Non Fat With WHIP

Fall Sessions & What should I wear?

What to wear? That is a great question. Even for my family, I ponder this question a long time. I believe what you wear makes a statement. Personally I want to look fun, relaxed, casual and stylish. I want everyone to have on nice clothes but I don't want to look like we are in the 'uniform' - You know, the khaki pants and the white shirts. I don't want to look like we are an advertisement for some brand. But I don't want to look kind of crappy either. This guide is to help you decide what to wear for every one who will participate in the photo session.

Rules:

Rule #1: There are no rules! Really what you want to wear is your personal choice. Don't feel obligated to wear or not wear an item. Definitely there are general thoughts on how clothes look so I will give the general rules.

Rule #2: The best advice I can give is this. Make sure the clothes fit! And the better the fit the better they will look. For everyone. Clothes that are too baggy or too tight fitting do not work well. For adults, they often make an adult fat. For kids … often times a lot of fabric can show up and not the child. Also, some kids are sensitive … ill fitting clothes just make people cranky. Make sure the clothes fit first. For moms, watch out the neck lines… if you are sitting down, does the cleavage show, does the shirt pull up? Unless you are ok with this, often times things like this can make the difference between a picture you will want to keep vs one you will not.

Rule #3: Style. Think about this. Whats your family's style? Stylish? Casual? Dressy? Sporty? Think about a style and then a good idea is to look online (or in your closet) and choose a look that looks real to your family. A bad choice is obvious if you look at the pics and think - why did I wear that?! If you are not trendy, don't pick out something too trendy. If you are not dressy, don't buy a super dressed up look. But don't go overboard and be completely 'style agonistic'. I think part of the photograph is to get a feel for who you are / who your family is at that time. A style that will look good for 5 years is stylish. One that will look good for 1 year only or 100 years is not good. No styles last 100 years and things that only last 1 year are probably too trendy.

Rule #4: Color. I LOVE color. Any color can work. Here's some general thoughts:

WHITE: Generally white is not a good color for pale skin tones. It tends to wash the skin out. Also, white tends to easily lose detail in photos.

It can be a tricky color to work with and often will reflect /take on surrounding colors. So if you are next to a green tree.. A green cast will appear.

BLACK: If you wear black, often times the details can get lost. Black can look great and can be slimming.

LIGHT TONES: Light tones tend to wash out very light skin. They can also be kind of a distraction for very dark skin.

MID TONES: My preference is mid tones. Mid tones are great because they look great in photos if they are adjust a little darker or lighter.

DARK TONES: Dark tones can also be like dark ones. They tend to blur together and detail can be lost.

BRIGHT COLOR: I say - do not steer away! I love bright colors and they look great with my style. So I really like it.

STRIPES: Pin stripes. Horizontal stripes. White w/ dark stripes. For the most part I'd steer away. These types of styles will draw attention away from the person's face and to the stripes. Pin stripes can mesh together and create psychadelic look. Probably not what you are looking for.

PLAIDS: I love plaid and say go for it. Just be careful to not match too much or to clash too much. As long as the tones of plaid match. The pattern and designs can differ.

COLOR & SKIN : A color that compliments the family's skin tones is the best. My favorite color is a light sky blue /green color. Looks great on almost any family.

GREEN: I often do sessions during summe outside. There are a lot of trees/ greenery. I suggest not to wear green because there is just too much of it.

Rule#5:SHOES: Shoes with a little bit of style are great. Ballet flats, cute shoes, plaid flip flops, sandals, all work. For women … a styish shoe works … You can dress up the shoe a little and still wear relatively casual clothes. Sometimes the shoe can make the outfit. But then again I'm a real shoe lover!!

Rule #6: Make up & Hair: Try to put a lighter concealer / foundation color around the eyes and the cracks of the nose… it will lighten up the shadows and make women appear more flattering. For kids .. Some lotion on the skin after their bath will help with any dry skin and make their skin seem smoother (easier to photograph). Hair … A little hair spray, hair smoother, a little bit of root lifter. All do miracles. My favorite products are Frederick Fekkai… Expensive but worth it. For girls with hair .. A small clip or a pony tail works great. Its horrible if I have to ask the child to keep moving her hair around. It ruins the moment often times.

Examples of outfits I think go together:

The family session ….. A girl, a boy , a mom and a dad

TOP PICKS:

Dress for Mom (purple ..cool color of the season)

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/WH168/Womens-Flirty-Ruffle-Dress.html?orcid=-50#jf9

Outfit for Dad:

Dark grey sweater.. Small details .. Khaki pants or jeans .

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/MensBrowse/Men_Shop_By_Category/sweaters/wool/PRDOVR~98322/98322.jsp

Outfit for daughter:

Pin dot skirt

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6286&vid=1&pid=678595

Shirt .. Cool shirt

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6292&vid=1&pid=687813

Outfit for son:

Cute grey pants /w star:

Matching shirt :

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Baby-Trousers-and-Jeans/Trousers/72040/Baby-Knee-Patch-Trousers.html?orcid=-50#jf6

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Baby-Tops-and-T-shirts/71082-BLU/Baby-Washed-Navy_Dogs-Animal-Friends-T-shirt.html

2 boys:

Jeans and seasonal color shirt

http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_-1_562501_92393_26601|26911|26920_big%20boy|tops|long%20sleeve_bigboys

Similar shirt .. Different colors

http://www.childrensplace.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10001_-1_562603_92393_26601|26911|26920_big%20boy|tops|long%20sleeve_bigboys

A Girl and Boy: (colorful)

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49687&vid=1&pid=664063&scid=664063012

Cute shirt /w stripes

Cool sunshine dress

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Dresses/33107/Girls-Cord-Applique-Dress.html

A girl and boy: (more relaxed)

Brown polo or henley

http://www.abercrombiekids.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category1_10101_10851_12110_-1_12102

Jeans

http://www.abercrombiekids.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10101_10851_426877_-1_12130_12102

Dark Blue sweater.

Brown shirt or grey

Jeans / jean skirt

http://www.abercrombiekids.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10101_10851_532759_-1_12165_12103

Girls:

Pants

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445983451&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302775427&bmUID=1253825409542&productSizeSelected=0

Add a sweater or vest

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302981409&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445982571&bmUID=1253825444101

Skirt

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445982644&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302798995&bmUID=1253825438339&productSizeSelected=0

Brown Dress

http://www.gymboree.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445982645&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306231096&bmUID=1253825293606&productSizeSelected=0

Gypsy Skirt

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Skirts/32268/Girls-Raw-Edge-Gypsy-Skirt.html

Cardigan

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Knitwear/Cardigans/31373-PRP/Girls-Blackcurrant-Long-Skinny-Cardigan.html?orcid=-75#cs5

Some favorite places for me to find clothes:

H&M Kids

MiniBoden USA

Crewcuts (jcrew)

Gap Kids

Janie & Jack

Abercrombie & Fitch

Children's Place

Nordstroms

Gymboree

And as always, feel free to bring multiple outfits or ask my opinion.  This info is meant to help only. Not to point to one item or another as 'the item' ... These are just ideas :)

Hope to see you soon!

New (some LOWER) Session Fees

christmas 2, originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

I find that its much more work for the entire family session - photos of the whole family, the kids together, and each individual kid than a session with less people so the new session fees have been changed!

Effective Immediately (for all sessions) the session fee will be:

Multiple Families ($300)
Large Family (up to 7 people in 1 immediate family) $250
Family Session (up to 5 people) $225
Small Family (3 people) $175
Individuals (1 or 2 people) $135

I still have some availability for the fall so please contact me and schedule an appointment if you are looking for the fall session! Fall is a really busy time!

Can you believe its almost Fall?

FALL, originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

Truly, there's nothing more beautiful than the colorful fall photographs. Its a busy time.

This year I'm adding a new collection just for fall. This package can be chosen for any session that is completed by Nov 25th.

$395 + tax.
Mini Session of 1 hr. for up to 4 people ($25 pp over 4)
Preview of at least 18 photos in color and b/w.
Your choice of 5 fully edited full resolution photos from session.
Your favorite 1-3 photos in a 5x7 christmas / holiday card template. (you just print your own).
Any additional purchase 25% off regular prices.
Additional fee of $25 for sessions outside of Henrico County.

This is an excellent value and a way to have your favorite time of the year remembered. Just send me an email and we can setup an appointment.

Now booking Fall 2009

beach baby2, originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

All of my available appointment slot through August are now full. My little guy is taking a lot more time than I remembered infants taking so I had to reduce the number of sessions offered this summer and the spots filled quickly.

I am now scheduling appointments for Sept - Dec. If you reserve your appointment ($50 retainer required) by July 30, I will include a complimentary promotional hardcover 8x8 20 page coffee table book with your session.

The holidays are the busiest season and last year myself as well as every photographer I refer biz to was completely booked. This season I will have extra help so there will be some more availability.

So whats a promotional book? Its the same as any coffee table book except I have my logo on the back cover.

Just for FUN : Maternity Sessions

Before I started photography I used to take pictures just for fun.  I'd take my kids or my friend's kids and practice away.  Whatever I thought I wanted to try, I'd find a willing participant and just do it.  Now that I have my business my time is mostly devoted to my clients.  So sometimes its all babies and sometimes its all families.  Kind of luck of the draw. 

So I thought to myself ... Why don't I try a location, subject, type of photography and just photograph for fun once a month?  Seems kind of crazy.  Well the more I think about it, I need a time to work with new people in a situation where I feel less pressure.  You're thinking LESS PRESSURE? Well what I mean is - a situation where I can experiment and not have to worry about not making every shot or try something new that might or might not work out.  When you pay for a session ... 80%+ of the situation I have done before. I tend to rely on the tried and true to make sure I get results. 

So I am trying something new.  On Monday June 13th at 430-7p I am going to photograph anyone who who wants to be my model for free and I'll give you a free digital file from the session.  My model must be an expecting mommy who is 28 plus weeks pregnant.  Other than that anything goes.  Don't worry, you don't need to get naked or anything .... But I want to take some pics that I really think are my style and not just repetition of every other photographer out there. Not sure exactly what I have in mind but hopefully I'll have it figured out by then.  If you're interested please email me and I'll give you more details. 

Blue

Blue , originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

I am a little behind in editing .. Today I edited quite a few. I just loved the color of this one .... so I figured .. why not post to the blog ... Happy May !

Happy Mother's Day

happy mothers day, originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

On Mother's Day I always ask for new flowers to plant in the yard. And the husband is really sweet to always plant something new. From the kids I got some cute home made stuff plus I got Andrew and Burke to come play with me while I took some photos. The weather was so pretty I got the husband to take a few with the kids. While I am never *happy* with a photo of me ... I think its important to have a few ... I think to myself ..when I'm 70 maybe I'll think I looked young or something more positive :-)

Weekend Sessions booking up fast! Beach Session Now Booking

Weekend Sessions Booking fast

If you are interested in a weekend session,  I have just about completely booked or reserved (for the beach) every weekend until Sept except for the following dates. 

*Sunday Aug 23   *Saturday Aug 29   *Sunday Aug 30

Beach Sessions

This year I will be doing sessions in Virginia Beach / Sandbridge / Norfolk Botanical Gardens from August 1 - August 15.  In addition to the current packages, look for a special beach package soon!

 

Mommy

Mommy, originally uploaded by coffeemakesmehappy (Lori).

I can not believe how hard it is to keep up with all my online forums, blogs, and facebook pages! Its been over 3 weeks since I posted to this blog! There goes my hopes of keeping it up to date all the time. Of course I do have a new blog in the works so maybe that will motivate me.

Here's a photo I just loved from a session a few weeks ago. I'm also kind of behind in editing too. There is a lot going on. I hope my quality of pictures makes up for the wait.

This little sweetheart is 11 weeks old.

Happy Easter !!!

Its Easter celebrations galore!  The Easter bunny did in fact visit our house with a cool Easter egg hunt.  Some special treats for the boys were left.  Hot wheels cars, snow cone holders & practice golf balls.  This afternoon the boys will be thinking about Easter by doing something good.  Even if its only writing those thank you cards hopefully we can think of something else too. 

Here's a 1 pic preview for this great family.  This photo made me think of Easter. I think its the great color.  And if you know my specialty ... its color.  There are so many great pics this one is kind of random choice but I definitely like it. 

Now off to the rest of Easter Day.