May 19, 2022
Choosing outfits for an outdoor family session can feel daunting. If time is of the essence the stress can feel overwhelming. Sizes, colours, is there enough in stock? How about we say no matching but instead try coordinating?
Matching Causes Missed Focus
Focus goes to the outfit when everyone matches
It is a funny trick with the eye! When your brain sees everyone matches, the focus goes to the outfits. If the goal was to have people notice the faces rather then the outfits, it produces the opposite result.
The fit may not flatter everyone.
Children are built differently, adults are too and that universal outfit may not flatter everyone in the same way. There is nothing worse then wearing an outfit that you know is unflattering or uncomfortable. You might able to hide it from the camera for a few minutes but not for the entire session. Trust me, I have seen the results.
Shopping Stress
Finding all matching in everyone’s sizes can be more stressful. You can often find 3 out of 4 but that fourth will cause grey hairs. Every store will be devoid of that one simple and standard white shirt you covet and because the theme is everyone is the same, there are not options.
Try Coordinating Colours and Theme
Coordinating is using similar colours or a theme. The first question I ask is, think of the colours already found in your home and what would coordinate in the room your pictures will hang? Do you have a light and airy living room? Or dark and moody? Modern?
If the final result is going to live on a wall in your home, let the style of the room and colours of the room be the guide. More casual and country? Or maybe a little formal and dressy? Keep everyone’s outfits on the same level of style.
Colour Building Blocks
Denim, khaki, black, grey and white are all considered neutrals, use those as your base. Those colours will all mix and match nicely together. Consider these the building blocks for colour. You can add or take away from them. 1-2 people can wear denim and another khaki pants and it doesn’t look off. The entire family could be in building block colours and look good together.
Add 2-3 Colours
Now you can add 2-4 colours. This may feel a bit scary but you know the building blocks are the foundation, adding a couple colours together is the fun part that gives you more options. I love to use Pinterest for inspiration and if you click on this link it will take you too a board I made there with loads of outfit suggestions.
Happy Shopping
I hope these tips help for figuring out what everyone should wear when they have an outdoor family session.
Matching in the studio works a little better because the background is the exact same. It aesthetically looks better compared to taking those same outfits outside into nature. Outside, try coordinating and avoiding the white t-shirts.
Choosing outfits for an outdoor family session can feel daunting. If time is of the essence the stress can feel overwhelming. Sizes, colours, is there enough in stock? How about we say no matching but instead try coordinating?
Matching Causes Missed Focus
Focus goes to the outfit when everyone matches
It is a funny trick with the eye! When your brain sees everyone matches, the focus goes to the outfits. If the goal was to have people notice the faces rather then the outfits, it produces the opposite result.
The fit may not flatter everyone.
Children are built differently, adults are too and that universal outfit may not flatter everyone in the same way. There is nothing worse then wearing an outfit that you know is unflattering or uncomfortable. You might able to hide it from the camera for a few minutes but not for the entire session. Trust me, I have seen the results.
Shopping Stress
Finding all matching in everyone’s sizes can be more stressful. You can often find 3 out of 4 but that fourth will cause grey hairs. Every store will be devoid of that one simple and standard white shirt you covet and because the theme is everyone is the same, there are not options.
Try Coordinating Colours and Theme
Coordinating is using similar colours or a theme. The first question I ask is, think of the colours already found in your home and what would coordinate in the room your pictures will hang? Do you have a light and airy living room? Or dark and moody? Modern?
If the final result is going to live on a wall in your home, let the style of the room and colours of the room be the guide. More casual and country? Or maybe a little formal and dressy? Keep everyone’s outfits on the same level of style.
Colour Building Blocks
Denim, khaki, black, grey and white are all considered neutrals, use those as your base. Those colours will all mix and match nicely together. Consider these the building blocks for colour. You can add or take away from them. 1-2 people can wear denim and another khaki pants and it doesn’t look off. The entire family could be in building block colours and look good together.
Add 2-3 Colours
Now you can add 2-4 colours. This may feel a bit scary but you know the building blocks are the foundation, adding a couple colours together is the fun part that gives you more options. I love to use Pinterest for inspiration and if you click on this link it will take you too a board I made there with loads of outfit suggestions.
Happy Shopping
I hope these tips help for figuring out what everyone should wear when they have an outdoor family session.
Matching in the studio works a little better because the background is the exact same. It aesthetically looks better compared to taking those same outfits outside into nature. Outside, try coordinating and avoiding the white t-shirts.
May 19, 2022
May 19, 2022
Choosing outfits for an outdoor family session can feel daunting. If time is of the essence the stress can feel overwhelming. Sizes, colours, is there enough in stock? How about we say no matching but instead try coordinating?
Matching Causes Missed Focus
Focus goes to the outfit when everyone matches
It is a funny trick with the eye! When your brain sees everyone matches, the focus goes to the outfits. If the goal was to have people notice the faces rather then the outfits, it produces the opposite result.
The fit may not flatter everyone.
Children are built differently, adults are too and that universal outfit may not flatter everyone in the same way. There is nothing worse then wearing an outfit that you know is unflattering or uncomfortable. You might able to hide it from the camera for a few minutes but not for the entire session. Trust me, I have seen the results.
Shopping Stress
Finding all matching in everyone’s sizes can be more stressful. You can often find 3 out of 4 but that fourth will cause grey hairs. Every store will be devoid of that one simple and standard white shirt you covet and because the theme is everyone is the same, there are not options.
Try Coordinating Colours and Theme
Coordinating is using similar colours or a theme. The first question I ask is, think of the colours already found in your home and what would coordinate in the room your pictures will hang? Do you have a light and airy living room? Or dark and moody? Modern?
If the final result is going to live on a wall in your home, let the style of the room and colours of the room be the guide. More casual and country? Or maybe a little formal and dressy? Keep everyone’s outfits on the same level of style.
Colour Building Blocks
Denim, khaki, black, grey and white are all considered neutrals, use those as your base. Those colours will all mix and match nicely together. Consider these the building blocks for colour. You can add or take away from them. 1-2 people can wear denim and another khaki pants and it doesn’t look off. The entire family could be in building block colours and look good together.
Add 2-3 Colours
Now you can add 2-4 colours. This may feel a bit scary but you know the building blocks are the foundation, adding a couple colours together is the fun part that gives you more options. I love to use Pinterest for inspiration and if you click on this link it will take you too a board I made there with loads of outfit suggestions.
Happy Shopping
I hope these tips help for figuring out what everyone should wear when they have an outdoor family session.
Matching in the studio works a little better because the background is the exact same. It aesthetically looks better compared to taking those same outfits outside into nature. Outside, try coordinating and avoiding the white t-shirts.
January 5, 2020
This sweet family has been coming to me since they were expecting their first baby! I have been lucky enough to capture so many of their family milestones.
Here we are six years later and this time I captured their family at New River Beach! The summer was a perfect time because the days are long and evenings warm. Bedtimes were thrown out out the window because I book them when the sunshine would be the best timing.
We had fun running around, playing in the sand, chasing their youngest who was curious and busy. Ending the evening with playing in the water.
As a mother, I know how it can be stressful preparing for a photo session but the end result is a gorgeous canvas on their wall. It will remind them of when their kids still fit on their laps. How they begged their parents to chase them on the beach. How they openly giggled at the bad jokes. That canvas will be their ticket back in time.
This sweet family has been coming to me since they were expecting their first baby! I have been lucky enough to capture so many of their family milestones.
Here we are six years later and this time I captured their family at New River Beach! The summer was a perfect time because the days are long and evenings warm. Bedtimes were thrown out out the window because I book them when the sunshine would be the best timing.
We had fun running around, playing in the sand, chasing their youngest who was curious and busy. Ending the evening with playing in the water.
As a mother, I know how it can be stressful preparing for a photo session but the end result is a gorgeous canvas on their wall. It will remind them of when their kids still fit on their laps. How they begged their parents to chase them on the beach. How they openly giggled at the bad jokes. That canvas will be their ticket back in time.
January 5, 2020
January 5, 2020
This sweet family has been coming to me since they were expecting their first baby! I have been lucky enough to capture so many of their family milestones.
Here we are six years later and this time I captured their family at New River Beach! The summer was a perfect time because the days are long and evenings warm. Bedtimes were thrown out out the window because I book them when the sunshine would be the best timing.
We had fun running around, playing in the sand, chasing their youngest who was curious and busy. Ending the evening with playing in the water.
As a mother, I know how it can be stressful preparing for a photo session but the end result is a gorgeous canvas on their wall. It will remind them of when their kids still fit on their laps. How they begged their parents to chase them on the beach. How they openly giggled at the bad jokes. That canvas will be their ticket back in time.
January 4, 2020
Vacations are amazing for all the obvious reasons; you are away from work and household responsibility. Going to places you have always wanted to visit or live. Scedules do not matter and fun is the only agenda.
One growing trend I see every year is families hiring me for a family session while they vacation by the ocean. Often these are families who do not live by the Atlantic or Bay of Fundy. The request for location is always by a local beach or by the rocks in St Andrews.
The tricky part is timing the session! For those of us who live by the water, we know how quickly a beautiful sunny day can turn grey as the fog rolls in and temperature dips. Therefore, setting expectations and having flexibility can be key for scheduling a great evening for a photo shoot.
For myself, I will ask how long my clients will be in the area, and we coordinate schedules and set 2 dates: one for rain/severe fog backup. I watch the weather and radars and if it looks like a chance of rain we will reschedule but will still go on if there is overcast.
When planning the wardrobe it is also smart to dress in layers. It can get cool quick on the water (which is awesome if you want to escape the summer heat!). Plan to wear clothing that your family can play in and have fun.
Planning months in advance is also advisable as those summer sessions get booked quickly!
Vacations are amazing for all the obvious reasons; you are away from work and household responsibility. Going to places you have always wanted to visit or live. Scedules do not matter and fun is the only agenda.
One growing trend I see every year is families hiring me for a family session while they vacation by the ocean. Often these are families who do not live by the Atlantic or Bay of Fundy. The request for location is always by a local beach or by the rocks in St Andrews.
The tricky part is timing the session! For those of us who live by the water, we know how quickly a beautiful sunny day can turn grey as the fog rolls in and temperature dips. Therefore, setting expectations and having flexibility can be key for scheduling a great evening for a photo shoot.
For myself, I will ask how long my clients will be in the area, and we coordinate schedules and set 2 dates: one for rain/severe fog backup. I watch the weather and radars and if it looks like a chance of rain we will reschedule but will still go on if there is overcast.
When planning the wardrobe it is also smart to dress in layers. It can get cool quick on the water (which is awesome if you want to escape the summer heat!). Plan to wear clothing that your family can play in and have fun.
Planning months in advance is also advisable as those summer sessions get booked quickly!
January 4, 2020
January 4, 2020
Vacations are amazing for all the obvious reasons; you are away from work and household responsibility. Going to places you have always wanted to visit or live. Scedules do not matter and fun is the only agenda.
One growing trend I see every year is families hiring me for a family session while they vacation by the ocean. Often these are families who do not live by the Atlantic or Bay of Fundy. The request for location is always by a local beach or by the rocks in St Andrews.
The tricky part is timing the session! For those of us who live by the water, we know how quickly a beautiful sunny day can turn grey as the fog rolls in and temperature dips. Therefore, setting expectations and having flexibility can be key for scheduling a great evening for a photo shoot.
For myself, I will ask how long my clients will be in the area, and we coordinate schedules and set 2 dates: one for rain/severe fog backup. I watch the weather and radars and if it looks like a chance of rain we will reschedule but will still go on if there is overcast.
When planning the wardrobe it is also smart to dress in layers. It can get cool quick on the water (which is awesome if you want to escape the summer heat!). Plan to wear clothing that your family can play in and have fun.
Planning months in advance is also advisable as those summer sessions get booked quickly!
August 11, 2017
They didn’t worry about looking at the camera. They headed off every bit of crankiness with running, throwing in the air and cuddles. No one worried about getting their clothes dirty and there was quite a bit of giggling. Family photo sessions shouldn’t be stressful…let’s let kids be kids! Let them run, give them the snuggles they want and crave. Instead let’s capture the connection, the love, the chaos  and your now.
This session was a joy to capture! We wandered through fields, danced and twirled.
They didn’t worry about looking at the camera. They headed off every bit of crankiness with running, throwing in the air and cuddles. No one worried about getting their clothes dirty and there was quite a bit of giggling. Family photo sessions shouldn’t be stressful…let’s let kids be kids! Let them run, give them the snuggles they want and crave. Instead let’s capture the connection, the love, the chaos  and your now.
This session was a joy to capture! We wandered through fields, danced and twirled.
August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017
They didn’t worry about looking at the camera. They headed off every bit of crankiness with running, throwing in the air and cuddles. No one worried about getting their clothes dirty and there was quite a bit of giggling. Family photo sessions shouldn’t be stressful…let’s let kids be kids! Let them run, give them the snuggles they want and crave. Instead let’s capture the connection, the love, the chaos  and your now.
This session was a joy to capture! We wandered through fields, danced and twirled.
August 8, 2017
Family pictures…does this send a shiver down your spine like it does mine? As a professional I am fairly confident I can get everyone to look at the camera, I can might even be able to coax a smile from the most stubborn toddlers and I can promise I can create something that will thrill grandmas!
Why do *I* dread it? We I have five children…the older two are no trouble. At 11 and 13 they are pretty easy-going, they know enough to not move for the camera, smile and ignore the craziness coming from their youngest sisters. My 8 year old? Well she likes to please, and she will smile so big and so fake it makes me grimace and she will stress about posing ‘just perfect’ and we usually deal with some tears and dramatics. My younger girls are 4 and 3 and WILD…completely crazy, never sit still for 20 seconds. Both are ASD (autistic) and have sensory issues that make sitting for any period of time frustrating for them. I do have bi-annual ‘perfect’ pictures of my brood, and each one was stressful and adored (the art in our home is our children!).
Rosalie was turning 3 and I wanted pictures of her being HER. She is PURE joy! She giggles and laughs and runs and her little smile is worth earning, her comprehension is increasing daily but she doesn’t understand the commands or instructions I give her all of the time.
The evening was warm, the light was GORGEOUS and it was bath time, which should have signalled the Mom and me to start rounding them up to begin the bedtime routine. Instead, I decide quickly on a whim to BREAK ALL OF THE RULES. I quickly yelled for Kathleen to help me find something for the girls to wear (it is summer and they are living in their bathing suits, even if we don’t get wet), I didn’t worry about hair, I made sure the clothes at least didn’t clash, popped them in carseats and headed to my favourite field in St George.
We coated ourselves literally with bug spray and then we PLAYED! We ran and they giggled and they ran some more, then plopped on the blanket. I posed a bit, for the most part I let them be THEM. It was the craziest fastest, wildest session and I broke all of the photography ‘rules’ I typically follow. The goal wasn’t to see 3 smiling perfectly posed little girls but to see the real smiles…the crazy hair, the expression when they are with each other, the LOVE. We were not well prepared and under 10 minutes they were DONE and it was all I needed.
This session gives me all the feels! My heart burst a little when I finally had a chance to edit. I will do my annual fall session with all 5 of my kids and for once I am NOT dreading it, I am throwing the perfection out the window (will still be pulling it out for their annual gift to grandparents!). I love that I captured my Rosalie with her sisters being wild, free and three!
Family pictures…does this send a shiver down your spine like it does mine? As a professional I am fairly confident I can get everyone to look at the camera, I can might even be able to coax a smile from the most stubborn toddlers and I can promise I can create something that will thrill grandmas!
Why do *I* dread it? We I have five children…the older two are no trouble. At 11 and 13 they are pretty easy-going, they know enough to not move for the camera, smile and ignore the craziness coming from their youngest sisters. My 8 year old? Well she likes to please, and she will smile so big and so fake it makes me grimace and she will stress about posing ‘just perfect’ and we usually deal with some tears and dramatics. My younger girls are 4 and 3 and WILD…completely crazy, never sit still for 20 seconds. Both are ASD (autistic) and have sensory issues that make sitting for any period of time frustrating for them. I do have bi-annual ‘perfect’ pictures of my brood, and each one was stressful and adored (the art in our home is our children!).
Rosalie was turning 3 and I wanted pictures of her being HER. She is PURE joy! She giggles and laughs and runs and her little smile is worth earning, her comprehension is increasing daily but she doesn’t understand the commands or instructions I give her all of the time.
The evening was warm, the light was GORGEOUS and it was bath time, which should have signalled the Mom and me to start rounding them up to begin the bedtime routine. Instead, I decide quickly on a whim to BREAK ALL OF THE RULES. I quickly yelled for Kathleen to help me find something for the girls to wear (it is summer and they are living in their bathing suits, even if we don’t get wet), I didn’t worry about hair, I made sure the clothes at least didn’t clash, popped them in carseats and headed to my favourite field in St George.
We coated ourselves literally with bug spray and then we PLAYED! We ran and they giggled and they ran some more, then plopped on the blanket. I posed a bit, for the most part I let them be THEM. It was the craziest fastest, wildest session and I broke all of the photography ‘rules’ I typically follow. The goal wasn’t to see 3 smiling perfectly posed little girls but to see the real smiles…the crazy hair, the expression when they are with each other, the LOVE. We were not well prepared and under 10 minutes they were DONE and it was all I needed.
This session gives me all the feels! My heart burst a little when I finally had a chance to edit. I will do my annual fall session with all 5 of my kids and for once I am NOT dreading it, I am throwing the perfection out the window (will still be pulling it out for their annual gift to grandparents!). I love that I captured my Rosalie with her sisters being wild, free and three!
August 8, 2017
August 8, 2017
Family pictures…does this send a shiver down your spine like it does mine? As a professional I am fairly confident I can get everyone to look at the camera, I can might even be able to coax a smile from the most stubborn toddlers and I can promise I can create something that will thrill grandmas!
Why do *I* dread it? We I have five children…the older two are no trouble. At 11 and 13 they are pretty easy-going, they know enough to not move for the camera, smile and ignore the craziness coming from their youngest sisters. My 8 year old? Well she likes to please, and she will smile so big and so fake it makes me grimace and she will stress about posing ‘just perfect’ and we usually deal with some tears and dramatics. My younger girls are 4 and 3 and WILD…completely crazy, never sit still for 20 seconds. Both are ASD (autistic) and have sensory issues that make sitting for any period of time frustrating for them. I do have bi-annual ‘perfect’ pictures of my brood, and each one was stressful and adored (the art in our home is our children!).
Rosalie was turning 3 and I wanted pictures of her being HER. She is PURE joy! She giggles and laughs and runs and her little smile is worth earning, her comprehension is increasing daily but she doesn’t understand the commands or instructions I give her all of the time.
The evening was warm, the light was GORGEOUS and it was bath time, which should have signalled the Mom and me to start rounding them up to begin the bedtime routine. Instead, I decide quickly on a whim to BREAK ALL OF THE RULES. I quickly yelled for Kathleen to help me find something for the girls to wear (it is summer and they are living in their bathing suits, even if we don’t get wet), I didn’t worry about hair, I made sure the clothes at least didn’t clash, popped them in carseats and headed to my favourite field in St George.
We coated ourselves literally with bug spray and then we PLAYED! We ran and they giggled and they ran some more, then plopped on the blanket. I posed a bit, for the most part I let them be THEM. It was the craziest fastest, wildest session and I broke all of the photography ‘rules’ I typically follow. The goal wasn’t to see 3 smiling perfectly posed little girls but to see the real smiles…the crazy hair, the expression when they are with each other, the LOVE. We were not well prepared and under 10 minutes they were DONE and it was all I needed.
This session gives me all the feels! My heart burst a little when I finally had a chance to edit. I will do my annual fall session with all 5 of my kids and for once I am NOT dreading it, I am throwing the perfection out the window (will still be pulling it out for their annual gift to grandparents!). I love that I captured my Rosalie with her sisters being wild, free and three!
