You’ve got a photo shoot coming up and you are looking for inspiration and ideas for your photo shoot wardrobe? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve written a number of articles that give ideas for what to wear for a photo shoot in Portland. The articles are each focused on a certain type of photo shoot or a certain season. This page will serve as a resource for you and a convenient place to find all of the articles. I hope it helps!
A Fall Photo Shoot
Ahhh… the time of year I look forward to most! I know some of you ladies treasure your sunny days, but all summer long, I’m dreaming of the day when I can don my cozy Fall attire. Whether you are doing a family photo shoot or an individual beauty, boudoir, or maternity session, you may be wondering what to wear for a Fall photo shoot in Portland, OR . Here are some ideas to give you inspiration.
A Winter Photo Shoot
If you have a Winter photo shoot planned, you might be looking for some ideas for how to dress for the season. These ideas can give you inspiration for a family, boudoir, beauty, glamour, headshot, couples, maternity, or senior portrait session.
A Maternity Photo Shoot
If you are reading this, it’s likely that you are neck deep in planning and preparing for your sweet baby to arrive on the outside, all while having pregnancy brain. It’s a lot! I get it and I’m here to help. Here are some ideas to help you decide what to wear for a maternity photo shoot.
A Pin-Up 50’s style Photo Shoot
I’ve pulled together some images from a few of my past 50’s inspired photo shoots to give you a little inspiration for your own retro pin up session. It may seem daunting at first to come up with a few outfits, but it’s actually pretty easy to find some really cute pieces online. You may even find that you have some things in your own wardrobe that will work. Here are some ideas.
Coming Soon
I’ll add more articles to this resource as I write them. I intend to add some articles soon about wardrobe for Spring and Summer sessions, a modest boudoir session, and a bridal photo shoot. Please sign up for my emails, if you haven’t already, to be sure to get that info when it comes out.
Let’s chat!
Is there anything else you want help with? Just let me know. If you are ready to book your photo shoot, I’d love to be your photographer. Please send me an email and we can chat!
Ladies. Can we take a minute to talk about about eyebrows? I’ve lived most of my life without them. For a while it didn’t bother me because I was just used to that being my normal face. But at some point I realized that faces are supposed to have eyebrows and I started feeling a little self conscious about mine. It took me a while to decide to go for it, but I finally took the plunge to get myself some eyebrows. I’d love to share with you my experience with Portland microblading.
I’m a really late bloomer when it comes to my own makeup and far from being an expert. That’s exactly why I hire a highly skilled professional makeup artist for photo shoots in my photography studio. She makes my clients look fantastic. If you are like me, though, and you are not super “in the know” when it comes to makeup and things of that sort, I hope sharing about my experience with microblading in Portland is helpful to you.
Are eyebrows really important? I’ll just put this funny Anne Hathaway meme right here and let you decide for yourself. This meme made me laugh because I could relate so well to the non-eyebrow image.
source: unknown
Blonde eyebrows
I’m a red head with strawberry blonde hair (under the darker red dye). My natural eyebrows are virtually non-existent. I technically do have eyebrow hair. They are just such a light blonde that they are basically invisible. Below is a cell phone photo of myself and my natural eyebrows, before having microblading done.
My previous attempts at giving myself eyebrows
For a while I just tried to use my bangs to cover up most of my forehead so my eyebrows were hidden. But that only worked when my bangs would lay just right and my hair was cooperating perfectly. We all know that lasts about 5 minutes.
So I started coloring my eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil. Trying to draw on the right eyebrow shape was something that caused me stress every morning. I just never knew if I was drawing the line too narrow or too thick. Or with the right arch and angle. And don’t even think about getting my two eyebrows to match.
Once I had my eyebrows drawn on (imperfectly), it usually worked okay for a few hours. But then the pencil would start to rub off and I’d be left with half an eyebrow. Or striped eyebrows. Not the look I was going for!
So, this is what lead me to microblading.
What is microblading?
Microblading is a cosmetic tattooing procedure. It differs from a traditional tattoo in that the artist uses different tools and a smaller amount of pigment. An esthetician uses a microblade tool to apply color pigments that look like real hairs. If you choose the right esthetician, it looks pretty natural. Microblading tattoos usually need to be touched up after a year, or so. They aren’t permanent like a traditional tattoo.
My experience with microblading in Portland, OR
It took me about 7 years to finally go ahead and do microblading because I was afraid that whoever did my eyebrows wouldn’t do a good job and it would look terrible and unnatural. However, I’m so glad I found Erik Berntsen of Permanent Cosmetics NW. He had great reviews and my experience was top notch. I trust him and highly recommend him for anyone in the Portland area.
Does microblading hurt?
I won’t lie. It did hurt. An anesthetic cream was used and it did help. But I felt quite a bit of pain in the beginning, before the anesthetic had fully kicked in, and then again at the end, as the anesthetic cream started to wear off. I’ll also note, though, that a common feature that many red heads share is that anesthesia doesn’t work quite as well (this was confirmed once by an anesthesia technician who knew I would require extra anesthesia for a surgery I was having). So it’s possible that non-red heads may not feel it as much as I did.
How does microblading look with blonde eyebrows?
Microblading for someone with blonde eyebrows is tricky. The procedure doesn’t color your real hair. Just the skin underneath. If your eyebrow hair is thin but dark, the new ink blends in beautifully and gives you a fuller look. However, if you add darker ink under blonde eyebrows, it kind of just gives your blonde hair a dark backdrop and makes the blonde stand out in a weird way. For this reason, Erik made sure not to go too dark for the ink color, even though I color my head hair a darker color. The photo below show what my eyebrows look like with my blonde eyebrows and the tattoo.
Did you throw away your eyebrow pencil?
This completed look (microblading with blonde eyebrows) wouldn’t bother some people. Erik, the expert, feels that my eyebrows look great, as is. A couple of my friends said the same. Even so, I choose to use an eyebrow pencil over my tattoo, in order to color my real hair. The one I use is from Mary Kay.
I know, I know… you are probably asking, “What is the point of getting a tattoo, if you are just going to use a pencil over it?” And that’s a valid question. But I absolutely love having the tattoo, in spite of preferring to still use a pencil.
For one thing, the shape is already there for me. It’s so fast and easy to color my eyebrows in the exact shape that Erik created, in his expertise. No stressing or wondering if I got the shape right. Having that shape tattooed on also helps me when I’m removing the extra hairs outside of the shape I want (although I honestly hardly ever do that because you can’t even really see the natural hair, anyway).
Secondly, when the pencil starts to rub off in spots, as it inevitably does, it’s not super noticeable. I no longer peek in to the mirror and end up feeling totally embarrassed that I’ve been walking around in public with half an eyebrow.
Thirdly, on days when I don’t feel like putting on makeup, I just leave my eyebrows alone, and it’s fine. I’m happy to have the tattoo so my face doesn’t look totally colorless and washed out.
An eyebrow pencil was used over my microblading tattoo.
My experience with Portland microblading
If you are looking in to microblading in Portland, I hope this article is helpful to you. Especially those of you who have red hair or just light blonde eyebrows. I’m really happy with my decision to have microblading done and my only regret is not doing it sooner!
If you are reading this, it’s likely that you are neck deep in planning for your sweet baby to arrive on the outside. Among the 1,345,567 things you have to think about when expecting a baby, planning a maternity photo shoot is one more thing to add to the list. And let’s be real, pregnancy brain is a total booger. I get it and I’m here to help. I’ve put together some ideas to help you decide what to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR.
What to wear for a maternity photo shoot in Portland, OR
In my studio, we usually have time for 4-5 outfits. So I recommend bringing several items, in varying styles, and I can help you decide which pieces would photograph best. Below, I’ll list out some different options to consider.
A formal dress
I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t get very many chances in life to dress up in a formal dress. A baby on the way is certainly a reason to celebrate and a great reason to get fancy. My hair and makeup artist will have your hair and makeup looking amazing, so a formal dress will fit right in with your look.
Intimate attire
On the other side of the spectrum, I also really love maternity photos that look quiet and intimate. Pregnancy is such a personal and vulnerable experience. This look captures that side of motherhood. Wardrobe can include, pajamas, nightgowns, robes, and lingerie.
A loose flowy dress
Light flowing fabric is so feminine, which is obviously a good trait to have for maternity photos. The minor downside is that you have to always have a hand under your baby bump to bring the fabric in. Doing this reveals the cute shape of your bump, while fabric just loosely hanging down would make a woman look larger but not necessarily pregnant. This “downside” isn’t that much of a set back, though, because having a hand or two on your belly is great for showing connection to the sweet life you are carrying.
Dresses that are specifically designed for maternity photo shoots often have a slit in the front so that you can reveal your bare tummy. That’s another great way to get variety in your portraits. These types of dresses aren’t something you can find just anywhere. But you can find them easily on Etsy or Amazon.
A form fitted dress
A dress that fits snugly around your belly is great for revealing the size and shape of your beautiful baby bump. While we are at it, we can celebrate your other feminine curves, as well. One benefit to a snug dress is that we can have more variety in hand placement as your hands aren’t having to tuck the dress in under your bump.
Soft and sheer textures
I love fabrics with textures, such as lace, for all my shoots because they provide visual interest without being overwhelming to the photo in the way that bright colors or bold patterns can be. For maternity portraits, sheer fabrics, such as lace or chiffon are especially great if you want to be able to see through to your baby bump.
Another texture I love for maternity photos is softness. To me, a soft texture speaks of nurturing, gentleness, femininity, and comfort. All good things for a portrait of a mother. Oh, I know, there is nothing comfortable about the third trimester of pregnancy. But we can try! Soft cardigan sweaters and robes are a go-to in my studio.
Let’s talk about colors
I’ve already mentioned that bright colors and bold patterns aren’t my jam. They don’t tend to photograph well or fit with my portrait style. So I usually recommend solid colors and I prefer neutrals or pastels.
Pastels are particularly good for maternity portraits because babies also look so sweet in pastels. I do make exceptions occasionally for a pretty floral print and that can look beautiful in a portrait. But I do try to stay away from stripes, polka dots, or any other bold pattern, if possible (unless we are talking about pin-up photos).
I think it’s kind of sweet to have a pink outfit if you are having a girl and to have a light blue outfit if you are having a boy, if you want to pay tribute to the baby’s gender (if you know what it is). But really any pastel color look gorgeous. And it’s more than fine to wear pink, even if you are going to have a boy.
In addition to pastels and lighter neutrals, the color black works, as well. It doesn’t give the same feeling of brightness or softness. But in black, your curves really stand out against a light background, which is pretty cool.
For a totally different look
The tips above apply to a regular maternity session in my studio. However, I’d also like to share with you a totally different look that I also love. 50’s pin-up inspired maternity photo shoots. They aren’t for everyone. But if you want something a little different, you may be interested. You can read more about those here.
Let’s chat about what to wear for your shoot!
I hope this articles gives you some great ideas for what to wear for a maternity photo shoot. I have an awesome studio wardrobe closet with a number of maternity pieces that are available for you to use and to supplement what you bring in. Send me an email and we can start planning your maternity photo shoot near Portland, OR!
My studio is in Tualatin, OR, however, I have clients who come to me from Portland, Beaverton, Vancouver, Salem, and Lake Oswego.
Did you know that February is Library Lovers month? When I discovered this recently, I just HAD to share with you some photos from a wedding that I photographed a few years ago. This wedding just so happened to be a Valentine’s Day Wedding that was held at the public library in Hillsboro, Oregon! Do you see why I had to share these photos today?
A Library Lovers Wedding on Valentine’s Day
If I’m being honest, when I’m thinking of wedding venues near the Portland area, a public library isn’t typically what first comes to my mind. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful landscape behind the library with a pond and fountain. The event room worked perfectly for their intimate ceremony.
Unique Couples Photos
What interested me the most about this venue was the opportunity to do their couples photo shoot in the book aisles. That is something I’d never done before. I just love how unique these photos turned out. Such a fun idea for book lovers.
A Valentine’s Day Wedding
It’s so fun when couples choose a theme for their wedding to make it that much more memorable. Valentine’s Day is such an appropriate theme for a romantic wedding, don’t you think? I love how they incorporated hearts in to so much of their decor.
It was an honor to be part of this sweet wedding. Happy anniversary, J and A! And Happy Valentine’s Day to all who are reading my blog.
Couples Photo Shoots
My focus has since shifted to portrait photography, more so than weddings, and I absolutely love photographing couples. If you are interested in doing a couples photo shoot near Portland, Oregon, please send me an email and we can chat!
The best compliment I can receive in my studio is a returning client. So I’m thrilled to have had this beautiful Mama in my studio for all three of her pregnancies. The first two maternity sessions were done in my usual “beauty” style. For her most recent pregnancy, however, we decided to do 50’s style maternity photography. As a Portland Pin Up photographer, I was, of course, super excited for this creative idea.
A quote from the lovely Ms. C
“Rayleigh is so great at making you feel comfortable and relaxed. She is extremely attentive to details and a delight to work with. I’ve been photographed me 3 times by Rayleigh and I will definitely go back again. She is very talented and I would highly recommend her!”
Ms. C wasn’t sure what to wear, so I picked out this blue 50’s vintage looking dress for her on Amazon. The dress isn’t designed to be a maternity dress, but it worked great, anyway. I’m looking forward to using some of the other colors that they have for future pin up photo shoots.
50’s style pin up hair and makeup is so much fun because it’s not something we do every day. My professional hair and makeup artist, Kerrin, stayed long enough to put Ms C’s hair up half way through the photo shoot, so that we could have two different looks.
This red gingham crop tank top was ordered on Amazon, as well. It worked great!
Another thing that makes 50’s style maternity photography so characteristic is the use of props and accessories. I have a number of props, hats, gloves, purses, and more in my studio that really make these portraits fun, glamourous, or sassy, depending on what look we are going for.
50’s style maternity photography – Portland Pin Up photographer
While you are celebrating a pregnancy and are looking for a Portland maternity photographer, I’d love to discuss this unique look for you. Please send me an email and we can plan your amazing retro 50’s pin up photo shoot!
If the 50’s era isn’t your thing and you want a different look, we can chat about that, too. You can check out my beauty style maternity portfolio using the link below.
My studio is in Tualatin, OR and I also consider myself a Sherwood maternity photographer, as well as a Lake Oswego maternity photographer, serving clients from all around the Portland area. I even have clients come from Salem, OR and Vancouver, WA.
A Valentine’s Day Gift Idea – Portland Photography
Are you looking for a great Valentine’s Day gift idea for your sweetie that is something different than the usual flowers and chocolates? Hiring a Beauty (Glamour) or Boudoir Photographer in Portland is definitely a way to create a gift worth treasuring. The amazing bonus is, it’s also a gift for yourself. An experience with Photography by Rayleigh gives you such a boost of confidence and you will leave the shoot feeling on cloud 9. The fact that you can also give the photos as a gift to someone special is a win-win.
A Unique Session
These unique photos that I’m sharing with you today are from a shoot that I did just for fun. As a Portland Photographer, I sometimes like to branch out and do something a little different than my usual work, just to stretch those creative muscles. I thought an all red themed shoot would be gorgeous. Red is a very glamourous and stunning color. Fun fact about me… I chose a red ballgown for my wedding dress. I just thought it looked better on me than white.
I reached out on my Facebook page to see if there were any ladies with fire engine red hair who would like to model for me and the lovely Aarielle volunteered.
Valentine’s season seems like a perfect time to share my red themed session.
Hair and makeup for this themed shoot was done by the super talented, Tracy Schulz. She is very experienced with all kinds of looks, including costume looks, so I knew she’d be perfect for this shoot.
I’m dying over those perfect ringlets. I love them so much!
What do you think of this Valentine’s Day Gift Idea?
You certainly don’t need to do an all red shoot, if that’s not what you are drawn to. My shoots are catered to each individual to create an experience that suits each of my clients.
Let’s chat!
Do you have a unique idea for a portrait shoot? Or do you want to do something that is more like my usual work? If you are ready to book your shoot, please send me an email and we can chat!
I am a portrait studio photographer in Tualatin, and I serve clients from Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Salem, and Vancouver.
A Christmas Mother-Daughter Session – Portland Family Photographer
I’m excited to share with you these images from one of my favorite shoots. I absolutely love doing Mother-Daughter sessions. Don’t get me wrong, men are great. Family sessions with the Dads and sons are wonderful. But there is something special about an shoot for just the ladies. These gorgeous gals came in for a mini session when I was offering Christmas Mother-Daughter Sessions (Portland Family Photographer).
My Christmas Set
This cute little Christmas set was in a corner of my studio for a few December shoots that I had. I wanted a soft, relaxed, comfy feel for the set.
Wardrobe
For this shoot I suggested pajamas for their wardrobe. The family bought some really cute outfits online. Big Sister’s pink pajamas were purchased on Amazon. That style of pajamas is very photogenic and they come in a bunch of different colors, which is great for photo shoots.
One might not typically think to wear shorts for a Christmas themed family photo shoot, like this mom did. However, I love how they give off a comfortable “relaxing at home in front of the fireplace” vibe.
I love when moms and daughters (or sisters) wear matching accessories. It’s one way to be matching without having the entire outfit be too matchy-matchy
Colors
Pink and white for colors instead of the typical red that you would normally see for Christmas themed photo shoots was an idea that I had and I’m glad we went that direction. I thought it would be fun to do something a little different and a little more girly. I absolutely love the outfits they brought and I love how the pink and white looks with my gold, cream, and beige Christmas set. Neutral colors were intentionally used for my set so that it would go with any color of wardrobe and it worked so great with these particular outfits.
Sisters
Little Sister wasn’t too interested in smiling but, as you can see, she’s still absolutely adorable. Those cheeks! Big sister was a champ and her sweet smile is so perfect.
Wall Art
I have this picture (above) as a large print in my studio with a gorgeous antique looking white frame. I love how sweet these two lovely ladies look together. As a bonus, the pink and gold matches my studio colors.
A Christmas Mother-Daughter Session – Portland Family Photographer
If you are interested in a Mother-Daughter session or other family session, I’d love to talk with you about your shoot and come up with a look that matches your taste and personality. Please send me an email and we can chat!
Are you wondering what to wear for a Winter Photo Shoot?
If you have a photo shoot coming up soon, you might be looking for some ideas for how to dress. I’ve put together some ideas here for what to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland (or anywhere). These ideas can give you inspiration for a family, boudoir, beauty, glamour, headshot, couples, maternity, or senior portrait session.
Something to consider is what kind of feel you are going for. Winter is a particularly good time to go more formal or even to go ultra casual. Either way will make for fun winter photos. Especially if you are going for a Christmas look.
Pajamas
If you want a casual look, you really can’t go any more casual than this. But Christmas pajamas are so much fun. So you can’t go wrong with this cozy and comfy look for your winter photo shoot. If you are doing family portraits, matching family pajamas are all the rage right now. Why not mark this trend with a professional photo shoot?
Sweaters
Sweaters are my most favorite outfit to photograph. I just love the softness and warmth they give to a photo. Plus, they look good on everyone. I recommend a lightweight sweater because a chunky or bulky sweater can make you look larger than you really are. A wide neck or v neck sweater that can sit off the shoulder looks sexy while still being modest.
A Formal Gown
If you like sparkle and shine, Christmas is a great time of year for a formal dress for your winter photo shoot. Most of us don’t get a lot of opportunities to dress up. It’s such a treat to see the glamorous side of ourselves.
Red, Gold, Green & White
Red is, of course, a go-to color for the Christmas and winter season.
Gold, white, and green are also great winter colors.
Fur
My studio has a lot of faux fur. Blankets, pillows, and rugs galore. The softness is so feminine. I can’t seem to get enough of it! I use it all year long, but in the winter, it works even better. If we can add more fur with wardrobe, I’m a happy camper.
Santa inspired wardrobe is a way to incorporate fur and the color red for an obvious Christmassy feel.
Hats and Scarves
Winter is a great time to add layering and accessories. Hats and scarves can really add interest to an otherwise boring outfit.
What To Wear For A Winter Photo Shoot
I hope these ideas help give you some inspiration for what to wear for a Winter or Christmas beauty, glamour, senior, maternity, boudoir, headshot, or family photo shoot in Portland. If you want more ideas, Pinterest is always a wealth of inspiration! Please let me know if you want to discuss wardrobe or anything else regarding your portrait session!
Christmas Mini Sessions – Nativity Portrait Experience in Portland, OR
Last week I held my first ever Christmas mini sessions – Nativity Portrait Experience at Riddle Farm in Sherwood, OR. The idea for these sessions is something I had been working on for a couple of years. I hadn’t seen anything like them done before. Celebrating the first Christmas is very meaningful to me. I’m so thrilled to see my vision come to life!
I’m excited to share with you some photos from my sessions. I plan to offer them, again. So if you are interested in finding out when they are happening, please make sure you are signed up to receive my emails. You can sign up here.
These sessions look different depending on how many kids you have and what gender they are. In the image above there are two girls, so I dressed them as the virgin Mary and an angel.
The farm where the nativity sessions took place has two sweet cows. Sometimes they peek their heads in to see what we are working on, as you can see in the photo above.
If your family happens to have a newborn baby, it would be so fun to have a live baby Jesus. Otherwise, a doll will do.
The sweet family in the image above has 4 children. Two boys and twin girls. It worked out great to have a Mary, a Joseph, a shepherd, and an angel. I told their Mom that she needs to have three more kids in order to have the three Wisemen. She said that’s not happening. haha!
I love that one of the cows popped in for this photo (above)! The cows aren’t cooperative models so if they happen to show up in a photo, it’s by pure luck.
Unique Christmas Nativity Portraits in Portland
I’m so pleased with these Christmas mini sessions – Nativity Portrait Experience and I believe these families will treasure their unique and meaningful photos. The kids had fun visiting the farm, as well.
Be The First To Know When I’m Holding These Sessions, Again
These sessions were held in November this year, however, I’m considering holding them in the summer next year. That way the ground won’t be so muddy, the weather will be warmer, and the photos will be ready with plenty of time to get Christmas cards out.
If I get enough interest, I’d love to hire some petting zoo animals for the shoot. Wouldn’t that be so cool?
If you’d like to stay in touch so that you can hear about these sessions and my other types of sessions, please sign up for my email list.
A Fun Surprise Pregnancy Announcement Idea for Daddy
The moment you find out you are pregnant, your to-do list becomes 10 miles long in a single instant. So many things to plan for and to prepare for. I know from experience that one of the first things many mamas start planning is a fun way to tell people that they are expecting. I was so honored to be in on this fun surprise pregnancy announcement idea. Chelsey asked me to photograph them as she told her husband that he was going to be a dad during a couples photo shoot in Portland, OR.
What He Thought Was Happening
Micah thought that they were helping me out with a photo shoot idea for couples. The idea that was described to him was that they would each write on their chalkboard something that they love about the other person. He loves her “sweet heart.”
What Was Actually Happening
Micah had no idea that Chelsey was not following those directions. She had written, “We’re having a baby,” on her chalkboard. She also held her pregnancy tests as a sign that she was serious, in case he thought it was some kind of joke.
The Surprise Pregnancy Announcement
They stood with their backs facing each other. On the count of 3, they turned around to show each other their chalkboards. I got to snap photos and capture his reaction. His shocked expression is priceless!
They were both so happy to start this new chapter in their lives. These pictures are actually a few years old (I’m finally getting around to blogging them), so I can tell you that they are both the sweetest parents.
Outdoor Fall Photo Shoot in the Rain
The timing of their pregnancy was perfect for doing a Fall photo shoot with gorgeous colors all around them. Fall is definitely a favorite time for a lot of people to do outdoor photo shoots. But in Portland, Oregon, a Fall outdoor photo shoot means that you often have to deal with wet weather.
Their photo shoot was time sensitive and Chelsey didn’t want to put the photo shoot off until we had nicer weather (for obvious reasons). So when we found out it was going to be raining, we just went ahead and did the photo shoot in the rain. Chelsey brought some clear umbrellas, which worked out perfectly for keeping them, and their chalkboards, dry.
The umbrellas are so cute and perfect for a rainy day photo shoot with Oregonians who aren’t afraid of a little rain. Since they are clear, they allowed light to come through them. Solid colored umbrellas would have created unflattering shadows on their faces.
Pregnancy Announcements and Maternity Sessions
If you love this idea and would like to set up a pregnancy announcement photo shoot of some kind, I’d love to chat with you and come up with something really fun.
Then, when you are about 30-35 weeks along, that is the perfect time for a maternity portrait session. So we can talk about setting that up, as well!
I invite you to send me an email and we can get the ball rolling on those things!
