Top 5 Tips for Parents – Capturing Your Child's True Spirit in Professional Portraits | Family Photography by Natascha Lee Studios

Top 5 Tips for Parents – Capturing Your Child’s True Spirit in Professional Portraits | Family Photography by Natascha Lee Studios

Copyright 2013 by Natascha Lee Studios
One of the things I specialize in is capturing your child’s true spirit and personality during portrait sessions. This isn’t easy, as they are usually meeting me for a the first time, probably at a new location, I’m a stranger behind big black camera, and we are asking them to do things they don’t usually do. But, as you’ll see from my images and these kind words from super-happy portrait families, capturing stunning images of your children’s true spirit is one of the unique things I deliver to clients. While I focus (pun intended!)  locally (Broomfield, Westminster, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Golden, Highland, Aravda, Denver, Cherry Hills) on baby, children and family portraits, these tips will apply to anyone, anywhere planning a professional portrait session with their children. Here are my top 5 tips for parents looking to have authentic images of your child: Tip 1) Select the right photographer. Look at their portfolio, and see if their style is what you are looking for. Do you prefer posed images? Or more lifestyle images, where people are relaxed and not looking at the camera?  Do you prefer indoor images shot in a studio, or perhaps in your house? Or outdoor images with nature as your backdrop, or perhaps in urban settings? An experienced photographer will have galleries for each of the types of images they shoot, and should have enough images to give you a good idea of their style. Tip 2) Budget accordingly. Expect to spend money on the right photographer, since talented photographers are in-demand and appropriately compensated for their work. Something to consider: of all the “optional” things you will spend money on this year (restaurants, movies and concerts, new clothes, spa and hair services), professional portraits will be one of the most long-lasting purchases, giving you and others the most joy for years to come.

Two Key Tasks: Find a photographer whose style you love and budget appropriately.

Tip 3) Share advance intel. Tell the photographer a few things about your child(ren) in advance – things they like to watch, read, do. That will help create a quick connection and conversation starting point. Similarly, tell your child about the exciting event you are going to do together. Build it up as something special and fun. With your child, visit the photographer’s About Me section of their website – show your children the photographer’s photo, and a bit about them. This will make your child more comfortable with the photographer.

Two Key Tasks: Tell the photographer two things your kid likes, and visit the photographer’s About Me page with your child.

Tip 4) Follow the photographer’s preparation suggestions. A experienced photographer will send you detailed instructions on how to prepare, which go beyond just selecting cute clothes for everyone. Invest time in reading them and doing all the ones that make sense for you and your family. As I tell my clients, proper preparations can take your photos from Amazing to Mind-Blowing.

 Key Tasks: If all else fails, make sure your kids are well rested, super clean (noses, eyes, face, fingernails, etc.) and select clothes your kids are comfortable in.

Tip 5) Relax. Once you have done all your preparation work, let the photographer do their job. I know it’s tempting to step in and tell you kid what to do/not to do, but that usually creates a less cooperative kid, not a more cooperative one. Professional Photographers have plenty of tricks up their sleeve, and sometimes even a roll of SmartiesTM.

Two Key Tasks: Show your child you are relaxed and having fun, and trust the photographer to get amazing images (Because you did follow tip #1, right?)

Below is a sneak peek from a recent portrait session held for a Littleton family. (Backstory: This little boy is impishly looking at the water’s edge, eying the old pieces of wood just begging to be tossed into the lake. ) This is a perfect example of capturing a child’s true personality, and I suspect it will end up being one of his mother’s favorites!

Littleton Colorado Towhead Children's Portraits Photography IMG_8898-eal-sfw - Top 10 Tips for Capturing Your Children's True Spirit in Portraits by Natascha Lee Studios IMG_8898

Capturing Your Child’s True Spirit and Personality in Vibrant Portraits – Colorado Family Photography

]]>

Lafayette, Colorado Mother, Daughters, Colorado Nature and Hugs | Baby, Children and Family Portraits by Natascha Lee Studios

I just love doing mother-daughter portraits.

So much so that I have an entire gallery of just mother-child portraits which you can view here.

These three lovely ladies from Lafayette, Colorado had such a wonderful connection, and as you can see, both girls were lucky to inherit their mother’s beauty.

BTW, speaking of Lafayette, if you haven’t checked out Eats & Sweets – you are missing out They have something called the “World’s Best Cheesecake”…which of course made me quite skeptical. After just two  bites I realized it is, indeed, the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. They are on S Public road in the heart of Lafayette.

Lafayette Colorado Family Photography - IMG_8330-eal-sfw-natascha-lee-studios

Louisville, Colorado Family Photography: Vibrant, Fun and Joyful

]]>

Broomfield, Colorado Ballet Girl Beauty – Fantasy Dress-Up Fine Art Portraits for "Dancers, Dreamers and Make-Believers(tm)" | by Natascha Lee Studios)

This sweet little Broomfield girl is as beautiful inside as she on the outside. And she is silly, goofy and fun! When she sees me, she gives me “Squeezy Hugs.” 😉

This one of of our more quiet poses from my recent Ballet Art Portrait Series…but soon I’ll post another one of the final selections by her parents, which will show her other side (the crazy goofy side!).

Broomfield Colorado Children's Fine Portraiture for Dancers, Dreamer and Make-Believers by Natascha Lee Studios

Broomfield, Colorado:  Children’s Fine Portraiture for “Dancers, Dreamers and Make-Believers” ™

]]>

How to make your photographer's day: Natascha Lee Studios

in writing how much your portraits mean to them. And if you want to make them super happy, tell them more than once. Here is a recent string of messages from a wonderful client. Absolutely made my day…three times!!!! Here is the first one she sent, after the session:

I was so pleased with the photo session this morning.  You certainly have a way with newborns and their families.  I can not wait to see the photos, I know you got some good ones.  Thank you again for working with our short notice. Caroline Rekoff
A few days later, after I posted the sneak peak. She is referring to seeing the entire gallery: (This is my favorite!)
I can’t wait to see the rest, I have gotten so much joy out of the sneak preview, I hope my heart can stand all your glorious work at once. Caroline Rekoff
And once she saw her final gallery:
They are marvelous photos, job well done. I love  your work. Caroline Rekoff

Oh Caroline, thank you so much for your wonderful words.  So many people don’t take the time to share their kind words with others! Thank YOU for sharing.

 ]]>