Hey hey it’s time for Class of 2020 and Jackie is here to usher in this amazing senior class!  

Happy August!  (still can’t believe we are midway through this month)  Most of you are back to school by now, so I hope you were able to soak up as much of summer as possible!  It’s always too short .. but if you made the most of it, that’s all that counts 😉  I’ve found that just like anything in life, you get what you put into it!

It was hotter than the seventh circle of hell on the day we shot these, so thankfully, Jackie opted for a Malibu photoshoot!  I will never ever complain about “having” to go to Malibu I promise.  It is definitely one of my most favorite places just in general, but also to shoot senior portraits.  When it’s well into the 100’s here in Santa Clarita, it’s always a nice break to head over where it’s about 15-20 degress cooler.  And the wardrobe Jackie picked out for her session was absolutely perfect for this background! 

We started at the little hiking trail I love near Pepperdine; but holy moly was it overgrown!  LOL, I’ve never seen it so “wild” … not sure why, but it made for an awesome backdrop – even though we had to battle LOTS of bugs (I’m still itching, y’all)

Jackie is a natural and I had already shot with her three times before this because she is part of my Elite Level Influencer Team, so we’d already shot the mini model session in March, the makeup party in May and the BFF beach day in June; and a few days after we shot this session, we did the Pool Party shoot.  When I get to shoot with girls more often, it not only makes me happy because I love getting to know them, but it also makes the shooting part so much easier ….. once we’ve shot together a couple of times, we’re like old friends 🙂

There are so many options for beaches in Malibu, but when we are shooting a longer session like this one, I always suggest going to a different type of spot first – then the beach.  An entire session at the beach is a LOT of the same …. and my goal is to get as much variety as possible with these shoots.  I want you to have a lot of options, which is why wardrobe changes are important as well.  This type of session is my three hour Experience session – so we have lots of time to breathe (and laugh) – we always have way too much fun on these shoots.  By the end, Jami and I are downright loopy and in need of Chipotle (thankfully Malibu has one) 🙂

I knew when I saw the color and flowy-ness of this wrap that it would be perfect for our last look on the beach.  I wasn’t wrong 😉 

This beach is always super fun to shoot at because we have the options of the rocks as well as a beautiful beach and it’s only a few miles down PCH from where we started.  The thing to remember for beach shoots if you are thinking of one for your senior session is that you’re going to need to change ON the sand most likely; I have a changing tent but I find that it’s way easier to just put up a sheet/blanket – it’ll draw far less attention and the tents like to fly away at a the beach lol!  

When you’re thinking of wardrobe for your beach shoot, think about what would look good against the color of the water and sky; lots of blues in Malibu.  The way that I shoot at the beach is a little different than some photographers; I am a big believer that if we are at the beach we should SEE the water .. meaning, I don’t want the water being blown out behind you and everything all “bright, white and airy” – that’s just not my style of shooting.  However, you know I’m going to get some yummy backlit shots too 🙂

A fun pair of sunglasses is always a good idea at a beach shoot (or any shoot really); I have a few I keep in my car as well so no worries if you forget yours!  I love this close up shot of Jackie in hers.

Jami did such an amazing job on her hair and makeup, as usual – it held up just perfectly even after a long shoot at the beach 😉  This is why we’ve been working together for so long – nine years now!  Not only is she the BEST makeup artist, she’s a blast to have around; all my clients end up falling in love with her.  Love me some Jami Cox!

And I LOVED shooting this session with you, Jackie … thank you so much for hanging with us and being up for anything!!!  We had so much fun with you and your Mom! 

Class of 2020, I just released dates for January – April of 2020, so those are now open for booking, as well as the handful of dates I have left for October and November of this year …. but those will go quickly now that school has started.  If you want to snag one, click HERE to see the dates I have open and you can reserve right from there, or fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch!

xo, Renee