Archive
Monthly Archives: January 2016
Senior Portraits – Class of 2016!
High school graduation for the Class of 2016 will soon be here.
However, there’s still time for a senior portrait session to capture your personality and this special time in your life!
Be sure to visit our portrait galleries for girls and guys .
Our senior information page let’s you know:
What to expect during your portrait session.
What make a great high school senior portrait.
Schedule now and save 50% on your session!
Simply call our Winter Park studio – 407.628.9800 or click here to get in touch.
Congratulations Seniors!
Creative high school senior photography for Orlando, Winter Park and surroundings areas since 1985.
A Professional Headshot – It takes more than a selfie stick!
Even with the proliferation of smart phones with cameras and the changes that have come as a result of digital photography, people still see the value of having their business portrait or headshot created by a professional photographer.
It takes much more than a good camera (and a selfie stick) to create a professional portrait. I have heard countless stories from those that I have photographed that tell me that before they hired me to create their portrait, they tried to do it themselves or they had a friend do it because “they have a really great camera!” One of my favorite stories is from a guy that had recently moved to the area and was told by his company that he needed a portrait that would be projected during a company conference presentation. They instructed him “just send us whatever picture you are using on Linked-In.”
He went on to tell me that he was horrified at the thought of having that “mug shot” of him projected on a 60′ screen, so he had to come up with another photograph.
His wife encouraged him to call a professional photographer for the portrait. So, what did he do? He call me and scheduled an appointment right, wrong!
He knew that his camera did a good job and should be easy to give him the results he needed. He proceeded to set-up a “studio” in his living room, removing lamp shades and striving for the “perfect lighting”. His wife walked through shook her head and encouraged him to call a studio. But he kept on striving for the perfect portrait.
Needless, to say, the results he achieved were dismal. He called me and scheduled an appointment to come into my studio.
When he arrived, we chatted and began the photography. He looked all around and said “Wow, look at all of these lights and equipment.” He then proceeded to tell that story that I just shared and his efforts to do it himself.
He and his wife loved the final results and he now how a portrait that he was proud to share.
I have learned over my past 30+ years as a professional photographer that while the proper camera, lighting and equipment are needed, it is just as important to truly care about people. To talk with them, help them relax and to bring out their personality in their portrait. There’s nothing quite like one on one relating to each other, talking with another person instead of staring into a camera as you hold up a selfie stick!
Questions? Feel free to drop me an email: christopher@christopheryates.com. You can learn more about my business portrait photography here.
4 Quick Tips To Help You Plan For A Great Family Portrait
Christopher has been photographing families for over 31 years. His professional and creative style along with his easy-going personality helps create a portrait for you to cherish for generations.
Before the portrait session, he happily works with you sharing ideas and professional tips to help with every stage of the portrait planning.
During the portrait session, you will soon discover his ability to put everyone at ease, relieve people’s stress, ease tension and bring out the best in everyone.
Here are 4 tips to help get you started on planning your family portrait.
1- Decide on the style of family portrait that you would like to have created.
Some questions to help get you started are listed below. Your answers will lay the foundation for the creation of your portrait.
- Do you prefer a Color or a Black & White Portrait?
- Would you like your portrait to be created on location (your home, a park, etc) or in the studio? To help give you some ideas, take a look at our family portrait galleries:
B&W Gallery
Color Gallery
If you are still unsure of the style that you would like, give us a call and Christopher will be happy to share some ideas and walk you through the process.
2- Select an approximate date and time to have your portrait created. Portraits created outdoors are best 1 hour after sunrise or 1-2 hours before sunset. The time of day is more flexible for studio portraits since we are not dependent on lighting and weather conditions.
Next, give our studio a call to schedule your portrait session and your complimentary portrait design session.
3– Select the clothing for everyone to wear. We go over this in great detail in the portrait design session. Here are some ideas to get you started with the process.
- If you have chosen our Black & White Relationships photography, we suggest you wear long sleeved, dark shirts.
- If needed, we have several sizes of shirts available which you are welcome to use.
Wear dark pants or jeans. - Color portraits are best with solid colors, no patterns. Select either all dark, all medium or all light tones. Everyone does not need to wear the same color, but should be in a coordinating color. We will discuss this in greater detail during your portrait design session.
- Dark colors will make you look thinner, light colors will make you look heavier.
- Some portrait styles show the entire body, so make sure your shoes are clean and polished.
- Nails should be polished for women and cut for men.
- Make sure that you are happy with your hair style and bring along hair spray for touch ups. If you are getting a haircut, plan on doing so at least a week before your portrait.
4- On the day of your session, make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before.
- Plan on arriving about 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- If you have young children, bring along their favorite toy and a clear drink and snack.
Please feel free to give us a call with any questions ~ 407.628.9800
Christopher Yates is a Winter Park, FL based photographer that provides family photography in Winter Park, Orlando and surrounding cities throughout the Central Florida area. A complimentary portrait design session is available to help you plan all of the details. Session choices include portraits in Christopher’s Winter Park Photography studio as well as your home or on location at a park or your favorite location.