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Orange County Photographer | Highlighting Nellie Gail Horse Trails

Orange County Photographer

Best Location for a family session in Orange County- For rustic family portraits

After nearly 20 years of being a professional photographer in Orange County, I have discovered lots of amazing places to photograph families.  So many of my Orange County photography clients come back year after year.  Each time they return for a session, they want to make it unique.

If my clients are looking for something rustic, that has a great Fall feel to it, I always suggestion the Nellie Gail trails in Laguna Hills.  This location has a great old fence, meandering paths and lots of open shade.  One of my favorite spots on the trails is a grove of pepper trees.   These trees have red berries and fluffy red flowers that are the perfect accent to a Christmas outfits.

This location works with Fall colors, monochromatic type colors (such as grey and black) and with holiday colors.  Here is a beautiful family portrait session.  The old metal tunnel gives a great urban feel to this otherwise rustic backdrop.

Orange County Family photographed in the field surrounding Laguna Hills. This family when with a black and grey color scheme for their family photographs.

Husband and wife posing for their family photography session in Orange County Tween age girl photographed in Laguna Hills on the horse trails Tween girl photographed in Orange County with her family at a OC family portrait session. Casual family portraits on the horse trails in Orange county Youngest brother portraits at Nellie Gail trails in Orange County. Family portrait session in Orange County. Photograph of the youngest son in the family leaning on a fallen log. Teenage boy photographed on the horse trails in Orange County Family portrait session in Orange County. Urban inspired photoshoot in Orange County. Family photos with teenage kids in Orange County CA Orange County school age boy posing for professional pics. Teenage boy at a family photography session in Orange County Tween girl photographed in Orange County for a family portrait session. Three older siblings posing for a family portrait session in Orange County. Fall family portraits in Orange County on Nellie Gail Trails. Siblings leaning on a fence for family picture in Orange County OC family photographed on the horse trails in Nellie Gail.

If you are ready to document your family and experience a fun Fall family portrait session, you can get more information by clicking here.

Blue Sky’s Studio is a family, high School senior and branding photography studio that specializes in magazine quality photography in Orange County, California.  Kristin loves photographing Orange County families, high School seniors and Orange County businesses including corporate headshots.   To schedule a session with Blue Sky’s Studio, in Laguna Beach or other Orange County surrounding areas, you can send an email to Kristin@blueskysstudio.com.  We are now booking for the Fall Portrait session 2020.  We are taking special precautions because of Covid-19 to ensure that you are safe and healthy.

Blue Sky’s Studio specializes in photographing on location in the following areas, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Coto De Caza, Dana Point, The Ritz Carlton, The Montage Resort, the Surf and Sand resort and the Monarch Beach Resort.

Orange County Family Photography | What to wear to a Fall Photo Shoot

OC Family Photography | What to wear to your Fall family portrait session

For Orange County Families, planning the outfits each year for your portrait session can be stressful.  I know that lots of my Orange County families want each portrait session to look unique.  Of course, we do this by changing the location of their session each year.  But clothing also plays a roll in making each year’s session look different the last.

Does your mind go blank when you try to figure out what to wear to your family portrait session?  Have you already done white and denim and you are looking for something a little more stylized?  I love the idea of layering up clothing to give your session a Fall vibe.

Orange County family portraits in the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. These clients are dressed for Fall in layers and rustic colors.

While it doesn’t quite feel like sweater weather yet, sweaters make a perfect clothing selection for a family session.   When I think about outfitting an entire family, I always start with one or two base colors and then add another pop of color to give that finished look.  For example, white and navy with a pop of yellow, or navy and white with a little turquoise.  Mixing it up a little with clothing keeps your family session looking different from year to year.  Orange County Family of 5 at the Montage Beach in Laguna Beach for a family portrait session. The family selected all Fall colors for their sunset session and they look great.It is also important to take into account the background for your session.   For the beach, I love a cool, casual vibe, while the Mission is a perfect spot to dress up a little and show off your fancier clothing.  Fields and park backgrounds work great for layered sweater and boots style. 

Orange County Family photographed in the field surrounding Laguna Hills. This family when with a black and grey color scheme for their family photographs.
We love to help you put together a complete look for your session.  To book a session, click here.   

Or if you need the help of a stylist, you can visit the personal stylist we work with, Chantal’s website by clicking here! 

Blue Sky’s Studio is a family, high School senior and branding photography studio that specializes in magazine quality photography in Orange County, California.  Kristin loves photographing Orange County families, high School seniors and Orange County businesses including corporate headshots.   To schedule a session with Blue Sky’s Studio, in Laguna Beach or other Orange County surrounding areas, you can send an email to Kristin@blueskysstudio.com.  We are now booking for the Fall Portrait session 2020.  We are taking special precautions because of Covid-19 to ensure that you are safe and healthy.

Blue Sky’s Studio specializes in photographing on location in the following areas, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Coto De Caza, Dana Point, The Ritz Carlton, The Montage Resort, the Surf and Sand resort and the Monarch Beach Resort.

Orange County Family photography October special

Happy Fall,

This is my very favorite time of year.  Even though it is still really warm around here, the early morning air is crisp and cool and it makes me feel all warm and cozy.   And, the Autumn light is just amazing.

As our busy season gets underway I am excited to have an opportunity to document so many Orange County families at this unprecedented time.  Now, more than ever, all of us are getting the opportunity to spend more quality time with loved ones and hopefully that will include a photo session with me. :) 

For family portrait sessions, our most popular product is a beautifully designed custom album that tells the story of your family.  I am so blessed to get the opportunity to create these albums annually for so many families (including my own).  Now that my kids are in college I love paging through all of the albums we have created over the years.  I always try to include something that defines that time in their life into the session, like when my daughter Kasey was obsessed with a lion stuffed animal that she got for being a good citizen at school or when my son Cameron was into wearing hats all the time and we made sure to include them in the session.

Custom designed photography album of a family with 5 kids under 10 years old in Upper Newport Back Bay Page view of a custom designed photography album for an Orange County family portrait session Custom designed heirloom album of a family with 5 kids under 10 years old in Upper Newport Back Bay

We have just upgraded our entire album line and added a few new sizes that are absolutely gorgeous.  My favorite addition is the 11×14 album.  Each spread looks like a work of art.

For October, we are offering 50% off any companion album purchase (you order one full size album for yourself and get 50% off the smaller version of the same album for grandparents, or other family members).  

My holiday schedule is filling up.  I don’t want your family to miss out on the 2020 holiday season.  To book your session click on the link here:

Get More information about a session

Until I see you, I wish you a warm and cozy Fall season with lots of good quality family time.

Here’s more from the amazing McCready Family session:.  Enjoy

Orange County family photography shoot at the Upper back bay in Newport beach with Fall inspired outfits Family of 7 in Orange County doing a family portrait shoot in the Back Bay. Sisters photography session at Newport Back Bay in Orange County Brothers hugging during an Orange County Family photography session in the Back Bay Baby portraits in Orange Countys upper back bay. Five year old boy professional photo shoot in Orange Counties upper back bay Kids portrait session in Orange County at Upper Back Bay in Newport Beach Girl professional photoshoot in Newports upper back bay Close up of freckles on a little girls nose at a family photo shoot in upper back bay. Kids being silly at a photo shoot in Newport Beach. A Dad and all his sons posing for a family photo shoot in Newport Beach A Mom with her daughters at an Orange County Family photo shoot A mom giving her daughter a piggy back ride at a Newport Beach family photo shoot

Blue Sky’s Studio is a family, high School senior and branding photography studio that specializes in magazine quality photography in Orange County, California.  Kristin loves photographing Orange County families, high School seniors and Orange County businesses including corporate headshots.   To schedule a session with Blue Sky’s Studio, in Laguna Beach or other Orange County surrounding areas, you can send an email to Kristin@blueskysstudio.com.  We are now booking for the Fall Portrait session 2020.  We are taking special precautions because of Covid-19 to ensure that you are safe and healthy.

Blue Sky’s Studio specializes in photographing on location in the following areas, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Newport Coast, Newport Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Coto De Caza, Dana Point, The Ritz Carlton, The Montage Resort, the Surf and Sand resort and the Monarch Beach Resort.

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Blue Sky’s Product Review

Hi!  Please take a moment before you come in for your review session to watch this video that goes through all of the amazing products that we offer and that explains in detail how to create a collection (to get 20% off of our a la carte pricing).  If you have questions, you can e-mail us at brittany@blueskysstudio.com or kristin@blueskysstudio.com.  We can wait to see you.

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The Five best spots to photograph around Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach has the very best spots for unique family and senior photography.  Since I not only work in Laguna Beach, but also live in the downtown area, I am always keeping my eyes open for the most unique spots to photograph high school seniors and families.  Here are just a few of my favorite spots in the downtown area to get amazing, unique shots of your senior or family. And if you book and shoot before the end of September, you will receive 50% off of the session fee.

Heisler Park/ Picnic Beach Area

From beautiful vistas, to unique art pieces, to garden spots and yes even a sandy beach, if you are looking for a lot of variety in your portrait session, Heisler Park is my top choice. Check out a few of my favorite recent images shot in this location.

Downtown Laguna Beach

In just a three or four block area, there are so many great backdrop choices in downtown Laguna Beach. Some of my favorite spots include the red phone booth, the alley behind the Presbyterian Church, the area around the library, the flower stand on Forest Avenue and the rose garden on Forest.

Laguna Beach Neighborhoods

Around the Laguna Beach High School area is a perfect location to shoot a senior portrait session or even a family session. There are some really cool green areas, lots of trees, two small parks and lots of hardscaping with texture and character. Even more important to me and my clients, there is a lot of parking. Here are some of my favorite spots in the neighborhoods surrounding Laguna Beach High School.

Main Beach Laguna Beach

Try to avoid main beach on the weekends, but during the week, especially in the Fall, this is an amazing backdrop for a session. You have the iconic Lifeguard tower, the fun boardwalk, the rocks at the north end of the beach and the open sandy views of the south end of the beach.

Portrait by Brianna Caster and Co of my kids

Alta Laguna Beach and Laguna Canyon Areas

For a more organic background, Laguna Beach has Alta Laguna Park and the open canyon space. This year, with the super bloom, we have been so fortunate to not only get tall grass and open fields, but lots and lots of yellow flowers. Here are just a few examples of the variety of locations in the canyon and at Alta Laguna Park.

Now is the perfect time to book your session. We are office 50% off of the session fee in September as our early bird special. To book your session or to get more information, click here.