Tag Archives: christmas

Santa Sessions in Portland, OR

Santa Sessions in Portland 2022

I’ve certainly purchased more than my fair share of mall photos with my kids sitting on Santa’s lap. Or in front of the sheet of plexiglass 6 feet away from Santa in 2020 and 2021. The photos are okay, but I’m never quite satisfied with the final results. I always want something much more magical looking and feeling. So I decided to create my own Santa photos this year. I love them so much that I’m now offering these Santa sessions in Portland to you!

Santa Mini Sessions

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon.. Experience the magic of Christmas. The children are looking amazed at Santa's magical bag for their photo shoot.

The Santa mini sessions will be held at my studio in Tualatin on December 10, 2022. The session fee is only $99. This is introductory pricing since this is my first year offering these special sessions. If I offer them, again, next year, the price may change.

Photos are purchased separately. Photos are $190 each and are “buy 2 get 1 free.” Each photo purchased includes the digital file and a matted print.

Wardrobe

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon.. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is reading a book to the children during this photo shoot.

If you want a “Christmas morning” feel, then I suggest dressing your kids in pajamas for the session. Alternatively you can go with something more dressy. Once you book your session, we will have a wardrobe consultation to go over ideas.

Personalization

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is reading the Bible while the children recreate a nativity scene with a manger and baby doll for this photo shoot.

The first Christmas is a story that is very meaningful to my family so I loved incorporating a manger and baby and having Santa read from the Bible. These nativity props I do keep in my studio in case you want to use them. I also invite you to bring in props that are meaningful to you. A special blanket, book, or toy, perhaps?

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon.. Experience the magic of Christmas. This child is holding Santa's hand for this photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. These children are posed smiling with Santa during their photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, OR. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is ringing is magical bell during their photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is putting a Santa hat on a child for the photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. A family portrait with Santa during the photo shoot.

Parents are invited to join for a few family photos, as well.

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon.. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is helping a little girl put a Christmas ornament on the tree for the photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, OR. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is reading a book to the baby girl during their photo shoot.
Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. Santa is having milk and cookies with the children during the photoshoot.

We end the Santa mini session inviting the children to have milk and cookies with Santa!

Let’s chat!

If you are ready to book your shoot, please click here for the scheduling link. If you have questions first, feel free to send me an email and we can chat!

Santa Sessions in Portland, Oregon. Experience the magic of Christmas. These children are holding candy canes to form a heart during their photo shoot.

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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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Christmas Mini Sessions – Nativity Portrait Experience

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.

Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. Virgin Mary and an angel, gazing at baby Jesus in a stable. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com

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.

Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. Virgin Mary gazing at baby Jesus in a manger. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com

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.

Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, and an angel gazing at baby Jesus in a manger. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com

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!

Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, and an angel gazing at baby Jesus in a manger. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com
Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus in a manger. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com

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.

Photography by Rayleigh Christmas mini sessions - Nativity Portrait Experience. A shepherd holding baby Jesus in a stable. For more info, visit byRayleigh.com

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.


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Christmas Nativity Experience

Limited Time Christmas Nativity Experience in Portland, OR

I’m so excited to announce something that I’ve had in the works, at least in my brain, for a couple of years. I’ve seen some amazing Christmas sessions being offered by other talented photographers in Portland, such as beautiful Santa sessions and mini photo shoots, that are so much fun. In our family, though, we find a lot of meaning in remembering the first Christmas. So I came up with the idea of offering a stylized Christmas nativity experience. I’ve never seen anything like this offered, before, so I’m super excited to offer this unique opportunity to my clients. How breathtaking to experience the magic of the most important Christmas there ever was.

Christmas Nativity Experience photo shoot in Portland. More info at byrayleigh.com

Your Family Portraits

Each family will have a unique look to their portraits depending on what characters your family can play. Do you have a daughter who can be Mary or an angel? Do you have sons who can be Joseph, a shepherd, or an angel? If the timing is just right, maybe you have a beautiful new baby who can play Jesus. Or a dog who can dress up like a sheep. Mom and Dad could also play Mary and Joseph.

Costumes

I have a few costumes that are available for use and I also have an ideas list on Amazon for costumes you may need to get for the shoot. We can discuss your shoot and figure out what we need.

Christmas Nativity Experience photo shoot in Portland. More info at byrayleigh.com

The Details

I’ll be holding sessions at a farm in Sherwood, OR on November 6, 2021. If this date doesn’t work for you, though, please let me know. I may open up a second date, depending on interest.

$99 Session fee

The “Fine Print”

  • 5 available sessions
  • Live animals are a possibility but not guaranteed
  • Minimum purchase requirement of $500 for portraits
Christmas Nativity Experience photo shoot in Portland. More info at byrayleigh.com

IF you have any questions or if you are ready to book your Christmas Nativity Experience, please send me a message to claim your time slot.

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    Christmas Pajama Sessions

    For the first time, ever, I’m offering a day of limited edition Christmas pajama sessions. You won’t find me offering these types of “mini” sessions often. So if you have been wanting to book a shoot with me and you are looking for a lower cost option, this might be the opportunity for you! These shorter sessions will be held on one day only and there will only be 6 spots available.

    Limited Edition
    Christmas Pajama Sessions
    November 23, 2019

    Slots will be in 30 minute increments between 10:00-1:30

    Christmas pajama sessions. This is an image of a girl wearing red plaid Christmas pajamas and a red winter hat. She's hugging a red pillow and sitting in front of a Christmas tree. Image by Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

    What is different about these sessions?

    • The session fee is waived! (Usually $690)
    • Professional hair and makeup is not included but is available as an add on
    • Photo shoots are 20-30 minutes long
    • Special pricing! If you purchase two individual photos, you get one free. I will also have a small package available to save even more money. This special package is only available for these limited edition sessions.

    Who are these sessions for?

    These sessions can be scheduled for individuals (beauty or boudoir) or families.

    Do I have to wear Christmas pajamas?

    Although, I think a Christmas pajama session is such a fun idea, you can opt to wear something different. Just make sure your outfits go with the Christmas theme. Red, green, gold, gray, beige, and white are the best colors for this Christmas set. Pastel colors, like light pink, can go well, too, if we take out the reds in the set up. By the way, if you do wear pajamas, they don’t have to be red “Christmas” pajamas. They can be neutral colors, too. Any of the colors mentioned above would work fine.

    Christmas pajama sessions. This is an image of a little girl wearing red plaid Christmas pajamas. She's holding a glass of milk and a teddy bear, next to a plate of cookies, and sitting in front of a Christmas tree. Image by Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

    What is the special pricing?

    Photos can be purchased individually, which means you get the full size digital version of the photo, as well as a complimentary print of the photo (your choice of 5×7 or 8×10 print). Photos are $250 each. For these limited edition sessions only, if you buy two photos, you get one free!

    For the highest value, consider purchasing a package of 10 photos, which includes the full size digital versions of the photos on a crystal USB drive and an heirloom quality album. The special price for this package is $1200.

    Can I get professional hair and makeup services?

    Professional hair and makeup services are available at an additional cost. That cost is subject to change depending on the hair and makeup artist. So please ask me about that when you book your shoot. There are only 3 slots available that will allow time for hair and makeup services, so you’ll want to grab one of those spots quickly.

    Christmas pajama sessions. This is an image of an Asian mother with her daughter, lying on the floor ans smiling. They are wearing sweaters and matching pink winter hats. Image by Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com

    What if I’m not available on November 23rd?

    If the mini session day doesn’t work for you, please consider a booking full size session. Full size sessions can be booked on a day that is convenient for you and includes a more full experience compared to a mini session. Pricing will be regular pricing. The Christmas set will be available until mid-late December.

    How do I book my shoot?

    Spots are limited! So contact me soon to ask any questions and to book your limited edition Christmas pajama session. A deposit of $250 is required to hold your spot and that deposit goes toward your photo purchase.

    Christmas pajama sessions. This is an image of a girl wearing a gray striped night gown. She's holding a glass of milk with a plate of cookies, and sitting on the floor in front of a Christmas tree. Image by Photography by Rayleigh. For more info, visit byrayleigh.com