If you are looking for a modern beauty photo session with a retro twist, you’ve come to the right place. My “pin-up” sessions aren’t necessarily akin to what you’d see in a wall calendar hanging up in the garage of some greasy dude in the 1950’s. Rather they are beauty photos that burst with classic femininity, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood. I invite you to watch this video that Clay Drinwater created for my clients to get a taste of what a pin-up photo shoot experience is like in my studio near Portland.
I thoroughly enjoyed my pinup photo shoot session! Rayleigh had a ton of fun ideas and the pictures turned out AMAZING. I was relaxed and felt at ease in her beautiful studio. And it showed!
Miss S
Professional Hair and Makeup
I’m sure you all know how to do your hair and makeup with a 50’s inspired style, right? No? Yeah, either do I. I haven’t a clue. But my talented hair and makeup artists do and they do it so well! The lovely Crystal, pictured below, even stays during the shoot to give touchups. It’s so great having her there to make sure you keep looking stunning throughout the entire experience. If only I had someone like that to follow me around on a regular day. Ha!
It’s always such a joy to see the transformation from “I woke up like this” to “Just call me Grace Kelly.” When my ladies step away from the makeup chair and head over to the mirror, their reaction makes my heart so happy.
Wardrobe
A wardrobe consultation with me allows you to feel confident in what to wear for your pin-up photo shoot near Portland. I have a guide that you can check out here, which is super helpful. We can also personally discuss what would work best to create your dream pin-up session. I have a number of 50’s style wardrobe pieces in my studio that you are invited to borrow and I can help you find some great options online, as well.
Props
I have quite a few vintage props and accessories in the studio that we can use for your pin-up session. Vintage phones, suitcases, an iron an ironing board, purses, glasses, hats, gloves, kitchen things, and a gumball machine, to name a few. I’m continually on the look-out for more retro props to keep the variety fun.
Pin-Up Photo Shoot Experience in Portland
Do you have any questions about a pin-up session that I can answer for you?
Let’s chat!
If you are ready to book your shoot or if you have any questions, please send me an email and we can start creating your dream Pin-up photo session!
A fun new restaurant recently opened up near my Tualatin, OR photography studio, called 60’s Diner. My family has had lunch there multiple times. As a Portland pin up photographer who loves doing 50’s and 60’s themed photo shoots, I kept thinking about how much fun it would be to do a pin up inspired diner photo shoot.
I asked the manager, Michael, if that would be a possibility and he was happy to have us in. So I went on a hunt to find a model and a hair and makeup artist to join me on this creative collaborative project. I absolutely love when small businesses come together to support one another.
Miss Portland
I did some Instagram surfing to find a model for this collaborative styled photo shoot near Portland. Happily, I came across Karson Fair, who just so happens to hold the crown for Miss Portland Metro. I love her commitment to helping women know their worth, which is an important aspect of my photography business, as well. So I knew she’d make a great addition to the team. It certainly helps that she’s cute as a button and has the sweetest personality. She was a dream to photograph.
60’s Diner
What I love about 60’s diner in Tualatin is that it’s so family friendly, which is great for people like me who have little ones. What my kids love is that they have TVs sprinkled around that show old cartoons that they get to watch while they eat their grilled cheese sandwiches. The burgers and fries are great, but the milkshakes are what I show up for. In fact, after spending a few days working on all these photos, I just had to pop in for a peanut butter milkshake earlier today. It did not disappoint. They even have boozy milkshakes if that tickles your fancy.
Wardrobe
I chose a few outfits on Amazon that I thought would work well and then Karson let me know which ones she liked best out of the options. I didn’t have to spend a lot of money for the outfits, which was a bonus. She was able to find some pearls and retro looking shoes from a friend that worked great. The hair and makeup artist brought the headband. So these looks were really a team effort.
You can almost hear Chubby Checker singing, The Twist, from the jukebox when you look at these photos. Of course Elvis made a couple of appearances through the speakers, as well.
Professional hair and makeup
It’s not easy finding hair and makeup artists who have experience with retro inspired looks. My go-to artist for pin up inspired photo shoots was unavailable but I’m so thankful she was able to refer me to Crystal Sanchez. Crystal was so great to work with and I’m happy to have met another talented hair and makeup artist. She’s great at what she does and she is super nice. Her and I enjoyed a delicious lunch together afterwards (Burgers, of course), and I loved making a new friend. Crystal loves doing hair and makeup (not just retro style) for photo shoots and weddings.
The team for this pin up inspired diner photo shoot
We grabbed a timer selfie for all those who took part in this collaborative, creative photo shoot. Crystal (the hair and makeup artist) and I (Rayleigh, the Portland pin up photographer) are in the back. On the left is Taimi, the diner server who made us a photogenic and delicious milkshake for the shoot. In the middle is Michael, the manager of 60’s Diner. We are posed around his impressive Harley Davidson bike, which is always parked outside the diner. And on the right is Karson, our beautiful model.
Right after this photo was taken, Karson headed off to a work meeting. Can you imagine showing up to work looking like you just stepped out of the 1960’s? I love it!
A pin up inspired diner photo shoot
I’m so glad my shoot idea was able to come to fruition. I loved the team that I was able to gather together and we all had a blast. As a photographer, it’s always so much fun getting to know other people in the Portland community and working together to create something fun and beautiful.
Want to see more of my vintage themed photography work?
Pin up photo shoots are typically done in my Tualatin, OR studio. If you’d like to see more of my themed studio work, please click here. I even have some super cute maternity photos done pin up style and you can view those by clicking here. I don’t only do pin up work, so feel free so peruse my website to see my other beauty photography.
Are you interested in experiencing a photo shoot?
If you think this looks like a ton of fun, let’s chat and see what kind of session we can design for you. Please send me an email and we can talk details!
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!
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.
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.
You’ve finally made the jump and scheduled a 50’s inspired photo shoot. I can’t begin to tell you how much fun we are going to have! Now you’re probably wondering what to wear for your 50’s retro shoot (Portland Pin Up Photographer). It’s not like we all have 50’s style wardrobe hanging in our closets (but if you do, you are super awesome).
What to wear for your 50’s retro shoot – Portland Pin Up photographer
I’ve pulled together some images from a few of my past 50’s inspired shoots to give you a little inspiration for your own retro pin up photoshoot. It’s pretty easy to find some simple things online. You might actually find that you have a piece or two from your own wardrobe that will work. Once you have your hair and makeup styled in a fabulous 50’s look (thanks to my amazing hair and makeup artist) and we add in some vintage props (which I have a bunch of), you can make almost any outfit look 50’s inspired.
Swing Dresses
50’s style swing dresses can be dressy or more casual. A dressier version would considered a cocktail dress. A more casual swing dress is more reminiscent of a homemaker’s entertaining dress – complete your outfit with some cookies, fresh out of the oven for your guests. If you search Amazon for 50’s swing dress, you’ll find a ton of great options.
Bathing Suits
Halter top or high wasted bikini bathing suits are very 50’s pin up like. They certainly give a more fun summer vibe to your images, if that’s a look you’d like to go for. Check out these 50’s bathing suits on Amazon.
Jeans and Casual Tops
For a fun casual look, try high wasted capris (you might even have some in your closet) with a retro button up blouse, crop top, or halter top. You can find a few tops like this by searching Amazon for “women’s 50’s style tops.” I like this top that comes in a bunch of different colors and patterns.
Pencil Dresses
50’s pencil dresses are also known as wiggle dresses. Don’t you just love that name? They are sexy, curve hugging dresses that give a more dramatic and serious look. I love these 50’s pencil dresses.
Glam Dresses
I love an elegant 50’s evening gown for something totally different than the more casual looks. This dress, below, can be found on Amazon. These black gloves and hat are something I keep in my studio and are available for my clients to use.
Lingerie
The nice thing about a lingerie look for your pin up photos photography session is that you can just choose some simple black pieces and they will work fine. High wasted bottoms are very 50’s looking and as a bonus, they usually flatter the tummy. Win-win! I like these ones.
Accessories and other details
Here are some accessories to consider for your retro pin up photography session in Portland. Red heels, a pearl necklace and bracelet, cat eye glasses, vintage hats, or a thin scarf around the neck or in your hair.
No matter what kind of outfit you choose, some common colors are patterns I see a lot of in 50’s inspired outfits are the color red, polka dots, gingham, and cherries.
You are on your way toward an amazing shoot
I hope these images and ideas give you a good head start toward figuring out what to wear for your own retro pin up photography session. I do have a handful of pieces in my studio wardrobe that you are more than welcome to use. If you’d like to see what I have, just let me know. Also, feel free to ask me about my vintage props that are available for your photo shoot.
Let’s chat!
If you haven’t, yet, scheduled your session, please send me an email and we can plan your amazing retro 50’s pin up photoshoot! My studio is in Tualatin, OR, and I serve clients from Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Salem, and Vancouver, WA.
You may also be interested in these topics
My Pin Up Portfolio Gallery
Session Tips
Free Guide to Preparing For Your Shoot
Some of the beautiful hair and makeup styles in these featured photos were done by Kerrin Burchenough. Others were done by Tracy Schulz.
