I love to have fun. I mean, who doesn't love to have fun? So I try to make sure all my sessions are just that! Here are 4 tips for what to expect if you hire me to be your photographer!
1. You need to have a need for a photographer. (duh :) I take photographs of lots of things. But I most love family and children's photography. Family is the most important thing in the world to me. And photographs preserve that family bond like nothing else can. They represent your legacy and they leave the world with a piece of you when you're gone. Think about how you cherish that photo of your grandmother or the tears that well up when you see that one photo of your husband with your first son when he was just born. I capture those moments in time for you to hold on to and look back on. And I'll take this time to address the most common thing I hear from women: "I'll get back to you over the summer after I go on a diet. I can't have pictures taken of me looking like this!" Here's what I say to that: your family knows you and they love you just as you are, especially your children. They know you no differently, regardless of what you looked like in high school or even just before you got pregnant with them. They love you now. And when I'm gone and my children look back I would rather they have photos of me "looking like this" than not have anything to look back on at all. Wow, that got kinda serious for a second, didn't it? :) *exhale*
2. On a much lighter note, it is highly recommended that you like to have fun. I love to have fun. I love to talk. I love to laugh and make people laugh. A genuine smile really comes through in photographs so I do whatever is necessary to get real smiles! One of my most fun shoots ever was a boudoir shoot where we somehow got on the subject of pirates and we finished every sentence with "arrrrrgh" or "me hearty". I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time and she had the most beautiful, natural smile in her photos. You would think those shoots would be awkward but they are some of the most fun times I've had in my business!
3. If you're looking for a children's photographer or if you need family photos are you have small children, you should come relaxed. Strangers are intimidating and strangers who want to invade our space with a big, scary looking camera are even more intimidating. They may want nothing to do with me at first and that's okay! I try to start a conversation with them, if they're old enough, and at least try get them to warm up to me before we even try to take a picture. But we almost always end up friends by the time our session is over and I've held many hands on the way back to the car from a session! Before your session I always send out a client questionnaire to find out what kinds of things the kids love (shows, characters, etc) and I might even bring a favorite treat (read as bribe :) for them. Please don't get upset if they won't cooperate. I have four kids and I totally get it. They'll do it on their time when they're good and ready. And I'll take photos of them just being themselves while we're waiting. And you know what? Most of the time those are the best photos of them because they're just being kids.
4. Sometimes the hardest part of getting ready for a photo shoot is deciding what to wear! I'm here to help you with that too! I have boards on Pinterest that can give you lots of ideas. But let me give you the easiest piece of advice right here. Mom, pick your outfit first. Make it something that makes you feel good. If you're comfortable, it will show in your photos! Solid colors and small prints typically photograph the best and don't be afraid of color! If you're a fan of black (because we all know it's supposed to be slimming, right?) add a pop of color with jewelry, a scarf or a hair accessory! Then pick everyone else's outfit and make them complimentary to yours. Pull colors from your accessories for everyone's clothes. Or choose a color palate and include those colors in each person's outfit. Try to avoid being too matchy though! If you want to see more ideas, click here to connect to my Pinterest boards!
I guess posting my first blog wasn't too difficult. (I'm not counting the seven, yes seven, times I started writing and deleted what I had written!) I feel like I need to share a photograph with you though... afterall, it IS a photography blog. So, I will share the collage I put together for the end of the year featuring a shot from every session I did in 2013! Happy New Year! Here's to new beginnings and new clients!
1. You need to have a need for a photographer. (duh :) I take photographs of lots of things. But I most love family and children's photography. Family is the most important thing in the world to me. And photographs preserve that family bond like nothing else can. They represent your legacy and they leave the world with a piece of you when you're gone. Think about how you cherish that photo of your grandmother or the tears that well up when you see that one photo of your husband with your first son when he was just born. I capture those moments in time for you to hold on to and look back on. And I'll take this time to address the most common thing I hear from women: "I'll get back to you over the summer after I go on a diet. I can't have pictures taken of me looking like this!" Here's what I say to that: your family knows you and they love you just as you are, especially your children. They know you no differently, regardless of what you looked like in high school or even just before you got pregnant with them. They love you now. And when I'm gone and my children look back I would rather they have photos of me "looking like this" than not have anything to look back on at all. Wow, that got kinda serious for a second, didn't it? :) *exhale*
2. On a much lighter note, it is highly recommended that you like to have fun. I love to have fun. I love to talk. I love to laugh and make people laugh. A genuine smile really comes through in photographs so I do whatever is necessary to get real smiles! One of my most fun shoots ever was a boudoir shoot where we somehow got on the subject of pirates and we finished every sentence with "arrrrrgh" or "me hearty". I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time and she had the most beautiful, natural smile in her photos. You would think those shoots would be awkward but they are some of the most fun times I've had in my business!
3. If you're looking for a children's photographer or if you need family photos are you have small children, you should come relaxed. Strangers are intimidating and strangers who want to invade our space with a big, scary looking camera are even more intimidating. They may want nothing to do with me at first and that's okay! I try to start a conversation with them, if they're old enough, and at least try get them to warm up to me before we even try to take a picture. But we almost always end up friends by the time our session is over and I've held many hands on the way back to the car from a session! Before your session I always send out a client questionnaire to find out what kinds of things the kids love (shows, characters, etc) and I might even bring a favorite treat (read as bribe :) for them. Please don't get upset if they won't cooperate. I have four kids and I totally get it. They'll do it on their time when they're good and ready. And I'll take photos of them just being themselves while we're waiting. And you know what? Most of the time those are the best photos of them because they're just being kids.
4. Sometimes the hardest part of getting ready for a photo shoot is deciding what to wear! I'm here to help you with that too! I have boards on Pinterest that can give you lots of ideas. But let me give you the easiest piece of advice right here. Mom, pick your outfit first. Make it something that makes you feel good. If you're comfortable, it will show in your photos! Solid colors and small prints typically photograph the best and don't be afraid of color! If you're a fan of black (because we all know it's supposed to be slimming, right?) add a pop of color with jewelry, a scarf or a hair accessory! Then pick everyone else's outfit and make them complimentary to yours. Pull colors from your accessories for everyone's clothes. Or choose a color palate and include those colors in each person's outfit. Try to avoid being too matchy though! If you want to see more ideas, click here to connect to my Pinterest boards!
I guess posting my first blog wasn't too difficult. (I'm not counting the seven, yes seven, times I started writing and deleted what I had written!) I feel like I need to share a photograph with you though... afterall, it IS a photography blog. So, I will share the collage I put together for the end of the year featuring a shot from every session I did in 2013! Happy New Year! Here's to new beginnings and new clients!