Family Inspired ART
WELCOME! and thank you for choosing Del Mar Photographics
Glad you're here
This page has been built to provide you with everything you need to know about having a session Del Mar Photographics, a full overview of our process, how to prepare, what to wear, wall art ideas and pricing.
Have a scroll around and if should you have any questions or are finding it difficult to find some information please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give me a call, I'd love to chat.
Thank you for trusting me as your family photographer. It's a great honor and I'm looking forward to our session.
Cheers! Debora
Important Information
320 South Cedros Ave, Suite 350, Solana Beach, CA 92075
The studio entrance is behind the building (please park on Cedros).
Debora Cartwright
p: 858-461-9909
e: debora@delmarphotographics.com
If for any reason you need to reschedule please notify me as soon as possible.
Photography Sessions can be rescheduled one (1) time at no cost. Additional reschedules are charged at $100 per date change.
Rescheduling due to weather will not incur charges.
Next Steps
Check Your Emails
Between now and your session we will be sending you a few emails about preparing for your session, and an email reminder the day before your session.
Photo Session
Time to relax and enjoy your session…creating images that truly reflect you and your families personality..a fun and memorable experience.
Design & Ordering
Ordering appointment is scheduled, this is where we carefully guide you through the process of selecting your favorites. All decision makers will need to present.
Delivery
The best part…Enjoy your portraits every day.
Family
Keep it simple - session prep
What to Bring
Better-bring-it-just-to-be-safe...
- Hairbrush
- Iron/Press Clothing or be aware of how the clothing hangs and will photograph (wrinkles will not Photoshop out with any success)
- Makeup If you choose to do your own, here are a few tips..bring your makeup bag for touch-ups (my suggestion for Makeup & Hair is to wear what or how you would for going out on a Saturday night…this could be as little as lip balm and a ponytail to full hair & makeup artistry)..be you!
- Beach towels (beach sessions)
- Change of clothes (you may get wet 😉
Prepping your kids
There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures!
Rested & Fed: there are very few tricks that I can do to help a tired or hungry kid (though I do keep plenty of lollipops on hand 😉
Communicate & explain: Talk to your kids about the photoshoot, explaining what it involves and why it’s happening, and how happy you are going to be seeing their precious personalities on your walls...answer their questions and generate excitement!!
Choose outfits together: Involve your kids in selecting their outfits, keeping comfort and style in mind. Let them express their preferences while considering the overall theme and end result.
Practice posing and expressions: Make it fun and playful…spend time practicing different poses and expressions with your kids… Encourage natural smiles and genuine emotions…let kids be kids, there is no wrong way to smile, and don’t worry I have plenty of tricks;)
Bring props or toys: Depending on the shoot, bring along props, heirlooms, or toys your kids love...these items can create a sense of familiarity.
Maintain a positive atmosphere: Create a positive and encouraging environment during the photoshoot. Praise your kids, and keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun…I love the wild ones 😉
Have Fun...
Ultimately, remember that your photo session is meant to be a fun experience... let your kids express themselves naturally. When they're having fun, their personalities will shine through!
Relax and Enjoy the time together, and let the moments unfold naturally.
Encourage everyone to just be themselves. Genuine emotions and interactions always create the most memorable and heartfelt photographs.
Family
What to wear
You need to feel like you, always
While it’s lovely to dress up for your photos, it’s more important that you feel like yourself. Don’t feel pressured to wear something too formal if it doesn’t suit your style; it’s better to be comfortable and enjoy the moment than to feel stiff and out of place.
Choose outfits from your wardrobe that you already love – those pieces that make you feel amazing every time you wear them. Comfort is key! Just ensure that your clothing is clean, neat, and freshly ironed, so you can look and feel your best.
look good, feel good
There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures!
You might be REALLY tempted to go out and buy a whole new outfit (believe me, I’m all for an excuse to buy new clothes!) but you might consider wearing some of your favorite pieces that you already have! Feeling comfortable in your clothes is going to make such a huge difference to how you act in front of the camera. Wearing something that you already know you love will give you that boost of confidence that you might need! Especially for kids. Make sure they wear the outfits you want them to wear in the photos, wearing new clothes can sometimes be uncomfortable!
What to Bring
Better-bring-it-just-to-be-safe... I will usually have a lot of backup stuff with me. However, here are some things that you might end up needing.
So then, what to wear?!
We’ve established that you must feel fabulous in whatever you’re wearing, but if the outfit doesn’t come immediately to mind, here are some tips that might help you out!
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Think about the location. It might be hard to maneuver through a waterfall in heels! Make sure you’re dressed in a way to makes it easier to move (there will be a lot of moving around!). If your signature look is a pair of heels, remember to bring a pair of sneakers or slip-on in case we are going on an adventure to get to our location!
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This isn’t the time to try out a new style. Wear something that you would normally wear. If dresses are not your thing and you hardly ever wear one, don’t feel pressured to wear one if you want the photos to look sophisticated! There are other ways to achieve that look without going outside of your comfort zone! You want to look like yourself in these pictures. Remember, feeling comfortable and confident is key!
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Solid color outfits tend to look better than prints, which can be distracting and overwhelming. If you do go with a print, make sure it’s not too loud! If you are a bold person, opt for a super fun pair of shoes or showcase it with your accessories, rather than a bold print!
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Start with a neutral base and build from there. Neutral tones are typically more flattering and cohesive than bright colors. Pick two or three neutrals to start with and then add little accents of colour if you want!
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Avoid tight-fitting clothes that might highlight areas that you’d rather not have highlighted. For example, I have a mommy’s tummy, so I stay away from really tight shirts when I wear low-riding pants, or I layer with blazers and tend to tuck my shirt in on one side. You’ll find out that that is my signature look!
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Consider the weather! Make sure you’re prepared with cute coats if it’s rainy or snowy!
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Do not match. Avoid wearing the same outfit (especially the classic white-t-shirt look. I can knock that look because that is what my husband and I wore for our engagement pictures!) and avoid putting your kids in the same shirt, it’s tempting because it’s cute but it doesn’t make each child stand out! Instead, try to coordinate. Mix and match the base neutrals that you picked out. You should also look like you’re all going to the same place.
things to remember
There are a few things you can do to prepare so that our session goes smoothly and we can all have a great time and get great pictures!
When trying to coordinate outfits in a family I find it easy to do one outfit first (when getting our own pictures done I usually plan the entire wardrobe around my outfit!). Take that outfit and use it as inspiration for other outfits. Use the same base neutrals and find different ways to incorporate your pops of color in the other outfits. Remember to think of your location. Try to coordinate with the setting, you don’t want to clash with the trees or even with your own home decor.
When dressing kids for sessions, keep these things in mind:
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Avoid character-themed clothing. Their favorite show might be Paw Patrol or Ninja Turtles but stay away from logos, images, or graphics. Even though it might be their favorite shirt, it will be a serious distraction in the image.
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Make sure they have matching socks!
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Being able to move around in their clothing is a must!
If you’re still stuck, head to Pinterest for inspiration and you can send me pictures of your outfit(s) if you want my opinion! When in doubt, ask!
Homework
Planning your artwork
Not too big, not too small, but just right!
“A house becomes a home when the walls hold the stories of those we love.”
Between now and your ordering appointment please take some time to think about how you’d like to see these photos displayed in your home or office and if you will be gifting any to friends and family.
Do you like the idea of having an album displayed on a console table or bookcase to remember every expression? Maybe a big statement piece to hang on your wall? Or, would you like to build a gallery wall?
Send us some photos
Text to: 858-461-9909
Step one:
Walk around your home and make note of any wall space that could display wall art from your session. Be creative! Even small nooks can be instantly transformed by the addition of a portrait or cluster of portraits.
Step 2:
We use state-of-the-art software to calibrate and size your portraits. This takes all of the guesswork out of the process and enables us to show you exactly how your art will look, at scale, placed on your walls.
It Doesn’t Need To Be Perfect
Use your smartphone to photograph your walls, then text them to us. Follow these tips to get the best results regardless of which camera you use.
Be A Straight Shooter
Stand directly in front of the wall and take the shot straight on.
Back-Up
Back up as much as you can to get more of the room details. This imparts a sense of scale which helps us pick the perfect size for your space!
Timing Matters
Try to take the images at the time of day when your rooms have the most natural light and avoid using flash.
Now is a good time to think about who else might enjoy your portraits...make sure no one is left out.
Step 3
Make a List
- Mom/Dad
- Grandparents
- Sisters/Brothers
- Aunts/Uncles
- Cousins
- Others
- Living Room
- Dining Room
- Entrance/Foyer
- Bedrooms
- Home Office
- Workplace
- Playroom
- Vacation Home
- Other
Pricing
Heirloom portrait artwork
Make your house feel like a home and remind everyone who enters what is truly important to you with artwork of those you love most.
Each product is carefully, artfully, and expertly designed just for you and handcrafted to last for generations. Every finished portrait order includes your ordered images in a web gallery for sharing on social media.
Custom Designed Albums
Heirloom-quality albums
Choose from the finest Japanese silk, solid oak, bookbinding fabrics, or a variety of exceptional European leathers and vegan options. Your family album is custom-designed with 20-70+ of your favorite portraits to tell your family story.
from $1990
Wall Art & Collections
AVAILABLE IN 5 STYLES
- Modern – handcrafted in Italy on canvas, acrylic, or metal
- Classic – printed on fine art paper, matted, and framed
- Gallery – printed on fine art paper and framed
- Museum – museum-quality canvas in a float or classic frame Wall portraits are meticulously retouched and ready to install.
- Canvas wrap – museum-quality canvas, wrapped on a stretcher frame, ready to hang.
Wall portraits from $890
Fine Art Matted Prints
Gorgeous prints, beautifully matted in an 8-ply museum mat ready to display. They are stunning for hanging on a wall or displaying in a frame on a shelf. They have an old-school feel with a timeless quality that makes your images instantly feel nostalgic yet modern.
8 x 10 matted portrait $490
3 matted portraits $990
6 matted portraits $1490.
The Portrait Box
Is the most expressive and contemporary presentation of images to date…a must-see.
The Portrait Box allows you to display a “framed” portrait in the front while safely holding a set of fine art matted prints within. Choose from solid Appalachian walnut, luscious bookbinding fabrics, or a variety of exceptional European leathers and vegan options. Each portrait box is custom-designed with 20-30 of your favorite portraits.
Includes the matching digital image of each.
from $2990.
Icing on the cake
Add-On's
At Del Mar Photographics we specialize in finished fine artwork in the form of Wall Pieces, Albums, and Legacy Boxes. Add-ons such as Gift Prints for family and friends, Holiday Cards, Announcements, and Digital Files are available as an add-on to any portrait order.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Payment is required when placing your order, please ensure all decision-makers are present.
Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted.
Product credits and collection discounts are only valid at your ordering appointment.
THE LONG TERM
Lifetime Stories
We love to watch your family grow
One of my absolute favorite things about being a photographer is getting to watch families grow. Once you’ve been a clien tof Accent Photography we consider you one of the family, and as such you get to experience our friends and family discounts.
I aim to become your photographer for life, so you’re invited to take part in our lifetime stories. I will look after you at every age and stage, from your tiny newborns, and your cheeky toddlers, to your grumpy teenagers, and let’s not forget the entire extended family sessions and important family events.
What does this mean? Well as a family you’ll never again pay a session fee to have a photoshoot with us. You’ll also receive more product credit for each and every session you book with us as well as first access to any of our family events.
Your second session with us
~ No session fee
~ 100 product credit
Your third session with us
~ No session fee
~ 200 product credit
Your fourth session with us
~ No session fee
~ 300 product credit
* One family session per year per family. Cannot be used in conjunction with any gift vouchers or certificates.
p: 858-461-9909