Did you miss your window to hire a professional photographer to capture your cherished holiday moments? The holiday season is a peak time for us, and due to high demand, we often have fully booked schedules. If you’re in a bind and need to DIY holiday family photos this season, I have some great tips to ensure that you can document this time in an aesthetic way AND be included in them! 

With a bit of planning and creativity, you can nail that family photo that captures the essence of your holiday season using just your smartphone and some basic accessories.

Plan Your Theme, Location & Wardrobe

• Decide on the overall theme or vibe you want for your photo. It could be a traditional holiday theme, a cozy winter scene, or a more casual, candid style. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even style the scene: add holiday decorations and/or props (wreaths, fairy lights, or ornaments) to enhance the festive atmosphere and create a visually appealing backdrop.
• Pick a suitable location that complements your chosen theme. Consider your home, a local park, or even a scenic spot in your neighborhood with festive decorations.
• Opt for a cohesive color palette that complements your chosen theme. Avoid overly busy patterns; instead, focus on complementary colors and fun textures.
• If you plan an outdoor shoot, ensure everyone is dressed appropriately for the weather. Remember, freezing cold subjects are unhappy subjects, and red, runny noses are never a good look.

Gather Your Gear

• Smartphone: Ensure your smartphone has a capable camera. Modern smartphones often have advanced cameras with features like portrait mode and manual settings. Make sure your lens is clean! Wipe your phone’s camera lens to ensure clear and sharp images. Smudges or dirt can negatively impact photo quality.

• Tripod: To avoid shaky shots, stabilize your smartphone on a tripod or any stable surface. This is crucial for group shots or if you want to be in the photo yourself. I love these two options from Amazon: this simple selfie stick/tripod combo (with remote trigger), and one with the ring light having the added bonus of lighting. If you don’t have a tripod, improvise with books, tables, or other stationary objects.

Consider Your Lighting Scenario

• Natural light is usually the best. If shooting indoors, position yourself near a natural light source, like a window, to ensure well-lit photos. Avoid harsh overhead lighting to prevent unflattering shadows. Experiment with household lamps or LED lights (see Amazon ring light recommendation here), ensuring they don’t create overly harsh shadows.

• If outdoors, plan to shoot during the golden hour, shortly after sunrise or before sunset. Look for open shade under trees or next to a building, and avoid dappled shadows.

Posing & Composition

• Get creative and use elements in your environment to frame the shot. This could be a doorway, window, or holiday decorations. Make sure the background doesn’t have any distracting elements and eliminate anything in the frame that doesn’t add to the scene (like clearing dirty dishes from the coffee table or moving the dog toys off the floor).

• For a more interesting and creative subject grouping, try to place your subjects’ heads at different levels, not simply in a straight line. Try having some people sit on a couch, some on the couch arms, and others standing behind and sitting in front of the couch – this helps the eye travel through the scene. 

• Get as close as possible, and avoid leaving large gaps between people. Determine where the picture taker will be in the grouping so they can easily get into position once they hit the timer.

Set Up Your Smartphone

Explore your smartphone’s camera settings and select the most suitable orientation and mode for your scenario (I generally utilize my iPhone’s native photo mode at a 4:3 orientation). If available, enable grid lines for better composition and consider using the manual mode for more control over exposure. Focus on the right spot – touch the screen where you want the camera to focus. Ensure the focus is sharp on the face of the primary subject (typically the person in the front middle).

Turn on the Self-Timer

Use the timer function on your smartphone camera to give yourself time to get into position. Typically, a 5 or 10-second timer works well. RELAX, squeeze your family together and smile!

Editing & Final Touches

Review your photos and choose the best ones. Look for sharp focus, good lighting, and natural expressions. Utilize free editing apps available on your smartphone. Apps like Snapseed, VSCO, or Adobe Lightroom offer basic editing tools for adjusting brightness, contrast, and color.

DIY Holiday Family Photos & HAVE FUN!

The point of this whole thing is to capture your family memories and document your traditions so that you can look back on them in years to come (hopefully with a smile and a laugh). It’s not about the technical perfection, I promise, it’s about the authentic moment.

I hope this step-by-step guide has given you some great tips to improve your DIY family pictures this holiday season! And next year, make sure to book your family photographer EARLY

P.S. Are you looking for a senior photographer for your upcoming high school graduate? You should know that springtime books up incredibly fast and it’s actually a WAY BUSIER time than the holidays. Don’t wait until the last minute – inquire for more info and book your grad session TODAY!

The post DIY Holiday Family Photos appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

I swore to my daughter that I wouldn’t spend her entire senior year saying “It’s your last (insert holiday/activity here)”, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been thinking about it: her last birthday at home, her last high school football game, her last track meet. I mean, it was just yesterday that she said her first word and took her first steps. And in the blink of an eye, here she is, almost ready to leave for college. One of my strategies for coping with this roller coaster year is to really concentrate on all the fun and exciting things that she will have to look forward to in college next year. But there are definitely some things that I want to do before she flies the nest. I thought that we would have all the time in the world, but with college on the horizon, NOW is the time to make sure these things happen!  Here is my list of “lasts” before college: A Bucket List for Senior Parents

Teach your high school senior about life skills

Teach your senior how to budget and manage finances, how credit cards work, how to get stains out of laundry, what medications to take when you are sick, how to refill a prescription, how to return an online purchase, getting/renewing a passport, etc.

Our kids are so smart, but we sometimes overestimate their ability to figure things out on their own. They still need our guidance, and actively teaching them to take care of themselves will go a long way to creating confidence in your teen when they are off at school.

Teach them how to cook the basics

Teach them how to cook the basics, and share coveted recipes of their favorite dishes. I’m sure the homemade macaroni & cheese my children make for themselves won’t be exactly the way I make it, but at least they will have one real meal in their repertoire. Even if they never really find the joy in cooking, they should at least know HOW to chop an onion, boil an egg, and tell if a piece of meat is actually cooked.

Have your entire family photographed together

Yes, I am a photographer, but this is not about self-promotion. Once your child is away at school, the logistics of planning a family portrait session is insanely difficult. Families constantly change and grow – don’t let this moment in time pass you by. Capture your family together as you are today so that you can enjoy these memories when your kids are away. You will NEVER regret it, and these memories only become more precious with the passing of time.

Be a tourist in your own town!

Do the things you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to doing: museums, restaurants, events, beach picnic, etc. I’ve lived in Charleston for 17 years and there are SO MANY things we’ve been meaning to do. Now is the time to make new and meaningful memories with my family.

Take a trip that you allow your senior to plan

Within some amount of reason, have them research, plan the logistics and stick to a budget. This will help them flex that independence they are craving and give them something FUN to look forward to this crazy year.

Try to have a family meal at least once a week

This is a tough one, I know. Schedules are crazy, and everyone is scattered to the wind. Maybe it’s Saturday morning pancakes or Friday pizza, but put it on the calendar if you have to. Regular time spent together helps us all catch up on what’s going on in each other’s lives in real time.

Go to school events and support your children’s friends (and your parent friends!)

My girls obviously don’t play for our school’s football team, but I love attending games and hanging out with my friends who have boys that play and girls that dance and cheer. It’s fun to support school events, and it helps foster a sense of community and friendships that I know I will appreciate even when my girls no longer attend school there.

Spend one-on-one time with your senior doing what THEY want to do

Do I necessarily want to binge Season 3 of OBX with my senior? Not necessarily, but it’s not about WHAT we do, just that we do something TOGETHER.

Welcome their friends

I’m not going to lie – hosting sleepovers was a drag back in middle school. I felt like I needed to have the best entertainment, the best snacks, the cleanest house. And then I finally realized that none of it really matters (also because they can now drive to get whatever they want if I don’t have it). Having a pile of girls upstairs in my house makes me so happy because my daughter is happy and she is HERE. I may not be the coolest mom with the best food, but I love that my daughters’ friends feel comfortable enough to make our home their home.

Don’t hold back on affection and hugs

Tell them you love them and how proud you are of them. Have those late-night talks (because, inevitably, all the best ones happen after 10:30pm). Leave them notes of encouragement and tiny little unexpected gifts. This year is HARD for them, and they need us. We need it, too.

Figure out the legal stuff once they turn 18

I was blindsided when the nurse at my daughter’s dermatologist told me she couldn’t discuss anything with me on the phone.  You’re going to want to look at: a HIPAA waiver for medical providers, FERPA consent for access to information at your child’s college, reviewing insurance coverage, considering a power of attorney, etc. Check with your family attorney or pop over to Mama Bear Legal Forms (NOT sponsored!) for more information.

Celebrate everything!

Life is very much about the perspective you choose – this year could be sad and hard or exciting and fun! Yes, there are components of all of these things, but choosing joy and relishing the little things is a great way to make this year a positive one. I mean, how much longer will I get to go out for “good report card ice cream”?

Printable Bucket List for Senior Parents

I hope that this list has helped inspire you to spend quality time with your senior and cherish this year together as a family. If you’d like to print up this bucket list and hang it by your desk to remind you each day, click here to download. Happy senior year, parents!!

The post Bucket List for Senior Parents: List of “Lasts” Before College appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

I have lived on the East Coast for my entire life between South Florida and Charleston, and I’ve had to make the call to evacuate or stay in my home more than a few times as a hurricane has approached.  I don’t know about you, but the recent devastation of Fort Myers Beach from Hurricane Ian made me reconsider my hurricane evacuation priorities.

There is nothing like a worst-case scenario to make you evaluate your hurricane planning. In truth, unless you plan ahead for these circumstances, panic can take over and you may not think clearly about what to bring with you when you make the decision to leave your home. For simplicity, let’s consider the 5 P’s of Evacuation:

• People (and Pets)
• Prescriptions
• Papers
• Personal Needs
• Priceless Items

Of course you’ll want to bring the life-saving essentials, necessary medical supplies and legal documents with you and your loved ones. But beyond these – and as a portrait photographer – I’d like to focus on the Priceless Items category (irreplaceable items such as special photo albums, family heirlooms and keepsakes) and how to preserve and protect your photos in case a hurricane evacuation is necessary.

MAKE A LIST

The best time to plan is NOW, well in advance of any storms. In an evacuation, it may not be possible to bring absolutely everything with you, so you need to prioritize what will be coming along and what will be staying behind. You may be able to reprint your recent framed pictures from the files stored on your phone, but what about that portrait of your grandparents’ wedding day or your child’s scrapbook you lovingly made?

Walk through your home and make a list of what you will bring with you, in order of importance. Keep this list handy on your phone so that you can access it and be ready to act quickly. If your physical prints, digital files and backups are organized, it will make this process to protect your photos much easier.

DIGITIZE YOUR FILM & PAPER ASSETS

It’s only within the last 20 years that we have the instant ability to create digital files, but don’t forget about the photographs printed from film that you have in your home. If you no longer have the original negative (and let’s face it, who really does?) make sure to scan your old photos to create a digital archive of your most important memories. 

The same goes for film negatives and old home movies on VHS or film. This media will degrade over time, and it’s always a good idea to keep a digital backup. Sound like a monumental task and don’t have the time? There are services like LegacyBox that will do it for you – it is totally worthwhile for the peace of mind.

BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP

I said it three times, but it’s truly not overkill! Make sure to backup your phone camera roll regularly to ensure those photos are preserved (this is sound advice for everyday life, not just in the case of hurricane). I personally use Dropbox, which will automatically upload my camera roll to my cloud storage every time I open the app.

Also be sure to backup your computer’s hard drive and any important USB drives to an external hard drive, as well as to some kind of cloud storage. Yes, it does take an initial investment in money and time up-front, but the peace of mind that it buys is priceless. Schedule a little time for this each month to make sure that you are current on all of your digital assets.

PLASTIC IS YOUR FRIEND

If you have to leave some of your heirlooms and photographs behind, it’s important to have a way to protect your photos in case of evacuation and preserve them until your return.  You will have to evaluate what are the most important items to protect when you leave if time and resources are scarce.

Water is the enemy of paper, so preparation and prevention are key. Paper-based materials and photographs are susceptible to damage from moisture, so they need to be kept dry to prevent mold growth in case of a catastrophic flood or leak in your home.

Make sure to have heavy freezer Ziploc bags, thick black yard trash bags, duct tape, and waterproof plastic storage bins on hard to make this process a smoother one (this is NOT a guarantee, but a strategy to minimize any damage):

• Place hard drives and USB drives in Ziploc storage bags, then double-bag with the zipper facing the opposite direction.
• If you haven’t had the time to scan your beloved framed photographs, take them out of their frames and double-bag in a Ziploc bag with cardboard to ensure they don’t bend. 
• Place these bagged items inside of waterproof, watertight plastic bins. Make sure to put identifying contact information inside the bin in the event they end up someplace else (a tornado or flood could cause it to travel some distance). If you are extra, like my dad, you may also want to caulk around the edges of the box to REALLY make sure it is waterproof.
• Stack these waterproof bins in the highest possible place in your home to avoid floodwaters. However, do not place them in the attic in case there is severe roof damage.
• For larger items, such as canvas prints or large wall art, double- or triple-bag them with yard trash bags and use lots of duct tape to seal them closed.

“STUFF” IS USUALLY (BUT NOT ALWAYS!) REPLACEABLE

The most important thing to remember during a natural disaster is to stay SAFE: “stuff” is replaceable, and loved ones are not. But there are some things you can do to plan ahead to ensure that your beloved memories are preserved. By the time a storm is coming it’s too late to properly consider what you might want to save and how to execute that plan. Being organized TODAY will help ensure that you can protect your photos in case of evacuation and mitigate damage to your precious heirlooms.

The post How to Protect Your Photos in Case of Evacuation appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

This summer I had the chance to go through this process with my daughter, and it was a really enlightening journey in market research!  While it was an okay experience, I wanted to share a few insights about a senior yearbook photo session with a high-volume school photography studio:

• we scheduled a time slot online from the link given to us by my daughter’s high school
• we received an email confirming our time and where the studio is located
• the session was 15 minutes long, and they were very punctual
• the studio provided the black drape (tux top for boys), school-appropriate cap & gown, and a few other “Class of 2023” themed props
• there was a poster of 20 poses that the photographer routinely went through for every single student
• everything was photographed in a booth with the exact same lighting (the subject is extracted off the white background and we were able to select the desired backdrop from seemingly hundreds of choices)
• we were given QR code to view the proofs on our own and make a decision about what we wanted
• we placed our order online and received our digital download instantly

Senior Yearbook Photo Pros & Cons

PROS:

Overall, this was a very efficient process. The investment in time was minimal, and we were able to schedule the session, have her photos taken, review the images, and make the selection for the yearbook without much effort.

CONS:

The only time that we got any personalized, human attention was when Emma was actually in front of the camera.  

We thought that since this was the yearbook photo she didn’t need to bring any other outfits with her. Turned out that more than half the photos were taken in the clothes she wore to the studio (which were definitely not photo-ready!).  There was no education on how to prep, what to bring, what to wear, etc.

If you think this is going to be your inexpensive option, think again! I was so confused by the mind-bending print packages offered. We purchased one single digital file just to have the classic yearbook photo, which was $159.

Not only that, but retouching is NOT included in any of the pricing. This added up FAST: $9 for “basic” (don’t know that that means but seems required), $11 for teeth whitening and $15 for shine reduction. And this is for EACH image.

The digital files are advertised as “high-resolution” but the file we received was a mere 2400×3600 pixels, which translates into printing an 8×12 photo. Totally fine for loose prints, but definitely too small for anything I’d want to print in a large format. To be fair, if you don’t spring for the additional retouching you’d be unlikely to put it up on the wall anyway.

If all you are looking for this year is to capture a few senior photos, then this is the route to go – it’s quick and easy (and already required by the school to show up)! Check the box, you’re done.

Beyond the Senior Yearbook Photo: A Custom Senior Portrait Experience

But what if you’re looking for a little something more? Imagine if you could have:

1. A FUN experience that is tailored specifically to your child’s interests and preferences in Lowcountry locations (AND invites your entire family to be included into the frame for a few pictures to capture you all together one last time before you senior heads to college)
2. A custom, heirloom-quality keepsake of your child – one that showcases their unique personality and things they love – that you will enjoy for generations
3. Experienced guidance every step of the way, from how to prepare for your session, wardrobe advice, and what to DO with your senior’s portraits when the session is completed
4. Expert retouching that comes standard with every single purchased portrait
5. The guarantee that you will LOVE what we create together

Your senior is more than a two-inch square in the yearbook. They are becoming independent and fascinating people on the edge of adulthood with their own hopes, dreams and goals. This is such an important year to celebrate them and to capture them just as they are right now.

As a senior parent myself, I know that these next twelve months will likely slip through my fingers so quickly. What better way to hold onto my baby when she flies the nest? Personally, I love a thick, substantial album that will tell the story of her entire senior year. Other folks may prefer a stunning, window portfolio box full of matted prints or a custom-framed print on the wall.

Whatever suits your style, I can help you create an amazing keepsake of your child to cherish for years to come – don’t settle for the boring senior yearbook photo. Ready to find out more? Contact me today to schedule a call and learn how I can help you!

The post The Boring Senior Yearbook Photo appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

The setting for your session is an important part of your portraits, but it is only a PART of the story you are telling: location, wardrobe, hair & makeup, facial expression, and posing all come together to form a portrait that tells the viewer what you want to express.

Charleston is such a beautiful city with so many gorgeous backdrops. Deciding the overall vibe for your session is a great way to start determining what locations will suit you best. Do you like romantic and dreamy? Historic and charming? Industrial and gritty? Unique and different from everyone else? Let’s dive into some of my favorite locations in Charleston.

Historic Charleston

This tops the list because it is always a fan favorite. Textured stucco buildings with charming window boxes overflowing with flowers, cobblestone streets, ancient brick walls covered in ivy and moss and resurrection ferns, decorative shutters in amazing colors, exquisite wrought iron gates . . . the list goes on!

The sheer amount of variety you can achieve in one square block makes historic Charleston a fabulous location for a reason. I love the way the afternoon light reflects off the pastel homes and gives skin tones a bright, beautiful pop. There are SO many places to sit and lean, which makes for endless posing possibilities.

Our fair city is always changing, too, which makes for some seasonal surprises. I know just where that wall of wisteria is in the spring, where the hot pink crepe myrtles arch just so perfectly over the sidewalk in the summer, which house ALWAYS delivers with unbelievable window box gardens in the fall. 

By the same token, there is always something under construction – dumpsters, scaffolding, neon orange cones – so we always need to be prepared with a Plan B in case a specific location is unable to be utilized (although I CAN make a construction site work for a backdrop if that’s the look you’re going for!).

Also, garbage collection and recycling day is currently on Mondays. This means that huge, ugly bright blue and green bins will be lining the streets from Sunday evening into Monday. It’s hard to avoid these suckers (and I won’t move personal property), so it’s a consideration to make when planning a session in this location.

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell where private homes end and public spaces begin, so it’s very important to note that we ALWAYS need to be respectful of private property. Bad behavior from photographers and tourists has become an unfortunate issue for historic Charleston dwellers, and it’s definitely not okay to violate their private spaces (i.e. moving their Amazon deliveries out of the way on their doorstep, entering gated gardens, climbing on walls, etc.).

Local Parks

In our subtropical climate, we are blessed to have greenery year-round.  There are some trees that change colors in the fall and drop leaves, but for the most part we don’t get the stunning colors of fall as in many other places. While that may be a bit of a disappointment in the autumn, it means that we never really have a season where everything looks dead and brown!

Our local parks are beautiful in every season and are the perfect place to find those iconic oak trees dripping with wispy Spanish moss. I love the way that sunlight filters through the branches to give a warm glow at the end of the day. 

Two of my very favorites are White Point Garden and Hampton Park, both with lovely wooden benches and adorable gazebos in the center, which adds structural features that we can utilize for variety in posing.  In fact, Hampton Park in the winter is the best time to find blooming camellias, stunning in every shade from white to dark red.

Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is also a nice park with lots of shade and even some waterfront/dock locations (but no blooming flowers at any time).

Local Beaches

The beach is another wildly popular location for senior sessions, especially for folks who travel to Charleston for a destination session. The grassy dunes, white capped waves and golden sunsets make for a backdrop unlike anything else. The barefoot vibe is very relaxed and summery.

The beach does have its pitfalls, however. Lighting on the beach can be very harsh in full sunlight because there is nothing to filter the light and no shade. There isn’t a whole lot of variety at the beach – water and sand as far as the eye can see – and there typically aren’t any structures to sit or lean on (unless we get lucky with some palmetto trunk that’s washed ashore). It’s usually pretty windy, which can destroy your hair and get sand stuck to your skin.  For these reasons, I usually suggest adding a few minutes at the beach to the END of your session instead of having an ENTIRE session at the beach. This way you can get the beachy look and go home to rinse off all the sand

Bonus points if you want to bring a surfboard and get in the water!!

There are three Charleston-area beaches – Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach – but be aware that NO commercial activity is allowed on Sullivan’s Island beaches (meaning that professional photography is prohibited – personal photography is always okay!). 

Marshy Waterfront

I feel like this is like the beach category above without the sand. Our ecosystem in Charleston is so unique, and the grassy marshland around the city is a gorgeous one. In general, the lighting here is beautiful for about 30 minutes a day and we need to time it perfectly to get that golden glow because there is no shade here to soften the hard shadows.

Pitt Street Bridge, Shem Creek Park and Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant are great spots for a quick stop to capture this coastal look. Have access to a private dock or boat? That would be even better and would give you a unique setting unlike anyone else’s!

Industrial and Gritty

I don’t get this request often, but I have to admit that I LOVE these spaces! Usually more popular with the guys, an industrial location is a great alternative to the refined and pastel: metal staircases, railing, cable, concrete, glass, rusty and overgrown. These kind of spots are a little more difficult to find in our historic city (we don’t have a real “urban” feel as many metropolitan areas do), but I have a few favorites.

Also, never overlook the potential of a great parking garage! While it may not be the look for everyone, it is a perfect spot when it’s raining (for obvious reasons), but you can also find some pretty cool Charleston vistas and sunsets. It’s also an incredible location to showcase your beloved car/jeep/truck (again, guys LOVE this).

Plantations & Historic Sites

Plantations and historic sites such as Boone Hall Plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Charlestowne Landing are undisputedly one of the major attractions to the Charleston area. They are stunning locations with manicured gardens and gracious homes. Plantation venues make an amazing backdrop, which is why they are a top choice of brides and grooms for wedding locations. This, in turn, makes them not-so-great locations for a senior session.

First, the plantations charge a photography fee for non-wedding sessions. This cost can exceed $250 for a single session. In addition, the scheduling of a non-wedding session can be quite a headache, since the properties are closed to the public when weddings are taking place (pretty much every single weekend). This means that we can’t access these properties during the most ideal lighting times.

While not impossible for a senior session, these are very tricky to schedule and adds an additional fee that I have to pass on to my clients. I don’t recommend them.

Private Property

This is where things can get really interesting. I always love hearing that my clients own a sunflower farm or a shrimp boat or an airplane . . . I love getting creative with the places that are important and unique to YOU! The possibilities are absolutely endless, so think about it: what do YOU have access to that NO ONE ELSE does? Let’s incorporate it into your session!

Studio

This location gets a bad rap, and it’s because it’s often associated with uninspired volume photography (class pics, anyone??). But a creative studio session can totally elevate your senior portrait experience.

First of all, a climate-controlled indoor location is an awesome place to be when the weather is imperfect: raining or humid or freezing or boiling hot. You hair doesn’t frizz and your makeup doesn’t melt. You have access to a bathroom and a mirror and all the water and snacks you could want.  It’s also private, meaning that you don’t have all those looky-loo tourists wondering what you’re doing in downtown Charleston or in the middle of a park.

You don’t have to lug around anything with you or get changed in the car – bring it all inside and you’re set! You can hang up your clothes (AND steam them, if necessary) and bring any amount of props you want without the hassle of carrying everything for blocks.  It allows ME to get more creative with lighting and backdrops and props. 

A studio session is perfect to showcase attributes you want to show off, especially sports and activities you are involved with. With a little bit of advance planning, the options are literally endless! Together we can create some incredible portraits that truly show who you are (without being at the mercy of the environment).

Best Location for Your Senior Session

On the whole, Charleston is an incredible place to live and visit for its natural and architectural beauty. It’s no wonder that so many folks visit every year. If you haven’t considered traveling to Charleston for a destination senior session, you absolutely should! While there is no one BEST location for your senior session in Charleston, I hope that you have gotten some great inspiration to get started planning. I recommend selecting two very different locations from the list above to give yourself the most possible variety.

Ready to schedule YOUR senior session in Charleston? Contact me today to get the ball rolling!

The post Best Location for Your Senior Session in Charleston appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

Dear Senior,

Hello to the Class of 2024! Your senior year is upon you. Graduation time is nearly here, so CONGRATULATIONS! I know that 2023-2024 will definitely look a little different than years past, and you need to make the most of this last year of high school. My Class of 2023 senior just graduated this May, so I have recently been through ALL of the things you’re about to embark upon. I know just how exciting (and nerve-wracking) this milestone year can be. (P.S. WE MADE IT!!)

If you choose to celebrate the culmination of your hard work with a senior Class of 2024 portrait session, I would love to give you a few tips to make the very most of your experience with Christine Hamrick Photography. It is my goal that, when you look back at your images from our session together, you are brought back to an amazing time in your life – a time that holds incredible promise and potential. Let me help you make the MOST of it with these quick tips:

1) Showcase the best-looking you. Feeling and looking your best doesnʼt just HAPPEN – it requires some preparation.

It may seem like an extravagance to hire a hair and makeup artist for your senior session, but they have the expertise to make you look amazing for the camera. I firmly believe (and I think youʼll agree) that the end results are absolutely worthwhile. I have a few that I am happy to recommend!

Itʼs also imperative to make thoughtful wardrobe choices that reflect who you ARE and what you LOVE. Popping into your local boutique is a great way to get advice on what is on-trend and stylish, and they can easily help you pull together complete, cohesive outfits that mesh with your style.

Make sure that you get a good nightʼs sleep the night before the session. Make sure youʼve had a little something to eat and drink before we meet (or bring a snack along with you). A fed and well-rested subject (no matter WHAT your age) is a happy subject!

2) Understand retouching limitations before the session. I am a photographer, and while Photoshop is an amazing tool with incredible capabilities, it isnʼt my goal to turn you into someone who doesnʼt even LOOK like you. I use software to polish your images and remove small and temporary blemishes (pimples, scratches, bruises), so if you fall down and scrape your knee, or get the mother of all zits the morning of the session, DONʼT WORRY – I got it! I wonʼt make your hair another color, wax your eyebrows or make you lose 10 pounds, however. If you have specific questions about something, please ask!

3) Relax and enjoy. Unless you are a celebrity, itʼs just not typical to have a camera lens pointed at you. Being the center of attention in front of the lens can be uncomfortable and intimidating to some (myself included!). In order to help you get more comfortable with me, I love to meet up for a pre-session consultation to just chat and get to know each other a little better. Communication between us is crucial, and this is an excellent time to discuss session details, outfits, locations, products, etc. When we get the questions out of the way beforehand and have a better sense of each otherʼs personalities going into the session, it definitely makes for a more laid-back and productive time together.

4) Have faith in Type-A-detail-oriented me. Know that I will guide you into poses that will be flattering and natural. I will take time setting up each shot and pose, ensuring that all the details are just right, and that you donʼt LOOK pose-y. Is your hair amiss?

Hemline crooked? Bangles bunched? Is there trash in the background? A pole growing out of your head? These are the things running through my mind before I even put the camera up to my eye.

5) Keep in mind that lighting, not location, is the #1 factor in a successful image. I can make you look beautiful in a crummy dead field at sunset, but even the most amazing location with the wrong light will make a less-than-ideal portrait. Paired together, a good location at the perfect time of day will make a KILLER photograph. I love new and fresh ideas, so letʼs work together to make this happen.

It is my promise to you to give you an outstanding senior portrait experience, from start to finish. I want you to have fun and come away from your experience with beautiful images and top-notch, quality products. I will not be satisfied with anything less that your complete satisfaction – the Class of 2024 deserves no less, and I cannot wait to get started helping you document this amazing year!!

The post To My Class of 2024 Seniors . . . appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

One question I always get is “When is the best season for a senior session?” And the answer is “it depends.” I will say that summer and fall come in as a tie for me, personally, but there are so many factors to consider. I encourage families to look at this realistic senior session timeline to help figure out when you can expect the finished images and products, and then work backwards from there to determine the best session date. When in doubt, book early! But there are definitely pros and cons for a senior session in every season – read on for the scoop:

Why Choose a Summer Session?

PROS:

• schedules are more relaxed and there aren’t any extracurricular activities or homework/tests/etc.
• days are longer and it doesn’t get dark until 8:00 or 8:30, allowing lots of time in the evening
• you’re already tan – no need to consider a yucky faux glow
• crepe myrtles are blooming and summer color palettes are bright and fun (yellows, pinks, blues, greens)
• wardrobe is light and airy: flowy tops & dresses, shorts sets, sandals, straw hats
• you will easily make the yearbook ad deadline with photos from your session
• it’s done early in the year so that you can cross it off your long senior to-do list

CONS:

• it’s hot and humid – not ideal if your hair is prone to frizziness or you are prone to sweating heavily
• mosquitos can be everywhere
• August is the rainiest month of the year, so you will need to be flexible in rescheduling due to weather (it’s also hurricane season)

Why Choose a Fall Session?

PROS:

• the weather is IDEAL – the most humid and rainy months are over but it’s still warm enough
• golden hour lighting is dreamy in the fall
• you can incorporate wardrobe pieces that span summer AND fall styles for a wide variety of looks (sundresses to denim jackets, sandals to boots)
• you will make the yearbook ad deadline with photos from your session (typically need to be submitted by December)
• if you participate in fall sports (football, volleyball, cross country, swimming, girls golf and tennis, cheer), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

• the tail end of hurricane season is usually the most active – be prepared to reschedule for weather
• schedules can be intense with college tours, SAT/ACT testing and college applications
• days are getting shorter, requiring that sessions take place in the afternoons
• it’s the most popular time to schedule sessions, making availability a challenge (hint: schedule EARLY!)

Why Choose a Winter Session?

PROS:

• tourists are scarce and downtown Charleston isn’t crowded, so we won’t need to fight for popular locations
• this is the best season for stunning sunsets, which can be a beautiful backdrop
• the Lowcountry has so many evergreen trees and shrubs – it doesn’t even look like winter in most places (gorgeous camellias bloom this season, too)
• college applications are finished (whew!) and the beginning of the semester is usually less intense, allowing for more relaxed schedules – you may even have begin receiving college acceptances and have made your decision
• cooler temps allow for fun layering of sweaters, jackets, hats, etc. with no sweating (or bugs!)
• if you participate in winter sports (basketball, wrestling, cheer), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

• it can be cold (average high temp in January is 59°) and windy
• days are SHORT and it gets dark fast – sessions must be scheduled in the afternoon which may conflict with school activities
• you will miss the deadline for yearbook ads
• paler skin, no tan

Why Choose a Spring Session?

PROS:

• nothing compares to the flowers blooming in Charleston in the spring – from azaleas to wisteria to jasmine to oleander – these make for some impressive and stunning backdrops
• the weather is as good as it’s going to get with warm temps and low humidity (equivalent to fall)
• you have made your college decision and will have your cap & gown
• if you participate in spring sports (lacrosse, baseball, soccer, softball, track, boys tennis & golf), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

• no-see-ums (they definitely deserve their own category) are atrocious at sundown
• you have missed the deadline for yearbook ads (but may still have time to order grad announcements)
• we are beginning to feel the end-of-year crunch with a million activities – scheduling can be a delicate balancing act and rescheduling due to weather and illness can start to get tricky

When in doubt, it’s best to schedule your senior session as early as possible. Senior year is going to fill up in a hurry, and you don’t want the end to be a chaotic mess (this year I had THREE sessions in May that had to scramble to reschedule due to COVID – don’t let that be you). Ready to book your session? CLICK HERE to get the ball rolling.

Still have questions about which is the best season for a senior session? Schedule a quick call with me and I can help you make the best decision!

The post Best Season for a Senior Session appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

As with any day-to-day job, we photographers sometimes find ourselves running on auto-pilot, stuck in a creative rut. Thankfully we can always rely on our colleagues and friends to give us a kick in the pants when we are in need of a little inspiration (aka the creative challenge).

First was the dumpster challenge, then came the shrimp boat challenge, and now we have the khaki pants challenge! “What the heck is that?!” you might be asking. Well, when I reached out on social media a few months ago asking for some location inspiration, the wackiest answer I got was “in front of a wall of khaki pants” . . . hmmmm.

Short of taking over my local Gap store for a quick session, I headed to my husband’s side of the closet (where I knew that I would find an abundance of that neutral hue). From shorts to chinos to performance golf pants, in shades from stone to British tan, I was able to pull enough khaki pants to halfway cover a 4×8 piece of foam insulation, which served as my temporary wall. 

NOTE: 18 pairs of shorts and pants didn’t go nearly as far as I thought they would. YES – he has 18 pairs. We won’t discuss my denim collection

Using T-pins, I was able to secure the pants to the styrofoam insulation panel to try to make it into a wall. Engineer and fashion merchandising expert, I am NOT (though I am always bowled over by the incredible visual retail experience at Anthropologie), but the pants wall remained upright. A low bar, for sure.

Playing off the theme of the khaki pants, I decided to stick with a classic 90’s-inspired Gap or J.Crew catalog vibe. Not too much of a challenge, since literally everything we wore in high school has come back around (pleated khakis WHY???). Caroline nailed the wardrobe, and in fact, brought so many perfect options that I kept photographing her even after the khaki pants wall was exhausted.

I loved taking a crazy idea, brainstorming ways to make it work and executing the vision. Challenges like this really opens my eyes to possibilities and overcome obstacles, which only helps to broaden my creativity and to serve my clients. On to the next creative challenge – any suggestions??

The post Creative Challenge: Khaki Pants appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

Let’s talk about your nails for your senior session . . . I oftentimes will pose your hands near your face. And while your hands shouldn’t really ever be the focus of the picture, they WILL show. So if your hands are all dry and your nails are raggedy, it will absolutely detract from your polished image. Details do matter (I say this a LOT)!

I LOVE a good, indulgent mani/pedi from time to time and try to schedule them in advance anytime I know I’m going to be photographed. It’s a lovely splurge, but certainly not necessary for your senior session. Simply follow this nail care guide in the days leading up to your session to ensure that your hands look as beautiful as the rest of you:

1. MOISTURIZE! Hydration is the foundation of beautiful-looking hands. Use a cuticle oil on your cuticles and a thick hand cream before your go to bed (this is especially important in dry, cold weather). Keeping your hands moisturized is the key step in preventing loads of issues, such as peeling nails and rough cuticles.
2. Be gentle with your cuticles! They are there to protect your nail bed, and cutting them or pushing back aggressively can cause damage. If you keep them moisturized regularly, then you typically don’t have to do much to your cuticles.  If you find that you need to push them back, do it gently with a towel or washcloth after showering when they are soft.
3. Use nail clippers to trim and shape your nails, then smooth the rough edges with a crystal file. Traditional emery boards can be damaging and cause your nails to split or peel.
4. Don’t use your nails as tools. OR put your hands in your mouth! 
5. Don’t overprocess your nails.  Like your hair, nails are susceptible to damage from harsh chemicals, so go easy on the nail polish remover (use non-acetone removers), gels polish and acrylics. Also, give your nails a chance to “breathe” for a few days in between polishes. They will appreciate a break!
6. Try to avoid soaking your hands in water. Obviously you’ll need to bathe, but try to wear gloves when doing dishes (the hot water and oil-stripping dishwasher detergents are super-harsh on hands).
7. If you do opt for polish, beware of trendy colors or nail art that will date your portraits. Neon colors might be cool now, but how will that look in 25 years? Nude polish or natural nails are always timeless choices.

Keeping your nails in shape is a worthwhile investment, whether you take the time for self-care or indulge in a professional. I hope that you have found this nail care guide to be a helpful step in planning the perfect, polished senior session!

Need to book YOUR Charleston-area senior session? Click here to contact me today!

The post Senior Session Nail Care Guide appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.

Last summer I was experiencing a bit of a creative slump. I felt like I was on autopilot and wasn’t able to come up with anything fresh and new. Thankfully I am in a group of fellow photographers who are always there to lift up and push me in the right direction. They suggested the Dumpster Challenge, which was very popular on my social media accounts – the goal was to take something considered “ugly” or not very aesthetic and make something beautiful out of it. I loved the creative challenge, and the results speak for themselves.

In that same vein, I polled my social media friends to find out what they might be interested in seeing in order to be further challenged. The responses ranged from Wal-Mart parking lot to “wall of khaki pants”, but the first location I decided to tackle was a session on a shrimp boat, OBX style.

If you live in the Lowcountry, you understand what an integral part of our community the shrimpers are. Shrimping has been woven into the fabric of our coast for generations. We adore our local, fresh seafood and are so appreciative of the hard-working shrimpers that supply us with some of the most delicious food in town. The iconic shrimp boats on Shem Creek may have been a location challenge, but I was so honored to have the opportunity to photograph on one of them.

The combination of sun setting over Shem Creek (where OBX is actually filmed), the light reflecting off the water and the white boat, and lovely Julia’s perfect Pogue styling made for a fantastic senior session.

Many thanks to the Whit’s End and Tarvin Seafood for allowing us to play on your little piece of heaven!

The post OBX Style Senior Session appeared first on Christine Hamrick Photography.