Just a quick posting today. As we leave behind the warm summer weather, and head into autumn, I am already missing summer.
So, just have to share one of my favorite Denver Children’s Portrait sessions, shot during summer:
Summer July 4th Concept Portrait Shoot for Children’s Photography by Natascha Lee Studios in Westminster, Colorado from N Lee on Vimeo.
You can see more Denver family portrait videos over on my video page.
]]>and this is when many folks start thinking about portraits. I often get questions like, “How do I pick a Family Portrait Photographer?” So, here ar:
Westminster Family Portraits Outdoors in the Boulder Mountains from N Lee on Vimeo.
*Your dogs are part of your family! And we often include them in portraits. There are a few steps to follow to make sure we get the best photos possible, and one of the key things is to have someone who can take over the dogs once we are done photographing them. A neighbor, a friend, etc. It’s also a good idea to have them groomed a couple days before, and bring them a little bit hungry so they will pay attention. ]]>
Today I’m updated a blog posting from a while back – its on how to select a great photographer for your family photos.
One of the things I specialize in is capturing your child’s and family’s true spirit and personality during portrait sessions. Not just stiff posed photos where you look nice. Sure, you want to look great, but you also want to say, “That portrait is so THEM! That’s exactly the expression I recognize.”
This isn’t easy, as your children, spouse, and perhaps even you are possibly 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!) on local 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 and family:
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, those impulse buys at Target and Costco), 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. And this doesn’t just apply to young children – even teenagers are a bit more comfortable knowing about the photographer (even if they won’t admit it.)
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: Review and follow the prep tips. And 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 more stressed/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? 😉 )
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Sisters
I love photographing sisters. There is something so special about their connection. These images are from a shoot a while back, I just didn’t get around to blogging them until now.
I love how the mother styled everyone, and the pop of red in her scarf.
See how I also photographed just mom and dad? That’s super important – to capture and honor all the unique connections and relationships within a family.
I also love how the golden fall leaves create a visual frame around them:
I love taking photos of families reading their favorite book. It’s something that will always be meaningful to them (“remember how you used to love that Dr Suess book?”), and it gives us very natural expressions from everyone, as they focus on the book, each other, and (almost) forget I’m there.
modeling portfolio images for a local Denver modeling agency, their family portraits last year (also done @ Washington Park) , their older daughter’s senior portraits (go Cherry Creek!), and their entire family this year, too. It’s an honor to be part of my client’s lives like this! And, can I just say how much I love Washington Park? It’s like the National Parks (celebrating their 100th anniversary this year). But Wash Park is even older. From Wikipedia:
The park was first developed by Architect Reinhard Scheutze in 1899. Its design was influenced by city planner Kessler, the Olmsted Brothers and the famous philanthropist “The Unsinkable” Molly Brown.So, thanks to those folks over a century ago, and the people today who tend to it and esp the folks who do the flowers and landscaping – they all bring so much joy to so many people. When I’m meeting Denver friends, one of my favorite things to do is to meet there for a walk, bike ride or picnic. We met at sunrise for the family portraits. It’s hard to get camera-ready that early in the morning, but it is always worth it!
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fall family portrait. Their Sheltie dogs are super sweet, and we made sure to include them in many portraits.*
In addition to the semi-posed images where everyone is looking @ the camera, I love capturing “lifestyle” images, which are like these below – it’s a peak into your life….of course, you all happen to be wearing impeccably coordinated outfits, not a hair out of place, and it’s a lovely fall day with the soft warm light from the setting sun behind you. 😉
BTW, do you see mom’s boots! They are soooo stylish. I want to go buy myself a pair. If you follow me on IG, you’ll see that I post images of cowboy boots there from time to time. I saw so many cool ones during a photography trip to Nashville.
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