Jaimié Birtel's photography blog
What to Wear for Spring Family Photos
Spring is all about renewal and starting fresh, so why not take advantage of this spring’s beautiful weather to refresh your family portraits? A spring photo shoot in Seattle is a stunning way to create lifelong memories and custom artwork for your family. Not sure what to wear and how to dress your family for spring portraits? Check out these tips.
The Dating Game of Choosing Your Photographer
One thing that surprises some of my clients is how much time I dedicate to them before their photo shoot even takes place. Usually, we’ll chat even before booking to make sure we’re a great fit. Once booked we do a full in-home or virtual consultation to spend time planning your perfect photo shoot. The reason for all of this is that I’ve seen firsthand just how important it is to find the right fit between a photographer and a client. In fact, for several reasons, choosing a photographer is a lot like dating!
Did I Wait Too Long for Newborn Photos?
Every parent can agree that the newborn stage is so precious yet so fleeting. From day one, your baby is growing and changing before your eyes, and even in the midst of those sleepless nights and constant feedings, you’ll be shocked by how soon these newborn days are just a memory. That’s why newborn photography is such an incredible gift you can give to your future self!
When to Book Your Senior Photos
Is it time for you to get your senior photo session on the books? When should you start planning for that special milestone photo shoot for your teenager? As a portrait photographer in the Seattle area who has the honor of creating these amazing memories for budding adults every year, I’m here to help! Here are a few tips and considerations to keep in mind as you’re scheduling your teen’s senior photos.
Top Reasons Moms-to-Be Say They Aren’t Booking Maternity Photos - And Why You Still Should!
I can’t tell you how often a client tells me, “I was hesitant/nervous about maternity photos, but I’m so incredibly glad that I did it!” And as much as I love those moments, it also saddens me to think about all the amazing moms out there who were hesitant too but made a different decision and didn’t venture out of their comfort zone for maternity portraits.
If you’re on the fence, I completely get it! Trust me when I say that you don’t have to worry nearly as much as you think. Here are some of the top reasons I hear from women about why they haven’t booked their maternity photos yet and how I ease their fears.
Can You Take Outdoor Portraits in the Winter?
A lot of things get put on pause in the winter - lots of outdoor sports, most leisure travel, happy hours on rooftops and patios. But if you’re itching to get updated family portraits or to celebrate a milestone photo session like maternity portraits, does that have to wait until spring too? Or can you still take outdoor portraits in the winter?
The short answer is yes, we can absolutely take your family photos outdoors in the winter! In fact, I have clients every year who are excited to capture the beauty of a seaside winter scene or the wintery woodlands. A winter outdoor photo shoot just takes a little extra planning and some special considerations.
Booking a Senior Portrait Photographer? Ask Them These Questions First
You and your child will only have one senior photo session, and making it a success starts with hiring the right photographer. I encourage every family to take some time to find a senior photographer who’s a good fit for them and what they’re looking for from the portraits and the experience.
What to Wear for Your Boudoir Photography Session
For me and for many of my clients, the most fun part of planning a boudoir photo session is picking out outfits. Who doesn’t love finding or picking out clothes that make them feel incredible? At my Seattle area photo studio, I have an abundant client closet packed with many different styles and sizes so you don’t actually have to bring any items to your session. But a lot of my clients do enjoy bringing some options of their own too, so here are some ideas for what to bring for your boudoir photo shoot.
Questions to Ask Your Headshot Photographer
If you’re planning to give your business or your career a boost in 2025, fresh headshots are an excellent step toward that goal. A great headshot helps you make your business feel more personal to your clients or customers because it puts a friendly face on the person behind the magic - you. But as you’re hiring a headshot photographer, make sure you’ve found the right fit by asking these key questions.
Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer
You only get one newborn photo shoot for your baby, and it’s an opportunity to capture the magic of these first days with your little one before that newborn stage ends in the blink of an eye. So of course, you want that photoshoot to be the best it can be! That starts with hiring the right newborn photographer for your growing family. As a newborn photographer myself, I’m happy to share some insights and tips about what types of questions to ask a newborn photographer that you’re considering.

