Each senior session is so unique, and I can sum this one up in one word: depth.

Jack is a fascinating guy, maybe a little reticent at first, but he opens up to show a tremendous amount of depth. During our session he started with a serious, soulful edge, but when it came time to show a softer side, he surprised me with this vivid, genuine smile.

I told Jack that once he’s rich and famous he needs to remember the little people (aka: me). You see, Jack’s a filmmaker, which made the decision as to where to shoot a cinch: The Little.

I know his films will show the same kind of emotional depth he showed me on a perfect summer night. Good luck, Jack!

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  • August 11, 2010 - 9:20 pm

    Karen - I know which ones I want! LOL…
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On your big day, how can you take your wardrobe to the next level? Wedding photographer extraordinaire Stephanie Reeder, of Stephanie Reeder Photography, has killer style and some great suggestions. And be sure to check out her links at the end – I’m already addicted to one of them… Thanks, Stephanie!

She writes…

It’s your special day and you want to capture it all!! As a wedding photographer I am always looking for the smallest details and personalization. So ladies and well gents when it comes to planning your special day always remember the smallest detail is and will be captured. I love when a bride personalizes not only herself, but her groom, and bridesmaid as well.  I am not about to tell a bride what to wear on her special day, but I thought it would be fun to discuss some great trends and alternatives for those who love to dream of all things beautiful!

Hair piece or veil?

A veil is a beautiful and traditional way to go and how stunning is a bride with a fingertip veil walking down the isle. Some fun ways to be different and bring flare to your dress is glamorizing your style by adding a fun broach,  bird cage veil, and/or soft feather to your hair.

Jewelry

Every girl dreams of her special day all dressed in white. Now it’s time to accessorize with jewels and gorgeous gems. I love when a bride has a special story behind her jewelry. Whether it was on a romantic trip to Mexico where she found the bluest of turquoise bracelet, or personalized it further with her great grandmothers diamond earrings. Either way by adding a story to your jewelry it tells an additional story or memory in your wedding day photos. Also something fun to remember is adding color to your dress through jewelry gives an extra detail some brides tend to overlook.

Shoes

Remember comfort is important when picking out your shoes. Make sure to be aware of the ground you’ll be walking on as well. Golf courses and heels don’t always favor one another, neither do stilettos and cobble stone. After choosing your comfort think of personalizing your footwear with glam, fun colors, or the cutest of floral.

Bridal Bouquet

Choose your favorite flowers and style them together by adding a special touch with your mother’s broach, favorite trinket, or that special butterfly that reminds you of someone special. Your flowers are what complete your look and why not keep the story telling going with the array of beautiful flowers which will be held in your hands and lead by your heart.

Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids make sure to always keep the bride at heart and ask her what she wishes for you to wear on her special day. With that being said, it’s always a fun idea to have a theme with accessories and shoes for your bridesmaids. I have even seen where brides get creative and make special flower wristlets for their bridal parties or have them walk the isles with different arrangements such as lanterns, crystal balls, and even lollipops to fit their candied theme.

Groom

Now ladies, I know we dream of how our dresses, shoes, and jewelry come together, but don’t forget the men in your life who will fabulously be meeting and leading you down the isle. Color coordination is key and already probably a known, but don’t forget those small details we were talking of earlier. Cufflinks, handkerchiefs, socks, and ties are always a special and fun way to accessorize. Trends now, are even suggesting the simplest of suites if your style permits.

Oh how the details could go on. I could seriously re-plan my wedding over and over again with details, but in the end, its those details I remember in my photographs. Your photographer is there to help capture your planning, your fairytale dreams, and love of your special day. Keep every detail personal to you and your fiance. Find a theme or even a story to tell through out your day. If you ever need some great inspiration, head on over to some of my favorite blogs. Happy Planning!

Style Me Pretty

One Lovely Day

One White Dress

Ruffled

 

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As much as I love the creativity parents and kids bring to Cake Smash sessions, I have to think this session goes to an entirely new place. Kind of like a combination of Cake Smash and Trash the Dress!

Gianna turned two back in May, so this was a Cake Smash that proved there are no rules. Often my Cake Smash sessions are with children turning one or two years old. But there is always something to celebrate, as I found out with Gianna and her mother Karen!

Karen was the winner of the Luvaboos "Messy Faces" contest and she decided it was the perfect way to say goodbye to Gianna's lovely little dress, which she's quickly growing out of. And I couldn't agree more! We all had so much fun, and Gianna is old enough to perhaps remember parts of this day when grows older. 

Thanks, Karen and Gianna for reminding us that every day can be a celebration – a "Beanie Day," as these two call it, when they take the whole day to do fun things together with just mother and daughter!

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  • August 10, 2010 - 8:20 pm

    Shannon Dodge - Tear it up, Gianna! Love these Morgan…they are so fun and colorful!!
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Let me tell you, this cake had no chance. None. There have been several times where (and I'm not saying this has happened…) you could still eat a reasonably attractive cake after the shoot was over. It's always a mess, but not totally destroyed. Not this time. 

Before you see messy Ava, take a look at totally cute (and frosting free) Ava in the extended shoot photos. Look at those eyes!

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Before I head out of town for the weekend, I want to leave you with a sneak peek from my latest newborn(ish) shoot. You see, Alexa is actually 4 weeks old – two to three weeks older than the target for newborn photos – but she's still a little peanut at just around 8 pounds. She played the role of sleeping baby quite well, but definitely showed us a goofy side – just see 🙂

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Who needs Clinton and Stacy when you have Shannon Dodge! Read her post to avoid being a photo shoot fashion “Don’t”.

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“Over the years, there have been certain things that have stood out during photo shoots. Sometimes it’s been really evident during the shoot, and other times it wasn’t apparent until I started editing.  You want to look your best, yet be yourself, correct? So be yourself! BUT there are certain rules and regulations when it comes to classic and well put together ensembles for your portraits! That’s why I decided to put together a “What Not to Wear” segment for our Wardrobe Wednesday this week!

First up: Your entire outfit.

  • It’s OK to coordinate your colors but, let’s leave entire matching outfits to little girls, shall we? Mix and match your colors and coordinate…it makes for much more interesting images!  Notice I mentioned the word color.:)
  • Solids and small prints photograph best…beware of loud stripes or plaids.

Next: Shoes.

  • Shoes can be tricky, I know. They can make or break an outfit.  You want to be comfortable but please leave the Crocs at home! They tend to be an eyesore in photos. They are bulky and bright and they draw a viewer’s eye down to the ground. You want people to look at YOU not at your Crocs.:)
  • If you choose to wear sandals or flip flops, PLEASE do not pair them w/ socks.

Finally: Details.

  • Look at your nails. Is the polish chipping? Do you have on an obnoxious color that’s going to draw attention to your hands and only your hands? Neutral nails photograph best.
  • How are your highlights holding up? Don’t forget to check your roots, girls!:)
  • If you don’t normally have a tan, now is probably not the time to run and get a spray tan or lay out in the sun all day.  You don’t want to look like an Oompa Loompa or a lobster.
  • PLEASE check your bra straps. If you are wearing a tank top, make sure your bra straps are not visible. Wear clear straps or better yet, buy a bra strap concealer that converts your regular bra into a racer back bra…they are cheap and easy to find!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Booking a photo session is fun and exciting. Make the best of your photos by dressing your family adorably and paying attention to the details!”

 


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I'm a huge fan of giving holiday gifts that make you excited about a future event – tickets to a show, a night at a B&B, etc. There's just something about having an event to look forward to that seems to make the cold winter pass just a little faster. Well, last week Kathy and Steve cashed in on a Christmas gift certificate for an extended family photo session. I hope it was worth the wait!

I met this genuinely funny (and gorgeous!) family at the Sterling Nature Center. The sun was taking its time to set, so we snapped some pics in a nearby field while watching a deer bound through the tall grass. After making our way to the beach, we took a quick break to enjoy the water a bit. I didn't think Lake Ontario ever got that warm – it was like bath water!

Enjoy the sneak peek, and see if you can guess how old little Lilli is…

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I have a plea for parents: Don't wait. Don't follow the normal route that so many parents take, which is to get photos taken during infancy and then as a senior in high school. There is so much to capture going on when a child is 7 or 10 or 12, and yet that's the gap in years that is usually photographed the least. Then a child graduates high school and the family says, "Why didn't we capture more of his or her life in the past 17 years?"

Let me back up… Some weeks ago I got a call about a baseball-themed shoot for a 12-year-old boy. Mom Lynda explained that her son was growing up so fast, and that she really just wanted to preserve this moment in his life – when baseball and the Yankees rule his world. We began brainstorming some ideas.

I'll admit I was a little nervous when I found out Tim didn't know I was coming until just a few hours prior. I expected to find a boy who'd rather do anything else in the world than smile and be photographed. What I found was a young man totally enthusiastic and excited about the photos. Phew!

I'll try not to gush, but I'm really going nuts over this shoot. Seriously, I don't know how I'll ever narrow down the pics. Tim, you were an an absolute rock star in front of the camera and a joy to be with. I hope you and your mom like this sneak peek!

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  • August 1, 2010 - 10:49 pm

    Lindsay - These are seriously AMAZING Morgan! I bet they are so thrilled with them. I love the one at the very top right, I think it’s my fav. Looks so natural!
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