Tags archives: Colorado Springs photographer

Online Dating Profile Pictures :: Paula

online dating profile pictures

Do you need online dating profile pictures? You’re not the only one! Miss Paula is newly single and on the hunt. She’s also a big believer in putting your best face forward, so rather than using just cell phone snaps for her dating profile, she asked me take some flattering, relaxed, natural portraits of her. We did these downtown in mid-May, as you can tell from the pink blooms on the eastern redbud trees (I love them, they smell so nice!). For portraits like Paula’s, I always advise my clients to dress like they would for a first coffee date. In other words, something casual and flattering, but don’t look as if you’re trying too hard. I think what she chose for these pictures was perfect. It strikes just the right note. She looks relaxed and pretty, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she stands out among the many on eHarmony.

online dating profile pictures

Flying Horse Ranch wedding :: Deanna + Paolo

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

These two sweethearts tied the knot in a beautiful Flying Horse Ranch wedding with a morning ceremony followed by brunch. They kept things casual and personal; Deanna chose to go barefoot while and Paolo and his groomsmen all wore black Converse. I love it! I also love that they opted for donuts instead of a big wedding cake, and when they were introduced into the party, tiny Deanna dipped Paolo dramatically and gave him a big smooch! So fun! I had a wonderful time documenting all the love surrounding this sweet couple. Congrats Paolo and Deanna!

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

Flying Horse Ranch wedding

 

Calendar Girl pinup shoot in the studio with beautiful Shannon

Colorado Springs pinup photography

Shannon came to me for some sassy pinup portraits, a surprise gift for her boyfriend. This photo shoot was a blast! We had so much fun making her into a classic calendar girl and recreating all the iconic cheesecake poses. I really love doing pinup photography. It’s my favorite thing! All of the clothes and props that Shannon is wearing in these pictures are mine. I have a large collection of vintage and vintage-inspired clothes, not to mention vintage accessories such as jewelry and purses. Shannon wore it all so well!

These flirty images will be made into a 12 month calendar, so stay tuned for pictures of that! And if you would like pinup portraits like these, contact me by clicking HERE.

Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography Colorado Springs pinup photography

 

What to wear for engagement portraits

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)

My clients often ask me what to wear for their engagement portraits. Good question! After all, it’s not like posing for engagement portraits is something you do every day! Also, we live in such a casual world, I think some folks just aren’t all that dialed in to clothes in general, especially coordinating outfits for two people for the camera. What looks good in pictures? Since the question comes up fairly frequently, I decided to do some mock engagement portraits in Colorado Springs, here and there around town, featuring both what to wear and what not to wear. My friends Stephanie and Luke (who are actually already married) gamely volunteered not just to pose for these portraits, but also to let me go “shopping” in their closet to pick out the wardrobe. Though they both have great taste, neither of them claims to be a slave to high fashion, and they didn’t go shopping for this photo shoot. Instead, I chose from clothes that they already own and wear. I put together three “don’t” outfits and three “do” outfits, and even though bad weather chased us all over Colorado Springs, I think we got some nice “engagement portraits” to demonstrate what to wear.

Obviously, Luke’s outfit here is a great big “don’t” — it looks like he’s dressed to mow the lawn! But what’s so wrong with Stephanie’s outfit? It’s actually cute, but not the right choice for portraits because her blouse too, well, blousy. It doesn’t define her shape, and because of that it adds ten pounds. As a rule, for portraits you should stay away from clothing that has any kind of writing on it, like Luke’s shirt, anything that’s pastel or white, like Stephanie’s blouse, and definitely avoid anything that’s voluminous.

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)

These outfits are much better! As you can see, Stephanie is much more slender than what her roomy blouse in the first picture implies. Both of them are dressed in darker colors from head to toe (an excellent hack to make you look taller and slimmer), and Stephanie’s fitted black lace top has a nice texture without being distracting. The addition of a simple necklace dresses it up. Good looking couple!

Stephanie’s wearing a cute maxi dress, but the pattern on it is huge and distracting. So is that big stripe across Luke’s chest. His trousers are baggy and a bit wrinkled, and his shoes are too dressy for the rest of his outfit (the brown color also jars). Even though they’re somewhat color coordinated, Stephanie and Luke are clashing like crazy here.

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)

Look at them now! Stephanie’s maxi dress is strong on texture rather than pattern, and Luke’s pale yellow shirt is a great foil for her choice of deep blue. They look fantastic!

This is Stephanie’s favorite shirt on Luke, and he definitely looks handsome in it. But it’s a bad choice for portraits because the large, contrasty check is just too distracting. Of course the small pattern on her dress doesn’t help, either, and the horizontal nature of it tends to make her look wider than she really is. Also, her bra straps are visible through the sheer fabric over her shoulders. This dress is fun and flirty in person, but a bad choice for portraits.

Wow! Pairing a solid, bright color on Stephanie with neutral grey and black on Luke makes all the difference! Her simple cocktail dress is sexy and trendy, set off by some cute heels and a slim belt. Hot couple!

I hope that helped inspire you on what to wear for engagement portraits! To recap:

  • Steer clear of blousy, shapeless clothes. Garments that hug the figure are much more flattering in pictures.
  • Stay away from logos and text.
  • Patterns both large and small are generally a bad choice.
  • Very contrasty outfits can be distracting. Stick to medium-to-darker colors. Avoid pastels.
  • In pictures, solid colors look much better than patterns. Texture (such as lace) adds interest without being distracting.
  • Jewelry dresses things up!
  • Pair bright colors with neutrals.
  • Ladies, even though it’s uncomfortable, I can’t say enough for good foundation garments such as Spanx. It makes an amazing difference! Also, make sure your bra fits properly. Go to a reputable department store (I usually go to Dillards) and get fitted. It’s worth the time and effort. You’ll see.
  • And finally, dress up a little! These are your engagement portraits and you’ll be looking at them for a long time to come. Choose a selection of outfits from casual to dressy. You’ll be surprised at how great you look!

And now, since they’re such a cute couple, here are a few more portraits of my hot models, Stephanie and Luke. Enjoy!

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)

Colorado Springs engagement portraits by Tamera L. Goldsmith (www.clickphotography.net).

What to wear for engagement portraits (www.clickphotography.net)