Meet the Client: Haley Frazier | Fall Portraits in Portsmouth, NH
Sometimes I forget what a beautiful place I live in.
Portsmouth is enchanting all the time, but sometimes I think of that enchantment in a “hidden gems” and “only the locals know” sort of way… Yet for this session, I was reminded that the city is full of surprises.
The leaves have barely begun to turn as I write this, but still somehow—as with every season—Portsmouth seems to have gotten to autumn first. Between the crisping leaves overhead and the two bohemian hats Haley brought along, all the elements came together for stunning fall photos.
But one of the biggest contributors to the festive vibe was this surprising side effect of pandemic protocol: Because so many businesses are limiting the number of patrons they allow inside at once, they’ve added outdoor atmosphere on the sidewalks in front of their storefronts.
This meant flowers, hanging lights, benches, and tables—all available for portraits—where before there were none. Not to mention the local stoops that were decked with Halloween vibes!
So what was the occasion for the photos, you wonder? Well, Haley, who joined me earlier in the year for her first-ever real-estate agent headshots, wanted to add some seasonal pomp to her Instagram, photos where her personality and geographic location could shine through.
We agreed to meet early, before the workday had really begun. That’s an insider trick for portraits in Portsmouth—if you can get into the downtown area and start shooting before 9:00, you’ll get a lot more photos, because the people who can afford to live there can also afford to sleep in!
In the early mornings, the streets are quiet but not eerie, with just a few people out getting a morning run in or walking their dogs, and yet even with the slow start, some of the shops are open so if you need a coffee for a prop (or just because), you can get one without waiting in line.
While we were exploring, Haley mentioned to me that while on a trip earlier this year (New Orleans, maybe? Orlando?), she got photos during a walking tour of the city… and she suggested I offer something like that here in Portsmouth. What do you think? A walking tour where you get pro, Instagrammable photos taken at specific spots? Tell me in a comment which way you’d vote!
This was just a one-hour shoot, but I think it ended up being one of my favorites from all year! So many of my portraits these days happen in the studio, so it was refreshing to capitalize on October’s festive air and mix it up a little with photos outside.
Would you take photos outside in the fall in the city? I’d love to know! Maybe I can offer a special next year…
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