Family Session Southern Indiana Clark State Forest

This super sweet family met up with me for a last minute session to celebrate their family and upcoming nuptials!  It was a gorgeous day, albeit a little warm, but these girls are way too cute!  When I heard there was a 9 month old, I was prepared to see a crawler...but this girly is already walking everywhere!  Talk about keeping her mom and dad on their toes!

Ariel

This session is most definitely one of my top favorites to style.  When I was asked about creating a session based off of Disney's The Little Mermaid...I was thrilled.  It's probably one of Disney's best movies...EVER.  The dress, the location, the accessories, the dingle-hopper...everything was perfect.  Even the overcast windy day right before a storm!

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!