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

MaternityLand: Stop Two!

Alright, here we are on the second half of our MaternityLand trip, and we'll be making this stop with another couple near and dear to my heart--none other than my brother and sister-in-law! Ryan and Stephanie are expecting their first child VERY soon--in fact, their due date is tomorrow! I am choosing to calm my excitement and impatience by blogging, rather than pacing and repeatedly calling the two of them to get a baby update like I feel the urge to every single minute of the day! Ha. But enough about how much I want my new niece to hurry up and get here (more on that later!), back to the photos! 

So not long ago, the three of us ventured out to Coxhall Gardens in Carmel for their Maternity Session. We brought along the infamous Lantern Tree Pink Vintage Chair, a fun frame, and of course, our sister, Karie! Karie's unofficial job was to occupy Ryan while Steph and I got down to some posing and shooting business--that is, until we'd beckon Ryan over for a shot or two and then send him on his way again. Stephanie and I had a great time capturing some gorgeous shots of her ridiculously cute baby belly. And then we'd hear a bunch of giddy laughter coming from Karie, which typically meant Ryan was doing something cheesy. Iphone snapshots, Instagram formatting, and Facebook posting ensued, and before I knew it, my sister was attempting to put me out of a job! Man, those iphones can be great little cameras, and my sister has quite the eye for photography to boot. I'll include some of their craziness and iphone shots for you to check out, too.

Now, I'd like to make you a deal: I'll only reveal these photos to you if you all stop reading right now, call my brother and Stephanie, and ask if the baby is coming yet. And when they tell you no, please do not let them hang up until you get some details about the baby's name! No amount of begging or pleading has worked for me so far. Maybe they'll tell you. So go ahead, and good luck!

Yeah, they wouldn't tell me either. Sigh. Thanks for trying. You can also await the arrival of my named-but-you-can't-know-it-yet niece by checking out the fun we had at our maternity shoot! And you can bet your biscuits that we'll have some newborn shots for you soon, too! AHEM. Hopefully VERY soon, little baby. Aunt Shannon's running out of distractions! ;)

Enjoy!

And now for the Instagram Photos:  

MaternityLand!

Welcome to MaternityLand!

You are about to take a trip with me to visit some very important people in my life, both of whom are lovely, glowing, adorably cute-bellied, pregnant women!  Our first visit is with a friend of mine who may as well be considered family. Everyone, say hello to Christina (Hi, Christina!), wife to Bob, mother to Zander, Micah, and most recently, to Asher! Baby Asher was considerate enough to wait for us to snap these maternity pictures before he entered into this world about a month early. Whew! Thanks for that, Asher!  ;) But seriously, Christina and I scheduled her Maternity session in the nick of time--the baby came just days afterward. And of course, I'm happy to report that Christina and Asher are both doing great! 

As for Christina's maternity pictures, I decided to present all of them to you in our newly offered "Vintage/Urban" format. It's everyone's new favorite. Well, maybe just my new favorite, but I fully expect you all to love it too! What do you think? Isn't Christina just gorgeous in all of her almost-ready-to-have-this-baby-ness? Post some comments letting her know how beautiful she looks, and tell us what you think about the new photo format option! The next stop on the MaternityLand train is just around the way, so stay tuned!  

The Hedges Family

If you know me well enough, you'll just roll your eyes and laugh when you hear that a quick road trip to Plainfield from my home in Greenfield turned out to be not so quick after all.  Of course, despite the wonderful directions given to me by my old college friend Amy (are we old enough to say we're old college friends?!? NAH.), I somehow managed to get lost on my way to Friendship Gardens.  Sigh.  Just when I think my sense of direction is improving, I prove myself wrong!!  Ha ha!  Nevertheless, I eventually arrived there to meet Amy, her awesome husband Todd, and adorable (and might I suggest Drew Barrymore look-alike?!?!!) daughter, Olivia.  We had a great time walking around Friendship Gardens while we took some fun photos!  Here ya go!

FUN AT FALLS PARK

Matt and I recently had the chance to hang out and talk with some of his old schoolmates.  They'd gotten in touch with us (gotta love Facebook!) after hearing about our son's heart condition.  They are currently pregnant, and have been told there might be a chance their baby is born with a heart defect, too.  So we shared our heart experiences and spent some time getting to know this fun family!  Over some delicious Mozzi's pizza, of course.  :)

Naturally, I was so excited to take some pictures for them a couple weeks later!  We took their daughter's 2 year-old pictures, some family pictures, and of course, some maternity ones.  Little bit of everything, and we really got some great photos at Falls Park in Pendleton.  Check 'em out!!