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Perhaps it is because I am on the cusp of the big 4.0 myself, I find photographing women (and men) who have entered this decade of their lives, to be an invigorating breath of creative air. There is an understated assertiveness, a generosity of spirit and ownership of self that is uniquely beautiful and sexy at this age. This is a time to celebrate and honor how far we've come, and who we've become. We've gotten through the chaotic, righteousness of our twenties, slaved over career choices and toddler parenting, hopefully garnered some sense of purpose, and can now enjoy the budding fruits of our personal and professional labor. This decade is a celebration of how hard we've worked to create the family, the career, the life we aspired to. We may no longer have the stamina to dance into the wee morning hours but oh, do we look good at those charity fundraisers and office parties! We are cooler under pressure. We are more at peace with ourselves and the world. We know the sun will continue to rise no matter who is running the company, the country or the latte machine. To me the forties are like a Bossa Nova. A dynamic combination of improve jazz and old world acoustic melodies that caress the soul with sensuous confidence. We've gotten to know ourselves well enough to no longer care so much about who thinks what of us. We are comfortable in our own skin. We rarely regret being 25. We are finally W.O.M.A.N, and we are ready to roar. So embrace your forties and celebrate who you are in this moment. It is so well deserved. For more information about booking a shoot with me, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310-622-4580 #sexyforties #CelebrateYourSelf #WomenPortraits #Glamourshoot

I am a photographer without a fixed studio. It gives me the flexibility to photograph my clients in a variety of locales and professional spaces for a plethora of choices in terms of lighting, environment and moods. From beach scenery to rooftop city views and white walled studios flooded in natural light to desert hotel rooms decorated circa 1944, there is place for every type of photoshoot imaginable. So as a private portrait client, how do you decide what is best for you? You need to consider the kind of portraiture you want and the story about you that it serves. For example, personal branding headshots set the tone for who you are and what you stand for. The environment can play a big part in establishing the look you're going after. A dark moody portrait taken downtown at night might pair well with a crime novelist. Whereas a hip Silicon Beach techie could be photographed in a bright, colorful office space or against a clean, white background. If you are a Chef, being in a professional kitchen or interacting at the farmer's market, would reinforce your personal brand image. And if you're an artist, you could be photographed hard at work painting or sculpting in your studio. If you are seeking glamour or editorial type portraits, you'd be amazed at how much beauty and fantasy can be found in the nooks and crannies of our city. But if you are more at ease in an intimate setting, then a professional photo studio complete with props, backdrops, makeup station, fitting area and so on, will do best. For those who envision wearing a long red gown in a Louis XVI damask chair surrounded by richly embroidered curtains and velvet wallpaper, there are many incredible hotel rooms and theater spaces that can act as your very own closed set. Parents, great photos can be taken of your kids playing in the sand or kicking a soccer ball down the field. But you might consider more "posed" sessions, that strike a balance between togetherness and playfulness without coming off as cheesy. As much as the trend leans toward in the moment shots, choosing the right environment for your session will depend how you see yourselves as a family. Are you outdoorsy? More urban and stylized? Are you theme park goers who like to ham it up and want someone to follow you around Disney World snapping happy memories? From simple backgrounds and lighting set ups to elaborate scenes and clothing choices, together we will conceptualize a photoshoot that tells the story of you through images that reflect your best self. #studioversusonlocationshoots #PersonalBranding #Headshots #FamilyPortraits #Outdoors

It took courage for you to reach out to the photographer of your choice. You did your research and finally found the one you hope will work with you the best. But it's your first time being photographed professionally, or maybe it has been awhile, and you're worried you'll look stupid; that no matter how good the photographer is or how well she lights you, you'll end up looking goofy, old or worse, fat, and it will all have been a waste of time and money. This is not just a woman worry, this is an every person worry. Unless you're under the age of 16, or model professionally, you'll be dealing with "stage nerves." It's natural and a part of every photoshoot I've ever done. But there are ways to make things easier on yourself and turn what could be a flustered, deer in the headlights experience into something you'll remember with joy and newfound confidence. First, you've got to establish even a passing rapport with your photographer. Don't go about everything via email and omit taking a few minutes of his time to actually speak with him on the phone, by Skype or better yet, over a quick coffee. It is so much easier to establish a more relaxed, trusting relationship with your photographer if you get to look into each other's eyes, assess his vibe and make sure you are on the same page about what you want from your shoot. You may not know this person yet but the pre-session consult should get you excited enough to move forward with the booking. Second, wear clothes that make you feel good. Don't settle for the "I guess this looks fine" or the "I don't know, I'll just wear what is comfortable" attitude about what you bring to the shoot. Be self-loving and a little daring, and focus on items that showcase your assets. That dress might feel tight after a four hour date but for a few minutes of shoot time, it will do wonders for your confidence. Maybe choose one item you adore and speak with your photographer about how you want to incorporate that into the session. It could be a hat, or a string of pearls, or a pair of skinny jeans that make you feel like Shania Twain belting out, "I feel like WOMAN!". And if you aren't sure what you should be wearing and need a little help, consider using the services of a fashion stylist. Some photographers like I do, have one on staff or they can recommend someone. Third, allow yourself to engage in conversation during the shoot. A seasoned photographer will always be ready to loosen up the atmosphere with some easy banter. Within a few minutes, you'll soon be relaxed enough to simply be present and not focus on the act of being photographed. The flip side of course is knowing when to be quiet and to listen to her direction. Let her guide you through the process or posing but never hesitate to ask for clarification if you aren't sure what she's requesting of you. Finally, portrait photography is an act of communication not a performance. You aren't there to impersonate Cindy Crawford. You're there to be yourself and allow a professional - whose job it is to draw out and capture what is unique and beautiful about you, to hand hold you from start till finish while making you look good. As much as you can, try to enjoy the attention and the well-deserved opportunity to have the world revolve around you for a couple of hours. And if all else fails, well, usually a sip or two of alcohol will usually do the trick. For more information about booking a shoot with me, email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310-622-4580

I have three family photos displayed in my home. They are print outs that I've scanned from photographs my parents have managed to keep safe. One is a portrait of my mother's mother, with whom I grew up, and the other - shown here, is a composite of two images of my great-grandmothers, one from each side. Their portraits are daily reminders of a lineage that shows itself in and through me. At a glance I know where I come from, the stuff I am made of. These portraits tie me to them in a uniquely impactful way, as much so as any of the stories, diaries or artworks they have left behind. I feel intimately connected as if by seeing their faces, looking into their gaze, I have come to know them and myself better. 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 often 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. How many of us take the time to cull through hundreds, sometimes thousands of bytes of information to source and print only the most beautiful, meaningful moments that amount to a life well lived? I'm returning to a place where less is more. I believe that in order to create something of value, of substance, we should seek quality over quantity, thereby releasing the stranglehold of mass image production and quit the hubris of digital hoarding. We all know that files get erased, the cloud could shut down, hard drives fry, thumb drives are lost, computers get replaced, software changes...all the while we keep snapping and never look back. We have become a society of banal iphonegraphers instead of keepsake makers. I want my images to stand out and stand the test of time. My clients seek heirloom pieces they can frame, hang on their walls and cherish for years to come. These portraits are meant to outlive them so that one day their children's children will be able to hold and touch them and recognize themselves reflected in their eyes. Read what Google has to say about the longevity of digital photos: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11410506/Print-out-digital-photos-or-risk-losing-them-Google-boss-warns.html #Printedportraits #Familyphotos #Heirloompieces

There are clients to whom "guided posing" is a joke. These clients are spontaneous, dynamic, highly expressive and volatile in their moment by moment emotions. They have the attention span of a hummingbird. Engaging with them while wearing an "I'm a serious photographer so let's get down to business" face is merely an act of desperation that leads nowhere. Forty five seconds into what appears to be a cooperative session, they will glance into the lens of one's camera and suddenly take off laughing, at high speed toward some tiny object that has caught their attention - a dust bunny for example, which they will peer at and examine with all the scrutiny of a molecular scientist. You'll walk up to them slowly, quietly; hoping to capture that intense, meaningful gaze with all the discretion of a floating pink elephant but in the six seconds it takes you to adjust your camera settings, the child has already crawled, with all the panache of a Navy Seal, under the coffee table at the far side of the room. Your shock does elicit an apologetic but but slightly amused smile from the mother-slash-assistant, after which ensues a few tense minutes of negotiation ending in a some form of food bribe. When he's finally out in the open, you'll attempt a handful of photo opps in between mouthfuls of cheerios. Once satiated, the child might allow you to coax him to sit still in a small chair for what amounts to 20 rapid fire images before he starts yelling boisterously - in a language only his mother partially understands - while stripping down to his diaper. Photographing toddlers is like photographing birds, you've got to catch them in mid-flight or while they're perching. It's truly a "capturing the moments" deal between photographer and subject. Toddlers don't make it easy but the experience can be really fun. Except the occasional actor, there is no other "client" with whom spontaneity of expression and action are the foundations of a shoot. Since I don't have to worry about makeup or posing, the session is creatively freeing in some respect. My job boils down to pertinent observation, tricks of encouragements and knowing when (and how to best) click that shutter. And since toddlers look crazy cute under most circumstances - poshly dressed, bare bellied with diapers, naked except for cowboy boots, squatting over a seashell, covered in mud, you name it - the wardrobe options are near limitless! So for parents who want to take better portraits of their one to four-year olds, make it easier on yourselves and hire a photographer. You could probably use a break from all that chasing around anyways. #CandidPortraits

When photographers differentiate their work between portraits and headshots, we are drawing attention to two distinct styles of capturing a person's likeness. Technically, headshots fall under the portrait category but these days most clients understand their main value is a means to a professional end. Great portraiture, on the other hand, is a subtle marriage between authenticity and artistic license that draws a reaction or emotion from the viewer. It has been said a portrait that answers all the questions is boring, whereas good portraits leave the viewer with more questions than answers. Indeed, no matter your profession, a great headshot can be a strong first impression that creates an instant connection with your viewer. This type of portraiture is used extensively both online and off. It is meant to showcase your personality, style and charisma in a way that should be direct and attractive. A great headshot sells you at your best while supporting your personal brand. Portraits whether in photos, paintings, drawings or sculptures are a direct reflection of how the artist sees, and therefor wishes to interpret her subject. From glamour to fine art, the photographer's decisions regarding location, lighting, posing, cropping, focus and a whole host of other creative choices before, during and after the shoot, are what define her creative style. But I would go so far as to say that a photographer's work is only ever as good as her ability to connect and establish trust with her subject. Only then can we create space for the alluring, fun or quirky moments to take place and reveal something that is uniquely captivating about the person in front of the lens. #Headshots #CreativePortraits #PersonalBrand #ExecutiveHeadshot

Glamour... It's that feeling you get when you watch Beyoncé strut her stuff on stage. It's the glow of fierce beauty that comes from her attitude about her body, her talent and her innate strength to claim ownership of all she has to offer the world. And in that moment the goddess in you resonates with the goddess in her because you recognize this power is also your own. Modern women often forget to acknowledge and honor that power. The one whose truest form stems from honest self-revelation. We stuff it beneath crammed work-life schedules that never seem balanced enough. We try to care for it with gym memberships, quick trips to the manicurist, the spa, weekend retreats and sprees at the mall. But few if any of these experiences can help you recapture, or for some reveal, the exquisite, glorious woman that exists within you. Too often she is silenced or worse, ignored, and the glimpses we get of her are sporadic, ephemeral moments that go unseen by most - even by oneself. A glamour photoshoot is an empowering experience because it draws forth the most engaging and sensuous aspects of your personality and packages them into stunning images that are a testament to what an incredible woman you are. It is a feeling you get to own not just for an afternoon, but for a lifetime. Our glamour portrait sessions are for women who dare to reveal themselves. It is for women who want to celebrate their existence and experience how incredible they are from the inside out. It is for women who dream of the full, pampered experience of a magazine-style photoshoot and want to spend an afternoon basking in the glow of their own fierce beauty. For more information on our glamour sessions, please email nicolette@NJPphotography.com or call 310.622.4580. #Glamour #BeautyShoot #WomenPortraits #women #Empowerment #BeforeAfterShots

When I was 27, my sister Pia - currently our in-house stylist extraordinaire - thought it would be fun and a boost to my self-esteem if we did a little photoshoot with me as the subject. I had studied film photography in college but was mostly self-taught when I purchased my first digital Canon camera. I had been using it on family and friends for months when she suggested I point the lens at myself. A talented and stylish woman, she took charge of my hair and makeup, and together we chose outfits we felt both reflected who I was and showed off a more exotic and feminine side. I’m in no way model-like, and will admit that having to release my inhibitions and channel some dormant form of vavoom-ness felt goofy and a little contrived. A feeling that has deepened my appreciation for what my subjects go through when they pose for me. We had no idea how the images were going to turn out but the experience in-of-itself was empowering and a lot of fun. This was over 10 years ago and till this day, I’m so happy we did that little shoot. I have never and might never again, have those kinds of images taken of me. It was a revelation to see myself in all the ways we had captured certain facets of my personality, and I was stunned by how beautiful the images were. How beautiful I thought I was. It was a modest shoot by two people with little experience but it ignited in me the passion for capturing a moment in time that honors who we are, how we are and perhaps helps redefine how we view and think of ourselves. I’ve since turned my hobby into a vocation driven by the belief that we all deserve to have great photographs of ourselves; Ones that reveal our unique brand of charisma and sex appeal. No matter how old we are, what we weigh, whether or not we are shy or comfortable in front of the camera, everyone has that wow! factor. Everyone. That’s what I offer my clients, the experience of being uniquely captivating in this moment and the expertise to bring out your authentic brand of va-voom.