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Liz Marie, of Liz Marie Strategy is an award winning brand strategist and creative whizz who has worked with small businesses and Fortune 100 companies alike. I had the pleasure of getting to know Liz at WEX LA (Women Empowerment Expo) in January where we hit it off like old school mates; and then during Covid, we used the time to hash out a plan to collaborate and trade skill sets. Liz’ talents are focused on serving women and BIPOC business owners conceive and implement brand design and storytelling to help grow their organizations and stand out from the crowd. Our client end-goals are two sides of the same coin. To help create distinct voices, stories and visuals that reflect our clients' WHY so they in turn appeal beautifully and authentically to their target audience. Working with Liz to bring her personal brand images to life was a creative treat. We started by mood boarding her desired shot list and establishing the look and feel of the session on Pinterest. Liz says, "Planning for the photoshoot was a turning point for me. It helped me recognize where my current image wasn’t aligned and get clarity about how I wanted to evolve it in the right direction.” Though she is obviously well versed in helping her clients conceive of their brand identity, when it came to her own direction, I wanted to guide the final choices so as to capture enough range and variety without losing sight of the overarching tone of the shoot. "When we reviewed the mood board together, I was amazed at all of the common threads Nicolette was able to pull out --things I didn’t even realize I was drawn to. She was able to deconstruct my vision in order to help me reconstruct it in my own way. From there, it became very simple. Find these types of outfits, bring these types of props--it was just checking the box, which was not only easy to manage but made me feel way more prepared," says Liz. So we planned her photoshoot over the course of two afternoons. The first in studio - in order to capture the feeling of who working Liz is like. And the second, outdoors in downtown Culver City where we could be more spontaneous and showcase her fresh, urban vibe in order to emotionally connect her to organizations seeking a modern, youthful and down-to-earth approach to their own branding. Liz says, "We created so many different looks, but we also got a chance to play and try out ideas that gave me some really unique shots. By being thoughtful and deliberate throughout the process, we were able to capture the heart of my brand. I don’t have to doubt the image I’m projecting to the world. That alone is amazing!" Examples from Liz' lifestyle shoot. The goal was to create 20+ images Liz can use over time on her social media, website and in marketing collateral to attract like-minded creative entrepreneurs. She had to think about how she wanted to be portrayed in an authentic way, what would instill trust and confidence amongst her audience, and help her stand out from the competition. "Those are the lenses that we use to craft an effective brand strategy-- so Nicolette helped me take all the core elements of my strategy and capture that in photos that tell a story.” By putting herself out there through imagery that reinforces her personal brand, she aligns herself more closely to ideal clients who resonate with her genuine identity. She says, "Just like all good branding, high-end photos make you look like you’re worth more money. It helps your potential customers trust you more because you look the part… and you can charge more as a result. So it is literally an investment in your brand and your business. One that can be recouped several times over. Visuals are powerful. Branding photography like Nicolette’s can completely elevate your brand, so that you can earn more, get more clients, get the right clients and bring your vision to life. Plus, if you’re a creative, you’re going to love the process!" To find out how I can help you elevate your brand through unique, compelling imagery, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. A photoshoot with me is a transformative experience that gives you permission to shine in all your wonderful and beautiful uniqueness. You'll leave your session feeling exhilarated and emboldened to tell your story, your way. Your photos will connect you with your target audience. Your photos will connect you to yourself. With the use of my certified life coaching techniques and a fine tuned emotional IQ, I will help you feel at ease and lit up with genuine self-confidence. I invite you to book a session with me. I guarantee, you'll love the results. It might even change the way you see yourself. Portrait photographer serving the LGBTQIA and greater community in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Southbay, Ventura and Orange County. Offering formal portraiture, modern glamour photography, personal branding, corporate headshot photography, candid children's photography, family photography, business & acting headshots, as well as events and editorial coverage. Located near Larchmont Village, Hancock Park and Paramount Studios.

Lily got in touch with me on behalf of her mom whose 70th birthday was fast approaching. Jo wanted to do a glamour shoot. She liked the idea of having her hair and makeup done and being pampered, and most of all, having beautiful photos of herself she could proudly pass on to her grown kids to commemorate her life. In person, Jo is a petite, energetic woman who raised four children on her own working the night shift as a lab technician at a local hospital. She doesn’t do much Internet surfing. Doesn’t own a working computer and isn’t into fuss and fanfare. She isn’t into big self-indulgences. The last time she’d been photographed was ten years ago for a family portrait. This would be a special moment for her. A unique, and well-deserved self-celebratory experience. We met over coffee early one morning to chat about her photoshoot and how she dreamt of being photographed. This was her session and her input was key. We talked over some of the details. Other than being photographed wearing her medical scrubs, she hadn’t really thought of what else she wanted to wear. So we agreed that she’d rummage through her clothes and allow herself a little shopping spree if she needed to spruce up her wardrobe. She wasn’t thinking props nor concepts, all she just wanted was some nice portraits of herself, from the waist up. But I could sense that beneath her breezy, unassuming attitude peeked through a playful and sassy lady who was ready to have some fun. So I prodded. Offered some ideas, asked a few more questions about images she had come across that might inspire her. Perhaps something she’d seen in a magazine. She thought for a moment and then said she had liked a photo on my site of a woman surrounded by her shoe collection. She herself owned lots of different purses, could we maybe do a portrait with her purses? A few weeks later she had bought a couple of simple, pretty outfits and from her closet, selected a beautiful gold silk ensemble she has owned for decades and still cherished. She said it made her feel elegant and like her best self. We finalized her choices via a quick FaceTime call and her daughter, Lily, and I selected a natural light studio in downtown LA that would provide enough nooks and crannies for some visual variety. For the first time in years - and at Lily’s behest - Jo took a couple of days off from work in order to rest up and feel refreshed for her session. I got to photograph Jo for nearly three hours. She was funny and patient and full of enthusiasm. We flowed through four outfits and a variety of poses and backdrops. I wanted to capture her girlish spark yet allow her the space to express the more quiet and solemn aspects of her nature. She exudes a deeply rooted strength coupled with a calm weariness that I wanted to honor. Whether she ended up desiring those images of herself or not. We ended her session with the purse shot. Her glee and exuberance shine through in these images. Partly because the purses reflect her happy place, partly I believe, because she was gifted a rare moment to bask in her own self-delight. My hope is that Jo, Lily and the rest of the family will look at these photographs for years to come and be reminded that in spite of the long years of dedication to work and motherhood, she remains a vibrant woman full of unfettered joy and beauty. To learn more about booking a shoot or gifting a portrait session to a loved one for a post-Covid date and time, please call 310.622.4580 or email nicolette@NJPphotography.com. #MothersDayGift #Glamourshoot #GiftaPhotoshoot #women #Empowerment #Birthday #WomenPortraits #Heirloompieces #Portraitphotographer #CelebrateYourLife

One of the last branding shoots I got to do before going into the twilight zone of our collective COVID-19 experience, was with a very cool lady who is a Senior Director of IT Operations for a large organization based in Irvine. Christine has been climbing her company's ranks since 2005. But felt she was hitting a ceiling in her growth, and was ready to push her career in a new direction in order to land a role as VP with a different organization. Recommended to me by her executive recruiter, Christine wanted help creating her brand image in a way that would complement her job search by showcasing her as an assertive, engaging and team-oriented leader. But she is also an busy professional who like so many of us, hadn't been photographed in a long time. In her case, not since her wedding day. So we decided that in addition to creating her new headshots for work, it would be fun and worthwhile to do some lifestyle portraits and a bit of golden hour glamour to round off her photoshoot experience. We shot on location during a warm, windless Tuesday afternoon in one of my favorite locales in Playa Vista. My makeup artist found a spot under the shade and Christine braved the Coffee Bean restroom to get changed. Five outfits, two looks and a 4+ hours later, we had a beautiful mix of "brand" images that channeled different aspects of her personality, her professional and personal styles. And showcased her not only as a corporate leader but as a gritty, sexy and self-assured woman who is comfortable in her own skin. Out of the dozens of images I culled from her session, Christine bought my 20 image portrait collection. Even though some are for work, every photo is a celebration of her life and the woman she is today. And though she could have asked for only digital prints, she understood the value of having tangible images she can treasure and look at for years to come. And because her portraits are printed on 8x12 lustre archival paper, matted and provided to her in my Marquee Collection Box, they will last and be passed down for generations. I always advocate to clients who invest the time, energy and money into doing a photoshoot with me, that they print their images. I believe that when we invest in ourselves, we celebrate ourselves. And these beautiful prints are a visual legacy that lives on longer than we do. Besides, how often to do we get to play model for a day? These are some of my personal favorites from her session and a little behind the scenes makeup prep with the wonderful, Taylor Latham. For more information on booking a branding session or to learn about my portrait services and how we can design a session just for you, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. #PersonalBranding #WomenPortraits #Sellingyourbrand #PersonalBrand #Portraitphotography #LinkedInheadshot #BusinessProfile #CelebrateYourSelf #ExecutiveHeadshot

At the end of last year, I got to photograph a powerhouse of a woman who, along with her family, had just moved to LA from Texas in pursuit of the LA dream. Acting, comedy, business consulting, Metrisa is a powerhouse of talent, ambition and smarts. After hiring me for a family portrait session, she asked that we get together to create headshot and lifestyle portraits that showcase her multi-level brand, and create varied content for her representation and PR needs. “I cried when I saw my photos…I could not believe they were me. I didn’t realize how I translated on camera. I hadn’t put myself out there in a very long time. It really transformed the way I view myself. It gave me so much self-confidence…I love them all so much.” We had a blast working together, and for the first time, I wanted to convey my client's experience through a Vlog. So I invite you to watch my interview with Metrisa below, and to see some of the results. You can also view a few images from our session here. Special shout outs to my amazing HMUA, Taylor Latham and to FD Studios for their great shoot spaces and if you want to learn more about Metrisa, follow her on IG here. To learn more about my branding and glam sessions or to book your own customized shoot, contact nicolette@NJPphotography.com - 310.622.4580 #Sellingyourbrand #Magazinestyleheadshots #Styling #Privateeditorialshoot #CreativePortraits #Empowerment #FreshLook #Actorheadshots #women #PersonalBrand

Of all the creative sessions and wonderful clients I had the pleasure of working with this year, I am especially grateful for my time with the inspiring, NiK Kacy. NiK is a designer of gender-neutral fashion and footwear, LGBQT+ rights activist, promoter of trans rights and equality, as well as an all-around genuinely caring and authentic human being. Collaborating with NiK elevated my game as a professional and my appreciation of the role the trans-community plays within the larger queer rights movement. Its members are in a constant uphill battle for self-acceptance, social recognition and protection. In a global environment that skews opportunities away from trans workers and business owners, NiK is a paragon of human success and the model expression that a rising tide lifts all boats. It was truly an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with helping NiK define their business and personal brand image in 2019. Our session gave us both greater meaning and it’s with great pride that I can share Nik’s public reaction to the portraits we created together. I've always hated taking my photo because growing up first I was in the wrong body and hated being dressed like a "girl", then as a teenager I struggled with weight and self body image, as an adult I struggled with my identity and expression, and my whole life I've struggled with my existence... My place on this Earth. It's taken 44 spins around the Sun for me to finally feel like I've found my purpose and Pride to be exactly who I am meant to be. It's taken just as long to finally feel like I look like me in this photo. It's got a bit of touch up sure but what I realized is that that is ok. I'm ok with wanting to cover up a blemish. I remember ten years ago I was ranting about au natural and how we should not cover up wrinkles. Well ten years later and the last two years having am visibly aged significantly, I no longer feel shame for wanting to get laser to remove that sun spot. Life is hard enough and we get criticized so much for so many things. We are already our worst critics so tonight I say, let's let people be however they feel most authentic, even if ironically they end up less “real”. I look at this photo and I feel a little bit less old and exhausted and a bit more Pride that I've come this far into the person I want to be. Thank you, Nicolette Jackson-Pownall for capturing me the way I see myself on the inside. Nik Kacy - To learn more about NiK and the incredible work they are in doing in fashion and for the trans community, follow NiK @nikkacyfootwear and @nikkacy. And please get in touch with me for more information about my personal branding sessions. #Socialmediamarketing #Magazinestyleheadshots #Sellingyourbrand #CelebrateYourLife #CreativePortraits #BusinessProfile #PersonalBrand #Headshots

If you’re the sort of person who enjoys displaying and gifting photos of your loved ones, then this special holiday gift guide is for you. I know that there is a strong digital-only wave that has unfolded across the portrait photography world. But photographers for the most part, want our clients to value and treasure their photos as all too often quantity has replaced quality. Though we own far far fewer printed photographs than the number of images we snap on a daily basis, let alone over the course of our digital lifetimes, I wonder if by taking more, we are actually seeing less, perhaps even remembering less. We all have tons of blurry, pixelated images of family members and friends buried in folders and files across multiple devices. But how many of us take the time to cull through hundreds, sometimes thousands of bytes of information to source and print the most beautiful, meaningful moments that amount to a life well lived? If you want those beautiful, professionally captured -or not, moments available to you at touch, then here are my suggestions for printing your photos across a variety of cool and interesting products that will surely help your gift stand out. 1. MILK offers beautifully bound, handcrafted fine art photo albums and presentation books for the creative giver who wants to add a touch of luxury to their gifting. Pricing starts at $160 for their custom presentation boxes: https://www.milkbooks.com/ 2. Mixbook is a super easy to use platform for amateur designers who want to create memory photo books to share with loved ones. You can start with a template or create one from scratch. Their simple drop and move editing tools will help you express visual story telling without frustration. Pricing starts at $16: https://www.mixbook.com/family-photo-books 3. Blurb is another do it yourself platform for those who wish to create professional quality books, magazines and even e-books. Want to gift a National Geographic style magazine of your European trip from this past Spring? Blurb provides for a pain-free user platform that makes plugging and editing your images into their software easy. You do have to download they’re design interface but you can also use their platform to resell that incredible photo book to raise money for your next travel adventure. Pricing starts at $4 for a 20 page magazine: https://www.blurb.com/ 4. Lexi Lou Jewels is a funky and personalized way of gifting photographs imbedded into cool jewelry pieces. From custom leather bracelets to silver pendants, your photos will take on a whole new meaning when you can wear those special memories next to your heart. Pricing starts at $45 And for something more traditional, check out https://www.evesaddiction.com/custom-picture-jewelry 5. Pinhole Press allows for the creation of a variety of fun print products like stick re-stick wall decals, framed prints and calendars. This is a great way to create a family decor project where the kiddos can lend a hand. Decal sets start at $13. https://pinholepress.com/c/wall-decals 6. MPix is my go-to for anything that is not a print product. Mugs, blankets, key chains, acrylic blocks, holiday ornaments, playing cards…their product options are designed for gifting with love and personality. Pricing is not cheap but you really get to create something unique and memorable. Coffee mugs start at $20: https://www.mpix.com/products/funstuff 7. Last year I partnered with zazzle.com. It is a printing company for cards and many other customizable photo displays for the home and office. This is where I send my portrait clients who want to create their own holiday cards. But there is more you can create here such as T-shirts, baby clothes and electronic coverings, to name a few. This is specially great if you need a larger quantity of same-gifts for a group rather than one-off specialty items. Cards start at $47 for a pack of 25. 8. Nations Photo Lab is a wonderful printing company for photo lovers. The caliber of the work is far above what people expect from low-cost printing partners. If you’re into non-traditional wall art formats such as metal, acrylic or canvas, this is the place for you. 8x12 metal prints start at $34: https://www.nationsphotolab.com/ 9. Meural marries classic frames with a sleek, 4K digital art display for those who want to showcase their photos on high end digital display. It’s matte finish and low reflectivity give it a paper feel, and let you see every brushstroke or grain of photography you’re displaying. Meural will adjust to the light in the room, making the art look more natural and less backlit. The light box frame comes in black, white or natural maple. Pricing starts at $445 with the purchase of their annual membership: https://meural.netgear.com/canvas/ 10. I have a local fine art printing lab that I adore. Based in Downtown Los Angeles, this is my partner of choice for wall prints. POV crafted a portrait of my wife for Christmas last year, and the result was just stunning. This is for the photo lover who doesn’t use an iPhone, and knows what 300 dpi means. Visit this wonderful team of dedicated professionals at www.fineartprinting.la. Pricing start at $50. To book a photoshoot in time for the holidays, contact Nicolette at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #CapturingBeautifulMoments #Heirloompieces #Portraitphotography #GiftaPhotoshoot #FamilyPortraits #Familyphotos #Professionalphotographer

Yeney and her wife were already married but they wanted to bring family and friends together to celebrate their union and their love. They created an especially magical experience for everyone by renting a luxury home in the hills overlooking Los Angeles, which provided a glamorous setting for their black tie soirée. I showed up around 5pm, before the arrival of their guests and took portraits of Yeney and her relatives, who had flown in for the weekend from Tampa, Florida. It was quite a treat to photograph such a decked-out group whose collective sense of style helped create some beautiful results. As twilight approached, friends came into the fold, and I was able to capture candid and posed shots of everyone enjoying themselves and regaling in the couple's union. I believe that joyful family gatherings, whether for the holidays or special life events, are the perfect occasion to create legacy portraits that honor and celebrate your relationships. And these are even more meaningful when we get to include the grandparents. To learn more about how we can capture memories of your next family reunion, contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #Groupshot #CelebrateYourLife #CapturingBeautifulMoments #Heirloompieces #Portraitphotography #Glamour #Familyphotos #CandidPortraits

As organizations grow so do their teams. Often a company needs to create corporate headshots on a quarterly basis for new hires, a task which can be further complicated by the opening of overseas or out-of-state offices. Such was the case for a cyber security company with offices in Washington, New York, Chicago, Austin, and Los Angeles. Their HR department called me on a Friday looking to do headshots for their recent recruits in Century City. Fortunately, I was able to accommodate a quick turnaround and we scheduled an on-site session for that following Tuesday. As a branding photographer, it can be tricky to matchup new headshots with old ones, as environments, lighting conditions and shooting styles all vary from photographer to photographer. From their website About page, it was clear that even their Leadership Team had been photographed at different times. Wisely, their web designer had offset any variety in backgrounds by cutting out the portraits and placing them into a simple white layout. My goal then was to recreate as closely as possible what I felt was the most flattering and pleasing light (I chose the last shot in the line up above), as well as the overall tone and vibe of the headshots, which needed to showcase confidence, approachability and trustworthiness. We brought lighting equipment and set up a 5 x 8 shoot space in the conference room and got to work. Luckily for me, the team members showed up with their A-game. They came dressed for the part, and rocked great attitudes. Photographing them was a breeze, it took about 15 mins per person. After the session, I culled the images down to the best 10 for each one and uploaded them to an online gallery. They were able to choose their favorite two - one for the company and one for themselves. I did some retouching to polish them off, and then placed them into a white background to make it easier on their designer. And voila! Turnaround time was 24 hours from shoot to final image delivery. Here are some of the results: To learn more about booking your corporate headshot session, whether it's a team of two or two hundred, contact nicolette@NJPphotography.com - 310.622.4580 #Professionalphotographer #CorporateHeadshots #BusinessProfile #PersonalBrand #ExecutiveHeadshot #Headshots

Sylvia came to me a couple of months ago via LinkedIn. She wanted a branding session to create images that better reflect her current roles as a community leader, minister and motivational speaker. But when she discovered that I also provide women with empowerment photoshoots, designed to help my clients celebrate their lives and see themselves in a whole new light, her why for doing a session went much deeper. It became clear that she was in need of self-renewal. Over the last few years, she has suffered through the loss of immediate family members, including most recently her mother, for whom she personally cared for until the end. So she was feeling ready to reclaim her life and her role within her community. She says, " this experience was part of a journey of reconnecting with myself. I wanted to feel like both my old but also new and improved self." After our initial consultation, it became obvious to me that her persona was vivacious, warm and engaging. She might have described her herself and her style to me as more "conservative with a bit of pop", all I could see in my minds eye were bright, vivid colors and a strong unassuming sense of self and sensuality. So even though we discussed honoring her love of 40's black and white Hollywood glamour portraits, I wanted to steer her toward a new vision of her own personal glamour. To me it felt colorful, deeply saturated and full of scintillating light. So we planned the shoot one step at a time. As she has carefully and proudly curated a beautiful home, which authentically represents her, she wanted that to be our "studio" environment. She also owns an extraordinary wardrobe and jewelry collection, which with the help of my in-house stylist and sister, Pia, we helped her narrow down to a choice of 6 outfits, including some items that could lend themselves to a few boudoir shots. Her session included hairstylists, a makeup artist, wardrobe styling, and the loving, dotting assistance of a small entourage of women who helped take care of all of us for the nearly 10 hours we spent shooting in her beautiful home. She says, "I was so impressed with the amount of time and detail she invested in preparing me for my shoot...Like many women, I have always hated taking pictures. I was extremely nervous but Nicolette and her team made me feel relaxed, beautiful, and confident. It was more involved than I anticipated but more enjoyable as well." The session ran long but we parted elated, afire with creativity and the excitement of creating portraits that are uniquely her own. She says, "Nicolette and her team really caught and brought the vision I've always had as to how I want to present myself to the world. I am recommending this to every woman I've shown the photos too. I recently posted them on my social media sites and have literally gotten hundreds of positive comments. Too see myself looking and feeling relaxed and confident is an experience I want women in my circle of influence to have. My take-away is that every woman should have and deserves this type of experience." We not only created photos that are rocking her social media, she has a stunning collection of matted fine art prints in a handcrafted keepsake box to match her home. I feel it is important for all my clients to be able to touch, see and display their portraits in ways that are exquisitely tangible. It reminds them of their photoshoot experience and of who they are in ways that digital images alone cannot. These are just a few of the portraits that came out of her session. To learn more about how I can help refresh your personal brand and celebrate your life, please contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com - 310.622.4580 #Socialmediamarketing #Sellingyourbrand #Magazinestyleheadshots #CelebrateYourLife #Privateeditorialshoot #FreshLook #Boudoir #Empowerment #WomenPortraits #Magazinestyleportraits #CelebrateYourSelf

Blog excerpts curtesy of Dorian Unmuted: Living Life On Full Blast I’ve always wanted to do a glamour photo shoot. If you’re up there in age like myself, you may remember those Glamour Shots from the nineties. [...] You would wear your favorite outfit and they would do your makeup and hair and your pictures would turn out something like these: [...] So everyone was getting these “glamour shots” but even at my pre-teen age I was not impressed, mostly because they all looked the same. Same poses, same vignette feathering on the edges, same makeup. Even then I did not see why you would pay all that money to get something done just to have your pictures look like everyone else’s. Fast forward almost three decades to me meeting Nicolette Jackson-Pownall, a photographer who specializes in true glamour shots—in this case, “true” meaning you look like your ultimate best self so there is no way your shots will look like anyone else’s because there is only one you! This was the main thing that drew me to her work—she really is able to capture the essence of the person she’s shooting and it’s evident in the finished shots. Enter November, 2018; she put a shout-out that she was wanting to include family portraits and was looking for subjects. I thought to myself, this might be the time to do it—I have a family, we could use some great family shots, and my body was looking really right so maybe I could get a few glamour shots in as well. Nicolette worked all this out with me during the pre-shoot process as far as how to combine everything I was wanting to do into one shoot. At the start, I had no idea what look I wanted for the glamour portion of the shoot but with her guidance I was able to select a makeup look and some clothing items that worked beautifully. My shoot ended up being three in one—I was alone for almost three hours that included getting my makeup done and the fitness and glamour shots, then my husband and son joined me for the last hour for our family shoot portion. I absolutely had fun shooting with Nicolette during the entire experience, from the early picture and wardrobe planning phase through to the portrait reveal and final images and selection. I honestly did not recognize myself in some of the shots; it’s a humbling experience to see yourself looking like a Self or Vogue magazine cover model. I like the reminder of my grace the glamour pictures show; it’s really nice to pull these up on the days when I’m feeling less than stellar. I’m so happy I included the fitness portion because it’s important to me for my son to know and respect the many strengths women have, one of them being physical strength. And, fitness is such a big part of my life that I wanted to showcase that aspect. I’m also happy to have some fantastic family shots to add to our collection; the timing of these was great because it captures the last bits of “innocent baby” my son still had in his face—he was ten weeks shy of turning five at the time these pictures were taken. I already know for sure I want to do another family shoot again in a few years when my son is older, I think it will be interesting to see how Nicolette captures his changes on camera. I think every woman should do a glamour shoot in her lifetime, if for nothing else to be reminded of her own unique beauty. I feel there is so much pressure on women to look a certain way and that there is a warped opinion of what is beautiful, but I also know that as I myself have gotten older my own idea of “beautiful” has changed. When Nicolette and I were going over the selected shots for retouching notes, I specifically asked her to leave some of the lines and wrinkles on my face and some of the stretch marks on my body because they’re part of what make me me. And, as I jokingly sometimes say to people, I earned every single one of those marks—I call them my stripes of honor! [...] To see read more about Dorian's session with me and see more photos, please visit her blog here. And to learn more about scheduling your very own designer portrait session, please contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 and let's make your dream photoshoot at reality. #CelebrateYourLife #Privateeditorialshoot #Empowerment #WomenPortraits #Magazinestyleportraits #FamilyPortraits #Glamourshoot

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing many people who comfortably inhabit their own skin. These sessions become a playful exploration of a subject's personality and at times, their ability to flow between masculine and feminine qualities with some incredible results. Revealing and helping a client navigate this duality, is one of my favorite aspects of being a portrait photographer. So I was super excited for my shoot with non-binary model and LGBTQ activist, Grey Crouch. Grey, who is elfin in appearance, manages a beautiful dance in physical appositions. Delicate and graceful one moment, tough and cocky the next, our goal was to showcase different parts of their personality (choice pronoun) which hadn’t yet been captured during other photoshoots. Their current portfolio includes a spectrum of images ranging from high fashion to fine art. So to build on this, I wanted to create portraits that were more editorial in style. We didn’t want the makeup to come across as too glamorous but instead to highlight their eyes and bone structure; and Grey brought in everyday outfits that naturally exemplifies their personal style. For my part, I keep the set ups and the lighting relatively simple, and to use a studio in the garment district in downtown LA that could provide us with enough environmental variety to create different “scenes.” The result is a spectrum of moments that speak to different parts of Grey’s attributes, so they can reinforce a brand that is contemporary, authentic and edgy. These are some of the results. For more information on booking a modeling and brand shoot with Nicolette call 310.622.4580 or email nicolette@NJPphotography.com #Magazinestyleheadshots #Sellingyourbrand #Privateeditorialshoot #PersonalBrand #BeautyShoot

I had the pleasure of photographing some of the fabulous members of the Women Real Estate Network, during their Ignite 2019 event in Burbank, CA. WREN is an inspiring community led by Deborah Razo and Jennifer Maldonado, who work in the world of real estate investing. Whether they are builders, designers, home flippers, financial investment gurus or aspiring novices, these women come together to help one another grow their businesses and their financial wealth. At the end of the day, we got to spend a couple of hours together, in a mini studio set up at the Marriott, where 21 of them had their photos taken for the sheer fun of it. No pressure to perform, no hair and makeup artist, no real worries about how they looked after a successful day of conferences, seminars and meet and greets. I simply treated them to an experience where they could let their guard down, kick off their high heels and model with a cocktail in one hand and a hair brush in the other. Sometimes a photoshoot is simply a great excuse for us to feel seen for the beautiful, empowered women we are. #Groupshot #CelebrateYourLife #CapturingBeautifulMoments #CorporateHeadshots #Portraitphotography #Empowerment #Headshots #WomenPortraits #women