How to Find the Perfect Intimate In-Home Couple Session Photographer in Southern CA
When looking for an intimate photographer there is so much to consider. You want to find someone you trusts to photograph you in your most vulnerable and intimate space. So here’s a little list of what to consider and where, I, Jennifer Lind Schutsky, stand on each section.
Part 1:
1. Rate the photographer’s Style & Aesthetic
Light & Airy vs. Dark & Moody – Different people prefer different styles based on mood and personality. I personally shoot for a more true to color style leaning more towards dark and moody, if I have to choose I will lean more to darker under exposed vs. over exposed and bright images, but honestly I’m looking for accurate and emotional vibes.
Candid vs. Posed – Many couples want natural, in-the-moment shots rather than stiff poses. I always do both! I love and lean towards candid, but I think it’s important as a paid photographer to pose and get more formal photos as well unless the couple asks for unposed and candid only, I will start with posed images and as we warm up and relax in each other’s company I will shift to more of an observed status and capture more candid images.
Editorial vs. Lifestyle – Some prefer a high-fashion, dramatic look, while others want casual, everyday moments. I lean more towards lifestyle, this is a more natural lived in experience, while editorial is posed assertive and well knowledged lighting - which I know and appreciate, just for me and my art I lean more towards capturing a moment in time for my couples, while I do love a good round of dress up and play, for the general photography experience I lean towards more natural experience, however when I have a couple or clients interested in making an art inspired and vision I will go all out into editorial mode.
2. Experience & Specialization
Wedding, engagement, anniversary, or just-for-fun shoots. Personally, I like a little bit of everything. The work that is mosts commonly booked with me by my clients is family or couple portraits usually in honor of a special occasion, engagement, newborn or holiday sessions. I also book just-for-fun boudoir photography monthly with the wild womxn collective. The truth of the matter is I just get so bored so easily I have to keep more variety in my life so I would never want to label myself as an engagement photographer or a wedding photographer. I pride myself on my versatility.
Experience working with different settings (indoor, outdoor, urban, nature, etc.). I have a variety of experience here as well, when I started I labeled myself as a natural light photographer because I loved outside photography and golden hour, but as I grew as an artist I really embraced the ability to control lighting and use flash, familiarize myself with flash off camera (strobe) and stable video flash (stays on) and placement and strength. Once again my strength lies within my variety. I’ve shot in all locations imaginable.
Comfort directing couples who may feel awkward in front of the camera.
3. Emotional Connection & Comfort
A photographer who makes them feel at ease and brings out their personalities. I like to joke and keep my clients laughing at me and my sarcasm. I make sure to hype my clients up because being confident and feeling beautiful comes through during our sessions. I also remind menstruating humans to book their session during ovulation phase whenever possible, because you’ll feel the most sexiest and attractive during this phase.
Someone who understands their love story and captures authentic emotions. One of the firsts things I ask clients when they inquire is to tell me about their love story and what they love about each other. I take special note on what their response is so I can capture that when I see it in real time on film and digital.
