I’m nearing the end of photo shoots for 2013. I still pinch myself that I get to do this job. I put a post on instagram that I have clients as friends and friends as clients. I guess that’s what happens after almost 6 years in the area! I and truly love each of you. I see family after family that love each other AND has style to boot! Life is good, friends!
Have you done your family photo session yet this year? If not, you need to take a look at my FAVORITE accessories! Accessories are like the icing on the cake for a photo. You don’t have to add every single one to your outfit, but 2 or 3 will perfect your overall ensemble. I talk about my favorites and where to find them over on Tiny Oranges!
Side note: I’m always behind on blogging family photos this time of year. Partially because I’m so busy with photo shoots and partially because some families want the ‘big reveal’ to happen when they send out their card! So, I’m going to reach into the archives and share some perfectly accessorized families from 2012!
favorites…shoes, ties, leggings, hair accessories, flower pin
favorites…statement necklace, belt, coordinating prints, colored jeans
favorites…statement necklace, hair accessories, colored jeans
favorites…love the neutral look on both of these with careful thought to detail, tulle skirts, scarves, fun shoes and shoe laces!, hair accessories
There’s something about dressing up that makes people happy. It’s the idea of being someone else and sometimes that involves glitter make-up and fun props. Ending the night with a sack of candy doesn’t hurt the mood either!
This year we went retro. All 3 kids (two of which are in middle school) got into the fun and we couldn’t NOT dress up our dog as first year dog owners! Jillian had her outfit planned months ago. A quick trip to the downtown LA fabric district had me brushing the dust off my sewing machine. The boys’ costumes were thrown together a little last minute. With the help of my brother, my friend Laura and a trip to American Apparel for authentic striped tube socks, we were in business.
Oh and Pippa the dog? She’s Jane Fonda circa 1984. We wanted to play off her ‘permed hair.’ I made her lycra leotard, complete with tail hole. And if you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out last year’s Halloween costumes.
Oh and my afternoon at Rascals to Rebels was just about as much fun as Christmas! Here’s just a FEW favorite costumes that walked through the doors…
Don’t forget to go to the new location of Rascals to Rebels (10680 Los Alamitos Blvd) for Halloween photos this year! It’ll be Saturday Oct 26 and it’s a drop by event. So, just bring your kids in their costumes between 3 and 5pm. It’s just $20 for 3 digital photos (emailed 2 days after the event). Looking forward to it!
Just a little sneak peek from a recent family photo session in Orange County… Doesn’t get better than cute kids and perfect lighting!
I’m working on photos right now from the Back to School mini-sessions at Rascals to Rebels.
Had to post this sneak peek…couldn’t be cuter!
This weekend Kyle and I did the underwater photo sessions and as much as I loved the last time, this year was twice as amazing! We had so much fun with the kids and I think the parents thoroughly enjoyed watching us!
I’ll do a full blog post later, but for now, here’s a few sneak peeks:
Doing photo shoots at the beach is tricky business (which is why one might need a few tips for beach photography). To be honest, when a client books, I tell them unless you LOVE the beach, don’t do your photo session there. It’s sandy and windy and not a static location. Meaning, if you like perfect hair, it won’t happen here. BUT, if your kids love the sand and the water and you feel at home hearing the crashing waves, this is your place.
So, how does a photographer make the beach work for them instead of struggling against it? Well, this list is by no means exhaustive, just a few helpful things I’ve learned in the five years that I’ve lived next to the beach and done countless photo sessions there.
1. Find a beach that has more than sand and water. If it’s possible, look for a pier and maybe even some grassy areas or a cove. One of my favorite beaches has an old wood pier and I never get tired of its rustic beauty. PLUS shooting under the pier is the best light you’ll find.
2. Bring some shells. I wish I could say that you can actually find shells on Southern California beaches, but I think you’re more likely to find a candy bar wrapper. I bring a bag full of shells and hide them before the family arrives. It helps create those natural moments where kids are just exploring.
3. Use the horizon. The beach is about more than just the water. When the sky is impossibly blue, incorporate it! For these photos, I found a little dune and laid down on the ground so when I’m shooting up it makes the jumps look even higher.
4. Timing is everything. Not only the time of the photo session (I like 9am and about 2 hours before sunset), but the time you let the kids near the water. Don’t let an outfit be ruined by a rogue wave. I’ve made that mistake before and if they don’t have a back-up outfit, the session is over. No one likes to be sandy and wet for long. So, at the end of the session, we make our way down to the water and play in the waves. If someone gets wet, it’s okay!
5. Close-ups are important! I think every mom wants to see a close-up of their child’s face and for these shots, I find indirect light. Sometimes it’s under the pier or for these ones I used a close-by grassy area. While sun flare is awesome in wide angle shots, for close-ups I want to see the color of their eyes and every detail on their face. So, I make sure to get at least one close-up out of the direct sun.
Another great idea is to shoot at the bay instead of the beach. In Long Beach we have so many and I love the lack of wind and waves for little ones. It’s such a serene location. Click here to see more photos session and the bay in Long Beach.
For those of you that are interested…I ended up moving the date from August 1 to August 24th. I have a few spots left, so if you’re still interested, send me an email! It’s a great deal with a session fee of $150 and the CD of all the images (minimum of 30) for $350.
Just a sneak peek from a photo session I had at the pier in Orange County. It was such a perfect summery day at the beach. And lighting under the pier is my absolute favorite!
