Kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off it all completely off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to avoid the gritted teeth and bug-eyed forced smiles during our session.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Make a list of things that your child thinks are are funny and send it to us prior to the session. This way, we can be prepared and add these things into our bag of tricks.
2. Also give us a list of icebreakers for your child. Tell us the kinds of shows they watch, music they listen to, friends’ names, favorite story, etc. This will give us something to talk to them about, and will help them to forget that they’re are in front of the camera.
3. Practice phrases at home to see which ones will evoke the best smiles from your child. Reverse psychology works really well, for example, “(Child Name) don’t look at the camera, don’t smile (Child Name)!”. It works for some and for others it does not. Please, oh please, avoid “Say cheese!” unless that really works for you child.
4. Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.
5. If there is a song that your child loves, load it up to your phone and bring it along with you, or be prepared to sing it for them during the session.
6. Bring along a bribe (such as a toy, a trip to the zoo, etc.) and show it to them, or remind them of it, during the session. Feel free to check out our blog post the power of bribery.

It’s hot outside, but fear not. Here are some cool wardrobe tips to make sure your summer family photo session is a hit:

– Wear light fabrics that let you breath, but still look polished. It’s OK to show some skin, too. Shorts are good, as are tank tops.
– Really play up the summer accessory factor. I’m talking sun hats for the ladies and big sunglasses for all.
– You can even bring summer-appropriate props that complement your outfits. Maybe it’s a beach ball, balloons, giant lollipop or messy ice cream cone.
– Choose shoes that are comfortable and summery. Flip flops, loafers, open-toed pumps, even sweet sneakers on your kiddos.

Indigo – or deep blue – is a rich, exceedingly popular color which looks beautiful in almost any setting. Outfits with blue elements create a sense of calm and quiet – perfect for a more introverted couple or natural backdrops. Blue can be dressed up or down to fit your tastes, and can be used either as a main color or accenting in your outfits.

Cascade – Brighter than the other blues in this collection, Cascade is optimistic and playful. Soft sand tones as accents allow this special blue to shine. Cascade is another wonderful choice for those who aren’t quite sure what color would look best; it won’t let you down! A perfect color to wear for the camera.

Coral Breeze – Coral is a lovely color for photo shoots both indoor and outdoors! A long, flowy maxi dress keeps you comfortable while allowing you to show off your baby bump. Natural fiber accessories, such as a straw hat and woven bag, add casual elegance to your look. Sandals look great and feel great with long dresses and prevent your feet from overheating!

Lace Yesterday – A lovely lace dress with a flattering a­line cut allow you and baby to stay cool and comfortable during the shoot! A parasol adds vintage elegance while providing shade in an outdoor session. Accessorize with a splash of color ­ aqua looks fabulous! ­ to add interest to your images. Flats and low­heel shoes keep you safe and comfortable.

Honey Blues – What a sweet look for the warm season! A flattering light blue cotton dress makes you the standout! Accessorize with golden tones to add warmth to the pallette. Adding a themed necklace, such as a honeybee, creates meaning and detail in your images and allows you to express the things you love. A perfect look for an outdoor shoot.

Sugar Coated – The overall effect of this look is relaxed, happy, and delicious! Candy­inspired colors such as corals and bright greens interplay against an otherwise muted palette. Denim shorts keep you cool with a relaxed, breezy shirt on top. Try a surprisingly bright pair of flats to add interest and color­pop to your images!

Pink Lemonade – Ah, pink and canary yellow stripes ­ the classic summer outfit! A relaxed ruffle­hemmed shirt with stripes is slimming and comfortable. Brightly colored cropped pants are playful and comfy to wear. Muted tans and greys for accessories make sure not to draw too much attention away from you, and a wide­brimmed straw hat keeps you cool and looking fabulous! Flowy, stretchy fabrics feel wonderful and look great on camera.

Summer of Love – Coral and yellow solids form the base of the outfit, allowing interesting jewelry and accessories to create added detail. A flowy skirt adds a whimsical touch. Canvas accessories and shoes keep things casual. Natural fiber fabrics, such as cotton or linen, help to keep you cool in the warm sun!

In Full Bloom – A unique blend of denim, color, and florals make this outfit wonderfully fresh! Dip­dyed denim shorts add a unique color gradient, matching the beachy coral sandals. A while cotton tank top allows your accessories to shine ­ try sunglasses and a colorful necklace to bring the look together! A floral headband is just the thing to top things off ­ adding organic detail and Summery whimsy!

Ultra Pop – A mix of quiet and loud makes this outfit a standout. Splashes of incredible, intense color create strong focal points against soft, neutral colors. Start with solid color pants and a grey tank ­ then add color and personality with shoes and accessories! A great look for indoors or outdoors.

I get really excited about going into new parents homes and photographing the candid moments of babies first days. Today’s blog post features Melanie, Ken, and their newborn baby, Addisen, in those kinds of lifestyle, real-world images.

The session took place at their lovely home located in Litchfield Park, Arizona and the day was truly memorable. Don’t you just love the nursery? And you know there was so much love there based off the pictures alone! You can practically feel it through the screen! Congrats on your growing family, Mel and Ken!

How to make your next family photo session a stress free one.

Family photos are truly timeless and such a great keepsake for future generations.  Getting the family together to take those perfect portraits can turn into chaos if not approached correctly. There is usually a lot more to consider when it comes to a family photoshoot since there are members of all ages, which means that there is some extra coordination involved.

Below are some family photoshoot ideas and tips to keep you and your loved ones calm and smiling the whole way through.

1. Timing is everything. If you have younger children involved in the shoot, try and arrange the photoshoot at a time when they would be well rested. A rested child makes for happy photos. On that note, make sure that all family members have gotten enough sleep the night before as this helps with the fun and relaxation aspects of the session.
2. Dos and don’ts of bribery. Get your family excited about the photoshoot instead of offering a reward in return for their cooperation. This tends to lead to forced smiles and an irritated bunch of people. If you do have small children coming along it’s not a bad idea to give the photographer some bribery options in the form of toys or small food items to make those difficult moments a little easier
3. Relinquish control. As much as you’ll want to direct your children on where to stand and how to pose, it’s best to leave that to the photographer as they know what works best. Not having this pressure will also make you feel more relaxed.
4. It’s not just about the posing. The best photos happen when you’re having fun so joke and play with your children, hold your partner’s hand and just let the moments happen.
5. Plan ahead. Discuss all of your requirements with your photographer beforehand so that the family photo session can just flow. Let your photographer know if you want specific pictures taken.
6. Keep those sugar levels up. If everyone is well fed, the photoshoot will also run a lot smoother. It’s also not a bad idea to take a few snacks and some water along for those who might need it

Enjoy capturing your memories.

 

There is so much that I loved about this family and their session. Samantha reached out wanting to get photos of her family in uniform in front of the flag wall at Park West which I, of course, was thrilled about. When the Zaragoza’s showed up, I was so happy to see that even their daughters were in mom’s and dad’s uniform shirts. Seriously… how perfect!

Justice and Honor are the sweetest little girls and are so adorable. They are very lucky little girls having mommy and daddy as police officers. I loved all the hugs I got from them and all the cute smiles they gave. They loved seeing what they could see in my lens such as elmo or dinosaur poop!

There was a lot of love and laughter during their session and I am so happy that I was able to capture these memories for them. Below are some of my favorite images from there session. Enjoy!!

P.S. Did you know that we offer 15% off sessions for police officers, firefighters, and military?

If you’re preparing for a photo session with your children, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive. Children aren’t always easy to deal with, which is why the below tips will definitely come in handy before your upcoming photo session.

1. Don’t make a huge deal out of it. If you’re stressed out and cranky, your kids will usually pick up on it and act accordingly. Their behavior will usually be better if you are relaxed and having fun. You may have to make some compromises to keep the peace such as letting your energetic daughter’s hair stay straight instead of curling it into because she won’t sit still. Focus on the big picture and don’t sweat the small stuff.
2. Make it fun. Let the kids have a couple “fun pictures” where they get to pick their own pose or props. You get to keep the more serious photos while they get to keep their silly photos. This way everyone wins. If you are struggling to get your kids to sit still, turn the photo session into a game. Simon Says usually works like a charm.
3. Be prepared. If you’re going to be out for several hours, ensure that your children are well rested and have had their nap. Bringing some snacks and activities along is also a great idea. If you are having your own photos taken too then you might want to bring a babysitter or family member along to watch the kids. If you happen to be shooting in a remote location, you never know when you might need something like bug spray, tissues or a first aid kit so bring that along too.
4. Be patient. Save your sanity by trying not to control the photo session too much. Sometimes the best photos come from kids just doing their own thing. Work with your photographer and your photos will look fantastic.
5. Have a chat. Get your children talking to both you and the photographer about topics such as school or their favorite songs. This allows them to feel more comfortable around your photographer and will also give your photographer a chance to capture a few candid and cute expressions.