There are a few questions that everyone asks when booking a session and hopefully these tips will help you create the photos that you want to have on your walls, sitting on your coffee tables and in year books.
Make it stylin';
Make it stylin';
There are many options as far as planning your session's color palette's, textures and overall feel. Clothing is important but don't let picking outfits that match overshadow comfort.
Pick a color palette - a combination of three or four colors, intermingled in patterns and bold solids can make for a strong statement and provides an overall continuity to your look.
Dress it up! - A skirt, dress, tie or over coat can make all the difference in getting the look you want out of your session. Just a little movement in the hem of a skirt and a little pop of color in a tie can really add some pizazz.
Bears, Beets, and Battle Star Galactica - WHAT!? My husband has a shirt that says "Bears, Beets and Battle Star Galactica" on it. If and when we do a family photo session this shirt stays tucked in the very back of his closet. Not because it isn't a charming ode to "The Office" but because shirts that seemingly scream at you don't make for great portraits. So please re-think the Bears, Beats and Battle Star Galactica!
Matchy Matchy No No - So grandma got you all matching Christmas sweaters that blink "Ho Ho Ho" in flashing LED lights. Please leave those at home with the Bears and Beets! Blending is good, Matching is bad. Now this rule doesn't mean you can't all wear a solid black as an overall theme or that your three boys can't all wear overalls but it does mean that matching can be dangerous.
Accessories - Scarves, bags, pumps, and hats are all strongly encouraged! Having an accessory gives you something to do with you hands when an otherwise uncomfortable "Taledega Night's" hand crisis arises. Pockets work for a relaxed stance but a pair of sunglasses or a sweet hat can make "relaxed" look amazing!
Here is an example of an outfit grouping that might help you finish your sessions styling;
Make it Personal!
Props are like chef's, get too many cooks in the kitchen and things start getting messy! That being said if you LOVE books or your child plays a sport or your favorite color is purple and it just so happens that purple iris's are blooming PLEASE bring a bouquet! A single special "prop" can make your photo's so much more personal.
Make it FUN!
Great pictures are my desire and if you're not having fun then neither am I! Getting great smiles can take work and encouragement. Sometimes it helps to have a crazy friend, cooky aunt or lovable grandma come along to help the smiles. I love to have company behind the camera helping me out with the circus sideshow that my sessions often become!
I hope these tips help you in peparing for your session and please feel free to contact me with more questions or for personal styling tips and assistance.
