What to wear in a family photo–this seemingly simple question grows complex when you realize whatever you and your family wear will be on display for years to come. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right family ensemble.

Nix the matching white shirts and jeans.  The days of matching outfits for family portraits are gone. As an alternative incorporate a color palette like this family photo (colors: white, denim, beige, gray, brown):

earth tone family outfits
from OneGoodThingbyJillee.com

 

Consider your home. These photos will hopefully be on display in your home, picking colors and styles that go well with your home’s aesthetic will tie everything together. In fact, we can even shoot in your home, like this family:

family photo in your home

from Blue Sky’s Studio

Think layers. Layering a few items like jewelry, sweaters, vests, etc. add texture and realism to your family photos.

wear layers for family photos
from babble.com

Classic style. Of course you want your family photo to reflect your unique fashion sense, but remember how some trends can look tacky just a few years later. Bell bottoms or fluorescent hi-tops anyone?

classic styles for family photos

from Blue Sky’s Studio

Color collaborations. Avoid dressing all in the same colors, but accent each other’s unique style by using a complimentary palette of colors and subtle patterns.

complimentary colors & patterns

from Blue Sky’s Studio

Don’t forget the shoes. Remember, your shoes will often be in the shot so buy shoes that go together and fit the overall style you’re trying to achieve. 

Match shoes for family photos
from Project Inspired

 

girls-senior-photo-fashion-tipsHere are a few ways you can prepare for your best senior pictures portrait session:

  • Come to the session clean faced, with clean, dry hair.  Our professional makeup artist will do the rest.  It is also a great idea to bring a picture of makeup you really love so we can give you that perfect look that represents.. YOU!
  • Avoid being overly tan, sunburned or having obvious tan lines. They are harder to color-correct and process, which will add to your cost.
  • Don’t hesitate to rock your favorite accessories and shoes. They are a fun way to show your personality.
  • Make a personalized Pinterest board with images you love and share them with Blue Sky’s.  We want to capture images that you totally love!
  • Vary your necklines and sleeve lengths for different looks.
  • Check those bra straps; correcting strap lines later on is time-consuming and costly.
  • Avoid wearing busy, striped clothing as they tend not to photograph well. 
  • Be hydrated!  Bring water and drink plenty of water prior to your session.  We want you skin to glow!
  • Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before, so you look your best.

I am addicted to improvement… I always strive to be better!  A better photographer, a better Mama, a better spouse, a better communicator, a better person.. just each day become a little better than the last.  One of the areas that I have been working on developing is a commercial portfolio.  This has been a real challenge for me, to really culled down the images I love and make them into a portfolio.

So, last year, a dear friend, and my college roommate, asked me if I would ever be interested in working with her company (a children’s clothing retailer).  In the past, all of my commercial accounts came from personal contacts…. either I had photographed their family, or I knew them from my volunteer work or as personal friends, so I was really excited about the opportunity.

The problem was, I did not have a commercial portfolio to present to her company.  But, thanks to some amazing clients who volunteered their children, I quickly put a shoot together with some darling outfits, and created a quick, online portfolio to share with her company.

So here it is, my first portfolio magazine!  I am working on a new one, as I have several new commercial accounts, but this is where I started!  Enjoy!

 

I know everyone says it… but I can’t believe how fast 17 years have gone by.  Seventeen years ago today I was just planning a small 4th of July party when I started to get contractions.  Crazy as it sounds to me now, I decided to have a natural child birth…. so I went to the grocery story, while my contractions were mild.  Not such a great idea!  Half way through shopping, my neighbor and her son saw me double over in the aisle and told me to go home… they would take care of my groceries!

True to his nature, Cameron finally arrived at 8:59 pm, just in time for the celebration!  The doctor turned down the lights and my entire family watched fireworks from my hospital room while I held my new baby boy in my arms.

Cameron has become such an amazing young man, with a passion for swimming and doing his best each day to reach his goals.  He also loves cars, photography, music, movies, cooking and hanging out with his closest friends Erik, Michael and Owen and the rest of his swim family.  He is an example to me every day!  He takes good care of his body, only puts healthy food in (for the most part), works out hard above and beyond swimming and is quick with a smile and a hug for his Mama.  I won’t embarrass him by sharing my nickname for him for all 17 years, but he is close to my heart every day and I am beyond proud of his accomplishments and what an amazing man he is becoming.

Thanks to you Cameron, for actually requesting this photography session.  I love you to the Moon and Back!  Enjoy!

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I am so inspired by the amazing people I get to photograph each day.  Especially those people who face adversity with a smile and have a beautiful spirit.  Carolin is one of those unique, beautiful individuals who can really light up a room with her gorgeous smile.  She is an only child whose Mom is a survivor of brain cancer.  Unfortunately, Carolin’s mom is in wheelchair as a result of an injury suffered after the cancer treatment.  Carolin’s amazing Dad is super supportive, but still has to travel for work.  This doesn’t slow Carolin down at all.  She comes home, helps fix dinner and hangs out and keeps her mom company and still manages to find time to act in her school plays and get all her homework done on time.  A truly warm, sweet, bright and loving person.  I am so proud to have had an opportunity to capture her beauty, inside and out! Enjoy!

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See more by watching her slideshow: