12 Tips For The Ladies During Their Senior Portraits

Nervous? 

There's no reason to be anxious about having your photos taken. Yes, we realize that you want to get more likes on Instagram than Selena Gomez. I mean, who doesn't? (Unless you don't, and that's totally fine too.) If it's one thing I know, it's how one's portraits can change one's opinion of themselves. 

For many of you, this is the last formal photo you'll have before you'll have an engagement session or wedding photos on your wedding day. We want to make sure that your portraits show who you are, so relax. I'll bring music along; just tell me what you want to hear and I'll make a playlist. I find this helps the photo session flow. If you choose Frank Ocean, 6lack or Drake I might be busting out some sweet dance moves or even singing a little. (Apparently I can do both, so I'm told.)

Being different is what everyone wants, I'll try to ensure that your photos don't look your friends' photos; I realize how important this is. We love it when you pick your location. We will make anything and everything work. This will also ensure that your photos look different than your friends' photos. We don't put you in the same corner, next to the same wall or using the same backgrounds that have been used for the last decade. 

Arrival To Your Photo Session:

Ladies, arriving early or on time is of the utmost importance. Showing up late to your session simply means that you will have less time in front of the lens and lets face it. You don't want to be putting a duck face selfie you took on your iPhone in a bathroom mirror in your yearbook. I find that it takes about 10 minutes or so for your nerves to be calmed and then we can start capturing your true expressions. If you do happen to be running late, it'd be nice to shoot me a text to let me know. Trust me, I understand that you just don't wake up like this, it takes some work, work, work. 

Clothing: Please Read...because planning this will ensure you love your portraits.

We give you unlimited wardrobe changes, so bringing a lot of clothing options is key. One of the locations that we choose should have a changing area with a bathroom, great lighting and a mirror so you can do some touching up between outfit changes. Bring lots of clothing options we can mix and match, so we have more flexibility to choose the best outfit to play off the outdoor surroundings. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE iron anything that has excessive wrinkles. Try to the best of your ability to avoid stripes, plaids, graphics and shirts with words on them.  

Layering and using different textures adds depth and dimension. To create this, try blending these fabrics in your outfits: Tweed, cotton, cashmere, wool, embroidery, lace, ruffles — all are used to create different layers of clothing and accessories. These details, textures and added depth are especially important to black and white images. 

Be true to your style. Wearing clothes that you normally wear will ensure that you will like the finished portraits. Everyone likes buying new clothes, but wearing something new might not be the best idea for the day of your photo session.  

One last thought on clothing: If you're not comfortable in the clothing you choose, it will show. Make sure everything fits properly. Yes, this does mean that you might have to go into a fitting room at the clothing store. There's a reason fitting rooms exist, to make sure your clothes actually fit. There's a novel idea.

Bringing clothing that complements your eye color and skin tone is always the best way of planning out your outfits for your photo session. Dresses always flow and can be paired with a sweater, scarf or other accessory to make a completely different looking outfit, or even dress up a sundress. 

Remember that these photos are most likely going to be hanging in your house and your grandparents' house. So keep that in mind when picking your outfits for your senior portrait session. (Because you can go from zero to scandalous REAL quick.)

Hair:

Please don't make a drastic change to your hair right before your senior session. You might look back on them and go, "What was I thinking!?" Bring a brush and a mirror. Some extra bobby pins is never a bad idea, and keeps the hair out of your eyes.

Makeup:

You should do your makeup the way you usually do it on a daily basis. WARNING: Just because you watched a tutorial by some flawless guy on YouTube doesn't mean that you have the level of skill to pull this look together. If you really want professional makeup done, I will try my best to obtain a makeup artist to assist you, since I know many.

Nails:

Your nails should look presentable. You want to make sure if they're painted and that the polish isn't chipped. A fresh coat of nail polish will make a world of difference in your photo shoot. Pick a neutral color that won’t distract in your shoot or clash with your outfits. Bonus: You might be able to convince your parents that you need to get a manicure. Seriously, who doesn't like a day at the spa? 

Boots, Heels, Flats:

A variety of casual and dress shoes is ideal. Try and stay away from athletic shoes or flip flops. Sneakers or tennis shoes are not going to work to make you look your best. If you want to bust out a sweet pair of Converse, we can talk. The choices of shoes you bring can either make or break the overall look to your outfit. I suggest bringing boots, flats or heels. If you show up in Crocs, or if you attempt to pull off socks and sandals, I might run away screaming. I've decided the only time socks and sandals are approved is when you're leaving the sports field headed to change. Dark colored or funky colored socks, as opposed to white, will always look better. 

Jewelry: 

Simple and tasteful pieces that are elegant and timeless are always the safest bet. If jewelry is super shiny or too large, it will distract from the most important subject: You. If you have different jewelry for different outfits, it's always a good idea to keep it with the outfit you would like to wear it with.

Props Welcome: 

Props are a great way to show off who you are. Popular choices would be sports equipment, uniforms, musical instruments and/or pets.

Glasses:

Since I'm a proud owner of spectacles myself, I have a good tip for you. I would suggest asking your eye doctor if they happen to have a pair of similar glasses that you could borrow without the lenses in them so the glare isn't an issue.

Blemishes:

Please don't worry about blemishes; it happens. Don't stress. Stressing will only cause your skin to be more prone to breakouts. We can take care of any areas of concern in our editing process. 

Can I Bring Someone To My Photo Session: 

You're welcome to bring someone with you. I want you to love your senior portraits and we both know that your Mom's opinion matters. Fast forward ten years and you'll see that I was right. Bring your sister only if she will not infuriate you. A friend sometimes is the best option because they know how good your selfie game is, and sees your face probably more than the other two options. Bring the friend who can keep it real without hurting your feelings. 

Contact us today to book your senior portrait session: brian@bfarnumphotography.com or call (802) 770-0047.

B. Farnum Photography, offering Vermont Portrait Photography for Vermont weddings, high school seniors, families, couples and businesspeople.

Updated 1/7/19

Vermont Portrait Photographer

If you need portraits, Vermont has some of the most interesting natural backgrounds and scenery of any other state that I have visited.

Finding a way to help you fit everyone into the frame and make sure the kids are all looking in the same direction whilst smiling with their natural smiles is very important to me.

I have many nieces and nephews, so I know the world of children and how this can be chaotic and sometimes take longer than the parents might want it to. I’m very patient.

I’ve realized that sometimes that doing some goofy photos beforehand lightens the mood for everyone involved.

I’ve been working in education for a number of years too, so I know how to deal with angsty teens like the best of them. I, of course, was the coolest punk rock kid around, well at least in my own mind. Let’s not forget that we were all in their shoes before.

I certainly made my mark, and individual expression isn’t something that I would ever try to stifle. I also find that playing music during a photography session really helps relax people.

Photography is all about angles and capturing. If you happen to have a favorite spot where your family has made many memories, I would love to meet you there. I have portable lighting solutions so that you never have to worry about it being overcast or too sunny. I can balance the light so that it looks natural and flattering.

Dancing to "It's Alright" by Fracture

After a beautiful day of photographing Kristina Desjardins, she wanted to dance in the field after our session for her new head shots were finished. This is what unfolded before my eyes.

The Business Side of Photography

Many local photographers have been asking me to compile a blog series that not only teaches them how to acquire a better customer base, marketing ideas and more importantly the business side of photography.

As creatives for many of us, this aspect of our business can be daunting. I've asked my accountant and long time friend Randee Tuepker Lindholm, CPA to help me answer some of the various questions that I've been hearing.

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1. Do I need to register my photography business with the state for tax purposes? How and why should I do this?

Registering with the state: 

Depending on the filing status of your business (i.e. sole proprietor, LLC, corporation) filing with the state may or may not be necessary. You are required to file paperwork with the Secretary of State if you have a filing status other than a sole proprietorship. Sole proprietors may want to file DBA paperwork with the Secretary of State if the proprietor wants to use a business name other than their given name. 

State of Vermont: Businesses may also be required to register with the VT Department of Taxes and obtain a VT tax ID number. All entities need to register with the tax department but sole proprietors only need to register if they have employees or need to remit sales and use tax.

2. What’s the best business format for my photography business, DBA, Sole Proprietor, LLC or Inc. What’re the tax advantages to each of them. 

Business format:

The best format for a business depends on the taxpayer. Sole proprietor is the simplest format and many taxpayers are happy sticking with this. A sole proprietor puts all income and expenses on their personal return (no separate return is filed). The profits from the business are subject to both regular income tax and self-employment tax which is 15.3% of earnings. Regular income taxes depend upon the other income and expenses on your return.

LLCs are not a taxable entity. LLCs are legal entities and can be taxed however the taxpayer chooses. 

There are two types of corporations, C-Corporations and S-Corporations. C-Corporations are going by the wayside now due to double taxation so if you are considering becoming a C-Corporation make sure you do your research first and speak to a tax professional.

S-Corporations are extremely popular but the business income is very important here. Unlike sole proprietorships, owners of S-Corporations are expected to take a wage. This means your profits should support being able to take a wage and pay employment taxes! S-Corporations file a separate return to both the IRS and state but pay no tax at the entity level (there is a $250 tax to the state of VT each year though) Then net profits of the business are moved to the shareholder’s personal return and are subject to income tax only (no self-employment tax).

3. How do I figure out my rate and make sure I’m covered when it’s tax time?

Figuring out tax rates:

Figuring out your tax rate and whether you should pay in quarterly estimates to the government depends on both your income and your business format. We recommend getting a bookkeeping software QuickBooks is a very user friendly brand, to keep track of all your income and expenses. (Quickbooks can (a) provide a more in-depth look at the program and (b) give readers the ability to 'test drive' a "mock account." That allows individuals to view how the software looks and operates without signing up for a free trial. It's a no email required and no strings attached peek to determine if QB might be a good fit.)

As a sole proprietor, your profits are subject to 15.3% self-employment tax plus regular income tax. We recommend at a minimum sending in the 15.3% to the IRS on your profits. Depending on any other income on your return, you may need to send in additional money. Many people find that doing a mock tax return is helpful to see what their tax liability could be.

Owners of S-Corporations may also consider sending in estimated tax payments. Often times your wages are the only way money gets paid into the government during the year so depending on your profits, you may want to send in additional money.

To avoid underpayment penalties by both the IRS and Vermont, the best rule of thumb is to pay in 100% of the prior year’s tax, in the current year. For example: If total tax owed to the IRS in 2015, before calculating any withholding or estimates already paid on your behalf, was $5,000 then in 2016 you should make sure you have $5,000 paid in between withholding and estimates. 

4. How do I choose an accountant? Do they need to have experience with photography businesses?

Choosing an accountant:

Choosing an accountant is a completely personal decision, it must feel right! Generally, it’s not required that your tax preparer have intimate knowledge of your profession but asking them if they prepare returns for other photographers may be something you want to know. Again, it’s completely up to you.

5. Should I have separate business accountants? 

Separate bank accounts:

We always advocate the separation of personal and business accounts. It’s really the easiest way to make sure all your income and expenses are being tracked appropriately. However, it’s not required that you have a separate business account when you are a sole proprietor. If you are an LLC or corporation it is a requirement! Best practice is to keep it all separate.

6. Is it possible to setup a retirement savings account through your own business? What options are available?

Retirement savings accounts:

It is always possible to set up a retirement account through your business! SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, 401(K)s may all be possibilities. Also, individuals can contribute to traditional or Roth IRAs which would likely be outside of the business. Retirement account rules can be complex so ask a CPA before going forward with anything to make sure the account is appropriate for you.

7. What items are tax deductible for my photography business?

Items that are deductible:

Generally anything related to the business will be deductible. Examples include but are not limited to: equipment purchases, repairs to equipment, office supplies, meals with clients or prospective clients, office rent, telephone expense, website, mileage to clients or getting supplies. 

8. When hired by a company to take photos, what forms should you fill out if they pay you as a sub-contractor?

Subcontractors:

Generally, if a business wants to pay you as a subcontractor, they will ask you to fill out a W-9 indicating your business name and EIN number. At the end of the year they will likely send you a 1099-Misc which you would use in filing your tax return. The 1099-Misc is also sent to the IRS to avoid understatement of income.

9. Should a business owner still hang on to receipts for a certain number of years?

Keeping Receipts:

We advise people keep tax returns for 7 years. It’s best practice to keep everything related to the return (bank statements, canceled checks) for that amount of time.

If your in need of an accountant who understands the photography business or any other business for that matter, please contact: 

Randee Tuepker Lindholm, CPA

Sanborn-Tuepker Associates, PC

43 Crescent St

Rutland, VT 05701

802-775-1984

Please comment with other questions you might have about your photography business, so that I can help you. 

Thank You, 

~Brian 

B. Farnum Photography

Relay For Life Fundraiser: Digital Downloads

Relay For Life Fundraiser: Digital Downloads If one thing single thing can change your whole life forever. It would be these three words, You Have Cancer. So I have decided to support The American Cancer Society by having a Relay For Life Team. Rutland County Relay For Life is June 21st at The Vermont State Fair. If you would like to donate to my personal page here is the link B. Farnum Photography So getting donations isn't always the easiest task, so I have decided to package some of my photographs in selected galleries to give incentive to donate: (4) digital downloads for $5.00. So with every download package, $4.60 goes to Relay For Life!! For the galleries available for download, follow the link below. http://www.bfarnumphotography.com/blog/2014/3/relay-for-life-fundraiser-digital-downloads B. Farnum Photography

Baby Your A Firework!! 10 Things That Might Help You Photograph Fireworks!!

Firework Photography: B. Farnum Photography Prints For Sale

10 Things I have learned about taking photographs of fireworks:

1.  Tripod- You are going to need a tripod, hand holding is not an option.

2. (B) is for Bulb, I generally click the shutter release when I first hear the firework being shot off. Using the Bulb setting on your camera, you can play around with exposure times. .

3.  DO NOT.. keep your camera in Air Conditioning before taking it outdoors, especially when doing the 4th of July fireworks display..(Yes I did do this the second time I ever photographed fireworks, missed the entire fireworks display)

4. Scout out the location, before you set everything up. 

5. Compose the shot before, generally speaking, because fireworks do have a mind of their own sometimes. But you want to make sure that you can capture them fully and fill the frame the best you can. 

6. Bug Spray- because in Vermont, the mosquitoes are bloodthirsty.

7. Try and stay away from street lights or other forms of light that can through off your exposure. 

8. F-Stop I try to use the largest f-stop I can, I start with f/8 and increase from there, to increase the depth of field of the image. Because sometimes explosions happen in different places, having a larger depth of field helps ensure that more than one firework will be in focus. 

9. Cable release, because touching the shutter release will shake the camera even if it's on a tripod. It's really hard to use the timer on the camera, it can be done but too many variables are working against you to achieve the shots you are looking for. A cable release will prove to be a tool you will use all the time, buy one!

10. ISO- I try to use 100-200 ISO so I don't get fuzziness from the pixels. Because you want the edges the sharp. 

Fall Foliage Vermont

Vermont is full of beauty and breathtaking views and scenes, traveling down a dirt road to discover what it has to offer. Photos taken all over Vermont. B. Farnum Photography Prints Available For Sale

R.A.V.E Car Show

R.A.V.E. Car Show

photographs by: B. Farnum Photography

Wedding Photography Video Slideshows

B. Farnum Photography
Vermont Wedding Photographer
Wedding held at: Rutland Country Club, Rutland Vermont

Bride Yaddow Wedding: Rutland, Vermont

Reblog: from my website blog

Wedding Photography:  Rutland Country Club
http://www.bfarnumphotography.com/blog/2013/8/bride-yaddow-wedding

B. Farnum Photography

Restaurant Photography

Restaurant Photo Shoot we did for Sam's Steakhouse in Ludlow, Vermont

http://www.bfarnumphotography.com/blog/2013/9/sams-steakhouse

Autumn in Vermont: Photographs

http://www.bfarnumphotography.com/blog/2013/10/autumn-in-vermont

Class of 2014!!

Reasons You Should Use A Light Meter, Correct Exposure Everytime

Some great reasons to always use a light meter.

Switchback Ale

Switchback Beer, a photo by Brian Farnum on Flickr.

SwitchBack Ale

Vermont Mircobrew

Photo by: B. Farnum Photography

Crown Royal

Crown Royal, a photo by Brian Farnum on Flickr.

Making Whisky Look Good!

Photos to Oils

Photos To Oils: Brian Farnum
B. Farnum Photography


Software used: Topaz Adjust & Photoshop CS6


 Well as everyone can imagine the Winter's in Vermont, can suck the creativity out of you with the lack of an extensive color palette. I created these to provide a creative outlet for myself, because I was feeling like I need to express myself. When I make art for me, I always love the project that much more. All of the original photos were taken by me, Brian Farnum of B. Farnum Photography.

Enjoy!

Prints are available as well, Photos To Oils

Apples: Photo to Oil

 

Vermont Photographer

Brian Farnum

B. Farnum Photography

Sugar House: Photo to Oil

 

Vermont Photographer:

Brian Farnum

B. Farnum Photography

West Hill Road: Photo to Oil

From Headlines to Timelines

From Headlines to Timelines       

         30 years ago something became news when you woke up in the morning,  grabbed the paper from out front, sipping your coffee to read what happened in the world yesterday.  

   YESTERDAY!!

       Yesterday is no longer relevant in today's digital age. Artists or Photographers who make headlines today, might be lost in the shuffle of what is current or trending. Make it a daily effort to put your work out on a daily basis, you never know who will pick up on it in their Timeline! One post can change your life forever. Be diligent in your digital battle, if know one knows about you. How can they hire you?

Brian Farnum~ Vermont Wedding & Portrait Photographer
B. Farnum Photography

Vermont Brides