the portrait style guide

For a stress free experience with Jacob Fino Photography

first off I'm so excited for your portrait session! Whether I'm photographing you, you and your partner or wedding, I want you to know that I'm honored that you chose me as your photographer and so grateful that you've trusted me with the responsibility

of helping you create memories you'll look back on and cherish for a

lifetime.

My goal is simple: for your session to be as fun and stress-free as possible!

That's why I've created this guide just for you! This guide will help you get the absolute most out of your photos. By the time you've read through it. you'll have all of your questions answered and feel read and prepared for your session!

This guide is packed with my best tips. tricks and insider secrets for scheduling and styling your portrait session - and everything in between. Your only job is to smile, laugh a lot, have fun and let me do the rest! I can't wait to get you in front of my camera and I'm so excited to see you soon!

I AM A NATURAL LIGHT

PHOTOGRAPHER.

I prefer being outdoors in natural light as it creates photographs that feel fresh, timeless, and truest to you. That's why I begin all of my sessions 1-2 hours before the scheduled sunset - during the magical "golden hour" - when the light in the sky is the

softest, dreamiest and most flattering.

When scheduling your date, it's important to remember that the sun sets much earlier during the colder months of the year and much later during the warmer months, so make sure to factor that in - especially if you have small children with a

specific eating or sleeping schedule, or if you (or your spouse) will need to leave work early to get ready for the session and arrive on time.

If you don't have plans after your session, I always recommend going out for a fun date night since you're already dressed up! My weekends fill up fast and far in advance, but my weekdays are much more flexible. So if you'd like to do your session sooner rather than later, scheduling mid-week is the way to go!

ALLOW YOURSELF MORE TIME THAN

YOU THINK YOU'LL ACTUALLY NEED

When you're planning "getting ready" time before your session (scheduling your hair, makeup, etc.) please give yourself a lot more time than you think you'll need. Make sure to account for things like traffic, getting lost and parking, so you can prevent unnecessary stress, arrive a few minutes early to your session and be ready to start on time. I'm only able to shoot when light is still in the sky, so we'll want to take advantage of every minute we have together before the sun goes down!

THE LOCATION OF YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU!

For most of my sessions, outdoor, open- air environments are always my first choice. I love shooting in wide-open natural spaces because the light is divine, especially during golden hour. There are great options all around Texas, so even if you've never seen me photograph in a specific place before, I'm always up for exploring a new spot together!

Don't be afraid to think outside the box, I encourage you to brainstorm unique places that you might have special access to that most people don't. For example, maybe you (or someone you know) have access to an amazing location that would otherwise be off-limits, like a beautiful private estate, family ranch, exclusive country club or a rooftop view. Spend a few minutes thinking about it and checking around with people in your personal and professional network. You'll be surprised with what you come up with! If something seems out of reach, just remember: you never know until you ask! You can also consider Airbnb or other property rental sites. In the past, my clients have secured permission to shoot in some pretty incredible places!

If you need some location ideas and inspiration, I have plenty! Check out my Instagram(@Jacobfinophotography) and the portrait section of my website. If there's a certain session you really love, just let me know which one and we can go to that location!

DESTINATION LOCATIONS

Your portrait session includes my travel time anywhere in the MIdland/Odessa area. If you'd like to go somewhere else, my bags are packed and ready to go! If you'd like to shoot outside of the city, like in Monahans, for example, there will be a travel fee to account for the extra hours of drive time there and back, and the overall longer session time. For destination sessions, I allow up to two hours of shooting time so we have enough time to drive/walk to multiple scenic spots if available.

styling your session

IF YOU WANT YOUR PORTRAIT SESSION IMAGES TO LOOK AND FEEL A LITTLE MORE INTIMATE. I RECOMMEND BRINGING A FEW SMALL SiMPLE PROpS WiTH YOU. LiKE FRESH FLOWERS TO HOLd OR A BLANKET TO SIT On.

add some flare

is there a certain dress you been eyeing, but don't have a excuse to wear it?

Now the time to do it! Remember there's no such thing as "too dressed up" when it comes to your portal session. so don't be afraid to have some fun! If you don't want to spend a ton or monev adding a new permanent piece to your wardrobe, theres this cool website called "rent the runway" this is perfect for portrait photos because

you don't have to spend a lot to feel like a million bucks. Plus, vou can send the outfits back when the session is over. some of my clients love having an excuse to go shopping and purchasing a new permanent piece (or two.) tor their wardrobe - and that's okay, too! Whatever works for you!

the dress is a yes!

I'VE said this multiple times, THERE'S nothing more breathtaking than a long flowy dress!

Dresses and Skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because the really flatter the female body. I recommend choosing long, flowy dresses or skirts because there flattering on all body types, look amazing on camera and bring extra movement and dimension to your photos. Maxi (or floor length) Skirts and dresses will give us the best "twirl factor, add more romance to your walking photos and look especially gorgeous when juxtaposed with nature, like the desert, forest, fields or beach. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses or midi skirts photograph beautifully as well. My clients who choose to bring two dresses will sometimes choose one of each!

That being said, if you are a true "jeans girl" and want to rock a pair of your favorite blues, by all means - go for it! The most important thing is that you feel beautiful and are wearing an outfit that you absolutely love. Dress it up with your favorite blouse and accessories such as hat, jacket, or jewelry!