I love mini-sessions because it means I get to interact with more clients in one day than I usually do, and because it saves you all money!

When it comes to family portraits most parents’ number one concern is how to get their little ones to pose and cooperate during the shoot. There are always challenges to face when trying to get everyone in the family to look their best and look at the camera altogether but it is not something you need to stress about. These simple tips will help you prepare your young ones for their big day in front of the camera whether it’s for family portraits or birthday pictures.

 

5 Tips to Prep Your Kids for Your Family Shoot

 

1. Scheduling

You’ll want to schedule your shoot around you kids schedule. Work around naps or feeding times so they aren’t fussy or cranky during the shoot.

 

2. Make it a big deal.

You want your children to be excited about the shoot so let them know about it well in advance. Make it into a special occasion so they can get more excited and interested in taking part in it. Even offer a special treat for after the shoot.

 

3. Bribes

While you may not like the idea of bribing it can be a good idea to have a small piece of candy to give your kids for right after the shoot is done. A small treat can go a long way in helping avoid the additional stress of an uncooperative toddler.

 

4. Let The Photographer Give Directions

It’s natural for parents to want to give their children directions during a shoot or make adjustments to their clothing but this often leads to parents not looking at the camera. Let your photographer take the reins and you just focus on looking good and being camera ready yourself. Kids also tend to listen better to another adult so it can make everything a lot easier for everyone.

 

5. Enjoy the Experience

Of course, you want each shot to be amazing but your focus should be on enjoying the moment with your family and children. Sometimes the most picture perfect moments are the ones that don’t seem so perfect in the moment. Don’t set expectations of how you want the perfect family portrait. Instead focus on having the perfect family moments. The more fun you are having the more fun your kids will have too.

Hey friends!

Thanks for stopping by to read about my film photography journey.

Some of you may know that I have started to shoot film as well as digital at my sessions a few months ago. I worked a lot with film while in college but I got out of because digital was the “thing”. I recently decided that I really wanted to get back into film to push my creativity, to slow down and pay more attention to the shot vs. just being click happy!
I have had a few failed rolls of film since I started which made me a little frustrated and annoyed thinking I wouldn’t be able to do this, it is to expensive to keep shooting film I cannot use, no way I will be able to photograph both film and digital, my thoughts went on and on.

Check out these fails! They do not match my style at all, they are dark and muddy. With film, I can not do much editing to bring them to match my style like you can with digital. You have to get in right in camera and not being able to see what it looks like after you take a photo was proven challenging for me because I am so use digital.

I kept going with film, hoping I would get it figured out. When I got an email saying that my scans were ready from the last roll of film I shot, I didn’t even want to open it. I just thought it would be another dud roll that I wouldn’t be able to do anything with. Boy was I wrong! My eyes lit up when I looked at the scans because I couldn’t believe I finally had a roll of film that I could use!

Check them out. I still have a lot to learn but I am so happy with this roll of film and how far I have come since I started. I am sure there will still be those bad rolls now and then because I am no where near perfect and I still have a lot to learn but I am excited to keep advancing in shooting film.

Thanks for stopping by and reading about my journey this far. I cannot wait to show you all more of my film work on Instagram and Facebook.

Glad to see you again, photo lovers!

It feels like just yesterday I was crouched in front of adorable Teagyn snapping pictures like a maniac at her newborn session. I was really looking forward to seeing her again to see how she has changed over the past 9 months. And my, how she’s grown!

What a cutie patootie!

As you can see from the pictures, Teagyn rocked her fruit bath session. She clearly knows how to work the camera. Do we have a future model on our hands?

Luckily for me, I get to photograph Teagyn again in a couple of months for her cake smash session. I’m dying to see how much more she has changed between now and then!

P.S. Want to learn more about my grow with me packages or book a fruit bath session for your little one? Email me at info@ashleyflugphotography.com

Hey guys!

Today I have a real treat for you, which comes in the form of Kenzi. You can tell from the pictures that she is a super kiddo.

We met up at Lake Pleasant, which I love because at the end of every session we get to have a little fun in the water which is perfect to keep cool on those hot summer days and not to mention, the kiddos love it! It is such a gorgeous location.

Kenzi likes to jump rope, play with friends, get her nails painted, and watch Netflix. She also enjoys going out to dinner with her parents!

Speaking of parents, Rachel did a really wonderful job choosing the perfect dress for her spring session. Okay, moving on to what you’ve been waiting for, photos of the beautiful Kenzi.

It’s that time of year again for spring mini sessions. I know a lot of you have been asking about these so I thought I would get a couple of dates on the calendar for you to start planning your session, whether it be family, maternity or photos of your children. More dates may be added depending on how much interest there is.

Please checkout the form below for details and available times. If you would like to book a mini session please fill out the form to begin the booking process.

Thank you so much for your interest and if you have any questions please reach out at info@ashleyflugphotography.com

If family photos are one of your annual traditions or if you’re just looking to change up the photos that are currently hanging in your home, there are so many unique photoshoot ideas that you can use that go beyond the usual posed portraits.

Below is some inspiration as you plan your next family photoshoot.

Silhouettes

If you have a beautiful location in mind, taking family photos at dusk or even at night with the stars as your backdrop, will allow you to capture your silhouettes and give you a unique family portrait to hang in your home.

Reflections

Have your family stand in front of a still body of water so that you can capture your reflections instead.

Footprints

If you still have young children in the house, use your feet to create a special image that you can frame or print on canvas. The photo could be of your feet intertwined at the foot of the bed or of your feet in the sand at the beach.

Perspective

If you’re looking for something a little more creative, why not line your family members up and take a shot from the side so that you see your faces from a different angle.

Kisses

This is another great option if you have a new baby or a toddler in the house. Have each parent plant a kiss on baby’s face. This photo allows you to capture the sweet innocence of your child at that age and the love you have as a family.

Dress Up

The best family photos are those that capture a genuine moment between loved ones. Have your husband and son get dressed in their Sunday best to get a shot of them fastening their ties or bowties in the mirror. Play dress up with your little girl by placing curlers in your hair and hers and get a shot of the two of you looking in the mirror.

Don’t be afraid to get creative at your next shoot. Ask us for advice or ideas if you need some extra help.

 

 

 

Have you ever wondered what makes a photo stand out and stir certain emotions in you when you look at it? Of course, photos of your family and places you love will naturally give you the warm and fuzzies or leave you in awe but there are also very specific elements in great photos that help bring them to life and make you take a second look.

1. When a photograph has beautiful lighting it gives the image a certain mood and highlights the important aspects of a photo. Light is an incredible tool so using natural light from an open window or door or even a soft artificial light can make all the difference.
2. While focusing on a specific person in a photo is how we naturally take photos, that person is only a part of the greater whole. Your background and any other objects in a photo all make up the structure and scene that draw you into that moment.
3. A good quality photo will usually allow you to pick up on certain textures such as a pair of woolly socks or the texture in a heavy wooden door.
4. Sometimes the most beautiful photos are taken from a different perspective such as getting down to a toddler’s level at a birthday party or taking a shot of a tall building by looking all the way up from a street corner.
5. Play with colors when you take photos, match them up or emphasize specific colors to draw the eye to a certain detail in a picture.
6. The moment. Capturing a moment that will never happen again makes for incredible photos.

Photography isn’t only for the professionals. Everyone has the ability to take a great photo by focusing on a few simple elements, getting creative and being ready to capture something beautiful or everywhere you go.

When it comes to hiring a photographer you don’t just want to go with anyone. Each photographer will specialize in a niche and favor a certain style when they shoot. If you want something more traditional you wouldn’t want a photographer that prefers to shoot documentary styled shoots. This tends to be an overlooked factor when it comes to hiring the right photographer and understanding the different styles will help you better when looking for your perfect photographer.

The Basic Styles of Portrait Photography

• Traditional

Traditional portraits are classic images where the main subjects are posed and fully aware of the camera. They can be formal for more professional images or informal for senior, kids, or head shot portraits.

• Candid

Candid portraits are taken in the moment and are very similar to journalistic shooting. Typically the subject is not aware that their images are being taken with little to no interference from the photographer. Candid portraits are often common during events or weddings. These images tend to capture the more natural emotions of the subject and surroundings.

• Lifestyle

Lifestyle is the most common type of portrait for editorials, fashion, family, engagement, and weddings. These portraits capture the sense of living style from the subjects. Lifestyle portraits can often be a combination of other styles like environmental and candid.

• Glamour

Glamour portraits are more stylized focusing on the physical appearance of the subject. These types of images usually have a team on hand and various lighting setups and equipment. Glamour shots tend to give off a more romantic appeal.

• Environmental

These types of portraits are the most common for business professionals. Environmental portrait photography captures the person in their natural environment. Whether that is in the kitchen of a restaurant, behind the desk at the office or in a large forest. These images are planned out and often staged to allow for the surroundings to enhance a characteristic of the main subject.