Backdrop in use: “Talavera”
Creative Studio Photography Using Talavera
WITH JENNY POLLITTE
Capturing a child’s personality in a birthday portrait session takes a clear creative approach that reflects their vibrant energy, something Jenny Pollitte kept in mind throughout Claire’s shoot. The goal was to create a colorful, engaging experience that felt natural and enjoyable for both Claire and her mom. This blog breaks down the key creative and technical decisions, from lighting design to camera and lens choices, offering insight into how the session came together.
CHOOSING THE BACKDROP
For the background choice, Jenny selected "Talavera" to bring in bold colors and intricate patterns. The backdrop was chosen to complement Claire’s Mirabelle inspired dress from Encanto, creating a cohesive and visually striking palette. Rather than simply serving as a background, the Talavera design enhanced the overall theme, adding depth and vibrancy to the images while perfectly matching Claire’s personality.
Carolina Waldroff backdrops feature bright colors, florals, and pay homage to her cultural background. They're perfect for elevated portraits or themed shoots.
Camera Specs
The session was photographed using a Canon R5 paired with a 28-70mm lens, a combination that provided both flexibility and exceptional image quality throughout the shoot. The zoom range allowed Jenny Pollitte to quickly adjust framing without interrupting the flow of the session, making it easy to capture everything from wider, full-body movement shots to tighter, more expressive portraits. The lens also delivered consistent sharpness and beautiful detail, ensuring that every image maintained a professional, polished look while keeping up with Claire’s energy and movement.
Backdrop in use: “Talavera”
Backdrop in use: “Talavera”
Lighting THE SCENE
The lighting setup was intentionally kept simple and effective, allowing for a clean, controlled look while still providing enough flexibility to adapt to movement and maintain a natural feel throughout the session.
- The primary light was a single off-camera flash (Einstein) with a 64” PLM modifier positioned camera left, angled downward and feathered at approximately 45 degrees.
- A nearby window on camera right provided a soft fill light, balancing the exposure and maintaining a natural, dimensional look.
This combination of strobe and ambient light helped maintain a clean, polished look while still feeling natural and true to the moment.The lighting setup remained simple and effective
Details & Final Thoughts
When it came to props and costume details, Jenny focused on elements that would match the theme while keeping the session fun. Butterfly hair clips and fuzzy earrings were chosen to align with the whimsical character inspiration. Claire was encouraged to interact with maracas, dance, and jump, allowing her hair and dress to move freely. This approach created genuine, candid moments filled with motion and expression instead of rigid poses.
In the end, Jenny Pollitte’s approach brought together creativity and technical precision to both make a fun memeory for a little girl on her birthday and to caputure photos her parents can look back on in the future. By thoughtfully combining color, styling, movement, and lighting, she was able to capture images that truly reflect Claire’s joyful personality resulting in a collection that feels dynamic and timeless.
Backdrop in use: “Talavera”
Backdrop in use: “Talavera”
Jenny is an award-winning, nationally published full-time photographer who lives with her husband and two daughters in the beautiful small town of Bardstown, Kentucky. After earning her degree in graphic design and spending over 12 years working in the corporate world, she made the decision to leave and pursue her true passion for photography. She finds no greater joy than connecting with people and documenting some of their most treasured life moments.
Jenny believes in providing her clients with a genuinely enjoyable photography experience, along with delivering heirloom-quality prints that can be passed down through generations. Whenever possible, she travels to attend workshops and classes, continually pushing herself to refine her craft and embracing opportunities to shoot in diverse settings.Jenny also enjoys volunteering her time with several pet rescues, photographing adoptable animals, fostering, and assisting with fundraisers and food drives. Her love of animals has naturally expanded into wildlife and landscape photography as well. She serves as the current president of the International Society of Animal Photographers, is a two-time past president of the Twin Cities Professional Photography Association, and is the Founder and Director of the Animal Image Makers Conference. In addition, she is a PPA Councilor and a PPA-approved professional.
Learn more about Jenny Pollitte on Instagram, Facebook, and her website.