Are you looking for an easy fundraising idea for your organization in San Diego? Gretchen Otero Photography LOVES to help and create an easy path for your group to exceed your fundraising needs and goals by providing you with a successful fundraising idea. Click here to learn more, or keep reading!

How my Easy Fundraiser works for you:

• I provide either physical or digital certificates (or both) for your organization to sell at the price YOU set (I recommended between $20-$35)
• The certificates are valid for a complimentary portrait session and 8x10 from Gretchen Otero Photography.
• Your group keeps 100% of the money that you collect from the sales of the certificates - I just ask that you provide me with the name and contact information so I can call them to book their portrait session!

THAT'S IT! So easy right? I know you're looking for the best fundraising idea and this opportunity is a zero cost, zero risk, sells itself option! It's also a fun fundraising idea that people can really get behind. Family portraits in San Diego practically sell themselves. Purchasers can use their certificate for any type of session they would like including pet portrait sessions, high school senior portraits, family session, retiree sessions and more! This is even a great way to way to raise money for a mission trip!

I can only book a select number of fundraisers per quarter and you can apply here! It would be my pleasure to discuss your fundraising goals and make a plan together to exceed your expectations!

Ways Gretchen Otero Photography has helped in the past:

Fundraising for Animal Rescue

Fundraiser for Small Groups

Fundraiser for Church

Fundraiser for School

Community Fundraiser

Dance School Fundraiser

PTA Fundraising

Football Fundraising

Best family photographer in San Diego. I'd say that's subject to interpretation, right? Let's imagine the bread aisle in the grocery store. There are lots of great breads available. Brioche for French Toast, Dave's Killer Bread for a whole grain kick, and nothing beats plain ol' white bread for a PB&J. Just like there are different breads for different needs, San Diego is full of different best family photographers for different needs. I encourage everyone to check out the galleries of potential photographers. And also make sure their photographer is listed with the Professional Photographers of America!

I want to learn about you, your family and your session goals. Contact me here! I love when clients send me photos from their home of the walls they would like to decorate with the portraits we create together. During your pre-session consultation, I'll give you feedback on clothing, locations and portrait ideas. Be sure to check out my pro-tips for your family portrait session! During your session you can just relax - I take on all the work at this point. You've dressed yourself, the kids and maybe even your husband! You deserve a break. After your session we'll schedule a time later that week to view your images and discuss ordering options! I make the process simple and easy and helping you narrow down your images to just your favorites is one of my favorite parts of the process. Finished prints and wall art will be delivered in approximately 2 weeks from your viewing session! 

I'm excited to hear about your family portrait goals! Let's chat soon!

So you got a new puppy! You have researched the best vet, food, toys and bed. Your are going to be the world's best dog mom or dad, right? You are ready! Right? Wait! What about your puppy photographer? You didn't forget that did you? No worries! I got you fam! Give me a shout! As San Diego's puppy photographer I'm here to capture those cute ears, tiny (or maybe giant) paws and that widdle button nose during your new puppy photo shoot. You can even bring the whole family for a puppy family photo session. It's going to be so much fun! 

Puppies grow and change so fast! You're welcome to book individual photosessions for your new puppy or better yet, purchase a Puppy Photo Plan! My puppy portrait plan includes a session when you first get your puppy, another session at 6-8 months, and then again at a year! Included in the plan is:

• 3 custom portrait sessions - which can be any combination of studio, in home or location 
• 3 8x10 portraits of your choice - one from each session
• 16x20 portrait from your 12 month session where parents and human (or pet) siblings are encouraged to be photographed as well

When you purchase your Puppy Portrait Plan before your first session your puppy's first year of portraits is only $450 which includes a savings of over $120 off regular studio pricing. 

You only get one chance to capture these cute puppy pics!

Don't wait! Contact Gretchen today!

As a kind reminder, don't leave your precious memories up to chance. Always hire a Professional Photographer recommended by the Professional Photographers of America! Check your photographer's standing here!

ProTip #1 Let's talk about clothing. Ideally, it should be seen & not heard. Does that make sense? Depending on where your session is taking place I might have different recommendations. Generally, for outdoor sessions I’m going to suggest well-saturated colors, like deep reds, blues, and greens, paired with darkish colored pants. Comfort is also so important. If you are uncomfortable in your clothing and every time you sit down you have to readjust your shirt, that outfit is not going to be the best for portraits. Pick something that when you put it on you think, Wow! I look great! And it's an outfit you could wear from 8am -7pm and be comfortable. For your kids, I have different recommendations for different ages, so let’s chat about your specific family.

I also recommend wearing a shirt with sleeves. Short sleeves at a minimum, but ¾ and full length sleeves are great as well.

ProTip #2 Be prepared and be on time! Your session is at 8:00am. You have to dress yourself, your three kids, and your husband and get out of the house by 7:30am to make it to your shoot at 8:00. To make this morning as smooth as possible:

- Lay everything out the night before.

- Wake up 30 minutes before you think you need to.

- Plan to leave 15 minutes earlier than you actually need to

This will give you an easier& more relaxed morning and set the tone for the rest of your day. I really want you to arrive feeling fresh, excited and relaxed because we are about to have a really great time!

ProTip #3 Discuss your goals with me as early in our conversations possible. By this I mean, what do you want to accomplish from your session? Are you looking to update an old family portrait that is currently hanging in your home? Do you need gifts for grandparents? Do you want to get a funny family photo for your holiday cards? Let's talk about these goals so we can make sure your session meets them. The earlier this conversation takes place the better because that can help me decide where to shoot and will also help me guide you in clothing options as well.

ProTip #4 EAT SOMETHING! Everyone should have a light meal before your portrait session. I'm serious. I promise I ate right before your session so I would be in a great mood and at my best and I need your mood to be the same! Babies, kids, adults, and even pets are just a little more jovial with a little meal in their belly. Have a little cup of fruit or some turkey and cheese rollups & I promise your session will be at least 37% more enjoyable.

ProTip #5 Relax! You tried your best to follow ProTips 1-4. Your shoot was scheduled for 8:00 and you are showing up at 8:20. Isabelle couldn't find their shoes. Your shirt fits weird. You totally forgot to tell me that you needed a headshot for your business card during your family portrait session and your husband & 4 yr old are both starving. Pshhhhhh.. No worries! I got this! This is why you hired a professional! Let me tell you, no amount of planning can change what is meant to be, and whatever happens before, during, and after your shoot just becomes part of the story. Later you can look back at your photos and say, "Remember this? Isabelle couldn't find her shoes that morning, so we all decided to go barefoot & it's my all-time favorite portrait. We look so relaxed and happy" I'm not saying this so you throw ProTips 1-4 out the window (please don’t), I'm telling you this because relaxed people look best in portraits and my number one goal is to set the stage to make you and your family look the absolute best in your portraits!

Thanks for reading! I really hope this helps you to make the most out of your portrait session! If you have any questions please comment below and I’ll get back to you! Check me out on FB at Gretchen Otero Photography or on the web at GretchenOtero.com. Want to chat? Call me @ 901-848-0668

Are you looking for professional headshots in San Diego? In today's digital world a portrait of you is often your first impression. Make sure you are sending the right message with a professional headshot. Update your LinkedIn profile picture, brand your website or make your resume stand out with the right headshot. You know it's time to update that real estate headshot! Contact me today to get started! Professional posing, lighting, equipment and digital touchups are all a part of the package! You are going to look your absolute best!

Hiring top talent can be tough. Let your workplace help you attract better talent with expertly crafted corporate photography. Whether your office is located in downtown San Diego or Sorrento Valley, I am happy to travel to your unique office and photograph what makes your company special. While I'm there I can even complete professional headshots for the entire office at a significant savings to your company! I bring the studio to your office! Employees won't have to travel to a studio and their total time investment will be under 5 minutes. If you've ever googled headshots near me, having a photographer in your office doesn't get much more 'near' than that! Let's discuss your needs today!

Hi Friends! People are always turning to me for help learning photoshop and I love to help! I have created a YouTube channel to allow regular people, newbies, along with professionals and experienced users to learn photoshop from me. I'll be uploading free weekly content with new tips, tricks and techniques! Jump on my YouTube Channel and don't forget to comment, like and subscribe! Also hit that notification bell so you'll know every time I post fresh content! Let me know what you'd like to learn!

Maybe you are ready for more! Don't worry! I got you, fam! How about One-on-One Virtual Learning sessions! This is the best way to learn photoshop from a pro in record time. I'll meet you at you level of knowledge and catapult you into being a photoshop wiz! I even include a FREE copy of my Tools and Actions with your first class! The same ones I exclusively use to edit all of my professional images! Get in touch with me today!

Do you have a specific photoshop question or an image you'd like me to work on? Maybe I can help! Shoot me an email to Gretchen@GretchenOtero.com and I'll see what I can do! I might even make a video out of the editing process if that's ok with you!

Show me your GIANT breed in San Diego! I want to meet those Great Danes, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Irish Wolfhounds and more! I am the photographer for your gentle giant! I can't wait to photograph your 120lb lap dogs! Giant dog photography makes me so happy! And if I leave your session without getting "leaned on," my feelings are going to be low-key hurt a little. 

Your large dog photo session can take place in your home, in my studio or on location depending on what you're looking to achieve from your session. We'll discuss everything and come up with the best plan! Maybe your Rottweiler wants to get out and explore like Brutus did!

Or maybe you have a pack of 5 and it's easier for you to keep everyone at home! I'll bring the lights and camera to your house and your large breed dogs can supply the action! Multiple dogs are no problem and just add to the fun!

Small dog photography in San Diego is always a fun adventure. Whether it's your rescued pup, Maltese, Yorkie, Pomeranian or other toy breed, I am here to capture those adorable head tilts, sploots and personality from your teacup dog! Luckily for me these toy breeds tend to have tons of personality, so even though they are pint size, getting their larger than life personality to translate through the lens never seems to be a problem!

Your toy breed portrait session can take place in your home, on location or in my San Diego Studio! We can discuss what is best for you and your pet during our initial consultation! I'm already excited to meet you and hear all about your pets! Reach out today!

Family Reunions are a party that is not to me missed! When planning your San Diego Family Reunion photography is a MUST! It is the best opportunity to photograph the whole family in one amazing shot. And while everyone is there we'll also do an assortment of different family photos and set ups so everyone has something to cherish forever! Image that portrait of the grandparents with all of their grandchildren, all in one photo! Amazing! 

Don't leave these photos to chance! There is only this one opportunity to capture your family in this moment. Your family photos will be the lasting memories from your San Diego Family Reunion. Hire a qualified photographer! If not me, then here is a resource for REAL professional photographers in the San Diego area. These are important memories and after the reunion your photos, portraits and pictures will be all you have left to remember your 2021 San Diego Family Reunion!

I can't wait to meet you and your family! If you are all from out of town, and need help planning your San Diego Family Reunion, let me know and I'll gladly give you some insider places and must do's while you are here! Join me on my website here, Family Portraits in San Diego or go ahead and reach out today by phone at 901-848-0668 or Send Me a Message!

Let's make sure you get the most from your dog or cat's portrait session! I'll mostly saying "dogs" in this post, but please know, cats are included in the sentiment! 

When you book your appointment, talk to me, tell me your goals! Are you trying to match a print of a previous pet? Do you have this beautiful idea for a portrait you would like to hang over your fireplace? What is your driving force to having these portraits made? Let's discuss this! Together we'll come up with the perfect session for your pup! This might mean a studio session, or a location session at Balboa Park or Tecolote Canyon. Maybe it's at your house in Rancho Penasquitos because you want his picture made in the same yard he grew up in, and on the couch he grew old on. Every portrait session is uniquely designed to meet your goals! I have favorite places in and around San Diego to shoot, but I also LOVE hearing your ideas and discovering new locations!

On the day of your session I recommend keeping your dog's schedule fairly similar and maybe add a few minutes onto his walk to get a little bit of extra energy out. If you're coming to the studio, please please utilize the grassy area by the parking for potties, prior to coming into the studio. Even if he went right before you got in the car, they never mind going one last time! 

Once we begin our session I'm probably going to kindly ask you to let me take over "talking" to and instructing your pet. Dogs, the same as kids, sometimes take instruction from strangers better than they do their owners, at least for a short period of time. It's also less confusing for the pupper to hear a request from one person. And I know what I'm looking for and what is going to make a great portrait, so allowing me to be one-on-one with your pet is a great way to ensure you the most from your portrait session. Your session is a great opportunity to sit back and watch the magic unfold. You are welcome to be hands off during your session and just watch and see what happens. When I need you, I'll let you know.

I'm 100% going to try to talk you into being in at least one portrait with your dog or cat so be prepared. Nope, you aren't into it now, I know it, but in 20 years when you look back at these portraits, you'll thank me! 

After your session, we'll schedule a time to "virtually" (thanks Covid) view your portraits together through a screen share. During that screen share session, I'm going to help you narrow the images down to the ones you truly can't live without and then you'll have the opportunity at that time to purchase your wall prints, prints and digital images. Anyone who might want to make a purchase from your session should be "present" for this virtual viewing as this is the only time set to view and order portraits. Sounds scary, but it's totally not! Once the viewing session is completed, your ordered portraits will be on the way!  

I'm always excited to chat. Shoot me an email to Gretchen@GretchenOtero.com or give me a call at 901-848-0668

Cheers,

Gretchen O