Monday, May 25, 2009

Babies, Babies, everywhere Babies!

Miss Angie came to me this past weekend for a pre-maternity session. She was just glowing!
She is not due until late August but we had fun! We will have fun doing her full maternity session in July! I cant imagine how much that little baby will grow by then!!

Here are a few favorites from the session!
Feel free to comment!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Photo Session Tips

Photo Session Tips

General
It is very important to get a good night sleep before your session, also drinking lots of fluids will improve your skin texture.
Simplicity is the key to a successful portrait.


Clothing
Think about what type of portrait you want and bring in your favorite outfits that capture that look.
If you are taking full length photos, don't forget shoes, hosiery, etc.
Your face should be the focal point of your portraits.
Long sleeved solids or very subtle prints are usually the most flattering in portraits.
Remember, if you are self-conscious about your arms do not wear sleeveless tops.
Earth tones are best for outdoor portraits, since we can drop you into an outdoor background if you request it before your photo session.
Traditional styles will stand the test of time and keep your portrait looking fresh for years to come.
Busy patterns and bright/loud colors can be very distracting in your portraits.
Avoid large and bold patterns that might tend to draw attention away from your face.
Solid colors are best but avoid solid white outfits.
In a group or family portrait, proper clothing coordination is critical. Do not mix casual and formal attire and choose clothing inthe same tonal ranges (i.e. do not mix light and dark values) so that no single member stands out.


Props
Props can help to show your personality and record the types of activities you are involved in. Be sure to bring some of your own props to your portrait session.
Here are some ideas:

· Flowers
· Musical Instrument
· Jacket
· Uniform
· Hats
· Sports Equipment
· Stuffed Animals
· Sunglasses
· Beach Props


Make-Up and Hair Styles
Don't forget your necessities...makeup, hair brush, hair spray, etc.
Be careful when applying foundation. You do not want your face to be one color and your upper body another.
Apply makeup as you would if you were going to a formal occassion in the evening. In other words, using a bit more than you would during the day.
Use enough powder base for a matte finish to avoid any shiny or oily appearance on your face.
Pay special attention to your eyes, as they will be the most important part of your portrait.
Eye shadow should be a lighter color to bring your eyes forward.
If you plan to get your hair cut, do it at least 1-2 weeks before your appointment.
Allow two weeks for a fresh perm or color to relax.
Don't experiment with new hair styles the day of your session.
Gentlemen remember to to shave before your session...a "five o'clock shadow" cannot be removed from the finished portrait.


Accessories
If you wear glasses all of the time, you'll probably want them in your portraits but please keep in mind that light will glare and reflect on the lenses.
Also, tinted lenses may darken under studio lighting. It is very difficult to remove the glare once a photo is produced so it may be best to avoid it entirely by removing your glasses or removing the lenses temporarily from your frames.
Items such as watches, glasses, and other tight fitting jewelry or clothing can leave red marks on your skin and can take up to an hour to disappear. Please be sure you remove them at least an hour before showing up for your appointment. Fine watches, rings, necklaces, pins and bracelets are always in good taste and should be coordinated with each outfit you bring.
If your hands will be in the photograph, be sure your nails are manicured.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Seven Steps To Getting The Best Photographs For Your Wedding

Seven Steps To Getting The Best Photographs For Your Wedding

After the countless hours you spend pouring into planning your wedding, the day passes in a whirlwind of emotion and excitement. It's a day for memories in the making.

Proper preparation is key to making sure that you'll get the very best photographs to reminisce on your wedding day. We've gathered information to give you a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about getting the beautiful pictures you expect.


1. Timing is everything.
Having realistic expectations about how much time it actually takes to get photographs during the day is essential. The bridal party generally underestimates how much time it takes to get from point A to point B. So if you have a number of spots you feel you really want to travel to for wedding photos, make sure you can squeeze them all in the time frame you have. Unforseeables like traffic and delays in the wedding schedule can occur, so buffer time estimates, be prepared to hit the most important spots first, and know that plans might change. The wedding day can be hectic, and you might find yourself feeling like you just don't have enough time. However, it's still very important to allow for at least 30 minutes for the bride and groom to spend alone with the photographer. This can be a photo walk, or a secluded session, but it is the time when the photographer can really capture the romantic, posed and candid shots of the stars of the day. Talk to your Photographer about how to best schedule this part of your wedding day.


2. Understand your preferences.
To help ensure that you get the photos you want, be as specific as possible with your photographer. Share with them examples of photographs you love. Taking some time to assess what you hope to capture in photographs helps to make the process go that much more smoothly.


3. Communication is key.
Now that you have your photographer, it's important to communicate exactly what you're looking for. Sometimes, it can be difficult to describe in words what type of photographs you want. Browse through the photographer's portfolio, and point the pictures you love. Look for poses, candid shots, and sentimental moments that grab your attention and present them to your photographer.


4. Review the contract and then review some more.
Let's face it, contracts aren't the most engaging piece of written material out there. But they are a necessary part of the wedding planning process.If you have any questions at all, make sure to get them resolved before the big day.


5. Make a list and check it twice.
Posed shots are typical of many wedding albums. Usually your photographer will capture a great deal of these after the wedding ceremony. Sometimes the reception can be another appropriate place to take the more formal wedding shots. It's always a good idea to compile a list of all the relatives and friends you want grouped together for formal photos. Assign a friend or family member to act as photo coordinator. This person should own your list of portraits and must-have shots and should work with your guests to make sure they're ready to go when it's picture time! As a bride, you want your photographer shooting amazing images ? not tracking down your aunts and uncles. We hear time and time again from clients who take this advice how smoothly the day went and how they ended up with every shot they wanted.


6. Secure the transportation and parking.
Making sure the transportation and parking are in order is a simple yet easily overlooked detail. If you will be traveling to various locations, check ahead of time to make sure that parking will be accessible so that the photographer can spend his/her time capturing those coveted photos. One option you might consider if parking is difficult is to have your wedding photographer ride with you in the limousine or whatever vehicle you'll be using to transport the wedding party around.


7. Dress the part.Keep in mind what you'll be wearing when you plan for your wedding photography.
For instance, if you want to take fun photos frolicking along the grassy fields of the local part, don't expect to do it wearing a ten-pound corseted gown with pristine satin high heels that dig into the grass. Bring a change of shoes, pick a more appropriate venue, or plan on keeping the tone of the photos in line with your attire and that of your wedding party.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Beautiful moments deserve beautiful photography! You have been planning your wedding day for months, now it's time to enjoy all your hard work and enjoy yourself! We are there to help out with anything you may need. Our main focus is to get those most desired shots so that you can cherish every little detail of your wedding day but if there is something else we may be able to assist you with, just ask!