Summit Point Staff Portrait Day
Your Complete Prep Guide
Thursday 19th March
Your portraits will take place on school photo day, while I’m at Summit Point photographing the students.
This is a relaxed mini portrait session, designed to give you a set of professional images you can actually use.
Perfect for:
• the school website
• staff profiles
• LinkedIn
• professional bios
• or simply having a photo of yourself that you don’t hate
It’s quick, relaxed, and surprisingly fun.
What This Session Is
This is essentially a mini version of my Petite Power Session, set up right at school.
Think:
• clean professional portraits
• natural expressions
• a quick guided session so you don’t feel awkward
You won’t be standing there wondering what to do with your hands. I’ll guide you through the whole thing.
Most people say the same thing afterwards:
“That was much easier than I expected.”
What’s Included
Staff Portrait Session – $95 (special Summit Point staff rate)
Includes:
• a relaxed mini portrait session
• professional editing and retouching
• 4 high-resolution images of your choice
Your images will be delivered through a private online gallery where you can download your selections.
Additional images will also be available to purchase if you fall in love with more.
What to Wear
This is probably the question everyone asks first, so let’s make it simple.
Choose one outfit that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself. You don’t need anything fancy or brand new. Often the pieces you already wear and feel great in photograph the best.
The goal isn’t to look “styled”.
The goal is to look like the best, most relaxed version of you.
A few things that photograph beautifully:
• soft fabrics and textures like knits, cotton, linen, or wool
• simple shapes and clean lines
• layers such as a cardigan, jacket, or blazer
• jewellery or small details that feel like part of your everyday style
Try to avoid very busy patterns, large logos, or super bright colours that pull attention away from your face.
Simple always photographs beautifully.
Dressing for your body
Everyone’s body is different, and the camera simply responds to shape, structure, and light.
A few small choices can make a big difference.
If you prefer a little more structure
Choose pieces that hold their shape slightly. A blazer, structured top, or thicker fabric can create beautiful clean lines in portraits.
If you prefer something softer
Flowing fabrics, cardigans, or layered pieces can feel relaxed and flattering while still looking polished.
If you like defining your waist
A belt, wrap top, or gently fitted top can create a lovely shape on camera.
If you prefer a looser fit
Longer layers, soft jackets, or open cardigans photograph beautifully and feel comfortable to wear.
The most important thing is how you feel in it. When you feel comfortable, that confidence shows up immediately in your photos.
A quick tip from me
If you have something you always get compliments on, that’s usually the perfect choice.
And if you’re unsure, you’re very welcome to send me a quick photo of your outfit beforehand. I’m always happy to help you decide.
Feeling Comfortable on Camera
Most people feel a little unsure in front of the camera. That’s completely normal.
You spend your days looking after everyone else, not standing in front of a lens.
The good news is that you don’t need to know how to pose or worry about what to do with your hands. That’s my job.
I’ll guide you through the whole process with small adjustments that help you look natural, relaxed, and confident.
Often it’s as simple as:
• turning your shoulders slightly
• shifting your weight
• lifting your chin just a touch
• relaxing your hands
Tiny changes make a big difference in photos.
We’ll chat for a minute, take a few portraits, and before you know it the session is finished.
Most people walk away saying the same thing:
“That was actually much easier than I expected.”
Hair, Makeup & Glasses
The aim here is very much you, just a slightly tidied version.
For hair:
• wear it how you normally do for work
• keeping it slightly off your face can help
• a quick tidy is perfect
For makeup:
• natural and fresh photographs beautifully
• a little extra definition can help on camera
• a light powder can reduce shine outdoors
If you don’t normally wear makeup, that’s completely fine too.
If you wear glasses every day for work, wear them.
If you’re unsure, feel free to bring them along and we can take a few photos both with and without.
I’ll guide you on the day so you don’t need to think about it.
On the Day
So you can all carry on with your busy day without feeling any stress about your photos. We’ll use the lovely morning light to take care of the faculty portraits first thing, and then you can get on with the important work of the day.
The session itself only takes a few minutes. I’ll guide you through everything so it feels relaxed and easy.
Some of you might enjoy having your portrait taken with your class nearby, and that’s completely fine too. It would be a lovely way to remember your days with these kiddos.
I’m very happy to keep things fluid and adaptable on the day so everyone feels comfortable.
What Happens After Your Session
Once photo day is finished, the editing begins.
Within a couple of weeks you’ll receive a private online gallery where you can view your portraits and choose your images.
Your session includes three professionally edited images, ready for download and use wherever you need them.
Perfect for:
• the Summit Point website
• staff profiles
• LinkedIn
• professional bios
• email signatures
If you find yourself loving more than three images from your gallery, additional images will be available to purchase.
Your final images will be delivered in high resolution, ready to use straight away.
A quick note from me
One of the things I loved most about photographing Summit Point last year was the feeling of the place.
There’s a calmness and care in the way the school runs, and it really shows in the way the kids interact with each other and with you.
The adults behind a school shape so much of that environment, often quietly and without much recognition.
These portraits are a small way of acknowledging the people who make that daily work possible.
My job is simply to create images that feel natural, warm, and genuinely like you.
I’m really looking forward to seeing you all again and spending the morning with the Summit Point team.
Aisling 💚
Aisling O’Brien Photography