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I’ve been a proud member of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for almost a year, and as of this Spring, their official event photographer. In my experience, the organization is comprised of a warm, welcoming people and has offered me some lovely get-to-know-you moments across their monthly and yearly events. Shooting for them is also providing me with the added benefit of showcasing to others what I have to offer as a photographer and professional. So it’s been a great way for me to interact and get to know many members within a short period of time. As with my work for the LGBT Center, the more involved I get, the greater my sense of my place in our community. There’s been no better way for me to start building new relationships through authentic personal exchanges. And I’m glad we have a relaxed, fun environment in which to do so. Over the coming months, I hope to keep building stronger ties that turn into lasting friendships. I encourage everyone to pop by during one of these monthly gatherings, have a drink, get your photo taken and enjoy the vibe. I don't think you'll regret meeting these folks. Kindness abounds. For anyone interested in learning more or attending an event to see what it’s all about, visit http://www.laglcc.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/laglcc/ #Socialmediamarketing #Professionalphotographer

In the last couple of years, I’ve narrowed down my choice offerings to clients who want to make sure their favorite images live outside of their hard drives. Unless you’re like my Dad, who monthly creates a rotation of home screen images of his wife, children and grandkids to wistfully admire - most of us have folders of photos we might cherish but never look at. So, in the spirit of educating my clients on why they deserve to adorn their walls with beautiful portraits of themselves and their loved ones, or at the very least, a gorgeously crafted coffee table book of their favorite hits, I’ll share some of the products I offer for print and why. The Printed Folio Box This is probably the most discreet, elegant way of owning prints of your favorite images without actually having to display them all at once. Like a treasure trove, the images rest inside a designer box that comes in grey or black linen with your initials embossed on the cover. Inside, the prints are individually matted and ready for framing or for display on a table easel. You get to showcase the ones you want depending on your mood, the company you keep and your best vantage point over a glass of wine. The Metallic Print There’s something very satisfying about a piece of metal that becomes art. The look and feel of a metallic print is like no other. It creates a glossy, high fashion sheen to any image. These prints are made to last, and don’t scratch easily. Once hung, you can clean them with a soft dry microfibre cloth. The look of a metal print is very modern and because it sits a couple of inches off the wall due to its raised backing, it has cool “float” appearance from any angle. I suggest these prints for black and white, colorful or moody portraits. They will last for decades when well cared for. The Acrylic Print This is the pop medium for those who want their portraits to come alive on their walls. Long a favorite of landscape photographers, acrylic images look “lit up” from within to show off bright colored, high contrast images that command attention. Whether for glamour or candid portraits, acrylics tend to work really well in industrial spaces with neutral wall tones and streamline furnishings. They must be carefully handled for they do scratch up rather easily. The Large Format Print For clients who appreciate the value of classic beauty, large prints are beyond compare when it comes to their display power. Paired with the right mat and frame, they become veritable works of art suited to any living space. Whether as solo pieces or a multi-frame gallery wall, my prints range in standard sizes from 8x10 to 24x36 inches. I recommend to all my clients that they invest in at least one “statement” piece that lives on their wall and, of all of the printed mediums, this is my favorite as it never goes out of style. The Coffee Table Album There are so many choices regarding the types of albums one can create, from bridal to baby albums…The options are endless but I’ve settled on a book format that is square and showcases about 30 - 40 images across 20 pages. This is a hard cover, professionally bound book that most people could put together on their own with enough time and creativity. But for the most part, my clients are relieved to have me do the heavy lifting and let me run with the layout, design and overall look of their album. I always provide up to two revisions to make sure everyone’s happy before going to print, and once created, the PDF generates a limitless number of books in print or digital format to share with loved ones. The Folio Stick I gift a branded thumb drive in its own encasing to clients who purchase 20 or more images. The drive contains all the client’s choice images in both high and low resolution versions for printing and sharing. The thump drive also provides for a tangible back-up in case one's computer goes on the fritz. Et voila! These choice products are offered through Nicolette Jackson-Pownall Photography but I am always happy to help with any other format options that might be of interest such as canvas or wood, as well as soft cover albums and specialty items like ornaments or jewelry. To discuss creating works of art to compliment your home decor and design aesthetic, please contact me directly at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #Portraitphotography #Magazinestyleportraits #GiftaPhotoshoot #CelebrateYourSelf #Glamourshoot #Heirloompieces #Familyphotos

I love working with all different types of clients. From those who usually hate the way they look in photos, to the ones who go from professional obligation to booking a day-long glamour shoot for the fun of it, to those who have long understood the value of creating beautiful portraits of their families and themselves to celebrate their lives. Karineh was one such client. Her family is well acquainted with the lens. Yearly portraits adorn their respective walls, she is certainly the opposite of camera shy and has a good idea of what she wants to get out of her session. As soon as we connected about creating a new LinkedIn headshot and throwing in a few distinct looks for her social media feed, I knew it was going to be a blast. She is a high powered, well-travelled executive from the beauty and health sector so her brand had to authentically reflect those qualities paired with her flair for stylish fashion. She is also an example of being well prepared. She sent me a few referral shots of the kinds of business looks she was attracted to and went on a little shopping spree to spruce up her wardrobe with some choice items, which we then decided on together via FaceTime a few days before the shoot. On the morning of her session she had her hair done and stepped into the studio with her A game on. She brought a positive attitude, high energy and the belief we were all there to work together as a team to deliver the images she wanted. She let her personality come through in every shot because she trusted the process and allowed herself to be guided without worrying about the results. In fact, I don’t think I showed her a single image from the back of the camera until the very end, when we were playing with the red dress against the back light. She was utterly fabulous, and I believe, delighted in the chance to reveal various facets of her personality in such beautiful and captivating ways. I loved photographing her, and the results demonstrate the symbiosis we so often crave as artists in working with clients who allow themselves the freedom to simply be themselves. For more information on booking a personal branding shoot with me - email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #Portraitphotography #Socialmediamarketing #Sellingyourbrand #LinkedInheadshot #CorporateHeadshots #PersonalBranding #Styling

I like to give my clients a lot of leeway in terms of what they consider beautiful and glamorous, or what aspect of themselves they wish to bring to their session. I also believe a successful photoshoot starts as a collaboration between the client voicing their ideals and my team and I deciding on how we will bring those to reality. But if a client chooses to wing it, in the hopes that I will capture great shots without the right amount of preparation on their end and frankly, on ours, then this can spell disaster. Such was the case of Mrs. X, an executive at a tech firm who initially contacted me to update her social media headshots. I agreed to do the shoot two days later at her home. She wanted to handle her own hair and makeup, as well as choose her outfits. Though this it is entirely my clients’ prerogative, being in charge of these aspects of the shoot rarely work in their best interest. It's a big ask of any client to know how to apply camera-ready makeup, which is very different from everyday wear. But she insisted that she'd always hated the results of working with a makeup artist, so against my better judgment I acquiesced. So unfortunately, instead of being confident and present, she then expended her energy fretting about how she looked. For all the advice I, as the photographer, can give, as well as lighting choices and posing suggestions, nothing can quite make up for a nervous, fidgety client who can’t dial-in on the moment because she's worried about how her hair is falling in every shot, or if her makeup looks right. For my part, in the rush to accommodate her schedule, I had failed to get an idea of what kind of images she wanted to create. Instead of her home, perhaps it would have benefited her to be in-studio where we could provide a more controlled environment. I certainly didn’t deliver on my pre-shoot consultation and mistakingly believed I could get great results by simply being of service in the moment, and not helping her understand what would yield the best results for her. It is invariably more important to spend some time getting to know what a client needs then to satisfy a timeframe that leaves little room for information gathering and an understanding of priorities and concerns. Expectations soon become near impossible to meet. Needless to say, the results of our shoot were disappointing. I was unable to capture beautiful, authentic expressions that represent her best. Her makeup just didn't work well for in-camera portraits and her different hairstyle attempts went through various stages of non-cooperation. There was nothing I could do either in-shoot or in-post that could salvage the images. The session was a wash. Though she did hope for a reshoot and changed her mind about getting her hair done and bringing in a makeup artist to assist with contouring and touch ups, my scheduling and her timely need for the images made it impossible. And though it is rare that clients choose to forgo assistance in preparing and maximizing their session, this does illustrate how hiring a professional photographer is not reason enough to expect that you’ll end up looking your best without bringing your A-game. A portrait session, regardless of how candid or posed, demands an investment in time, in energy and money in order to yield great results. And more often than not, cutting corners for personal or financial reasons will make the experience a complete waste of time or worse, sour you on the very reason why you hired a pro in the first place. So do yourself a favor. Don’t leave things to chance. Speak with your photographer at length about what you envision for the shoot. Share images of yourself that you love, of other people whose headshots you admire, and decide together what elements can be included or left out of the session. As with most endeavors, what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. For more information on prepping for a portrait shoot, I invite you to read the following blog entries or call 310.622.4580 to discuss your portrait needs. #Portraitphotography #Socialmediamarketing #CapturingBeautifulMoments #PhotoshootPrep #CorporateHeadshots #studioversusonlocationshoots

This was my second year volunteering for Beauty Day at the LGBT Youth Center in Los Angeles. It is a celebration created to help make these young adults, many of whom are homeless and living temporarily at the center, feel fabulous, loved-on and seen. The day was packed with the excitement of glamorous self-expression. They got to dress-up in donated fashion pieces, and receive full blown makeovers by incredibly talented teams of volunteer makeup artists and hair stylists, followed by high key photos sessions with me. I love shooting with these young adults. Their enthusiasm and energy are kinetic. They model, they perform and above all, they get to showoff their personalities with playful charm. For many it is their first time being professionally photographed and the reaction to their images is everything. But this day is also a sharp reminder that there are nearly 3,500 youth struggling with homelessness in Los Angeles. The kids I have had the honor of photographing deserve nothing less than loving care. As a society, we must do more to prevent their lives from reaching this point and to safeguard them when they do. For information on how you can be a part of Beauty Day and volunteer or donate to the LA Gay Center's Youth Services program visit https://lalgbtcenter.org/ #Portraitphotography #Magazinestyleheadshots #CelebrateYourSelf #Empowerment

A client said to me once about his match.com profile, “Since one photo is worth a thousand words, imagine what 10 great shots of me can say?!" He was right, of course. Though I haven’t used online dating platforms in years, I have friends and family who partake enough for me to know what an abysmal, under-valued self-branding podium it is. I have sat with them as they swipe away and I find myself amused and slightly appalled at the dire condition of the profile photos I see float across their hand held screens. The image-based world of online dating is vast and confounding. We spend all this time, energy and money readying ourselves for love yet, the first impression we get to make on someone online is wholly dependent on the quality (or huge lack thereof) of the photos we post of ourselves. If we are going to go through the trouble of getting into in all this, then why are we not putting our absolute best “images” forward? Do we believe it’s just a numbers game? Swipe enough and hopefully grab the attention of someone who’ll take a chance on the pouty-looking half-lit selfie meant to reveal in a thousand words what a fun-loving, intelligent, down-to-earth, self-respecting soul you are? Better to have only one lovely shot that says more about you then a half a dozen crappy ones that only show how little you value yourself or the effort you're putting into it. People complain “there’s nothing for me out there,” or they'll moan about how they aren’t getting enough quality dates even though they’ve been at it for months. Well, come on! There’s no point in doing any of it just to fall flat on your ass at the starting gate. You want quality “leads” you better show a quality product. Don’t want your inner book to be judged by your outer cover? Unfortunately that's not how it works. So you might as well make an effort to show at least one great, selling portrait that gets prospective connections to take a second look, maybe want to read your bio and then get to know your deeper self. And you don't need to make a huge deal of it. A few professionally snapped lifestyle images of you at the beach, walking downtown, or sitting at a cafe, can do wonders to show off some of what you've got without looking like you're trying too hard. Then again, what's trying too hard when most people seem to be scraping the bottom of their personal photo barrel. It's called making a investment in your personal brand. So stand out from the competition and show them what you’re worth. One beautiful, thousand-word-image at a time. For more information on how I can help boost your online dating success email me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #Portraitphotography #Socialmediamarketing #Sellingyourbrand #Howtomarketyourimage #Crappyselfies #CandidPortraits #PersonalBrand

Once the foray of corporate executives and CEOs, personal branding is now a de facto requirement for anyone seeking to establish themselves and their careers. It is as valid for me, a photographer competing with every other image creator in Los Angeles, as it is for you, whether you’re in the arts, business or technology. At its foundation, your personal brand represents what you bring to the social table. Not only your qualifications but how you present yourself (authentically) to the rest of the world. Your value system, your tastes, what you do outside of the office, what you do for leisure, how you interact with others and what you are specifically good at, everything you convey speaks about personal brand. As an entrepreneur, Richard Branson comes to mind as the epitome of successful personal branding. His way of being in the world, how he presents himself, what he stands for and believes in, all reflect the core philosophy of the Virgin brand in its many iterations. When you think of Branson, you get a feeling of youthful adventurism, calculated but innovative risk taking, a certain down-to-earth glamour and a tenacious yet joyful worth ethic. He is the Virgin brand, and everything he does on a personal (yet highly public) level mirrors that ethos. We like Virgin because we really like the devil-may-care man behind Virgin, and wish to be part of his of cool trendsetter tribe. It is because we emotionally embrace his particular leadership qualities and style that we embrace and trust his brand. The career and employment marketplace has changed. Not only are we socially visible to potential employers, we are media visible, which means that your online behavior and presentation are part of what make you desirable. You must be aware of how you present yourself. From your resume, to your blog, to your Instagram posts to your LinkedIn profile photo, everything speaks about your attributes or lack thereof. So taking control of your “image” means you are willing to cultivate your reputation and create a statement about who you are. Are you someone people would want to do business with or work with? This is especially valid for us solo-entrepreneurs and freelancers. We must showcase ourselves as positive experts in our field, and to clearly express the value of what we offer to our contacts by maintaining a solid brand that is transmutable across industries. As such, content marketing in the form of choice imagery, blogging, reposts, tweets, speeches and resumes, all lead potential employers and clients to build a relationship with you. Content is the foundation of personal branding, and imagery of one's self is an important aspect of that content. Whether you’re a Richard Branson in the making, or an entry-level candidate, having a strong personal brand will likely be a key differentiator in your professional success. For more information on how I can help you create a portfolio of images for your personal branding content needs, please contact me at nicolette@NJPphotography.com Image curtesy of https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbranson/ #PersonalBrand #PersonalBranding #Contentmarketing #Socialmediamarketing #LinkedInprofile #LinkedInheadshot

I’ve been torn as a photographer between wanting to capture beautiful moments of subjects caught in the midst of candid and authentic expressions, and the desire to create a different kind of portrait, one that is defined by a more editorial-like approach to revealing my subject's beauty, strength and character. I’ve often thought these two methods of portrait taking were at odds with one another. That the artist in me who admires the stylized work of Herb Ritts, Annie Liebovitz, Mark Seliger and Yousuf Karsh could not find unity with the part who loves more spontaneous and natural recordings. But of course portraiture, in all its forms is always a reflection of how the photographer sees her subject. In my glamour work, I choose to reveal something unique about my clients, something deeply honest yet transformative. Whether I do so through a guided pose surrounded by an environment we've created, or whether it comes out in a captured in-between moment, when preparation meets unfiltered expression, my subject is able to experience herself in a way that is open and real. I provide a safe, nurturing space where she can show me her light: a singular beauty defined by her style and personality. No longer are celebrities the sole beneficiaries of beautiful, magazine style photography. This type of portraiture is gaining momentum as a popular genre. It is fashion forward. It is conceptual. It is creative yet true to the person being photographed. It is empowering and moving; a celebratory gift to oneself and to our loved ones. I suggest this experience to everyone. It will change the way you see yourself. For more more information on booking a shoot with me, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580 #Magazinestyleportraits #CapturingBeautifulMoments #Professionalphotographer #Portraitphotographer #Portraitphotography #Glamourshoot #Glamour #Privateeditorialshoot #CelebrateYourLife

If you wonder why a person would book herself a modern glamour shoot in this era of selfie-sticks and filtered iphoneography here's a list of just some of the reasons we create magazine-worthy portraits for our incredible clients: 1. To remind her that beneath the responsible grind of her daily life, beats the heart of truly exquisite woman who with a bit of spit and polish can sparkle like a conflict free diamond. 2. To validate that no matter what society shoves into her face, she rocks her personal style and brand of beauty with all the fierceness of a modern day Madonna. 3. To pay hommage to the selfless Queen she is for tirelessly serving the needs of others. 4. To celebrate one of those life changing Yay Me!! moments. like getting the last kid off to college, or switching careers at 40, or hitting her weight loss goals or surviving breast cancer, or realizing she's made it thru their first 25 years of marriage. 5. To prove to her camera shy introverted self, she is in fact photogenic, and the problem all along was the result of less than stellar photography. 6. To honor her fashionista side whose special gown or designer piece has been kept tucked away for years. Never having had the right reason to wear it, or enough courage to strut it, until now. 7. To create heirloom works of art she can pass on to her children's children who will know something of her beyond all those crappy selfies and blurry screen shots. 8. To show off that she's still got that sexy, purring thing going on. 9. To realize no matter how many times she feels down about her herself, she is actually a rather glorious and captivating woman. 10. To allow her to feel good about who she is, now and forever. Because she's worth it. I create portraits of everyday women that honor who they are and reveal their personalities in beautiful and captivating ways.. Until December 24th, I'm running a two-for-one promotion. So gift a shoot to yourself and then gift one to someone you love. You know you deserve it. Contact me to learn more #Magazinestyleportraits #CapturingBeautifulMoments #Crappyselfies #Privateeditorialshoot #GiftaPhotoshoot #CelebrateYourSelf #Glamourshoot #Heirloompieces

Nicolas is from Montreal, Canada. In planning a business trip to Los Angeles, he wished to incorporate an editorial and boudoir shoot into his busy schedule to create images for personal and professional use. As one of a handful of glamour photographers in town, he quickly found me online and we decided to schedule an afternoon session at his hotel in downtown. When we met, the first thing that spoke to me was his calm and present energy. Two qualities that showed up consistently over the course of the three and a half hours we spent together. With relatively discreet lighting equipment and taking advantage of a nearly empty hotel on a Friday afternoon, we made use of his room, the lobby, the rooftop terrace and bar, to create magazine style portraits that reflect both his virility and gentleness. What came of our session are images that reveal a beautiful man who is equality at ease with himself when dressed for success and in moments of denuded sensuality. Sexiness is a state of mind and Nicolas certainly brought his own brand of sexy with quiet self-assurance. To book a photoshoot for yourself or a loved one, contact Nicolette at nicolette@NJPphotography.com #Magazinestyleportraits #Magazinestyleheadshots #Privateeditorialshoot #CelebrateYourSelf #Glamourshoot #sexyforties #PersonalBrand #Boudoir

This past summer I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing Brandon McMillan, showrunner and host of CBS’ Emmy winning, Lucky Dog. The show follows Brandon's mission of transforming rescue dogs with behavioral issues into model pets. I shot Brandon for the November cover issue of Pet Product News magazine. The article, expertly written by LaRue Palmer, speaks of Brandon’s unique and some might say, DNA-encoded approach to animal training. It touches on the birth of his show and what drives his single minded dedication to help these dogs get a second chance at a life of service and companionship within the folds of their new adoptive families. Photographing Brandon was fun and easy. The guy is the genuine article. I invite you to read the full article here. You can follow Brandon on Instagram and Facebook. #CapturingBeautifulMoments #CandidPortraits #PersonalBrand

In my mid-twenties I remember walking between meetings at a trade show when a total stranger said to me as we crossed paths, "Hey girly! Lighten up!" I guess this man felt it was his duty and prerogative to relieve me of my seriousness of concentration for a more joyful expression. Perhaps he felt I should be smiling beatifically out of sheer gratitude at being a young woman, let alone one who was striding confidently through a male dominated place of business. Though not delivered unkindly, his wholly self-involved, chauvinistic reaction is not an anomaly in today's male/female interactions and the memory of it still makes my blood boil. At the time not knowing how to react, I just smiled. Of course I wish I hadn’t. I wish I had told this guy off. But as women we hopefully live and eventually learn to grow out of curtsying to debasing attitudes. Especially ones we all know would never take place between two grown men. Which brings me to the defense of my female clients. Far too many of whom have referred to their “resting bitch face” as an actual thing they want to make sure we don’t capture during their shoot. I'll tell you right now, I despise the use of these words strung together. As an aside, I also hate the word bitch in any of its current usages. Where did this self-deprecating sentence come from? Did it crawl off the putrid tongue of some insecure, flaccid misogynist? Or stem from a woman so intimidated by self-assertion in others she could only denigrate it in herself? Do men ever coin themselves as having resting dumbass face? There is serious negative gender-branding going on here. And it also includes words like nasty and mean. Unfortunately over the last few years, the term has spread like wildfire among the young and older set alike. I for one won’t have it uttered in my sessions. Smiles, laughter and joy are certainly beautiful expressions but they are not the only beauty there is to capture in a woman. There is great beauty in sadness and in anger. There is deep sensuality in showing poise. A woman's grace and gentleness do not depend on the upward curve of her lips. Women are beautiful in a myriad of facial and emotional expressions. So no, we don't capture resting bitch face because there is no such thing. There is the look of empowerment. The look of wizened intelligence. The don’t fuck with me look. The I’m captain of my own ship look. The I don't need anyone to validate me look. And all the looks in between that reveal a soul strengthened by every day battles, fears, pain, compromise, disappointments and trials at being human while striving to move through life boldly. I want my clients to appreciate every aspect of their inner and outer Beauty. I want them to see and honor its complexity and duality. As women we have so much more to offer than a warm, personable smile. Even if these expressions might ruffle the patronizing feathers of a few archaic dipshits. #Empowerment #WomenPortraits #women