What do you do with your family photos after a session?
When we get professional photos taken every year, I like to use them on our holiday card, get framed prints for our house, make a yearly ornament of the boys and incorporate them into the photo books I design as gifts for the grandparents and my husband containing photos from all year long.
Do you just enjoy your images in a digital format? Share them only on social media? Or do you also like to make products out of the images that you can hold and pass around and then eventually pass down?
The Zenfolio galleries where I post full sessions make it easy to order a variety of products. And if you want help designing something special with your images, contact me.
Want to work together for your Family Photos this year? Here are my Top 10 Tips:
Take a look at my galleries and blog and see if my style is a good match for you.
Contact me at least a few weeks in advance (though Spring and Fall get booked up- so the earlier the better) and tell me what’s most important to you for a photo session.
We’ll start to design your session. Decide what kind of shoot you want to have – in-home lifestyle vs. out-on-location? If out-on-location – do you prefer a nature vs. urban setting? What area of town is easiest for you to get to? Does your family have a favorite place? Then I’ll send you options. And we’ll finalize date/time/place.
Decide what everyone is going to wear (give yourself enough time if you want to shop online (What to wear in Spring, What to wear in Fall) – Dress for the weather (and in Texas – that’s hot and a little less hot). Clothing guidelines: pick 3-4 colors that the family can mix and match. Remember accessories AND at least 1 week before the shoot – have everyone try on their clothes – shoes included – you don’t want any surprise growth spurts catching you unprepared.
Book haircuts – 2-3 weeks out.
Book manicure/pedicure for yourself a few days out (if you enjoy that kind of pampering).
Night before – lay out the clothes, have a bag packed with a hairbrush, and some water/snacks, get a good night’s sleep.
Day of – give yourself plenty of time to get ready, eat before you come – no one wants to be hangry, if you have littles, pack extra clothes in the car. Be on time (we choose your start time for the best light). Do one last check of faces (I’ll have wipes) and hair before we start.
Remember – I like to let kids be kids – and I’ll give you lots of direction and games to play during our session. You may be asked to play chase, twirl in a circle, toss your youngest into the air or participate in a hug attack. And if you have ideas of images you want, please let me know.
I drove out to Leander, TX recently to meet this sweet 7 week old baby. She was awake and curious during her newborn session and happy to be snuggled in her parents’ arms. And a big thank you to her grandparents for being on hand to help with soft blankets, flower arranging and baby diaper changing.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of her newborn session images. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the gallery, click HERE.
2) Get in pictures with my guys at least once a month – Did so-so, luckily we’re getting our family pictures taken next month with Angela (so expect lots of sharing from those)
3) Introduce the boys to the following: Krause Springs, Blue Hole (Georgetown), Blue Hole (Wimberley), Hamilton Pool, Typhoon Texas and lots of swimming pools and water parks ??♂️ – We made it out to a few of these – Krause Springs was a favorite – but lots still on the list to try in 2019.
4) Continue making phone calls once a week (thanks @make5calls) to my Congressman and Senators in protest (and volunteer for @betoorourke) – Yes! Still making calls once a week – and phone banked for Beto multiple times.
5) Continue donating to @donorschoose with every photo session booked – Yes, and will continue to do so the rest of the year. You book a photo session = I donate.
6) Practice a new photography skill and take a photography class – Yes, took a studio lighting class at Precision Camera.
7) Continue volunteering with the boys @generationserve – So-so, we volunteered once in July, need to sign up for more spots this Fall.
8) Self-care by yoga class, pedicures with friends, reading in the backyard hammock – Yes – got a spa day at the lake, tried some new yoga teachers and found lots of new authors I love.
9) Go out dancing with Ted – Big no :(. Maybe this Fall….
10) Get a haircut before I try and cut my bangs again – So-so, got a haircut, still cut my own bangs 🙁
11) Go on a bat ? watching boat tour – Yes! So much fun – totally recommend – we took a Lone Star riverboat.
13) Book our own family portraits for this Fall – Yes! Now just figuring out what everyone is going to wear.
14) Research some photo workshops to attend in 2019 – Yes – have started researching, but there are SO many good ones to choose from.
15) Plan some trips for after school starts (beach! visit family! visit the other side of the family!) – Not yet – but need to grab a calendar and start planning.
Now time to brainstorm some #FallActionList items…
In the wise words of The Alison Show – “If you feel called to do it, freaking do it.”
Well, my talented, crafty friend has decided to launch a new business – and I’m sharing lots of sneak peaks before her full site launches next month. We met before her photo session to discuss what all she would need to illustrate her business. Our list included:
headshots
mini-workshop
finished products
various crafts in progress
And yes, she was decked out fully in wool during our humid August photo shoot (that’s dedication to knitting, I tell you what).
Next we wanted to show what a typical Gather Art workshop could look like. Lisa invited over some friends for a paper marbling workshop. Lisa set up all the supplies in her backyard (imagine the same at your house :)) – and the crafty friends got to work. See above and below for various steps on the process from mixing to dipping to drying to framed finished work.
After the workshop, I photographed the width and breadth of items Lisa can teach you to make – from paper arts to pom pom balls to fingerless gloves. Any skill level is welcome (kids included).
And right before I packed up all my photo gear, we got some work in progress shots for other possible workshops to consider. Whether you love embroidery, want to take your knitting to the next level or are curious about how to weave, she’s got you covered.
Make sure to visit her website and sign up for the newsletter to be the first to hear when her workshops launch. And then tell all your friends 😉
While I typically focus on family photography, I’m always happy to utilize my photographic skills in other ways – from party photo booths to commercial projects. If you have a side project that needs photos, more info HERE or contact me below:
