Jaimié Birtel's photography blog

Maternity Jenny Pitcher Maternity Jenny Pitcher

Why My Maternity Photo Sessions Include Professional Hair and Makeup

If you’ve worked with a few photographers in the past or if you have started shopping around for maternity photographers, you might have already noticed that every photographer does things a little differently. We each provide our own type of experience and artistic style for clients, and that’s part of the fun! When I designed my maternity photography experience, there was something I was particularly passionate about: including professional hair and makeup services in the package. To give you a peek into my process, here’s why I chose to include these services in my maternity portraits.

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How to Choose a Photo Shoot Location

As a photographer, I’m so fortunate to live on beautiful Mercer Island and have so many great photo shoot locations in the Seattle area. As you’re planning your next photo session, the location sets the scene (quite literally) for your photo shoot’s overall look, so let’s talk about a few tips and considerations to keep in mind while choosing a photo shoot location.

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How to Get the Best Smiles in Your Family Photos

As meaningful as it is to have beautiful family photos that paint an authentic picture of your family and the love between you all, it’s common for parents to stress about making sure the pictures are as perfect as they can be. After all, family portraits are a financial investment and you want to make sure you love them! As a Mercer Island family photographer, I take the work and stress off your plate and take care of all the details. But one concern many parents still have is how they can make sure their kids smile well for the camera. Don’t worry, I have plenty of tricks up my sleeves, but here are a few tips on ways you can help.

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How to Choose a Color Scheme for Your Newborn Photos

Your newborn photos are so much more than pictures of your cute baby. They should be sentimental heirlooms that bring your mind back to this amazing time in your life as well as stunning custom artwork that you’re eager to display in your home. As a photographer, what I provide is art as much as it is a service for your family. With that in mind, let’s talk about the color scheme for your newborn photos, why it matters, and how to find the perfect color scheme for your newborn photo shoot.

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The Emotion Behind Custom Portraits

There are moments in our lives that hit us right in the heart, leaving us misty-eyed and emotionally stirred. For me, one such moment came during a newborn photography session that turned into a beautiful tribute to a dearly departed grandfather and the history in their family.

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What To Wear For Spring Photo Shoots

Spring is such a beautiful time for outdoor photo shoots! The landscape is coming alive all around you and all the spring colors in the flowers and trees create a stunning backdrop for portraits. If you’re planning to take advantage of this gorgeous season for family portraits, maternity photos, or other custom photography, I’m here to plan your dream photo session with you. To give you a head start, here are a few tips for what to wear for spring photo shoots.

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The Power of Branding Headshots for Small Business Owners

When you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you’re investing in doing everything you can to help your business thrive, and sometimes small details can make a powerful difference. Branding headshots are among those details, so if you don’t have these on your to-do list yet, it’s time to add them. Here’s why.

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Should You Turn Your Professional Portraits Into Wall Art?

As a photographer offering maternity, newborn, and family photography and more at my Seattle-area studio, I’m driven every day by the honor of creating beautiful and treasured portraits for my clients. I truly want the best for my clients, which is why it’s so important to me that you don’t just walk away with some digital files but with wall art that allows you to enjoy your family photos day in and day out.

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Is a Mini Session Really the Best Choice for Your Portraits?

If you’ve been shopping for photographers, you’ve probably seen some photographers advertising mini-sessions. A mini session is a very short photo session - usually 15-20 minutes - that’s just bare bones: you get in front of the camera, get a handful of photos, and that’s it. These sessions are lower-cost than a traditional photo session, and from that standpoint, they might seem like a great deal. But from one parent to another, I advise caution about mini-sessions. Here’s why.

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Ways to Include Your Partner in Maternity Photos

For so many moms-to-be, a maternity photo shoot is a treasured part of their pregnancy experience. You deserve to enjoy this exciting milestone however you choose, and for some, that includes having their spouse or partner in their maternity photos. Should you include them, and what’s the best way to do this?

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