top of page
Writer's pictureJohn-Paul Wolf

Gotta Be Quick

Updated: Aug 26

As a Family Portrait photographer in Riverside, California it is very common for us to schedule sessions months in advance. Part of the reason for this is that people are waiting for that perfect time of the year in the fall to get those luscious fall colors. This means that we are often booked solid if not with portrait session then there are also all the holidays! At the end of 2021 - I mean late December, I was contacted by a young women who was inquiring about family portraits. I was prepared to give her the bad news that I wouldn't be able to help her. However, when we spoke she told me that her family wanted to take pictures as a birthday gift for their Dad - his birthday is actually December 31! Then she told me that she would be leaving the first week of January to study abroad in another country for a few years. So now she had my ear. I explain that December 31 is actually New Year's Eve and I am having a party at my house but if my partner says its ok, I could offer them a quick mini-session right in my neighborhood. My wife said it was ok but I gotta be quick.


We scheduled the session and I provided all the details on preparing. All week before the session it was dumping rain! But, as luck would have it on December 31 in Riverside the rain stopped and it was a beautiful day!


Wardrobe tips: This family decided to go with neutral colors - you can't go wrong with neutral colors when there is plenty of green and orange around! Mom simply slayed a leather dress. Dad's simple sweater is lovely and the pants bring some personality. The sisters each fit within the color scheme while still very clearly representing their own style and personality. This is a great example of not matching colors but carrying a theme through wardrobe decision making.


During our quick 20 minute session we took full family portraits, sibling groupings, just Mom and Dad, Father and Son, Mommy and Me (although I doubt either of these young women call their mom - Mommy). I also took some special portraits with Grandpa. I have to say, I love it when Grandparents are involved in family portrait sessions. These is just something so sweet about seeing generations of a family together. When our time was done we said, "Happy New Year!"


During the Premier Ordering Appointment a few days later, the daughter who first contacted me had already left the country. Mom looked over all the pictures, cried and laughed, and told me how much she loved them. She showed me where they wanted to hang one large pictures in their home and I showed her how it would look through the power of computers. In the end, she selected my largest framed fine art print and I gifted them digital negatives and a glass proof box. So in this case - even though we were quick we were also pretty great. If you are thinking about family portraits get in touch and if it all works out we might even be able to do it quickly.




9 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page