Session Information

 

Little ones are always beautiful to photograph however the age of your little cherub can drastically change the look and feel of the photographs that you will receive. Here is a bit of a guide so that you can decide which is the right time for you.

 

Babies

My favourite time to photograph bubs is just after they start sitting up by themselves as they are full of smiles and you can really start to see their individual personality coming through. This is the perfect age for getting really intimate family shots with either mum and dad or older siblings as they are still in that cuddly and affectionate stage.

To personalise the shoot, think about bringing their favourite toy or blankie along to the shoot. Not only will the item tell the story of bub but it will also help them relax and feel more comfortable during the shoot.

 

Toddlers

Toddlers love to run, play and be wild so the easiest way to photograph them is to let them do just that. The location of the shoot plays an important part in the photo shoot of a toddler. It needs to be somewhere safe and familiar to them while at the same time offers enough variety to keep them interested. Beaches, parks and playgrounds are always a good option.

I have learnt two important lessons about photographing toddlers and that is to be quick and that if they don’t want to do something, don’t make them! I work hard to win over your little one during a shoot so that they feel relaxed and will play up to the camera so avoid pushing them to do something they don’t want to do as it will only result in a grumpy toddler for the rest of the shoot. If they want to run around the park like a maniac, wearing their red superman cape, then let them. That way you will get photographs that show their true personality.

 

WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR PHOTO SHOOT

 

“What do I wear”, is one of the most common questions that I get asked during the pre photo shoot consultation. This answer of course will differ from shoot to shoot however I have written this article to help you choose items that will help you achieve the look that you are going for.

 

Be Yourself

I love being able to record what you and your family are like at a certain time of your lives. It is that story telling aspect that keeps me passionate about my photography and what I have built my Photography around. So when you are deciding what to wear to your photo shoot, it is important to remember to be true to yourself and your family. If you are someone who usually wears a lot of black then you are not going to fall in love with photos of yourself in a bright floral dress. If your usual style isn’t quite the look you are going for, then use accessories to show your true personalities. It is important to make sure that the kids feel comfortable in what they are wearing as well. Let them have some input into what they wear for the shoot, as this will not only let their personality come through but will also mean that they will be a lot happier. No one wants a grumpy child during a photo shoot. If you do not agree with your child’s choice of outfit then make a compromise by bringing a few outfits, for example one dressy and one casual. Layers and accessories are great as well as it means you will not have to change them mid shoot. 

 

Why are you getting the shoot?

 The next step is to think about why you are getting the shoot. The outfit that you would choose for a commercial headshot will most likely vary from what you would wear for a family portrait session. With family photographs, it is best to keep your clothing to dressy, casual. This will vary from jeans and a button down top to cocktail dresses, depending on the personality of your family. It is also important to think about how the photographs will be used. For example if you would like to use the photographs to decorate your new baby’s nursery, think about the colour scheme and vibe of the nursery. You can draw inspiration from the time of year that you are getting the shoot or even the colour scheme of your lounge room, where the photograph will be hung.

 

Choosing a Colour Scheme

 The next decision is the colour scheme. I beg of you to avoid being too matchy!! It was a strong trend in the 80’s – 90’s to have everyone where white tops and black pants, which in my opinion resulted in nothing but forced, unnatural photographs that spoke nothing of the personality of the family. The trick to colour is to wear complimenting colours but not matching. Think of the colour palette that you like such as earthy tones, beach tones or neutrals and then go from there. Another option is sticking to a white base but then incorporating vibrant colour with the use of props and accessories. Anyone who remembers art theory from school would be familiar with the colour wheel, which can sometimes be a useful tool for choosing a colour scheme for your shoot. Look at opposing colours such as yellows and blues or reds and greens that enhance and intensify each other. You can choose to use only the warm colours from the colour wheel or just the cool. For those of you, who are really clever with your colour combinations, try choosing colours that are quite different but compliment each other for example, brown, navy, cream and mustard. Another great combination is grey, red, teal and pale green. If you would like some more inspiration for head to design-seeds.com for some beautiful colour palette ideas.

 

Keep your location in mind

 This is an important consideration when you are thinking about what to wear for your photo shoot both for practical and aesthetic reasons. First of all, you want to make sure that you don’t get lost in the background. For example if you are having photographs in a local park, surrounded by autumn leaves, you don’t want to be dressed in oranges and reds. Instead think again about Opposing colours, which in this case would be blues. Bright and light colours look beautiful at the beach. Earthy colours can really work for a paddock or green location. Think about what vibe the location that you have chosen conveys. You example if you have chosen to have your photographs taken in a field with a rustic barn in the background, a vintage, cream, frilly dress would be a perfect combination, however this outfit would not work in a graffiti filled alleyway. The third thing to consider is the practical side. High heels might not necessarily be the most practical choice to wear to a photo shoot on the beach, same with thongs in a paddock of tall grass. My first priority during a shoot is that you are safe and feel comfortable.

 

Accessories and Props

  There are many benefits to bringing a range of props and accessories to a photo shoot. They can be a great way to add colour into outfits that are mainly neutral, which result in a variety of looks without having to worry about wardrobe changes mid shoot. They are also an effective way of tying family members together, for example, if the little girl is in a patterned dress of aqua and coral then mum could wear a coral headband and dad a pair of aqua Converse. Having something familiar to play with can be a great distraction from the camera that is pointing at you and gives you something to interact with. Scarves not only add colour and movement but can also be a great way to pull hubby-to-be in for a cheeky kiss. Little kids love jumping, dancing and being wild so items such as twirly dresses, shawls and capes can be a great way of emphasising that movement. Subtle but meaningful accessories and props make great story telling aids. This could be as simple as your child’s favourite toy, a quilt made by great grandma or even the family pet. Other great props are scarves, hats, flowers, vests and jewellery. Don’t forget to coordinate your nail colour with the style and color of the clothes that you will be wearing. The most important thing to remember when choosing accessories and props is not to let them overwhelm the shoot. They are there to compliment you not distract. Think of items that will blend with the vibe of the shoot or suit the background or colour scheme. The items need to “make sense” and blend with the whole vision that you had in mind for the shoot. Don’t over accessorise, especially with sweet little babies and toddlers. They are already adorable so it is best to concentrate on their simple purity. Be sure to remove any items like watches, jewellery or hair ties on wrists that do not compliment the session’s look.

 

A Few Other Tips

• It is worth investing in professional hair and makeup as it is not only a great confidence booster, it will also result in photographs that you are happy with the way you look.

• Bold patterns are hard to compliment and are usually best avoided so that you don’t end up with awkward combinations of floral and stripes. Same with shirts that have large logos or writing. These can draw too much attention and distract from what is important: you.

• Think about fashion basics: generally darker colours are slimming and bright colours are tricky for people who are light skinned. Avoid colours that do not match your skin tone, for example, reds if you usually have rosy cheeks and yellows if you have blonde hair.

• Layers and textures are a great way to add interest, especially in black and white photographs. This can be done by using a variety of materials such as cottons, knits and lace. Make sure to stick to your colour palette though.

• Unless they are funky Converse sneakers that speak a lot about your personality, please avoid sneakers. The choice of shoes can make or break an outfit. Distressed boots or colourful ballet flats can be a great accessory to tie together an outfit. Just personally I think there is nothing more adorable than a toddler in gum boots. Keep in mind also that sometimes no shoes look the best, especially in sitting poses.

• Make sure to try on all your clothes before you arrive at the shoot location so that you know that it fits and that you are comfortable in it. Also avoid items that show stains and wrinkles too easily.

 

I hope this article helps you and gives you some ideas on what to wear and bring to your photo shoot. However if you still need a bit of guidance do not hesitate to contact me. Never be afraid to send me an email with a few quick phone shots of outfits that you are considering. It is a great way for me to see what you are thinking and gives me the chance to offer some guidance.