Monmouth County: Family Portrait: New Jersey Fine Art Photography

Family portraits make a great Father's Day gift! I loved working with Cara, Brandon, and their beautiful baby boy.

I met Cara & Brandon last spring at her sister's wedding at the Manasquan River Golf Club.  When we discussed where Cara might want her family portraits taken, we decided that their historical 1920s home would be the perfect location. With very young children,  I recommend having your session at your home. Staying home means that you are protected from the elements but still have the option of going both inside and out.

Cara and Brandon have done an amazing job decorating their craftsmen home - traditional with a modern twist. I loved their bright yellow front door. Cara did a great job coordinating their outfits to fit their style.  Photographing at someone's home is an honor that allows you to capture even more of a family's taste and personality.

Summer is coming! Take the time to capture life's precious moments - sign up for your family portrait session today!

Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis: Family Portrait: New Jersey Fine Art Photography

I love getting to photograph the children of my former wedding clients. How time flies, nine years and two kids later. Lori and Gavin have the most handsome, boisterous boys.  I have found with photographing kids, especially boys, it is best to let them run around and have fun. Happy kids make the best pictures!

Lori and I worked on choosing just the right outfits to coordinate with their living room, where the images will be displayed in a collection. I love designing beautiful custom wall galleries!

Call or email the studio to set up your summer family session - weekends are filling up fast!

Dressing for Success: Portrait Attire: NJ Portrait Photography

When it comes to attire, many clients aren’t sure what to wear.  What you wear is key for a successful session! The clothing you choose should complement who you are as a family and speak to the environment in which the session is taking place.  Additionally, you’ll want to coordinate with your home where the final images will be displayed, so your style should be as unique as your family!  With this in mind, we have a few tips for putting together the perfect style for a creative yet comfortable session.

• Adults:

Remember to coordinate well with the rest of the group in addition to these four tips…

1. Select solid colors (they tend to photograph best).
2. Choose clothes that flatter your body type.
3. Men will want to get a haircut a week or so before the session and arrive to the shoot clean-shaven.
4. Women should style their hair the day of and wear natural makeup that is slightly heavier than usual.

Sleeveless shirts and short shorts tend to be unflattering.  Large logos and bold patterns can be overwhelming and should be worn with caution. Furthermore, you’ll want to avoid dressy clothing unless the session is specifically for a formal event.

• Babies and Kids:

Newborns are sweet sleepy bundles, so keep things simple with these four tips…

1. Solid onsies, simple cloth diapers or plain swaddling blankets are perfect.
2. Accessories such as a knitted cap can be adorable for a few shots.
3. Sentimental objects like an heirloom silver rattle can add a special touch.
4. Additional blankets help add variety.

Adult clothing with collars and buttons should be avoided with young babies.  Socks, shoes, and large bows are unnecessary.  However, toddlers and children can be bolder with color and style…

1. Choose light layers to show off their fun style.
2. Comfortable, casual, but fitted clothing is best in order to capture natural expressions and personalities.

Kids are best when they’re allowed to be kids.  Avoid makeup and hairspray as well was overly baggy clothing.  We want this to be a great experience for everyone, so come prepared to have a bit of fun to not only capture real smiles, but also create positive memories.

• The Whole Family:

You will want to coordinate and plan your complete outfits a few days prior to the session.  Follow these tips and you can’t go wrong…

1. Make sure all clothing and clean and pressed a few days before the scheduled shoot.
2. When coordinating outfits, don’t forget about the importance of accessories!
3. Layers are a portrait session’s best friend, so choose a color palette of 3 or 4 colors and mix it up.  You want a consistent theme, but avoid anything to “matchy.”
4. Depending on the location of the shoot, keep in mind that light clothes look best on a lighter background while dark clothes look best on darker backgrounds.
5. Don’t forget about shoes! They should be stylish and clean!

If you need ideas for colors or coordinating the whole group without matching, just look through magazines and adds.  Our favorite stores include GAP, J. Crew Crewcuts, Janie n Jack, and Brooks Brothers!

Follow these tips and your session is destined for success!  And if you need more help, never be afraid to go directly to the photographer with questions!

8 Tips For Great Family Portraits: NJ/PA Portrait Photographers

1. Take Advantage of Family Vacations: If you have extending family together for vacation, it can be a great time for a portrait.  Think about possible groupings that you may want, such as siblings and generational shots.  Make sure to research local photographers and possible locations ahead of time to make it a fun outing.

2. Think About Display First: Before your shoot, ask your photographer what products he or she offers.  Think about your home and your personal style.  Share which products you love before you shoot and your photographer can tailor the shoot. I personally have an app that allows me to customize displays for each individual client's home.

3. Wardrobe: Think about your personal style and your home.  Do you have a traditional home or a modern beach house? What colors do you love? Then try to bring these colors into your wardrobe.  I prefer coordinating rather than matching, and I love incorporating texture and layers. 

4. Schedule Around the Youngest: It can be difficult with younger ones to do an extended family portrait.  Try to schedule around your child’s nap and meal times.  Remember, if you’re doing beach photography, midday is tough light-wise, early morning or evening work best. 

5. Make it Fun: Portraits don’t need to be stressful.  Oftentimes, families go in with the image of a perfect smiling shot, and...well...kids are going to be kids.  When they misbehave or are tired and begin to melt, instead of yelling, it's best to redirect the energy. The next two tips address this very thing.

6. Bring Props: It’s less about that perfect prop and more about bringing something your kids enjoy, like a kite or toys for the beach.  If there is an activity to break up the more traditional shots, kids tend to be more patient.  Most of my clients' kids are thrilled to do portraits again because they associate it with play time with their cousins. 

7. Let the Kids Pick: I sometimes ask the kids where they want to shoot or how they want to stand, and they have a blast. If a little one wants to make silly faces in every shot, I have everyone make silly faces.  The winning shot is always the next frame when everyone is laughing and smiling. It works!

8. Banish Cameras and Phones: It seems like a great time to have your camera or cell phone out to snap a few shots while all the family is there, but this can create issues.  Many times, kids end up looking at the family members and not the photographer.  It is best to leave the devices and enjoy the day!

8 Tips for Great Maternity Portraits: NJ Portrait Photography

1.  Ask for Help: New moms have so many things to worry about that sometimes the day of a portrait session they don't have enough hands to get ready.  Have a friend, sister, or sitter - someone your comfortable with - to come for a few hours the day of the shoot so you have time to get ready.

2. Treat Yourself to New Lingerie: Many new moms to be get out their fancy lingerie from pre pregnancy and find that the fit is not the same.  Treat yourself to a trip to the store and have a professional find you the correct bra size.  Get your nails done with a light colored polish as darker polishes can appear almost black in photos.  You deserve it!

3.  Think about Wardrobe: Lay out a few different outfits to give your photographer some options.  Flowing fabrics are beautiful but remember to show of your new shape. Grab your husbands white button down.  A crisp white button down makes a great outfit with your new bra underneath and boy shorts.  If your have a wall portrait in mind, think about the colors you decorate with and coordinate your wardrobe to compliment.

5. Invite Your Husband or Partner: Having your significant other with you on the shoot can be a touching reminder of the new bond you share.  It is less about the styling and more about capturing those emotions and the growing love between you two.

6. Put Your Wedding and Engagement Rings on a Necklace: Swelling is normal during pregnancy and sometimes rings don't fit properly.  Putting your wedding and engagement rings on a nice chain and wearing them on your neck is a way to keep those precious items in the photos.

7. Prep Your Nursery: Having a few photographs in your new nursery is a fun way to remember the first moments.  Details of the new crib, stuffed animals, baby blankets and other baby shower gifts are wonderful images for memory books.

8. Think About Display:  Before you shoot think about how you want to display your images.  Some new moms get a fine art print from the session to display in their bedrooms, nursery or changing rooms.  Starting a collection of custom photo books is also fabulous way to document your little ones life and when they get older children love to look through their books.  If you like to keep things a little more private a silk trifold with a few images can be a beautiful intimate reminder of this amazing moment.

Tulips and Smiles: Mother's Day

I have beautiful photographs of my rug rats and no tulips left in my garden!  I just love photographing my kids in the spring.  Max gets to climb "his" tree and Ella gets to raid my flowers.  I'm still getting used to Mother's Day being my day too.

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful mom!!! A true treasure!