...my family. My husband and sons are the sunshine in my life. Working and being a wife and mother can be a little stressful sometimes, but it's all worth it when I get the special "mommy smile" and big, cuddly, hug.
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...my friends. There are few joys more pure in the is world than the company of great friends. Whether we're grabbing coffee, shopping, talking, or watching a favorite movie (for the hundredth time), I never get tired of being with my "sisters."
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...reading. I'm a bibliophile and almost always have a book with me wherever I go. One of the best gifts I ever received was my Kindle, because now I can bring an endless library with me all the time!
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....meeting new people! Part of being a photographer is taking good pictures, but it doesn't matter if you con't like meeting new people.
I would love to meet you and your family and get to know what it is that you love! |
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers to help you plan for your photo shoot:
What should I bring with me?
That depends a little on the age of your child and what you want out of your session. If they are under the age of 3, these are a MUST:
- Snacks/drinks
- A favorite toy or distraction, to help keep baby smiling
- A change of clothing - If you want a bunch of different looks, bring whatever clothing changes you’d like to make with you but make sure you know ahead of time if there will be somewhere to change (or you don’t mind changing in your car!).
What should I wear?
I don’t have specific rules, but some good suggestions I’ve come across are summarized by this excellent blog post on wardrobe for family portraits. In general here are some simple guidelines:
First and foremost:
Be comfortable and be able to move! I’ve had people sitting, squatting, running, walking, climbing on things and whatever else you can think of. Think about your location and how dirty it will be. Do you mind sitting in the grass in that dress? If you son climbs up on a rock/bale of hay/tree, are you worried he’ll ruin his clothes? If yes, then maybe think about a different outfit.
Also Do:
Solid colors in cooler or neutral tones work really well.
You can use patterns or brighter, warm colors, but try to limit it to one or two pieces to avoid having a lot of clash. |
Let your family express themselves! Family portraits should reflect your personalities and the unique style of everyone involved.
Mix up the colors. Try to avoid having everyone wearing the same color top and bottom.
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Use layers! Layering creates dynamic photos with lots of interest and potential for color pops, and provides the opportunity to make simple changes for a wider range of looks.
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Try for a coordinating color theme. For example, grey/white/yellow, turquoise/navy/white, or brown/cream/pink. Using two darker or more muted colors allows you to add in a third brighter color for some pop.
Need help with coordinating colors? Check out this great website which provides some amazing color combination ideas to get you started!
One good way to check if it all works together - lay out your family’s outfit selections on the bed or floor; do they look good to you? Does something really jump out, in a distracting way? Also, look at Pinterest! They have lots of examples, tips, pre-made color schemes and other suggestions for making your session the best it can be.
One good way to check if it all works together - lay out your family’s outfit selections on the bed or floor; do they look good to you? Does something really jump out, in a distracting way? Also, look at Pinterest! They have lots of examples, tips, pre-made color schemes and other suggestions for making your session the best it can be.
Where can we have the session?
I work best outside and I have lots of suggestions for locations! I’ve been all over Maryland and DC/NoVA and I can usually find something that fits with the vision you have and is close to you. While I will pay a daily admission fee associated with a session location for myself, location fees for photography sessions are your responsibility, and such locations are marked below.
Some previous locations include:
I work best outside and I have lots of suggestions for locations! I’ve been all over Maryland and DC/NoVA and I can usually find something that fits with the vision you have and is close to you. While I will pay a daily admission fee associated with a session location for myself, location fees for photography sessions are your responsibility, and such locations are marked below.
Some previous locations include:
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*Daily admission fee. **Photography Session fee
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I’m always open to other suggestions and welcome your input!
Also remember: home can be a great place to start, there are no rules that say your own backyard can’t be just as nice as a formal garden for a great family photo.
Also remember: home can be a great place to start, there are no rules that say your own backyard can’t be just as nice as a formal garden for a great family photo.
What should I avoid during my session?
Don’t stress out! There is a natural tendency for moms and dads, especially of really young children, to get frazzled if the kids are not behaving. If you are stressed out, anxious, angry, or just not enjoying yourself in general, it will come through in the photos.
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Avoid the temptation to point to the camera and tell your baby to “look;” I’ll do that for you, otherwise we end up with a dozen photos of you pointing at me with a big “o” mouth. Just sit back and smile and I’ll get her attention. If your older child is feeling pouty and doesn’t want to participate, again, don’t stress. I’ll warm him up and we’ll get some nice photos, even if he’s being moody.
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Arms hanging limply at your sides look awkward, try as much as possible to have some bend in your arms. Touch your other family members on the arm, put an arm around a waist or shoulder, put your hands in your pockets or hook a thumb through a belt loop. Any of these suggestions will help give you a more natural and relaxed pose.
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Above all else, SMILE and HAVE FUN!!!!