What is the point of a second shooter?

If you've ever had a wedding, ever, then you are familiar with the idea of paying a photographer to be a your wedding.  You want to capture images of the most important day of your life.  But what about this 'second shooter' business?  Do you really need TWO people photographing you every step of the way on your wedding day?

As I work my way through my first year as both a family AND wedding photographer, I have done more second shooter job, as I have first shooter jobs.  That's the way it should be.  It helps me to learn the ropes, get inspiration, learn from mistakes without having the responsibility solely on my shoulders.  I have learned that a second shooter, can be extremely valuable to both a bride/groom, as well as a photographer.  

When you hire a photographer for your wedding day, you should choose someone who fits your personality, your style, your tastes, and your budget.  If that photographer offers an option to add a second shooter in your package deal...you should most likely take it.  Think of that magical moment, you are waiting to walk down the aisle, your arm in your father's, as you await the doors opening into the church.  But where is your photographer?  S/He is most likely up in the front of the church waiting for everyone to walk down the aisle...an important part of the ceremony.  But what about that moment?  The absolute silence as they close the doors behind the flower girl and a hush falls over the crowd.  The music changes and you breathe in....

What about the moment that you share with your brand new spouse, your photographer is doing what s/he was hired to do and arranging the wedding party for portraits, or getting the dress just right for the perfect image, and then life happens.  

Doing what is called a 'first look' on your wedding day has become a big part of many brides' days.  It's an opportunity to see your groom before you walk down the aisle, to get a private moment with them to soak up and enjoy each other.  Doing these without a second shooter, only shows the reaction of one of you!  That emotional reaction is so priceless and shouldn't be missed.

You never want to wonder where your photographer is on your wedding day, they are always on and walking around to capture every moment as best as they can.  Having a second shooter creates the allowance for someone to step back away from the party and give a different perspective.

So for your wedding, do your photographer, and most importantly YOURSELF a big favor and make sure to include a second shooter.  You'll never regret another set of eyes, another input on creativity, and another vantage point.

Cinderella

I have a little girl, and thus, I am completely surrounded by princesses and Disney and all things girly.  This is probably why I'm obsessed with a series of photo sessions in my head all themed around the princesses.  My first one was Snow White...and it was wonderful and perfect and I loved it.  Then came sleeping beauty...equally awesome.

And now I present to you...Cinderella...

What do I wear??

So often, we photographers have clients ask, "what should he/she/we/I wear?"  When someone asks me that...I get excited.  It allows me to help guide and share my vision of what a session will look like.  It allows me to help avoid issues that many people don't even know exist. For example...90% of the time...wearing red will alter skin tones in a way that isn't exactly favorable.  Matching every kid in the same outfit, is NOT necessary.  Matching every person in the same color isn't either.  Accessorizing is a woman's best friend, and so is a dress!  So here I want to compile some of my most basic suggestions for what to wear...it's not to say that these rules can't be bent, but try to keep them in mind and think through everything you choose to wear...because it just might be on your wall for the next 5 years.

For large groups I always suggest to pick a color SCHEME and stick with it throughout.  Warm tones or cool tones is often times just enough to get everyone 'matching' without squashing individualism.

In the above images you can see that the cool tones (blues, purples, black, white) were all maintained on everyone yet nobody matches exactly.  In many cases people can wear whatever patterns they want as well.  Stripes on one person doesn't exclude plaid on another.  Bring a lot of solids in and then throw a pop of a pattern on the little ones!  Or even a pop of a new color!

If you prefer a more uniform look for everyone, it can be done too!  Pick a soft color though...all black or white will never photograph well, you'll end up being floating heads.  Reds don't blend with other reds, and neither do oranges.  Blues and purples and yellows and browns can be done hard or soft and still blend nicely.

For couples many of the same rules apply.  For my own personal style of photography, I like to keep things light and simple and flowy.  WOMEN...try a dress!  I understand that we don't all sit around the house or go to work in dresses everyday, but it will do WONDERS for you in photographs and really express femininity.  Getting dressed up always makes us feel pretty and put together so step outside your box a little and buy a dress that you feel beautiful in.

Keep in mind your surroundings.  If we have decided on an urban session, get more funky and adventurous with color or patterns.  If we are doing a sunset session in a field, stay light and soft.  The weather may not 100% cooperate...so you may be a little cold or a little hot for a few minutes...but I promise you'll be happy you did it!

Newborns:  These are some of the simplest sessions to advise.  White and skin.  Baby should wear a white onesie, (or pale blue/pink/yellow/gray) or else nothing much at all.  Most of the session will be of baby in a diaper swaddled up in a blanket provided by me so don't stress over that part.  Headbands are fine for girls...they help create something unique to your own session.  Mom and dad WILL be involved in these photos as well though so be prepared.  White, or black if you must, are the best options as any other color will reflect onto your baby and cast bad tones. 

Individual/Kids:  If your session is focused on yourself or your child...I encourage you most especially to create a styled shoot.  Kids are excellent at playing it up for the camera and props really help to encourage that.  Styling a session isn't difficult or time consuming and really pays off in the end.  My favorite thing to do is create a story or theme for my clients and then run with it as much as I can.  Styled sessions can be done with or for anyone!

Overall keep in mind your own photographers style and technique.  As I mentioned earlier, I like to keep things light and bright.  I use the sun in a unique way to capture it and play up the bright warmth that it provides.  If I had to choose one word to describe my own tastes...it would be 'ethereal.'  I love sunshine and dresses.  I love to keep it real and natural.  Next time you are wondering what you should wear for your own photo shoot, whether it be with me or anyone else, look through their site and see what other people wear.  See what colors they utilize...do they pop bright colors or use muted tones?  Photographers showcase their favorite images and styles so working to fit within the style of your chosen 'artist' will make your session go well, and make your photos truly a work of art for your walls!

beautiful boys

I was blessed with two absolutely adorable boys.  They keep me busy, and they fight and argue, and they get dirty, and they are momma's boys.  Alexander is into guns and dinosaurs right now.  He watches shows about Dinosaurs, and shoots them on the TV with his guns.  Owen is into swords, dinosaurs, and technology.  He hits TVs with his sword and screams at you until you give him a cell phone or tablet to play with.  He is addicted to Instagram.

They are wild and noisy, but they are also beautiful.

being a kid

     My parents used to always make fun of me for dressing weird.  I would wear things that had no business going together.  Plaid with stripes.  Kitties with stripes.  Whatever I could find.  Now as a mother, my own daughter comes out of her room 90% of the time in something totally ridiculous.  But I play along.  She asks 'mommy does this match?'  I say 'uhh...it matches enough.'  Translate as...'we have nowhere to go today so it's fine if you wear that around the house.'
     Something hit me the other day when I asked my daughter if we could go outside and take some pictures and she didn't want to change clothes.  We spend most of our lives dressing ourselves to be appropriate for different situations.  Dress shirts for work.  Jeans for grocery shopping.  Longer hems for certain places, different bathing suits for different situations, certain shirts for different buildings.  Black goes with white, brown goes with cream, red goes with navy, stripes go with solids, plaids go with...well...nothing. Stockings for dance -but no skirted tutus, sneakers for school, uniforms for work.
     Our lives are based around wearing appropriate and put together clothing.  If we don't match we look crazy.  But there is one exception.  Children.  Some parents get smart early on and let their kids dress themselves however they choose when they are young, but at a certain point we re-take control and explain why it's not ok to wear a jasmine costume to the grocery store.  Kids are typically born with a confidence that says 'I don't really care what other people think of what I'm wearing' and unfortunately, they are forced out of it.  We have to fit in after-all right?
     I say we let kids be kids whenever we can.  If my daughter wants to wear a leopard print tutu with rainbow striped leggings, a my little pony t-shirt, and a scarf in the summer...I let her.  She can pretend she's a rockstar as she often does, and I can smile and laugh.  We'll save the matching outfit for tomorrow when we have to go outdoors.  Let your kids be kids and let them dress themselves in ridiculous outfits whenever you can.  After-all...it's fun, and makes for great blackmail when they are a 25 yr old fashion editor at a magazine.

a baby some smashed cake and a bathtub -louisville baby photographer-

Cake smash sessions are a favorite of mine.  You never know just how a kid will react to having an entire cake placed in front of them.  Some look at you like you're crazy.  Some dive in face first.  Some daintily dip their pointer finger into the icing for 5 bites and politely say 'i done.' (like this girl's kid)
This little guy is quite possibly the fourth cutest baby I know.  If I have more kids he'll move down the ladder...but we're going to say that won't happen so I think his spot is secure.
I photographed this little one's birth photos and have since helped teach his momma how to photograph him on their own.  I was excited when she asked me to photograph his first birthday!  So without further 'adieu'   I give you...a baby, a cake, and a bathtub.

time flies when you start out only 20 inches tall...

oh the FACE!

Again with the FACE!

whatever you want kid...a pony? a car? a jet plane?   DONE! (daddy will cover it)

Daddy needs to get his own cake though.