picture day can be easy and fun
Preparing for a portrait session demands time, money, and can be quite stressful. So congrats, you’re killing it at Life! We can do hard things.
Naturally, you want the resulting photos to be nothing short of spectacular. So, let's strategize for excellence.
What matters most to you? Golden light and rolling hills? Convenience? Every hair being in place? Start with the “What’s most important to you” section below and build your perfect experience.
Year-round Anytime Sessions
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Whether in our Sacramento studio, a scenic outdoor location, we create timeless portraits that showcase the love and personality of your family.
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Dog portraits are our favorite sessions, tied with six month old babies. Just. Pure. Joy. Studio and mobile locations.
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Celebrate Your Achievement – Choose from our portrait studio + private courtyard, or scenic outdoor locations for a personalized shoot.
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We specialize in capturing authentic, timeless images of your baby’s first-year milestones.
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Studio, outdoor, or hybrid maternity sessions available, along with access to our maternity closet.
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Families and kids in studio or outdoors. Both quick and extended sessions available.
What’s most important to you?
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Comfort & Controlled Environment
You want to make sure you can adjust your outfits, perfect hair and makeup, and ensure your appointment time isn’t affected by weather.
Best session fit: 60-90 minute studio session
Scheduled between 10 am - 5 pmBest End product: Framed artwork & matted gift prints
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Natural Backdrops
You want something to put on your wall with an epic landscape or golden sunset lighting. Outdoor sessions require planning for the right time of day, season, and a location that will match your level of adventurousness!
Best session fit: 60-90 minute outdoor session
Start time: Depends on the location, but 1-2 hours before sunset is typical.Best End product: Metal Float Frame, Album, Grandparent gift albums
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Staying within Budget
Inform us of your comfortable investment range and desired outcomes, and we'll present you with suitable options. We provide budget-friendly and seasonal mini-sessions.
Best session fit: 20-40 minute mini session
Times limited to studio availabilityBest End product: Prints, holiday cards
the process
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Before scheduling, let’s talk about what you want your end product and experience to be. Once we determine your goal (social media image? Album? Gift for grandparents? Epic landscape photo for the wall in the living room?) we pick the date, time, and location.
Time to plan some outfits, and take a picture of the wall where your new photo artwork could go!
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The week before your session, we will reach out to confirm details. As long as there is no rain on the forecast, we will proceed with your scheduled outdoor location, or default to the studio if we cannot reschedule. If an emergency comes up, we are flexible to reschedule one time before another reservation fee will be due. Parking and meet-up details will be sent to you, and we can answer any questions. Time to get excited!
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We will provide you with information on what to expect after your session. You can count on 1-3 weeks for your proofs to be ready for review. Choose all-inclusive, digital only, or wait to view your images to choose your print & digital package. We offer both in-studio, email, and virtual checkout options within two weeks after your session.
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The best part!
We often hear feedback from our most satisfied clients that when they make time to come into the studio for a design and ordering appointment, they feel the most complete about about their experience and investment.
When you prepare with wall measurements and pictures, we can project virtual mockups of photo products hung on the wall. It gives you a preview of what that image size and framing will look like integrated into your decor.
Don’t let your photos go to waste sitting on your phone. Share the love with your family every day.
You will receive your order within 2-4 weeks after payment has been made in full. Payment plans and subscriptions are available.
Before you make your reservation
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![brother and sister family portraits in a field]()
mood
Little kids are sometimes best in the morning when they're at their happiest, well-rested and fed. A calm, fun energy should make for the perfect shoot time for kids and siblings. If your kids are cooperative in the evening, we offer golden hour sessions about 1.5-2 hours before sunset. This is the optimal start time for maternity portraits if taken outdoors. In-studio portraits are always scheduled between 10am-5pm, depending on the time of year.
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![framed print walnut midcentury best 9]()
end product
Decide before the shoot what look you're going for. Where in your home will your portraits be displayed? If in a more formal room, be sure everyone's clothing is coordinated to this look. If the room is less formal and more casual, extend that to the location and wardrobe.
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![coordinated clothing family portraits]()
clothing
Stick to a color palette of three to four complementary colors, or all neutrals.
Pick one dress or shirt with a pattern, then pull the other outfit colors from it.
Lay out all outfits, shoes and accessories on a bed to see how they will interact with each other. No scuffed up running shoes next to heels!
Non-glare glasses are helpful!
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![family at golden hour in a field]()
cooperation
Build up the session to children as it really is a time for fun and togetherness. One idea is to bring a prop or accessory that they are excited to take photos with, like a bunch of balloons, a special bench or chair, their favorite toy, etc. We understand that bribes are inevitable, but they will put on fake smiles if it's all just about ice cream afterward! No need to tell your kids to look at the camera, as they will get fatigued and start to look inauthentic. Let us lead the show!
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![little boy with dog]()
guest stars
We love all the dogs! Dogs are more than welcome to your session, but be aware that you may need a helper to corral your pups so that you can focus on yourself! Consider scheduling an additional session when we can focus more on your pup if this one is about the family.
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![outdoor maternity portraits]()
treat yourself
One way to make Mom feel her best being in front of the camera is to get hair and makeup done. You deserve it! One tip is to delegate the prepping of the rest of the family to your significant other or a friend/family member so that you aren’t stressed and feel rushed.
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![newborn baby and mother]()
newborns
We will send you a “how to prepare” for your newborn session guide, but remember, the baby is in charge. Come with no expectations except to document this special time.
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![baby girl playing peek a boo]()
vibes
There’s no manufacturing a good time. There will be plenty of grinning at the camera followed by kisses, hugs, tickles, and laughing for those candid moments. Your child will be overwhelmed with all of the instructions and requests, so let’s try to relax, and let your photographer direct the session.
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![studio courtyard family portraits]()
besties
It takes a minute for little ones to warm up to a the photographer. If there’s a particular song, joke, or game your child likes to play, give us a heads up so we can bond quickly and capture those real smiles.
confirmation: location and time
Check out some of our most used locations, or let us know what you’re looking for.
Old Sacramento
Studio Courtyard
McKinley Park
Studio
Studio Courtyard
Folsom Railroad
Folsom Waterfront
UC Davis Redwoods
Folsom Rock Park
Orangevale Horse Park
Fair Oaks Overlook
Carmichael Botanical Garden
Folsom Open Field
Land Park Botanical Garden
Folsom Bridge
Orangevale Horse Park
Folsom Park
Folsom Rock Park
Sacramento Cactus Park
Fair Oaks Olive Trees
Studio
Studio
Studio Courtyard
proof your images
There are two types of portrait sessions- all inclusive, and a la carte. Watch how to select a la carte favorites below.
downloading and ordering prints
For all sessions, you will have a coupon for standard sized prints on your account from the time your final images are released. This coupon can be used by anyone you share the gallery link with. For custom print sizes and products, contact us.
Every session will need to download and backup their images. We do not guarantee access to your images past the period of time your gallery is hosted online (30 days to one year depending on your session type), so we recommend downloading your high-resolution images and making at least one backup on cloud source like dropbox, and one on a physical source like an external hard drive.
FAQ’s
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Check out our recommendations for how to pick clothing for your portrait session.
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The best outcome happens when everyone is on board, but you have to prepare your family by communicating how important this is to you. Not everyone enjoys picture day or the energy around preparing for picture day, but if you have appropriate expectations and let go of perfection, you might be surprised by how much fun it can be, and how it shows in the photos.
The session will go by the quickest when there is cooperation by everyone. Genuine smiles and interactions are way better than forced smiles and tension!
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Yes! We love extended family sessions, but extra careful planning may be needed for deciding on the location, wardrobe, shot list, and the amount of time budgeted.
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Babies and kids are in charge because they can scream and cry and are way more aware of their power, so once you give into that power and just let the photographer play and bond with your child, the more comfortable and open they will be. Also? Crying meltdown pictures are great for when they're teenagers :)
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Mini sessions are one day with multiple short appointments close together, set around a seasonal theme. They tend to be a lower price, with fewer images included. These are not available to schedule on a custom date or time, and the location is set by the photographer. Make sure you get on the mailing list so that you know when the next mini session date is.
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-Dominique B.
“Leslie did our engagement pictures, then photographed our wedding in May of 2014. We of course couldn't wait to do our maternity pictures with her this March, and we're beyond excited to do our newborn photo shoot with her when our little man was 5 days old.
She is so easy to work with and really makes you feel at ease,..she is patient, kind and laid back. She gets all the shots you want, and many more you didn't even think about.
We love Leslie and look forward to more Photo shoots with her!!!”
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“Leslie began taking our families pictures when our son Luke was a newborn. Frankly, our first session I had no idea what to expect. Low and behold, her style is perfectly matched with ours. The pictures that she takes are so much more than simply pictures. They are treasures that will be in our family for generations to come. Since that first session two years ago, we have hired Leslie five other times. We have even moved to Texas and STILL use Green Vintage Photography. Her style is casual California Chic. Her professionalism and sparkle cannot be matched by others in the market. Just do yourself a favor. Hire her today!”
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-Barbara L.
“Leslie has the equipment to capture your photos in the very best possible way. But what really wows is her artistic sense that can't be translated with the best equipment unless that vision is there to begin with. She's studied art, she's traveled to photograph some of the most artistic spots on the planet and dearest to my heart, she has captured images of those I love with talent, care, and freshness. In short, she is amazing and a genuine person to know and engage to preserve your family or yourself in photos which will last lots longer than any of us will. Leslie's a family treasure in our house.”
