Miss Eavie

Allow me to introduce you to Miss Eavie. Six month old Eavie is the daughter of my husband's BFF, and future bestie to our own daughter! You might recognize Eavie from some facebook love she's received recently. And if you're really good, you'll remember this photo of a sweet little Christmas stocking--yup, that was Christmas-y Newborn Eavie! Six months later, she's still adorably delicious and totally glammed it up at her latest session. Check her out!  

Interested in booking a session? Visit Lantern Tree's full website at www.lanterntreephotography.com, 

or call Shannon at 317.752.9671

Memorial Day Special

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! 

To celebrate, I am offering a free 8x10 portrait to ANY print order that comes in today! Even more exciting, you can receive $25 off any session you schedule today. Woohoo! You can reserve your session for any date between now and September 1st, so grab your calendars and plan ahead!

To get on the books, email me at beaver.shannon@gmail.com, call or text (317.752.9671), or send an inbox message to me at www.facebook.com/lanterntree. We'll getcha all set up, squared away, ready to get your smile-for-the-camera on!

And while you're at it, don't forget to share this deal! You'll also get some awesome perks for referring friends. 

What to Wear for your Session

Ahh, the age-old question: "How do I decide what my family should wear for our photo session?"

I am here to help. 

First of all, there is no right or wrong answer. You want to throw on some slashed, acid washed jeans, your B.U.M. sweatshirt, and tease your hair just like the old days--that's great. We can totally rock it out. 

But for those of you Pinterest photography-stalkers (guilty!), you might be in the market for a family portrait that's a bit more trendy and up-to-date. Now, I've come to terms with the fact that I am no fashionista, but I will declare to the world that I. LOVE. COLOR. Especially in photos. And I do know a thing or two about photos.

So here's my number one tip: Color. Lots of it. Long gone are the days of family uniforms in photos (White polo shirts and khakis--c'mon, admit it. Your family is as guilty as mine--circa 1996.). Today's family portraits are not so matchy-matchy, and instead show off a whole lotta colors that compliment each other. Choose to combine colors within the same color palette--you don't want to mix pastels with neon or jewel tones. But all pastel--you're gonna look smashing. All neon?? Sweet! Let's go for it! Jewel tones are always a safe, beautiful choice. Ask Aunt Beatrice if purple, green and orange go together, and she'll probably balk at my answer--"As long as they're in the same color family!" Don't want to mix and match colors? Pick one or two and sprinkle them throughout your wardrobes with more neutral colors like greys or browns as your base. 

Tip numero dos: Patterns are great in moderation. If you're going to have some patterns in your wardrobe, choose wisely, and use sparingly. Maybe your three-year old can wear the bold, striped dress while everyone else is in solid colors. Make that person your wild card! Tiny, subtle patterns are okay to mix and match a little--think pinstripes, little polka dots, or subtle plaids. 

Three: Accessorize! Layer! Wear those cute boots or heels you've been saving for a special occasion! Splurge on that cute little bow tie or hat for your son, let your daughter wear a fun scarf and her hot pink rain jacket! The more variety and textures you bring, the more interesting your photos will be. And the great thing about layers and accessories is that after a few photos, we can take them off and you've got a whole new look! Vests, cardigans, hats, leg warmers, costume jewelry, suspenders--it's all eye candy for your photos. 

Tip 4: Leave the logos and cartoon shirts at home. Yes, you. Back away. Put down the Lightning McQueen shirt for Bobby! Logos on t-shirts (or any type of wording on clothes for that matter) are distracting and are just not going to stand the test of time--and you want your investment in these photos to be worth it years down the road. Side Note: While we're at the 'what not to wear' list, let me pick on skinny strapped tank tops--ACK. They aren't going to do well in photos to hide bra straps, and aren't very flattering in photos, anyway. If you're going sleeveless, wider straps are your best friend. 

And now, throw everything I've said out the window. I mean it! Rules are meant to be broken, right?? And these aren't even rules! So grab that batman t-shirt, dress everyone in white, or throw lots of bold patterns into the mix! The most important part of deciding what to wear is that you've made sure it reflects your family and your style, and that you're comfortable. Find what you like and commit. 

Want a couple more resources? Follow my session outfit board on Pinterest, where there are a few ideas waiting for you in photographic form. Check out shops like zuilily, totsy, or VeryJane for reasonably-priced, adorable clothing and accessories!

Still struggling? If you've got a good photographer, he or she will help you figure out what will work best. Don't be afraid to give them a call or text with questions or pictures of what you're putting together. Bring a few options to your session and take the first few minutes to put together something fantastic with your photographer! You're paying them to make you look your best, and that's all part of it, if you ask me. Want to ask me, literally? Here ya go: beaver.shannon@gmail.com

Happy accessorizing! 

Shannon

Real life

Being a mom to three can pretty much guarantee that everyday things I love will need to take a backseat. Reading books? Forget it. Traveling? Can't even go to the bathroom by myself. So it's no surprise when there are months and months between blog posts--even here on my photography blog. In my dream world, my blog would feature every session from every client. Perhaps I'd write my entries from a little cafe in Rome, sitting next to my well-behaved children as they quietly read from some literary classic, sipping on little glasses of water. But something tells me that's never gonna happen. This mom is just thrilled when the kids take naps and sit still while I read to them before bed!

Sigh. Revamping my dreams might be in order. So bear with me as I set the goal of one blog per week. Right now, that seems a little overwhelming, since we're in the middle of potty training, on the brink of summer vacation, and don't forget there are pictures that won't edit themselves. I'm giving myself the grace to miss a week (or three), or even to schedule some posts ahead of time if I'm really on the ball one day.

So to kick off this little mid-May resolution, I'll invite you to meet the little Beavers who make it so much fun for me to neglect my blogging duties!

Here's my oldest, Trenton.

 

Trenton's a 7 year-old miracle man who still fits into size 3T pants, but has more life experience than every person I know combined into one. He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has had three open heart surgeries, spinal surgery last summer, and so many heart catheterizations we have lost count. Trenton's in Kindergarten, LOVES everything to do with sports, emergency vehicles, and Clifford (thanks to his amazing Kindergarten teacher!). Matt and I sit in awe listening to him read, and rejoice every time he leaps over a new milestone he's worked so hard to achieve. Every day with this little dude is a gift, and we are so thankful for his life. He's a bit on the shy side, so catching these smiles on camera is a great way to see the goofy, fun personality he likes to hide.

Next up is Everett. 

Oh, Everett. Where do I start? This 3 1/2 year-old goofball is a bundle of energy that cannot be contained! Ev is absolutely hilarious, smart as a whip (I'm totally not biased), and pronounces things in ways that I refuse to correct out of sheer love for the way he says them. 'Bessert' after dinner, anyone? Everett is full of love for his brother and sister, and full of questions we're not sure how to answer. If anyone knows whether the world shook when God made it, Ev wants to know. We have visions of him being the life of the party one day, since his laugh can fill a room, along with his grand entrances--"Heeyyyyy guys! I'm here!" His sweet little heart and insane amount of intelligence mixed with stubbornness keeps Matt and I on our toes, that is for sure.  

And finally, Delaney.

Little Miss Delaney is the girly girl Matt and I never knew we needed. She's a two year-old little finger-sucking snuggler who also has a clear vision of which articles of clothing she will be wearing each day. Put her in a room with a pair of shoes and she'll eventually make them fit somehow! Laney can often be found holding one of her babies along with the pair of pajamas she's trying to fit over her pants all on her own. Her independence is so much fun to watch, and don't let her sweetness fool you--she can hold her own against those big brothers! We love to listen to her string new words together and hear how her little girly mind works (What can I say? We've only learned about little boy things til now!).

And there you have it. If my husband would let me take photos of him, you could see the fourth and final piece of what keeps me busy! He's amazing in a whole-'nother-blog-post kinda way. This adorable bunch can create so much chaos and love all in the same moment, our heads feel like they could literally spin right off! So when next week's blog post is MIA, at least now you'll know why. 

2013-2014 Senior Reps

I am looking for several bright, outgoing seniors to help promote Lantern Tree Photography!

Requirements:

• You must currently be a 2013 junior, set to graduate in 2014.
• You must go to Eastern Hancock, Greenfield Central, New Palestine, Knightstown, Mount Vernon, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville, or Carmel Clay High School.
• You and your parents must agree to promote for ONLY Lantern Tree Photography for your senior portraits from the time of acceptance through the entire 2013/2014 school year.
• You will receive a minimum of 3 watermarked, web-sized images to use as your Facebook profile picture and will be required to use one of them for at least 4 months.
• You are responsible for sending Lantern Tree Photography a minimum of 2 referrals. These referrals must book, pay for, and complete their senior session by March 2014.
• If minimum of 2 referrals is not met, you will be responsible to pay the balance of your senior session fee ($150).

What you get:

• A FREE mini session this fall (2013) before the end of October. The shoot will last 30-45 minutes and include two different outfits. You will be using the images (between 10-15) from this session to advertise throughout the year! With this session, you will be provided 50 customized referral cards with your name, photo and my contact information to pass out to your friends!
• A Senior Rep spotlight blog post, featuring you, your hobbies and interests.
• A standard senior portrait session: For FREE. This will provide you with an additional 30-40 images to go in your graduation announcements.
• 30% off any prints or senior announcements you order.

Need more incentive??

• If you send me between 5-9 referrals that book and pay for their session, you will receive a $25 gift card to your favorite clothing store.
• If you send me 10+ referrals that book and pay for their session, you will receive a $50 gift card to your favorite clothing store.
• PLUS, all of your referred friends will receive 24 free wallets from their session!

Interested?

Apply now by sending an email to beaver.shannon@gmail.com.