“Just act natural.” It’s easier said than done when you are in front of a camera and trying to look your best while feeling a little awkward and maybe even a little insecure. Even the top models need some help to look and act more natural in front of the camera. There’s no need to be nervous going into your shoot, with a little bit of practice in front of a mirror and these tips you’ll be feeling confident and relaxed from the very first click!

 

• Have Something to Hold

Hands can be the most difficult things to figure out what to do with. For some reason, it always feels awkward just having them at your side so bring something to hold onto. Flowers, a book, musical instrument anything that is significant to you can be the perfect addition to your shoot.

 

• Natural Smile

You don’t want to get caught with the deer in headlights look and faking a smile is often not very flattering. One of the best ways to show your natural smile is to press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. The corners of your mouth will naturally draw up and it won’t look forced at all.

 

• Wear Something Comfortable

If you aren’t comfortable in what you’re wearing this will show through in your images no matter how much you try to fake it. You want to wear something you feel comfortable in not only so you can move around easily but so that you will be more confident in front of the camera as well.

 

• Posing

While your photographer will help direct you in how you should sit or stand it’s a good idea to know a few simple tricks when it comes to posing. First, just about everyone has an asymmetrical face and most often one of the eyes is slightly larger than the other. You want to turn the side of your face with the slightly larger eye towards the camera. This will help balance out the face. Second, stick your neck out slightly. This helps elongate the neck and will eliminate the dreaded “double chin” that many people have. Third, ladies, cross your feet at the ankles. This elongates the body and adds a little depth to your images.

 

• Think Happy Thoughts

Before you go into your shoot you want to have an image, joke or happy story in the back of your mind. During the shoot, you’ll want to recall on these thoughts to help bring out a genuine smile. If you start to get nervous just think your happy thought and you will instantly begin to relax and feel more comfortable.

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.

If you’ve recently booked a photo session, there are a few things that you might want to consider bringing with you to the shoot.  Some parents might wonder why they should be the ones to bring stuff along. They’re the customer right?

The truth is, you’re hiring a photographer to do what they do best, take amazing photos, and there are some things that even the best photographer’s won’t have available to you.

Here are a few things that you should consider bringing along to your child’s photo shoot if you want the best possible photos:

Toys.

Whether you’re bringing several children along to the photo shoot or you would like to fit in a few shots of you and your spouse alone, you want to keep your child occupied when they aren’t in front of the camera and toys are the best way to do this.

A good book.

Is there a specific book that your child simply loves? Bring it along to the session to either read to them while they’re being photographed or to read to a child that isn’t being photographed at that time. Your bedtime routine is so special but you never really get photos of it so this is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Their favorite stuffed animal.

Every child has that one stuffed animal that they take everywhere and even though it might be looking a little worse for wear, that stuffed animal plays a big role in your child’s life. One of the best parts about taking photos is that it captures a specific moment in time and that raggedy old bear is going to make for heartwarming photos years from now.

Additional outfits.

If you have a young child in the house, you’ll understand how quickly an outfit can get ruined. The last thing you want to worry about on the day of your photo shoot is whether your child is going to ruin their outfit before or during the shoot, which is why it’s always a great idea to bring an extra change of clothing just in case. It will really help with your nerves too.

Top tips for getting the most out of your professional photography session.

If you are prepping for your first photoshoot you probably have a couple questions about what to expect. A common concern for people having their photos taken for the first time is what to wear.

7 Top Tips for Deciding What to Wear for a Photoshoot

1. What is the purpose of the photoshoot?

This should be your first thought when deciding what to wear. Choose an appropriate outfit for the occasion and something that suits your personality.

2. Keep the location & season in mind.

Where is the photoshoot taking place? Choose an outfit that will keep you feeling comfortable and confident. For example, if you’re on a beach, those new high heels might not be the most logical choice and you might end up looking a bit out of place.

3. Mix and match.

Don’t be afraid to wear patterns or prints for your photoshoot but keep them to a minimum and try to pair them with solid colors. If you’re having a family photoshoot for example, have two family members in printed items and two in solid colors. Play with different colors to match the mood and setting of the shoot.

4. Make your photos timeless.

You might love that trendy top or pair of pants now but will your photos stand the test of time if you wear that item of clothing?

5. What to do about makeup.

This would depend on the type of photos you are taking. Fashion shoots will call for more dramatic makeup but for your everyday maternity, family or portrait shoots, keep your makeup natural and to a minimum.

6. Fit is more important than you think.

If you already have an outfit in mind for your shoot, try it on before the time to make sure that it fits correctly and compliments your body type.

7. Try not to go brand crazy.

Wearing too much clothing with prominent brand names just makes you look like a walking ad. Clothing with large graphics on it also doesn’t work well as it will end up being the focus of your photos.

Remember to have fun on your photoshoot, be yourself and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.

Dressing for a Spring Family Session

 

The birds are chirping, the buds are blooming, and the cold is finally going away. That means it’s time for your spring family session. Here are a few wardrobe tips to ensure the whole gang looks smashing:

 

• Play up the fact that it’s spring. Have a necklace with a butterfly pendant? Perfect! A dress with cactus or floral print? Yes, please.
• Channel the colors of spring. Seriously – look out the window for inspiration for your family’s color palette. Greens, pinks, yellows, beige, khaki, and blues all work exceptionally well.
• Layer up! Spring can be both warm and cold at once, so come prepared. We love spring scarves, light cardigans, vests, etc.

 

Did you know that outfits choices can create a whole different look for your photos? There are so many different ways that you can dress your family for an upcoming depending on the look you are going for. You can do a casual look, which is great, but did you know that by adding a blazer and some nice shoes for the men or going with a skirt and a statement jewelry piece for the women can take your photos to the whole next level?

I have included some additional clothing tips below that will help you find the right outfits for your upcoming session, and trust me when I say that outfits play a big part of how your final images look!

Clothing tips:

With my photography style, light or pastel colors photograph best verses darker colors. Whites, light pinks, light blues, light yellow etc. Please avoid neon colored clothing as it will cast weird colors onto your skin.

For the ladies: Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! We recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two instead.
Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature, like the desert, forest, plains or beach. Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images.
When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. If you have smaller children, we’ll likely have you sitting or crouching on the ground to interact up-close with them. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses photograph beautifully, but if you have little ones in your photos, a floor-length dress or skirt, or perhaps a cute midi-skirt, will make moving around with your kids much easier, and look perfect on camera, too.

For the men: Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals, tennis shoes and jeans at home, too, as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants or fitted colored pants work best on camera. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong complement to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. We also recommend staying away from graphics and logos. Solid color button ups will be your best bet for the men.

Please let me know if you need any help planning your session outfits. Feel free to text me photos of your outfits and I can help point you in the right direction.

7 Tips for Preparing for Your Spring Session

 

I’ve gone ahead and given you some tips to ensure your day is stress free and flawless for your spring session. Listen up!

 

1. Wear layers.

Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. I suggest wearing layers — tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.

 

2. Location is a big deal.

You better believe I’m going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those bud popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let me know. I have a nice list on hand, myself.

 

3. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family’s outfits.

Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. I recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting. Keep an eye out for my “what to wear for spring photos” blog post.

 

4. Speaking of accessories: wear them!

Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.

 

5. Time it right.

Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you’ve already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give me a call when the time is right. I will also be posting spring mini sessions on dates that make for the best images.

 

6. Incorporate props.

Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, a fresh bouquet of flowers to hold or have the boys had out to the girls is so adorable, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.

 

7. Really think about your footwear.

Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that’s comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots.

Mini Sessions for this month are pretty amazing!!! I have some amazing locations with some adorable props and I am so excited to offer something new and fun this year!

These sessions are short and sweet and are sure to keep everyone happy! These Mini Sessions can be used for family, children, maternity and mommy & me. I will even help you style your outfits to make for timeless images. Maternity sessions include complimentary gown rental from my client closet.

Spring Mini’s Include:
Up to twenty minutes time
Up to four people
5 digital images
Online proofing gallery
Online print gallery
ONLY $175

Peach Blossom Mini’s
Feb. 23rd, 2019 – Only 5 available
Location in Mesa, Arizona
Available times:
2:00 pm -BOOKED
2:20 pm
2:40 pm
3:00 pm
3:20 pm

Spring Desert Mini’s
Feb 24th, 2019 – Only 6 available
Location in Waddell, Arizona
Available times:
4:00 pm
4:20 pm -BOOKED
4:40 pm – BOOKED
5:00 pm
5:20 pm
5:40 pm

If you cannot make these, don’t worry, I have another date coming up in March in Glendale as well as one in April in Gilbert.

To book your session email me at info@ashleyflugphotography.com, fill out the contact form under the contact tab above or select your date and time in the scheduler below.

 

I hope to see you there!

Family photos make your house feel more like a home. They add a loving touch to any room and can bring make a flood of warm and happy memories. While you can go the traditional route of simply placing your photos in a frame and displaying them on the mantle or shelf you might be looking for a more creative way to show off your professional images. Whether they are pictures from your wedding day or images of your family as it has grown over the years consider these creative ways to showcase the people you love.

1. Wall mural.

A simple alternative to display your images is hanging them on a wall instead of leaving them on a shelf. You can create an accent wall in any room that showcases your photography. One way you make your wall of photographs a little different is to include words framed next to the images. Love, laughter, and family are all words you can have creatively written and added to your wall mural.

2. Create a shape.

Instead of just hanging your images in the typical square or rectangle shape consider other shapes as well. Hearts, circles, and triangles can be a unique way to display your images on the wall and can be framed or unframed.

3. Oversized frames.

Find some large oval, square or circle frames that you can run string through or attach thin lines of corkboard to. You can then pin or use clothespins to hang a number of images along each row. While you can do this with any of your images this is a really great idea for black and white photos.

4. Different color borders.

This is a simple way to add some more color to your room as well as draw attention to your images. If you are using a frame that has a border, the border is typically black or white, consider going with a fun color instead.

I planned a weekend in Flagstaff this January and I knew I had to finally put a vision I had into reality. I was so happy when Jennifer and her family were available to come up to the snowy pines to be photographed. Jennifer is expecting another little boy leaving her and Lily the only girls in a home that is already run by boys.

Paxton (7), Oliver (5) and Lily (3) are so excited to get to hold and sing to their baby brother. Jen said that everyday the kiddos come up to her belly and say “hello’. give it a kiss and little Lily loves to tickle her belly. How adorable is that?!?

When I asked Jen what dad has done for her during her pregnancy here is what she had to say, “He is always really in tune with what I need! Whether that’s a back or foot rub, or some Mexican food, he always provides. On the weekends sometimes I get to sneak in a couple extra hours of sleep and that is the best! I’m so thankful for him!” Way to go Jay!

Check out the images from their adorable session below.

 

Kind words from Jen, “The best part of my maternity session was feeling immediately at ease with Ashley. She was so helpful with my family, and my kids instantly loved her. She really helped guide me without making me feel silly. She is so down to earth and really did an amazing job. Her passion for this art is so clear in the images she captured.”

Read more kind word here.