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.

I know that you have been busy with your new bundle of joy but have you thought about newborn photo session prep yet?

You’re in a new and exciting time in your life. You’ve now got this adorable, precious little soul and are ready to document his or her first memories in photographs. I want to make this a joyous experience for you and your family. I know how nerve-racking picture day can be, especially when you’re running on, little- to -no, sleep. To help you out with this process, I’ve compiled a list of preparation tips to ease some of your stress. If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me at info@ashleyflugphotography.com and I can get you the answers you’re looking for.

What to Bring

If we are doing a session in your home, you don’t have to bring anything, however, I suggest that you take a look at this list and have these items readily available in case we need them during your session. If you are doing a studio session, please follow this checklist to avoid under or over packing your diaper bag.

I keep my sessions pretty basic and focused in on your new little bundle of joy, and therefore, take a minimalistic approach in my prop usage. Especially if I am traveling to you, I do not bring a lot of props with me. I will take care of the backdrops, wrap and headbands, etc., but I tend to pack light prop-wise. If there is something you’d like to include in your photos – a special outfit or blanket, a favorite stuffed animal or toy, heirlooms, etc. –, I will be more than happy to incorporate it in your session. The more personal items we use in your session, the more unique these photos will be to your child and your family’s personality.

To ensure that your baby is happy and calm during the session, I suggest bringing a blanket that we can swaddle him or her in, as well as a pacifier. Also be sure to have fresh bottle — if your child is currently using a bottle — and diapers ready to go.

What to Wear

Newborns are not very patient when it comes to outfit changes. I suggest having your child in an outfit you’d like for him or her to wear in photos before you get to the session. On the way to the session, covering it the outfit with a bib or burp rag in case of little incidents. After we take a few photos in this outfit, I prefer to take the rest of the photos in wraps –, or completely in the nude. In my opinion, babies photograph best this way and they will also cooperate longer if we are not constantly changing their outfits. If you are not comfortable with this, I can stick with one to two outfits for the session.

If you are going to be in photos with your child, I suggest bringing a backup shirt, just in case. We also suggest that you wear a white or light shirts in case we need to photograph parts of you with your child on the backdrop (for example, just your hands holding the baby) so you don’t stand out. For mommies, we suggest keeping jewelry to a minimum, as babies like to grab ahold of these items.

If you have any wardrobe questions, please contact me. I’d be more than happy to help. Thanks for reading and I look forward to your session!

I’m still on a high from photographing Michelle, who’s 28 weeks pregnant with her little one and looking straight up gorgeous during her dreamy desert session! We headed over to the White Tank Mountains in Waddell, where we were able to utilize tons of natural light and a gorgeous backdrop of the desert. Needless to say, from the location to the clothing to the light and beyond, every element came together to make for some incredibly beautiful images.

I am all about those dresses – aren’t you? FLAW-LESS! You make my job easy, Michelle, and it was an absolute pleasure to hang out with you and photograph you during this sweet time of your life! I’m so excited for your little one to arrive!

Hi ladies and gentlemen!

We’ve got some serious reason to celebrate! Christina and August welcomed their little princess, only a few short days ago. If that isn’t reason to do a happy dance, I don’t know what is!

My shoot with Christina and the rest of her family – including Dad, and their son, Matthew – offered lots of those moments. The session took place in March at a gorgeous farm in Gilbert, Arizona, and it was a non-stop shutter clicking extravaganza!

As you can see from the pictures below, Christina was the perfect soon-to-be mom. Any photographer would be lucky to photograph her. And that baby bump couldn’t get any cuter!

The proof is in the pictures!

 

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

We all know that Mom and her baby are the stars of the show when it comes to a maternity session, but there’s no denying the sweetness of having the entire family in the frame, too. I love capturing the raw, candid moments between parents and siblings, and pressing pause on a moment in time that would otherwise go by so quickly and without preservation!

My shoot with Heather and the rest of her family – including Dad, and their 3 children, Mattix 13, Slade 8, Monroe 5 – offered lots of those moments. The session took place in February at a beautiful wash in Glendale, and it was a non-stop shutter clicking extravaganza!

 

Don’t you just love that image of  the Cooper’s? Too precious.

 

I’m so excited for your growing family, you two. Thanks for letting me step into your world for a moment!

 

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.