Branding Session for Swan & Associates in Culver City

Posted on by kikipolo

As a Culver City branding photographer, I love sessions that show a business owner at work. This branding session with Natalie of Swan & Associates is a great example.

About Swan & Associates

Natalie runs Swan & Associates, a marketing strategy firm. Her team helps B2B companies streamline and scale revenue generation. She also works as a Fractional CMO, so clients bring her in as part of their leadership team.

When we worked together, Natalie was launching her new business. As a result, she needed fresh, professional images for her website and LinkedIn profile.

A Branding Session at Her Home Office

We photographed the session at Natalie’s home office in Culver City. Shooting in her own workspace made the images feel real. After all, this is where she meets clients and builds strategy.

Natalie also brought in a hair and makeup artist before the shoot. That step made a real difference. Professional hair and makeup gives a polished, camera-ready look and keeps skin even under the light, so the final images feel refined and consistent.

Her office had green plants and framed landscape photographs on the walls. These details added warmth without pulling attention from her.

Images That Show Her at Work

For a consultant, clients want to see how you work, not just how you look. So we created a mix of images:

  • Classic headshots against a clean, light wall
  • Working shots at her desk with her laptop and phone
  • Video-call style shots with her ring light setup
  • Candid, smiling moments that feel approachable

Her textured, colorful jacket added personality while keeping the look polished and professional.

Polished, On-Brand Images for LinkedIn and Her Website

Every image needed to match her brand. Natalie works with executives, so the photos had to feel credible and professional. At the same time, she wanted them to feel warm and personable.

The final gallery gave her a full set of options. For example, she could use headshots on LinkedIn and working shots across her website. In addition, the variety gives her content for future posts and updates.

Smiling woman with laptop during a branding session in Culver City Woman holding phone during a branding session in Culver City Woman working at desk during a branding session in Culver City Close-up branding portrait of a smiling woman in Culver City

Planning Your Own Branding Session

If you are launching a new business or refreshing your brand, a branding session is a smart investment. Before the shoot, we talk through your goals, location, and styling. During the session, I guide you so the experience stays relaxed and easy.

Looking for a Culver City branding photographer? See more on my Branding page, or reach out through the contact form to start planning your session.

Editorial Portraits on the Steps in Downtown Los Angeles

Posted on by kikipolo

I love straight-on portraits. Lightly styled, with the right outfit, makeup, and hair done, a direct portrait lets the person be the whole story. This editorial session in downtown Los Angeles was exactly that.

Editorial portrait of a woman in a navy satin dress seated on stone steps in Downtown Los Angeles, resting her chin on her hand.

Navy Satin, Big Curls, and a Simple Backdrop

We kept the styling simple. She wore a navy satin wrap dress with a pleated neckline and a gold buckle belt, and her long curls had tons of volume. Warm, neutral makeup and peach nails finished the look. The setting was a set of concrete steps in front of a gray door, and I love how the deep navy looks against the soft gray and white concrete. It lets the outfit and her hair do the talking.

What to Wear for an Editorial Portrait Session

For an editorial portrait, choose solid, rich colors over busy prints, and pick one standout fabric like satin, silk, or velvet. Keep accessories simple, like a single belt or a pair of earrings. Have your hair and makeup done before the shoot so the look feels finished on camera.

Using Flash in the Daylight

I used flash in the daylight for this shoot. It gave her skin a clean, even glow, brought out the shine in the satin, and kept the colors rich while the background stayed soft.

Does Flash Work in Daylight?

Yes. Bright sun creates harsh shadows under the eyes and chin, and flash fills those in. It keeps skin tones clean, makes colors look richer, and means you don’t have to face the sun and squint. The result looks polished without looking overlit.

A Natural in Front of the Camera

This was her first time in front of the camera for a shoot like this, and she was a natural. I directed her through a few simple poses, sitting on the steps, leaning in, and hand to chin, and she made each one her own. Some frames are serious and direct, and then there’s that smile.

What If It’s Your First Photo Session?

You don’t need any modeling experience. I give simple direction on where to sit, how to angle your body, and where to place your hands, and we adjust as we go. We start with easy poses and build from there, just like we did on these steps.

Portrait and Editorial Sessions in Santa Monica and Los Angeles

I photograph portrait, branding, and editorial sessions in Santa Monica, West LA, South Bay (LA) and throughout Los Angeles, including downtown. Whether you have done this before or it’s your first time, I will guide you through posing so you can relax and enjoy the session.

You can see more of my portrait and fashion work here. To learn more about my sessions, visit my photography services page, or contact me here to plan your shoot.

A Venice Portrait Session That the City Styled Itself

Posted on by kikipolo

Full-length portrait of a young woman in a black top and distressed jeans smiling in front of a colorful heart graffiti mural wall in Los Angeles, California, portrait photography by Kiki Polo Photography  Close-up headshot of a young woman with long dark hair, delicate drop earrings, and a gold necklace against a colorful painted mural wall in Los Angeles, California, portrait photography by Kiki Polo Photography  Three-quarter portrait of a young woman with long dark hair and green earrings smiling against a colorful mural wall in West Los Angeles, California, portrait photography by Kiki Polo Photography   Santa Monica headshot portrait photographer Kiki Polo Photography

Some sessions plan themselves. This one did.

My client wanted headshots that did not feel like headshots. Professional but not stiff. Something she could actually use on LinkedIn without cringing at it six months later.

We landed on Venice. I always land on Venice.

The mural wall was not the plan. We walked past it and that was it. We shot close-up headshots there, then three-quarter frames, then full-length. Then moved to a second spot with more green for something softer.

Los Angeles does this. You just have to show up and pay attention.

The carousel on Instagram shows how different each frame feels while still reading as one session. That range is the whole point. One shoot, and she walked away with a LinkedIn photo, a website header, and something real for social.

I shoot portraits and headshots on location throughout West Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. Reach out through the contact page when you are ready.

Best Portrait Locations in Santa Monica for Photography

Posted on by kikipolo

Portrait photography at Palisades Park Santa Monica

Santa Monica is one of my favorite areas in Los Angeles for portrait photography because there are so many different backgrounds within a short distance. One of the locations I often recommend for portrait sessions is Palisades Park on the north end of Santa Monica. It overlooks the ocean and has a lot of variety for photos in one area.

Santa Monica portrait photography location Palisades Park

Palisades Park is great because it has a mix of greenery, large trees, walking paths, ocean views, and open areas with palm trees. There are also areas with shade, which can be really helpful for portraits, especially during the middle of the day. The light through the trees can be really beautiful and soft, which works well for portraits and branding photography.

Another nice area in the park is the rose garden, which adds a different look to the photos compared to the beach or streets nearby. Depending on the time of year, the roses can be in bloom and add color and texture to the photos. We can also sometimes find bougainvillea nearby, which makes a really great background for portraits because of the color and texture.

One of the reasons I like photographing portrait sessions in Santa Monica is that we can often get several different looks in one session without driving to multiple locations. We can start in the park with greenery and trees, then walk toward areas with palm trees or ocean views. This gives clients a lot of variety in their photos from one session.

Headshots Santa Monica Palisades Park

Santa Monica works well for many types of photography sessions including personal portraits, professional photos, headshots, and branding photography. Many people want photos that feel natural and relaxed rather than studio photos, and outdoor locations like Palisades Park are great for that.

I photograph portrait and branding sessions throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles including Venice, Culver City, and the South Bay. If you are looking for portrait photography in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, outdoor locations like Palisades Park are a great option. You can see more of my portrait photography on my website, here.

If you are interested in scheduling a portrait or branding session in Santa Monica or Los Angeles, you can contact me here.