Modern Quinceañera Pictures on 35mm Film
I'm Not the Quince Photographer for Everyone
As an analog film photographer in Los Angeles, I bring a unique and fun perspective with fresh Quinceañera pictures ideas to each photoshoot. Because my photography style is simple, I click well with those who plan modern non-traditional Quinceañera parties and value simplicity and minimalism.
Perfect for clients who want bright, outdoor photos and are confident to show off their personalities. I'm available for travel throughout the greater Los Angeles area, even Mexico, but here's the catch – I only book a very limited number of Quinceañeras clients each year to ensure each client gets the time and attention they deserve to create a personalized photoshoot focusing on you.
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One Simple Package Price for 2024-2025 Quinceañeras
All day Quinceañera photography coverage in L.A. begins at $4,500
Outdoor Quinceañeras are photographed on analog 35mm film
Includes online gallery + 4x6 print proof set + rehearsal video
Los Angeles Quinceañera Photography Photoshoot Packages in 2024
In Los Angeles, the average package cost for Quinceañera photography in 2024 is around $3,000. However, prices will range higher or lower based on the hours of coverage, number of venue locations, extra photographers, additional prints and albums, and even social media followers.
Quinceañera Planning: Practical Tips to Add to Your Checklist
— is the party for you or for someone else?
Let’s face it, backyard or grand ball room Quinceañera and Sweet 16 parties are expensive and planning a party of this scale will take a toll on anyone especially if your parents will be doing most of the planning themselves. Because of this, you should consider how this will impact your mental health and your parent’s wallet as you begin planning your 15. I recommend you hire an event coordinator if your budget allows.
Now, if you do want the party, do it because it’s something you want and want to share with your friends. Plan the party you want, the party that will make you happy. Wear the dress you love, not the dress your mom or grandma suggests. Invite the people who matter to you. Yes, family is important, but your 15 should be about celebrating with your friends and not be a reunion of your parent’s friends and relatives you don’t even know.
More importantly, set your own style; don't copy popular trends on TikTok. As Anna Wintour famously said, "trend is a dirty word." Show off who you really are, not what everyone else is doing. And if you're not into the whole party scene, that's ok too. Don't feel pressured to plan a 15 just because it's tradition or because everyone else is doing it. Don’t sign up for this party just because your family tells you it’s something you have do for the sake of tradition. Maybe you'd rather travel, get a car, or save for college. Remember, it’s your birthday after all, so do what makes YOU happy.
Your Birthday, Your Party, Your Choice
Most Quinceañeras start with a religious ceremony, but it’s not set in stone that you must pile on that or any other tradition to the list. Remember, it’s your Quince, so focus on what matters to you. And look, I get it, parents and family want to see many of these traditions live on but after questioning the purpose of a tradition and the only answer you get is "because we've always done it this way" skip it.
There's no need to follow every custom just because "it's tradition." Embrace the traditions that resonate with your personal style, whether that's saving on a cake no one eats or ditching the traditional big poofy dress for something more you like a black dress instead. It's all about what makes you happy.
Create a Mood Board, Book the Photographer
Booking the right photographer should be the first step as you begin planning your Quince and it starts with an inspiration mood board. Be it Instagram saved posts or a Pinterest board, creating a mood board will not only guide you on esthetic visuals in the months leading up to the party, but also give your photographer a solid idea on what you want.
Once you have a solid inspiration board drafted, booking a photographer will be a piece of cake as you can compare your inspiration board with their portfolio until you find the one who best compliments your style. Focusing on visuals rather than price. But remember, a mood board is just for inspiration, so don’t expect any photographer to match every single photo on your inspiration board.
Hair & Makeup Take Longer Than Expected
One of if not the main reason Quinces run late is because clients don’t realize how much extra time hair and makeup end up taking. In turn pushing everything else to run late affecting every vendor’s schedule, including your photographer by not given them enough time to take care of what you have planned out.
Be mindful of everyone’s time by booking your hair and makeup at least an hour before you think you need to be ready. If the same team will be taking care of your damas, madrinas and Mom’s, book the MUA at least two to three hours before the time you think you need to be ready. Remember, this session WILL run late, so start as early as possible.
Give Photographers All the Time They Need
I get it, your family is spending thousands on the mariachi, the venue, the limo, the pony and will want to get the most value out of them. Unfortunately, Quinceañeras have the tendency to run late. Resulting in clients giving less time to the media team for photos and video.
Which blows my mind because no one will remember your party in ten years if you have nothing to show for it. Am I saying your media team should take priority over other vendors? Yes, I am. Because again, we are responsible for making sure your party will be remembered. If not, then I recommend you save your money and have a friend take photos on their iPhone instead.
Plan The Church Ceremony on a Different Day
If you plan on having a religious ceremony, consider booking it the Friday before the party or even a week before if possible. Not only will you save money but will avoid unnecessary stress of driving from the house to the church to the park to the reception in the middle of weekend traffic. Who said you MUST go to church on the same day as the party?
I believe religious ceremonies should be quiet celebrations with immediate family only and besides, most people don’t go to the church anyway, so why bother squeezing everything in one day? And no, the chambelánes, damas and their families do not have to be there if you do schedule the religious ceremony on a different day.
Location is Not Everything, Book a Single Venue
Use your own neighborhood to take pictures in a place that means something to you and not because everyone else takes pictures there. Avoid using the same park everyone else uses. Personally, I highly recommend you book a single outdoor venue to host your entire Quinceañera party like the Thestonehurst and Orcutt Ranch.
More importantly, do your research on whether the location you want your Quince pictures requires a permit because photographers will not cover the permit fee. Listen to your photographer’s recommendations and have everything sorted out a week before your party. Have at least two locations in mind just in case.
Show Off Your Personality, Get Your Dress Dirty and Enjoy Every Second
I mean it. Really take the time to enjoy every second of this time in your life. The planning, the dance practice, the time spent with your court, the days going with your mom to pick out a dress, the frustration of your chambelánes always being late; it will all go by in flash. Be in the moment. More importantly, things happen for a reason, so if something doesn’t go as planned let it be and move on. Don’t freak out if your dress gets a little dirty during your photo session because when are you going to wear your dress again? And one last thing. On the day of your party always have snacks and water with you, it’s going to be a long day. Stay hydrated.
It’s Your Daughter’s Party, Not Yours
Now parents, if your daughter really wants a Quinceañera party, remember this is her party, not yours. Don’t force her into a dress she doesn’t want to wear. Don’t force her into having the court made up of family or people she doesn’t even know for the sake of keeping the extended family happy. Don’t force her into old traditions that you can’t even explain why it’s done. And mom, por favor, no trates de igualarte con las jóvenes haciendo el ridículo acting like her sister or best friend at the party. You’re her mom, act like it. And unless you’re a creative director, let the photographers do their job.
Above all, PLEASE! Don’t invite ALL your drunk friends or the entire family tree many of whom your daughter has probably never met.
Playing boomer music to please your friends, music teenagers don’t understand or worse, take priority in seating arrangements preventing your daughter from inviting all her friends from school. Again, this is their party, not yours. Make sure you hire a young DJ who understands the teenage market. Look I get it, you’re forking over a lot of money for this party, but again, if you’re going to invite all your people, you might as well just plan your own peda on a different day. And this is coming from someone who loves being around drunk and rowdy friends, but a Quinceañera is not the time and place to catch up with old friends and old flames. Let the kids enjoy the party on their terms.
