Category Archives: High School Seniors

4 tips for choosing a Portland Senior Photographer

Choosing a Portland Senior Photographer

“They are just pictures,” she said. “Just go to JC Penney” she said. Sorry, Mom. You got that one wrong. My experience was sorely lacking. 26 years later, I still feel disappointed that I didn’t have a senior portrait experience that made me feel special and beautiful. Instead, when I look at my senior photos, I feel embarrassed to show my kids because they might realize their Mom was totally unfashionable and clueless about hair or makeup back then. They bring up bad memories of being one of the uncool kids. So now I’m on a mission to share my best tips for choosing a Portland Senior Photographer. I hope for other high school girls to have an amazing senior portrait experience where they feel like the special ladies that they are. Here are 4 questions to ask a photographer to see if they are a good fit for you.

4 tips for choosing a Portland Senior photographer. This image is of a high school senior girl lying back on a couch.

Is professional hair and makeup provided?

Whether you wear makeup in every day life, or not, professional hair and makeup makes a huge difference in the final photos. Even if the makeup look you choose is a very natural look, you’ll find that a bit of makeup makes your features pop. Features look more subdued in photographs. Facial features can blend in to the skin. Hair can look flat. A professional hair and makeup artist with experience in working with photographers will know how to apply the makeup in a way that will photograph beautifully.

How to choose a Portland senior photographer. This image is a of a teenage girl sitting on a blue sofa in a photography studio.

It’s also true that the time spent being pampered in the makeup chair is an amazing part of the experience. My ladies start their shoot off feeling beautiful and confident. Those feelings show up in the senior photos.

Does the photographer offer studio or outdoor senior sessions?

One of the most important questions when choosing the right senior photographer for you is whether they offer studio sessions or outdoor sessions. Which do you want for your shoot? While some photographers give the option of either one, some photographers don’t have a studio and are unable to shoot indoors. It’s also sometimes the case that studio photographers don’t offer outdoor sessions.

Studio photo sessions are my favorite because I can provide perfectly beautiful lighting. Also, the photo shoot isn’t dependent on unpredictable Portland weather. That being said, I do offer outdoor senior sessions for those who have their heart set on that.

Do you like the photographer’s shooting and editing style?

Every photographer has their own look and it’s simple enough to advise you to find a style that you like. In addition to that, though, please make sure you get a good look at the photographer’s portfolio on their website. Is their look consistent? Can you tell exactly what to expect for your own photos? I urge you not to just go off of a small handful of photos that you see on Instagram. If the photographer has inconsistency in their work, you may not end up getting photos that are what you are expecting.

How to choose a Portland senior photographer. This image is of a teenage girl posed in a sitting pose in front of a white wall in a studio.

Is quantity the priority or is quality most important?

Of course, price is an important part of your decision when choosing a photographer, but along with that, you might consider quantity vs quality. Speaking for myself, I’d much rather have 20-30 amazing photos that I absolutely love than 100 photos that are just good (or not so good). That’s what my clients want and that’s what works great in a stunning album layout for the final keepsake product.

Choosing a Portland senior photographer

The last year of high school is full of traditions and social rights of passage. At the end of the school year is prom and graduation, of course. But long before that, the year starts off with the tradition of senior photos. Start the year off right with an unforgettable senior portrait experience. I hope these tips help you to choose the best senior photographer for you.

Let’s chat!

If you feel like I might be the Portland senior photographer that you are looking for, please send me an email and we can chat! I can’t wait to get to know you.


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What to Wear for a Fall Photo Shoot

What To Wear For A Winter Photo Shoot in Portland

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.

What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland, Oregon. This image shows a family photo shoot with a mother and her two daughters.

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?

What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland. This is an image of a woman wearing red plaid pajamas. She's lying on her tummy on the bed with milk and cookies. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com

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.

What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland.  This is a boudoir image of a woman lying on her tummy, wearing an off the shoulder sweater. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com

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.

What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland. This is an image of an Indian woman lying on her back on a chase. She is wearing a green formal gown. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com

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.

What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland. This is a backlit image of a young girl dressed as an angel for a Christmas photo shoot. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com

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 in Portland. This is an image of a young girl and her Mom wearing matching Christmas hats. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com
What to wear for a winter photo shoot in Portland. This is an image of two young Asian girls and their Mom wearing matching winter hats. Photography by Rayleigh. byRayleigh.com

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!


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School Pictures for homeschooling families

Picture Day!

It’s the thing to do. Every year, your kid gets school pictures taken and you wait to see what kind of awkward face they made or what they spilled on their outfit between home and picture time. (Check out these hilarious awkward school pictures from the Awkward Family Photos website) It’s tradition. I’m a professional photographer who has gobs of great photos of my kids and I STILL purchased the photos that were taken on Picture Day at my daughter’s Preschool. But what about school pictures for homeschooling families? Kids who are homeschooled don’t automatically get offered that opportunity. That’s why I’m hosting “School Picture Day” in my studio on October 13th and 14th 2021.

School Pictures for homeschooling families. Photography by Rayleigh in Portland, OR

What if we don’t homeschool?

If you don’t homeschool your kids but you still want to take advantage of this “School Pictures for Homeschooling Families” opportunity, that’s okay! It’s open to any kids. It’s not meant for adults, though. Even if you are a kid at heart.

What if I’m not available on those days?

If you can’t make it on October 13th or 14th, please let me know. I could possibly add another day, depending on how much interest there is.

How does this work?

On “School Picture” day, we will have a 10-15 minutes to take pictures and then immediately after the shoot, we will look at the photos and you will choose your favorites. We will have about 15 minutes to make selections. There is a minimum purchase requirement of 2 photos ($50). If you have multiple kiddos and the added up cost is prohibitive, please let me know.

Can I invite my friends?

If you are part of a homeschooling coop or you just have friends who homeschool, please share this information with them. The more the merrier!

Send me a message if you have questions or to secure your time slot!

[contact-form-7 id=”6774″ title=”Book An Appointment – Short”]


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School Pictures for homeschooling families. Photography by Rayleigh in Portland, OR

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Sisters Session

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One of the most beautiful bonds in the world is the bond between sisters. When I was growing up, my sister and I used to fight constantly. I didn’t want her in my room or touching my stuff. But as an adult I can’t imagine life without my sister. We talk on the phone almost every day and she’s my very best friend.

It’s been way too long since my sister and I have done a sisters session together so we should totally get on that! Sister shoots are so much fun and create the most amazing keepsakes. They make a great Mother’s Day gift, too.  Ooh, I just gave myself a great idea for a gift for my Mom this spring. Haha!

Beauty Photography by Rayleigh. These image is of a teen girl standing in front a white background in a Sue Bryce inspired pose. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com
Sisters session. Beauty Photography by Rayleigh. These images are oft two teen girls standing in front a white background in a Sue Bryce inspired pose. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com
Sisters session. Beauty Photography by Rayleigh. These image is of a teen girl standing in front a backlit background in a Sue Bryce inspired pose. For more info, please visit byrayleigh.com

Want to see more?

Click here to see more beauty portraits and click here to see my senior portrait gallery.

Outdoor Senior Pictures near Portland, OR

Tessa contacted me about her outdoor senior pictures. Although she was quite nervous, she was also so excited to do them. She wanted an urban look for her session. I found a cute area in Tigard, OR that I thought would be great.

Professional hair and makeup services

First, she came to my studio for her professional hair and makeup. For someone who is nervous, the hair and makeup styling can really boost confidence levels. That’s always a great way to start the shoot.

Outdoor senior pictures near Portland, OR

Then we roamed around downtown Tigard, OR a little bit for her portrait session. Tessa was so easy to work with and she is absolutely beautiful. We both had a lot of fun during the shoot.

Outdoor senior pictures. This is a black and white image of a plus size teen girl sitting on the stairs and leaning against a brick wall. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com
www.byrayleigh.com

What Tessa’s Mom had to say about the experience

“Rayleigh captured my daughter’s inner and outer beauty perfectly! My daughter is a senior this year, and although she wanted Senior pictures, she was also very nervous about the idea of being photographed. She can be very self-conscious. However, Rayleigh made her feel so comfortable, so beautiful, so confident — and these emotions shined in every picture. My daughter walked on air for hours after the shoot.

Outdoor senior pictures. This is an image of a plus size teen girl leaning against a brick wall and wearing a scarf. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

“When I saw the first picture, I actually teared up! Rayleigh worked hard to make sure my daughter’s assets were showcased and also made sure that the areas that made her self-conscious were NOT showcased — resulting in very natural pictures that complement her best features. Also, Rayleigh was very accommodating and helpful.  She went above and beyond to make sure the pictures were done to the yearbook’s specifications and on their deadline. And, we were THRILLED to get the pictures back so quickly. I couldn’t wait to see them, and they exceeded my expectations.”

-Tessa’s Mom
Outdoor senior pictures. This is a black and white image of a teen girl lying on a bridge on her back. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

Want to see more outdoor senior pictures?

If you’d like to see more of my outdoor senior pictures or studio senior pictures, please click to see my seniors galleries.

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Urban Senior Portraits near Portland Oregon

Rachel started her senior photo shoot experience at my studio where she had her hair and makeup done. Then we headed over to downtown Tigard, OR for her urban senior portraits around Main Street.  

Most of my shoots happen inside my studio, but I do venture out every once in a while for an outdoor shoot. It’s always fun to have the variety! There are a lot of different types of locations we can choose. It just depends on what kind of look you want to go for. Urban senior portraits are great if you like the look of streets and buildings for a city feel.

Urban senior portraits near Portland, Oregon

Urban senior portraits. This is an image of a high school senior girl leaning against a brick wall outdoors, wearing a red lace dress. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

Rachel chose a great wardrobe for her shoot. I absolutely love lace dresses and shirts for photo shoots. Solid colors always work well for photos and the lace adds interesting texture.

Urban senior portraits. This is an image of a high school senior girl in front of a brick wall outdoors, wearing a red lace dress. She's surrounded by green leaves. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

This little nook we found was great because it had the brick wall for the urban look but it also had some greenery to add a bit of nature.

Urban senior portraits. This is a black and white image of a high school senior girl sitting on a window ledge of a downtown building. She is outside and wearing shorts and a white shirt. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

Rachel came to see me from Albany, Oregon.  I have the honor of working with a lot of clients from Albany and Salem, OR because there just aren’t a lot of photographers in that area who offer the luxury experience that you get to have with Photography by Rayleigh.  

Urban senior portraits. This is an image of a high school senior girl leaning off a bridge railing, outdoors, wearing a casual shorts outfit. Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, please visit byRayleigh.com

Want to see more?

I invite you to take a look at my senior portraits gallery to see more indoor and outdoor senior pictures. Do you like the look of urban senior portraits? Or are you more of a studio type of person? Or maybe a nature lover?

If you are looking for a senior portrait photographer near Portland, OR, I’d love to chat. If you want a glamorous experience where you get to feel like a model for the day, please contact me to book your shoot!

Senior Portraits – Old School Glamour Shots Edition

My senior portraits – old school glamour shots

Uh-hem…. Yes….. The embarrassing photos below are portraits of me. As much as I looked like a 40 year old country singer, biker chick, lounge singer I was actually a shy, quiet, 17 year old. These were my senior portraits – old school glamour shots edition.  

Third time’s a charm?

I first had my senior portraits taken at a little studio in the mall and hated my photos. So I made a second attempt and went to a second place in the mall. Unfortunately my results weren’t any more favorable. Somehow I hadn’t learned my lesson, so I headed a little ways down the mall and took advantage of a sale they were having at the old studio called Glamour Shots, hoping to get some better images. I hated them just as much as the others.

Do you remember that place? As far as I know, they don’t exist any more.  Glamour photography, as a genre, fizzled out.  For a while, that is.

Modern glamour photography

Now glamour photography is back in action and has quickly grown as a very popular type of photography. Thank the good Lord that the 90’s style didn’t return with it.  Modern glamour sessions are nothing like the old school versions.  When people hear the phrase “glamour photography” they might still think of the old mall studio which would probably not send them running in that direction to have a shoot for themselves.

Thankfully, photographers like me have been able to bring back the idea of glamour photography but in a modern way. Most of us call it Beauty Photography.

A new experience

I’m thankful that my clients have decided to trust me with their senior portraits and other beauty photography and that I can give them an experience that is so much better than the experience I had in high school.  

The experience in my studio is nothing like what you would find in a mall. Instead you get to enjoy a luxurious experience involving an amazing hair and makeup artist who is awesome at accentuating the beauty that is already there (even if you don’t yet see it). Then a customized photo shoot that brings out your personality.

I don’t just dress you up in whatever costume I have in your size (which was very limited in my high school shoot, as they didn’t cater to the curvy clients).  You will absolutely love your photos and instead of being embarrassed to show them, like I was in high school, you won’t be able to wait to share your photos with your friends and family. 

Please visit by senior portraits - old school glamour shots blog. This image is a modern backlit  senior portrait of a teen girl lying on her tummy wearing light colors. Photography by Rayleigh. Please visit ByRayleigh.com
www.byrayleigh.com

Let’s chat!

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the biker chick photo in the middle is the one I ended up using for my yearbook photo. But I was totally embarrassed when the yearbook came out!   20+ years have gone by and I still feel a void where there should be a great memory of an awesome senior portrait session. Don’t be like me. Invest in portraits that you will love.

If you are ready to book your shoot, please send me an email and we can chat!

But first, you HAVE to look at the glamour shots on  this blog post  at buzzfeed.com because it got me laughing so hard! It’s hilarious!


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