Pro Photographer's Quick Tips: How to Prepare for your Upcoming Family Portrait

I am often asked about the best ways to prep for photo sessions, so I thought I'd share a little advice to help you get ready for your time in front of my lens.  Lots of people can take great pictures, but if you are investing the time and money to hire a professional photographer to create artwork for and of your family, take the time beforehand to prepare for your portrait.  

Prepare yourself for your portrait ahead of time:


Prepping ahead of time allows you to be relaxed the day of your appointment.  Gather your clothing, press it, make sure you have everything you need ready to go.  Ahead of time.  If you are planning on a haircut, schedule it a week ahead so that your hair has time to relax (are you seeing a trend?)  Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking a few days before, instead, drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin which will minimize lines and wrinkles.  Make sure everyone gets adequate sleep the night before to appear rested and you guessed it...relaxed!


Decide what everyone will wear, ahead of time:


I think the rules about what to wear are flexible.  Everyone doesn't need to match; would you all go out to dinner all matchy-matchy?  Didn't think so. Do think about making sure that everyone GOES together--I like to tell people to pretend you are preparing one BIG outfit.  But if you are a bright and bold family, then be bright and bold.  More importantly, choose clothing that fits well, is clean and pressed.  Lay out your clothing and accessories ahead of time.  Choose the colors that look best on you--everyone has something in their closet that is always complimented.  Compliment your body--if you'd like to appear slimmer, keep in mind that darker colors tend to be slimming.

What about hair and makeup? 

Makeup is subjective; if you don't normally wear makeup, don't apply it like Lady Gaga!  However, a concealer matched to your skin tone can provide an even skin tone. Stick with matte foundations, powders and eyeshadows: shiny makeup reflects too much light and can be distracting in camera.  For hair, put a little a smoothing product on your hands and lightly smooth down any frizzy strays.  This is a good time to use a professional makeup artist or hair stylist.  Important things to check for in the mirror before we shoot: stray eyebrows and nose hairs, dry lips and inner eye gunk!


The day of your portrait:


Try to plan a relatively calm day.  (That's where all this advance planning will help out!)  Many times, our portraits will be scheduled at times that may be meal times.  Try to keep sweets and sugar to a minimum, as it can wind kids up quickly, then they can crash just as quickly! It helps to fed the kids prior to our meeting time.  Feel free to bring along some snacks and drinks, both for you and the kids.  Think of this as playtime for your family--be ready to have a great time!  Most times, I've scheduled your appointment time based on the light, so it's really important to be on time.  Plan your arrival accordingly. 

When you schedule your appointment, we'll also start planning your session--location, clothing, props, everything that will make your session great!  Great sessions require a little planning-don't worry!  I'll help guide you through it all. 

Have more questions or ready to schedule?  Send me an email or give me a call!  Talk to you soon!

Featuring: Family portraits with the Lyssy family, Forth Worth, Texas

It's always great when you can combine business with pleasure and in this case, I was able to hang out with one of my besties after I finished my corporate shoot in Dallas.  Even better, we were able to carve out a little (tiny!) time to shoot a few family portraits.  Ten years ago, just before she moved to Texas, I took a few portraits of her (so little!!) kids, and we even recreated that portrait of them today.  All in all, our session was fast and furious, but the crazy weather cooperated, the kids cooperated and even the dog cooperated!  Great to see you Lyssy family!!

Am I Still Shooting Family Portraits?

ABSOLUTELY!!  It's that time of year and I wouldn't miss it for the world!!  As much as I love shooting corporate head shots because of the one on one time I get with my subject, I love hanging out with families and capturing their dynamic and the lifestyle vibe of family portraits.
Why?  My five fav reasons:

1. The sunsets are at their most magnificent at this time of year.  Really.

2.  Families tend to get together at this time of year and are happy to see each other!

3.  It's great to see how much the kids have grown from year to year.

4.  Love planning out a shoot: simple or elaborate.

5. I could never dream of the amazing and fun things that happen!!!

Give me a call--Let's see what we can dream up!

My favorite holiday gifts

It's that time of year.  The trying to find gifts for everyone on your list time of year.  As my parents have gotten older (THEY get older, I, however, do not.) they want for less and less.  In our family we've been aiming for less knick and knack and more memory and experience and I don't think it's just me:  I find more and more friends, acquaintances and clients aiming for the same.  As a photographer, I LOVE to give (and get) my favorite images onto something I can see and love all the time that reminds me of family and my true priorities.

With that in mind, here's a few of my very favorite photography related gifts:

I love, love, love these little accordion mini albums!  What a great way for grandparents (and you!) to carry around lots and lots of your favorite images in a small package.  Wallet size, it unfolds and can hold up to 12 images.  A little magnet clasp holds it closed and a frosted slipcover protects it.  They come in sets of 3 or more--perfect for grandparents, aunts and uncles and of course yourself!

For the person on your list with a modern aesthetic, metal prints make fabulous and unique gifts!  They are available in a matte or glossy finish and can be hung without a frame.  In fact, they are float mounted, which means they hang a half inch off the wall in an ultra modern display.  Metal prints are absolutely brilliantly vibrant and show extraordinary detail.  My favorite part of metal prints is how durable they are--they have an ultra hard, scratch resistant surface that is waterproof--you can clean them with a soft rag and glass cleaner!  Your favorite part will be the look on the recipient's face when they see your amazing image on metal!

A portrait album can hold ALL of your favorite images from our session.  I love designing albums for my clients, but my favorite part about portrait albums?  Delivering them and watching the kids go through them and seeing their story unfold in the pages.  Priceless.  I know that someday those kids are going to show that album to their kids. It becomes not only a great gift for the whole family today,  but for generations to come.


What if you haven't had your portrait taken yet?  Call me today! There's still time--just give me the head's up and we'll work on your gifts first.  My lab partners have taken lessons in swiftness from Santa and are shipping all the way through December 23rd!


But one of the coolest gifts I can think of is the gift of an upcoming portrait.  I have gift certificates available, all wrapped up and ready to give to your favorite people.

Give a gift that will remind you and your loved ones year round of FAMILY and your true priorities this holiday season!

I can't wait to see you!

Lights, Camera, Action! How to prepare for your photo session!

I am often asked about the best ways to prep for photo sessions, so I thought I'd share a little advice to help you get ready for your time in front of my lens.

Prepare yourself for your portrait ahead of time:
Prepping ahead of time allows you to be relaxed the day of your appointment.  Gather your clothing, press it, make sure you have everything you need ready to go.  Ahead of time.  If you are planning on a haircut, schedule it a week ahead so that your hair has time to relax (are you seeing a trend?)  Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking a few days before, instead, drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin which will minimize lines and wrinkles.  Make sure everyone gets adequate sleep the night before to appear rested and you guessed it...relaxed!

Decide what everyone will wear, ahead of time:
I think the rules about what to wear are flexible.  Everyone doesn't need to match; would you all go out to dinner all matchy-matchy?  Didn't think so. Do think about making sure that everyone GOES together--I like to tell people to pretend you are preparing one BIG outfit.  But if you are a bright and bold family, then be bright and bold.  More importantly, choose clothing that fits well, is clean and pressed.  Lay out your clothing and accessories ahead of time.  Choose the colors that look best on you--everyone has something in their closet that is always complimented.  Compliment your body--if you'd like to appear slimmer, keep in mind that darker colors tend to be slimming.

What about hair and makeup?
Makeup is subjective; if you don't normally wear makeup, don't apply it like Lady Gaga!  However, a concealer matched to your skin tone can provide an even skin tone. Stick with matte foundations, powders and eyeshadows: shiny makeup reflects too much light and can be distracting in camera.  For hair, put a little a smoothing product on your hands and lightly smooth down any frizzy strays.  This is a good time to use a professional makeup artist or hair stylist.  Important things to check for in the mirror before we start: stray eyebrows and nose hairs, dry lips and inner eye gunk!

The day of your portrait:
Try to plan a relatively calm day.  (That's where all this advance planning will help out!)  Many times, our portraits will be scheduled at times that may be meal times.  It helps to fed the kids prior to our meeting time.  Feel free to bring along some snacks and drinks, both for you and the kids.  Think of this as playtime for your family--be ready to have a great time!  Most times,  I've scheduled your appointment time based on the light, so it's really important to be on time.  Plan your arrival accordingly.

When you schedule your appointment, we'll also start planning your session--location, clothing, props, everything that will make your session great!  Great sessions require a little planning-don't worry!  I'll help guide you through it all.  

Have more questions or ready to schedule?  Send me an email or give me a call!

Talk to you soon!

Don't forget this member of your family!

Do you have a four legged member of the family?  Or maybe no legs at all?  Someone with fur, scales or gills?  Think about including them in your family portrait!  We'll come up with an animal friendly location so the whole family can be included!