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THE STYLE GUIDE

Outfit inspo, location ideas and tips for planning an amazing session!

WHEN TO SCHEDULE

for engagement portraits

Anywhere from ​4-6 months before your wedding is ideal. Your e-sesh allows you to be more creative with the season, style and location. 

For Family Portraits

Reach out to me 1-3 months before your desired date to lock it in and ensure availability.

time of day

I photograph portrait sessions on Sundays only within a couple hours of sunrise or sunset. Below are some good times on sunny days. Indoor sessions are perfect mid-day to get all that glorious afternoon sunlight coming in!​

WHAT TO WEAR

 

Be you

Accessorize with statement pieces and don't be afraid to be bold. You can stay within your personal style but elevate the look

comfort meets style

Personally, I go all out when dressing my family for portraits. I have photographed everything from a couple in a velvet blazer + backless gown to a couple with ripped jeans and a leather jacket with sunglasses. Be stylish but comfortable so you are not constantly self aware that something has to keep being adjusted :)

hair and makeup

I always encourage makeup and a hairstyle that matches your outfit. Makeup setting spray (especially on warmer days) and hairspray (especially on windy days) is a YES!

colors

I get asked this a lot and honestly, there is no wrong color. Wear what makes you happy.

patterns

Mixing patterns/prints is fun and you can coordinate them other with solids or textures

weather

It's important to take​ weather into consideration. Spring and Fall are ideal for outdoors sessions so you aren't sweating your booty off or freezing your booty off. In cases of rain, snow or strong winds we will reschedule. Most of the images you see on this site are sunny evening golden hour times and each session will vary depending on the time of day, weather and overcast that day.

Spring

7AM or 7PM

Fall

7AM or 5PM

Summer

6AM or 8PM

Winter

8AM or 3PM

some favorite colors to wear
Alicia Wiley Photography

LOCATION IDEAS

sherwood gardens

variety of flowers and plants, gardens are very colorful in the Spring + Fall

cylburn arboretum

gardens, mansion, woods, open fields, really cool trees, variety of colorful flowers

 

Baltimore Murals

Baltimore has so many beautiful murals + painted buildings around the city that would be the perfect background for any session

choose your own

Choose a setting that you love, you want to feel in your element.

 

 

Some cool ideas:

your home, your backyard, library, museum, city streets, waterfront, woods, beach, bar, brewery, boat, studio space, art gallery, greenhouse, coffee shop, bookstore, vintage shop, restaurant, rooftop, empty tennis court, empty basketball court, monochromatic studio set

 

info + Travel

You are required to get permission/permit/pay fees for any location that requires it. Please reach out to the location prior to selecting it. Keep in mind it needs to be within 20 miles of Baltimore, Maryland 21234 or a travel fee will apply.

loch raven reservoir

water, tall trees, woodsy, beachy area

liriodendron Mansion

mansion, gardens, vine covered porch, woods, elegant

north point state park

beach, sandy trails, woods with tall trees, tall grasses

hampton mansion

historical mansion, tall trees, pretty garden area

Oregon ridge Park

we got married here! woodsy, trails, tall grasses, all of the trees

Historic ellicott city

historic small town vibe, tree lined trail

Cromwell Valley Park

rustic white buildings, woody trails

jerusalem mill

rustic vibe, stream, open field, lots of trees

Tide Point

waterfront, cityscape, industrial

fells point

city, cobblestone streets, waterfront, pier, colorful buildings, ivy wall, pretty doors

rawlings conservatory

greenhouse, cactus room, palm room, rain forest room

clipper mill

industrial, edgy, brick buildings, parking garage, old glass windows

federal hill

city, view of Baltimore Harbor, park with trees

AVAM

Outside of American Visionary Art Museum

Patterson Park

the pagoda, butterfly garden, woodsy pond

Mt Vernon Place

historic Baltimore vibes, monument, fountain, park, garden

Bromo selzter arts tower

giant clock tower, industrial

Baltimore museum of art

sculpture garden, museum steps

Locations

THINGS TO KNOW

What should I do with my hands?

I suggest putting your hands in pockets, holding hands, linking arms, placing on your partners chest or lower back, resting your hand on someones shoulder, holding onto your jacket, holding a dress to the side, brushing your hair away, adjusting your glasses, under you chin, holding your partners face.

 

posing tips

The goal is to feel flexible for more photos options. so don't wear anything that is too tight, needs constant adjustments or is not comfortable to move or walk around in. Always slightly lean your head + neck forward towards the camera when facing it from the front or side. Don't scrunch back when you smile or to make your face or body closer to someone else.

How to look and feel your best

It's all about your mindset and knowing your personal preferences, but also please know that I got you and often shoot a wide variety so you have options for favorites. We are human and it's normal + natural to not love every single photo because nobody is used to seeing every angle of their face/body. Practicing in a mirror is helpful and taking a full circle video of yourself in your outfit is helpful. Communicating with me is also helpful because being overly critical and hyper-focusing on insecurities can be eased with an open line of communication. We all love flattering photos where we think “dang I look good” and my goal is to give you that.

how to make it A GOOD EXPERIENCE

An open line of communication. I do everything in my power to create amazing portraits. You are hiring me for a reason and I want you to have the best experience! If there is something that you are concerned about before or during the session please just open up and tell me in the mini questionnaire I send you so I can make notes and be mindful during our time together.

empty your pockets

The goal is to be hands free without anything noticeable in your pockets or having to always set a bag down. Leave bags in the car. You can throw your keys and phone into my camera bag or I can carry them in my pockets. Minimalism is best.

set your tone

You can set the tone by being relaxed, allowing enough time to get ready and be prepared as you possibly can be. Make your session the highlight of your day. Don't run a bunch of errands and pack your schedule full preparing outfits or appointments on the day of. Pad your timeline for hair/makeup/nails/barber. For families, consider nap times and meal times for your littles when scheduling.

how many images?

This is dependent on each session as no two sessions are alike. I provide an estimate of the minimum number of images you will receive and galleries range from 15-100 images. I deliver digital files so you can print on your own.

50% candid + 50% prompts = 100% chill experience 

Typically the photos I take are half prompts and half candid. I will direct you but I also keep clicking to capture your ongoing movements and interactions. 

work mode

When I am photographing sessions or events I go into work mode. My eyes are scanning the area and I am forever searching for the best light. Sometimes I stop mid-sentence to take a photo and that's because I am in the zone. I will dive into giving you directions and prompts but feel free to stop me at any time to offer suggestions, adjust or throw out some ideas too.

after your session

Portrait and Engagement galleries are ready within 6 weeks. I send a link to your online gallery via email and you are able to download the images and print on your own, there is also an option to print directly through the online gallery at the professional lab. Pro tip: print your photos first and/or select your favorites for an album. Jumping straight to sharing them on social media often delays printing them out.

  • sunglasses

  • hats & caps

  • leather jacket

  • jean jacket

  • earrings

  • necklaces

  • bracelets

  • hair clips

  • belts

  • pins

  • chairs

  • plants

Alicia Wiley Photography
Alicia Wiley Photography_0024.jpg
vibrant, fun & bold portrait photography

ACCESSORIES, PROPS & OTHER FUN ITEMS

  • ​fringe

  • neon

  • balloons

  • blankets

  • signs 

  • rugs

  • umbrellas

  • mugs

  • toys

  • books

  • records

  • pillows

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