A Tribute to Mothers

This week, as we prepare to celebrate the amazing women in our lives I wanted to do a few things. 

First, I wanted to lower prices on full-session gift certificates for those who are looking for an amazing gift idea for mom. 

Second, I wanted to pay tribute to mothers. 

I saw this darling quote today that I instantly fell in life with. 

"Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother." 

As I've begun to raise my own precious kiddos, I have come to realize just how much I rely on my own mother for advice, for strength. I've gained a greater appreciation for my beautiful, wise, fun grandmothers. 

I've learned that mothers come in all different shapes and sizes, but the thing that makes a women a mother is the love she has for a child or children and the care and sacrafice she gives to them. 

This mother's day I hope to take time celebrating the life-long gift that my own mothers have given me. 

I also hope to pay a special tribute to the beauty of motherhood I get to capture doing what I love. 

Preparing for Your Shoot

This post has been a long time in the making. So many clients ask me for tips in preparing for shoots that I finally decided to write a post about it, since I know this is helpful information for anyone interested in photography.

1. What do I wear?

It may not surprise you to learn that the first thing most clients want to nail down is what they should wear. For you fashionista's out there, this might not be a problem, but for others, this can become a point of worry or concern.

Before you go out on a shopping spree to try copying something you saw on Pinterest, here are the basics of what to wear for photos.

• Keep it simple. Extremes in fashion will have a short shelf life, so choose timeless classics that will help you love your portraits over the long-run. Simple clothing also boasts the benefit of not distracting from the true subject- you! Choose tasteful patterns, colors that aren't too bright or overwhelming, and stay away from logos and words. 
• Layer it up! Depending on the season of your shoot, this may mean different things (in summer you may just add a belt or necklace, in fall you may layer in a sweater or blazer or scarf), but outfits that lack layers and contrast in texture, colors, and patterns scream of 1990's photography (family turtle necks anyone?). Plus, layers can add interest to different shots since you can change the look of what you are wearing by simply changing up a layer (it's amazing what just switching out a scarf or jacket can do). Layers should also be used if you are coordinating a family or group shot. By layering for a group photo- you can help tie in a common theme without forcing everyone into matching shirts. 

• Keep it natural. Does your son lounge around in is sweatpants all day every day? You may think twice before forcing him into a tux for portraits. True, there may be a time for it (like a wedding) but keeping your look natural will result in comfortable, true-to-life portraits. This doesn't mean you can't ask your son to put on a pair of dark-wash jeans, just find ways to conform (at least a bit) to the norm of everyday life. 
• Choose colors and patterns that you love. Think about your home. Think about your closet. Most likely, you don't need to buy a completely different wardrobe for a photo shoot- maybe just one or two pieces to tie everything in. Choose colors and patterns that you love, that you own, and that go well in your home (YES I want you to display those gorgeous pictures I took!). 

• Prep it. Don't leave what you'll wear to the last minute. The day (or two) before your shoot, lay out all your clothing, iron out wrinkles, wash anything that needs cleaning, and be sure you have everything and that everything fits (especially for fast-growing kiddos). 

3. Where should we shoot?

There are a lot of amazing locations around Cache Valley. As a photographer, it is my job to know where great locations are. Though I am happy to take suggestions on locations, sometimes it is easier if we discuss the look you are trying to achieve and go from there. Are you looking for studio photography? Urban? Rural? Do you love trees and nature? If you have an idea of the look you love (hint, it should reflect your lifestyle) I can get you options on locations.

2. What do I bring?

• The people you want photographed, ready to be photographed. Stop laughing! This is actually a really important bullet point. I am not actually terribly worried that you are going to forget a family member for family pictures- hopefully that part comes easy. The hard part of this is making sure everyone is actually ready to be photographed. 

• Eat, hydrate, rest. You are investing in your photos (time and money). Get the most out of your investment by making sure everyone is fed, watered, and rested. Feel free to bring water and non-crumby, non-colored, non-messy snacks if needed, but make sure to eat and drink (and use the restroom) before you arrive. 
• To be ready to be photographed, be sure you are satisfied with your hair (get cuts done the week before (or a few days before for guys)) with your face (shaving/trimming for guys, light make-up for the ladies) with your clothes, and with details you might not think about (touch up your nail polish, clean your wedding ring, lotion your hands) since you will be the biggest critic of the small details that others don't notice on a day-to-day basis. 

• Last part of this, these are the people YOU want photographed. There is a reason for that. Sometimes in the hustle (and hassle) of pictures we get frustrated, lose our temper, or just feel overwhelmed. Take a breath. Take it in. These are the people you love. It's a moment you want to remember. It's alright that life isn't perfect- pictures can capture the beauty of the not perfect. Your photographer will be able to grab that beauty as you remember that you love these people, that they love you, and that perfection doesn't equal authentic, real-time beauty. 

4. How can I prepare?

• Communicate your expectations. Confession: I am not a miracle worker. I can't wave a wand and reproduce exactly what you saw in Parents Magazine, but I can get a sense of your style and the type of photos you prefer. If you have an image list (you know you need a horizontal, close-up picture of each child for your wall, a full-body portrait for grandma, etc) please get that to me in advance of the shoot. 
• Wear the subject hat. Yesterday, as I had my own family portraits done, my husband gave me so much grief because I struggle with this. I get it. You are mom, you're coach, you are the one who wants to get those giggling faces smiling at the camera. I love you for that. I need you to stop. For the time of our shoot, I need you to turn down your mom hat and focus on your subject hat. I work hard to get giggling smiles and I have a lot of tricks I can use and if I need assistance from mommy, I am not too proud to ask for it. In the meantime, just smile and look at the camera. Really. I NEED you to let me work my magic with those darling, uncooperative kiddos, I NEED you smiling, looking at the camera, posed for when those fleeting children's faces give me a grin. 

By the way, THANKS for being a client who cares, who wants their pictures to turn out amazing. It makes my job more fun (and easier).

Hopefully this post helped answer most of your questions about preparing for a shoot for a basic shoot. Stay tuned as I'll be doing a follow-up post on preparing for your newborn session.

Hugs!

Vikki

The Life in Lifestyle Photography

One of the simplest and (in my humble opinion) mot beautiful ways to capture life after a newborn is through lifestyle photography. Back in the day, lifestyle photography was seen almost exclusively through the eyes of photo journalists. Today lifestyle photography is happening everywhere in real time by pros and amatuers alike. 

So here are a few tips to help make your next lifestyle composition just a bit better. 

1. Tell a story

The life in lifestyle photography is important. You need to represent life- which is much more complex than a single shot. Look around, take a step back. What is the story? What is happening? How can you use a single or a few images to really get the essence of life into a shot?

2. Focus on a detail

Things in life are busy, complex, and confusing. Clarify things for your audience by focusing in on a detail. With newborn shoots, you can focus on many different aspects of one focal point: the new baby. By making this single person the focus of the shots, you can compose pictures that help highlight that decided aspect of your lifestyle shot. 

3. Don't over-edit. 

I have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. I love it! I hate it! I can't make up my mind. I think that all the hate (well most of it anyway) comes from the over-edited, kind-of-fake images I see all over the place (note, this isn't unique to Instagram). 

If you want a photo to convey that photo-journalist, real-life message that comes across in lifestyle photography, keep edits simple and to-the-point. Real people don't glow like light sticks. Real people, real shadows and highlights, real beauty. 

If in doubt, I like to say less is more, especially when shooting a lifestyle session. 

Want to try out some of these tips? Share your favorite lifestyle shots with us!

Till next time, 

Three Tips for Amazing Engagement Pictures

One of my besties is getting married this spring.

It's pretty exciting. 

So I put together the top three things that I want couples (and really anyone) to remember before they schedule a session to help you get the best portraits possible. 

1. Be Weary of the Weather

I LOVE outdoor portraits. Indoor portraits are fine and all, but our world is far more beautiful than any backdrop I've ever seen. However, when you take portraits outside, you're well, outside. Keep hair and make-up as weather-proof as possible. If it's humid, consider going with natural waves instead of straight hair. If it's sunny or windy, be sure to have water-proof make-up in case your eyes start to water. 

Wear clothing that makes you comfortable in the weather. For cold shoots, wear coats and scarfs in coordinating or nuetral colors. For warm shoots, don't put on your favorite sweater. Wear clothes that are real to the climate, not solely based on their look. 

2. Get over "Perfect" 

I get it, it's important for you to look your best in portraits. However, I tell clients to be real in their images. I love capturing REAL life. The way you really hold hands, the way you always play with each other. Your outfit, hair, etc. should look beautiful, but it should also look like YOU. Beauty will come in capturing authentic, beautiful people doing their natural thing. Don't spend hundreds getting PERFECT clothes, PERFECT hair, and PERFECT make-up that makes you look like someone you're not. Be true to who you are and your portraits will always be in style for you. 

3. Act Like You Love Each Other

Clients of mine know I say this a lot. Whether it's an engagement session, a family portrait, or whatever, capturing people in their close relationships can be fun. It can also be a bit....strange for clients. Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to pose, look our best, keep our hair in place, and all that we forget to hold hands, we don't lean in to each other. We don't look at each other or give kisses and hugs. Lack of physical closeness shows in portraits, particularly engagements. The point is you don't need to "act" like you love each other. You just need to remember to relax, smile, and be  who you are with the people you love. 

Hugs!!!