Do you love the new blue wall? I do!

Happy Thursday everyone!

I know, I know...it's not Monday. Let's just call this a wednesday lesson then.  The holiday season is in full swing here at the studio and it's getting busy here!

On monday I had a basic photography class at my studio for the members of the Bellaire Young Mothers organization. One of the things that I talked about was how, when we grab our cameras and go to take some pictures of our kids, we often meddle with and stop the very activity that they are doing that inspired us to photograph them. We start directing them and asking them to do this and move over here and look up. They get annoyed, give us that cheesy grin to make us go away and we end up frustrated. Ever been there?

I would like to challenge you to try something different. The next time you look over and see the kids playing or doing something cute, go secret agent style with your camera. Grab the camera and use your zoom lens to get close to them (but stay back) and photograph them as they are without direction. If you can be really sneaky, grab the camera and sit down with them and play a little while you shoot them doing whatever they are doing. The big key here is minimal direction and interference!

When we were on vacation this past summer, the house that we rented has a little garden in the front and it was full of snails. One of the kid's favorite activities was collecting the snails and making a "snail home" as they called it. One afternoon I heard them chit chatting away out there and peeked out. The sky was overcast (a great time to shoot by the way) and they were playing happily together (not always the case). So, I grabbed my camera and went outside and just watched them and photographed them playing. The only direction that I gave them was, at one point, I said "Cool! Show me your snail, hold it up so I can see!". I didn't move them or ask them get closer or "look up and smile!" or anything like that.

We all want the image of our kids looking straight at the camera and smiling. We want the picture of all 3 or both of them (or however many you have) together and looking up and smiling. Keep chasing that shot but, while you're at it, try this too. Your kids will appreciate less meddling and you will get some nice candid shots. I would love to hear how you do with it.

And this is the snail home that they made...

Now it's your turn...think stealth, spy-like, unobtrusive, a journalist! Have fun and I'd love to hear how it goes.

This is Aislinn (pronounced Ash-lin). She is one of my First Year Collection babies. I have been photographing her since she still inside Mom's belly.

Little Aislinn just started preschool this past week so I know Pam (her Mom) has been worrying about her. Everyone who has had to drop a child off at a new day care, school or babysitter knows how hard the initial adjustment (crying) can be. They look at you like you're never coming back. It's rough! So hopefully seeing little Aislinn's smiling face will help you get through the afternoon Pam! And for everyone else, how can you not love this sweet, sweet face. She's like a little doll.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

and this one has to be my favorite!

Can you believe it's already almost October? What that means here at the studio is...HOLIDAY CARDS! The fall is our busiest time of the year. Right after we book a session with a client one of the very first things they ask is, "Okay, now, what do I wear?". Although you and your family may not be having your holiday images taken with me, here's my little guide to dressing for your professional portraits. We give this advice out all year so it's not specific to holiday pictures.

Rule #1: Keep it comfortable. People that are hot, itchy and hate their outfit will not look happy and comfortable in a picture. Fall sweaters look super cute but if you are shooting outdoors and it is still 90 degrees outside, leave them in the closet.

Rule #2: Make sure it fits. This sounds obvious but I can't tell you how many times people will show up for their portrait session with clothing that has never been tried on. Newborns can be especially tricky because they are so small that not a lot of their clothes fit well. If a little baby's clothing is loose it makes them look thin. Because babies are already so small making them look think just doesn't look good.

Rule #3: Not everyone has to match. In fact, I think when everyone matches it can be distracting - like you are all in a uniform. Kids look cute matching but a group of matching adults can look kind of strange.

Rule #4: Everyone should coordinate. Don't worry about matching and think about coordinating instead. If you imagine everyone's clothing is all part of a single outfit and just keep it coordinated that will look great!

Rule #5: Be YOU. I want your images to reflect you and who you are as a person and as a family. If you aren't formal then ditch the ties and suits and be comfortable (and vice versa). You want to be able to look back at your images and say, "That's so us!".

Rule #6: Be careful with patterns, stripes, polka dots and bold patterns. It can look great or it can kill an image. If you aren't a natural at fashion and picking out great coordinating clothing, just keep it simple.

Rule #7: Be careful selecting hair bows and clips. A huge bow on a little girl's head can be very distracting.

Would you like to see some of this played out in real images? I thought so. Here are some examples of well coordinated clothing:

This is a 4 generation portrait. They picked a color that looks great on everyone but they don't match. They all look comfy and they coordinate.

These super sweet brothers look perfect in their coordinated grey, yellow and black.

When in doubt, just keep it simple...

Hope that helps! Have fun this season with your families images!