westminster, Westminster Children's Photography, Westminster Colorado Family Photography, Where I Shoot
Studio Image and Portrait on the Left, Outdoor Image and Portrait on the Right[/caption]
Denver Children’s Portraits: Indoor Studio vs Outdoors
It’s beautiful Fall in Denver! Clients often ask me where we should take their family photos: Indoors @ my Studio, or outdoors? (Click here for a tour of my amazing studio.)
To help you out, here is a side-by-side comparison for studio vs outdoor photography for *family* photos for the top 6 Factors to consider: (BTW, for business headshots, I almost always recommend indoor, either @ my Studio or @ your place of business if the lighting there is great).
Factor #1: Weather
Indoor, of course, is stable and predictable. And if you are doing newborn infant portraits, it’s about the only way to go (unless it’s super warm outside). You can wear whatever you want, since you don’t have to consider the temperatures. And you probably won’t have to reschedule due to weather (snow storms excepted, of course.)
Outdoors, you may have to reschedule if it’s really cold. But I have done portraits in the rain, in the snow, etc. It can add some great variety to your family portraits to have snow softly falling. The wind can make your hair look great – like a fashion model with your hair blowing around you!
Winner: Tie, since indoor is weather-neutral, but outdoor can offer great variety and even some hair-flattering wind! (Yes, I am a predominantly outdoor portrait photographer – that’s why I love the variety)
Factor #2: Light
Indoors is a bit more stable, but if it ‘s cloudy, then outside get the win. It’s lovely to photograph in cloudy weather; we call it God’s Softbox. If your kids have blue eyes, they will be more sensitive to the sun, and indoors will be easier on their eyes – so we have less squinting.
Winner: Since I am mostly a natural light photographer, and I have an amazing studio with great light, the win for this goes to indoors.
Factor #3: Backgrounds
My studio has tons of different backgrounds inside and out (just check out this recent small business owner headshot session for an example of that), but there is nothing as beautiful as Colorado nature backgrounds. Or your own home, for that matter -whatever space is special to you and your family! I have photographed at Wash Park for a stylish urban family, in the Boulder Mountains for an outdoorsy, community-leaders family, at Red Rocks for a family that LOVES Red Rocks, at a private barn for a close-knit family and at a beautiful local pond space for a sweet active family that wanted to include their crazy dog! If a space is special to you, then we can craft your family portraits there.
Winner: Outdoors.
Factor #4: Young Kid-Friendly
Kids love being able to move, and run around. If you have just one kid, Studio Sessions can work well, especially if you like the Urban feel. (I even do photos on the roof @ my studio – very hip and Downtown-Denver Urban vibe.)
But, if you have more than one child or a very rambunctious one, and def. if you plan to include the family dog, then outdoors is the way to go so they have plenty of space to run and move.
Winner: Outdoors
Factor #5: Teenager-Friendly
If you have a teen, you already know the answer; teenagers prefer my Studio – the huge loft-like feel, the urban outdoor spaces, etc. But since *Mom* (or Dad) is organizing and paying for the portraits, please go with what YOU want to put on your living room wall. The kiddos will be gone to college in a few years (which, BTW, is a great reason to schedule family portraits NOW), and you will be the one who gets to look at that portrait for years to come.
Winner: Indoors/Studio
Factor #6: Number of people
If you are doing more than three people, I recommend outdoors. The vast space will accommodate more people and move configurations of you and your family members.
Winner: Outdoor
There you have it, 6 key factors to consider if you aren’t sure whether to go with indoor or outdoor photos. And since “outdoors” won slightly over “indoors”, be sure to also check out this post on the best outdoor locations for family photography,]]>
by Natascha | Oct 11, 2015 | Community Spotlight, Denver Headshots, Featured Post, Headshots, Modeling Porfolio, Photography, Portfolio, Portraits, Urban Portraits
As a photographer, I have the honor to create amazing images for my clients – families, models, executives, business owners, etc. And I love getting to know them. Recently I did one of my Headshots with Personality(sm) Sessions for a wonderful, kind woman, Juliana Vergaray. Here is a bit more about her, her business, and what it was like to have her session done by Natascha Lee Studios:
- Juliana, tell us about yourself and your business:
I have been practicing social work for 10 years with an emphasis on the children and teen population. My specialty is in trauma (an event that has impacted you on a level where you felt your life was threatened in any shape or form). I decided to focus on that because of the need: There are long waits at clinics and it’s important to provide treatment quickly after trauma. (The earlier you provide treatment, the more coping skills you can give them.) This can increase their resiliency.
- What do you love the most about your job?
I love being able to support people. To be a witness for them when they are at their lowest point in life, and then to work with them, seeing them when they are done with treatment and in a healthier place – This is all an honor for me.
- What made you decide to get professional photos done now? How will you use the photos?
I’ve reached a point in my career where I wanted photos that accurately represented me and what I offer. Since I am more advanced in my career, I needed professional photos taken by a talented photographer.
- What made you select Natascha Lee Studios for your photos?
I started on Google and looked at many different photographers’ websites. There was a realness to Natascha Lee Studio’s photos. I could tell that she brought out the uniqueness in each person, and captured their essence. They were not heavily photoshopped.
And while I wasn’t looking for kid portraits, her children’s photography is part of what convinced me – her photos of children capture their angelic essence. I thought, “Well, if she can do that with kids, I’m sure she can get authentic photos of me.”
As second aspect was her professionalism – from all the photographers who I contacted, she was one of only two who responded within 24 hours.
- Before the session, did you have any concerns?
Not many, but I was wondering what to wear. Natascha helped me with that via our phone conversations. It wasn’t time consuming to follow her lead and prep tips, but it sure was helpful. She gave me enough info that I felt confident coming in that morning.
She also helped me think through my vision. Initially I wanted to use some clients as models, and Natascha’s experience and advice helped me avoid certain legal and logistical issues. I was able to make a more informed decision how to use a model. (I ended up using a good friend as a model instead of an actual client.)
- During the session, what was your experience like? How did it compare to what you expected?
It was amazing. I just expected to get my photos taken but it was so much more than that. Natascha made me feel felt special and appreciated. In my line of business, I am always the support for others. But this shoot felt like a treat to myself, like I was the one being taken care of and supported. Natascha is full of positive energy, but still very professional in her approach. It was a self esteem boost in a healthy way.
I was surprised as how quick the session lasted (just one hour), but we got a lot done – lots of poses and locations and even three different outfits.
Natascha gave directions, but not in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. It felt like she was trying to get my most authentic reactions and smiles.
- What did you think when you saw the photos? If you have already used or shared the photos, what sort of feedback have you received?
I thought “Wow!” I love them, because they are exactly what I was looking for, something unique and very professional. They are warm and convey my brand well. I was thrilled; I still am.
- What advice would you give to someone else contemplating getting professional headshots done?
I would say look at different websites to find someone whose style matches yours, who has photos that somehow resonate with you. And don’t make your decisions based solely on what you see online. Talk to the photographer to make sure you would be comfortable working with them – look for a connection with them.
Juliana’s private practice, Help Hope and Healing / Ayuda Esperanza Curacion, LLC, is located in Capital Hill within a holistic healing center, she sees client’s as young as 3 to adulthood. You can connect with her via:
phone: 720-443-5701
Twitter: @jvergaraylcsw
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by Natascha | Oct 10, 2015 | Boulder Headshots, Corporate Portraits, Denver Headshots, Featured Post, Headshots, Modeling Porfolio, Photography, Portfolio, Portraits, Urban Portraits
family portraits, I specialize in creating headshots and marketing photos that convey your unique personality. That’s why I call them Headshots with Personality(SM). There are four types of headshot services that I offer:
1) Team Headshots where I come to your location, or you come to my studio and I photograph all members of your management or executive team individually and/or as a team. These are for 4 or more people, where you want the images to have a cohesive look to them.
2) Marketing Session for Small Business Owners where I do a variety of images of you in different poses, different expressions, different backgrounds. These are great because just one headshot is never quite enough; it will rarely meet all the needs you have as a business owner. Sometimes you are presenting at a serious conference and you want a conservative, semi-traditional image. Other times, you may be participating in a charity and want a more light-hearted fun headshot. Or you may be trying to reach a new customer group and you want an image that is more edgy and creative. The Headshot Marketing Session gives you several different images to meet these needs, and keep your website/social media/marketing materials fresh and interesting. The photos at the bottom of this post are from a Marketing Session.
3) Model Portfolio Sessions for child, teen and adult models, actors, dancers and performers. These are held @ my Studio and include three outfits, a headshot, 3/4 length and full body in each outfit, and printable files that you can give your agency.
4) Marketing Session + Product/Service Images, which are ideal for small business owners delivering a service in person (like financial service or therapy) or who deliver something tangible (like jewelry, cookies or food.) These include the marketing session (#2 above) as well as photos of you delivering your service or photos of your actual product. The Marketing + Product/Service Session creates a full suite of images for you to use for all your marketing needs.
I recently did a Marketing Session (type #2 above) for a local small business owner, Juliana Vergaray. Juliana is a therapist specializing in helping children with trauma. She wanted some photos that reflected her yoga/breathing/meditation part of her practice, and some that reflected the “meeting with you in my office” part, and also some edgy, outdoor images for when she is working with teens (we shot those on the rooftop of my studio.) She wanted her images to have a variety of feelings (quite, meditative, inquisitive, fun, happy, etc.) – but always warm and caring.
I am in LOVE with how her images turned out (and so is she!) Check out her amazing images below, and then read her interview tomorrow.
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by Natascha | Oct 4, 2015 | Clothing, Colorado Family Photography, Colorado Family Portraits, Daddy, Denver Colorado Family Portraits, Denver Model Photographer, Denver Photographer, Downtown Denver, Fathers, Featured Post, Great Nature Locations, Outdoors, Portraits, Style
family portrait during sunrise @ Washington Park and the sprinklers turned on just as we showed up at our 2nd shoot location by the lawn bowling area. The 1st location was by the boathouse, and the second would be at the other end of the park near the lake, lawnbowling and small playground. As we drove up, I saw that the sprinklers were on, and my assistant and I quickly started to strategize how we could shoot without my clients (or my photography gear) getting wet – it was not going to be easy. The worst is when you carefully select an area away from the sprinklers, get everyone set up, and then the sprinklers turn off in the other area, and suddenly turn on in the area where you are standing. And these clients had AMAZING beautiful dark hair (well, the mother and daughters did. ;-), and they def would not want water getting on their perfectly blown out locks.
All this is going through my head as I get out of the car, and I notice Dad was on the phone as he got out of his car. And this is what I hear, “Hey! It’s me. The sprinklers by the Lawn Bowling area? We are trying to get portraits done here. Can you turn them off for 15 minutes?” I was both floored and amused, and I had to quickly snap an iphone shot of him. (See the sprinklers going in the background?)
It all worked out; With one phone call he had the sprinklers turned off for 20 minutes so we could finish our portraits without getting wet. That’s being connected in all the right ways! I kept joking with him during our shoot, “You know, I don’t like how loud that plane is overhead, can you pls make a call and have it re-routed?” 😉
Denver Urban Family Portraits
To see more images from this shoot, click here and here.
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