What should the children wear?? I would love to tell you this is the easy part- truth is for me it’s the hard part. Finding out what your client style is or the look that fits them best is nothing short of trail & error & asking a lot of questions.

Boys (toddler & Tween) I think this might be the top asked questions!

“Where do you get clothing for boys?”

I love boys clothes. There are a lot more options than people realize. Here are a few of my go to brands for boys. H&M, Crew kids, bobo choses, mini boden,nicky and stella,Zara,www.dapperlads.com, mini rodni, tiny cottons This is just to name a few. Of course there are more & I am not trying to leave any one brand out or make one look better than the other. Start at #1. What is your desired look? Find a few photos of that look. research pieces that fit that look. You might find yourself scoring at a few different places. I, personally will help my clients with this process as previously mentioned on my last “Magical moments” post.

Girls (Toddler & Tween) Oh girls ! Aren’t they fun to dress? There are ruffles, sparkles,crystals & feathers. Some of my go to brands are Joyfolie, tutu du monde, Persnickety, dollcake, Mustard pie, well dressed wolf, Free people. Than if you want to step it up to couture you can rent or buy anna Triant, Have a dress made by Ella Dynae. And obviously there are so many more that I know & love that i have not mentioned here.

I was going to break this up into categories for you. Than I thought who am I to judge the style or “type” of clothing a brand is. Again, it comes down to getting to know your client & their style or look that fits them best. Than hit up google & research. There is no easy answer & why should there be? This part is FUN this is where you use your creative juices & create what you are going to look like. Or what your client(S.) are going to look like. Personally, I think it can make or break a session. It can be timeless or dated. so choose carefully.

Come back often for more tips & ideas!

Children, Styled

This Pittsburgh Child photographer is wishing our beautiful Golden hour evenings

I can’t believe Summer is right around the corner! Where did Spring go ? Well I guess it’s still “technically ” here & I shouldn’t be jumping ahead of myself. Although this weather here in Pittsburgh is making it difficult to have a beautiful magical golden hour light 🙁 waaaahhhh! It did have me looking at my calendar because I have been moving sessions around left & right. I am booked for May & June & have just limited spots left for July & August. If you are thinking about a Family , Child or Maternity session please contact me a.s.a.p. Here is a link for my client guide CLICK HERE here you will find out what having a session with me is all about 🙂 I can promise you one thing – it’s magical, it’s fun & most of all it’s memorable.

Children, Styled

How to create magical memories.

OK. Lets face it kids can be tough. Sometimes the adults can be just as tough or not harder than the little ones. Not everyone loves to “pose” in front of the camera-or in front of strangers.

1. Don’t be a stranger. Get to know your family. Ask questions find out what makes them who they are. Make a questionnaire & use it. Make sure to really get to know them.

2. Blend their clothing colors to match their home. Wait- you mean don’t just tell them to wear a basic color that you tell everyone to wear? That is right. Find out what colors are in their rooms that they plan on hanging these memories. After all you do want these hanging up in their home right ? Trust me- they will second guess hanging a large canvas if they decided to wear all blue’s because it makes the kids eyes stand out. Than come to find out her home is beige & creams with a hints of blush and blue doesn’t match on the giant blank wall that needed a gallery on it.

3. Help them. The only way they are going to feel good & look good is if you guide them. Don’t be afraid of this. Practice with friends first. Practice makes perfect after all – right ?

I personally do stylized|concept sessions. So I make pinterest boards for all my sessions. I create a theme based off the family. Basically, every session has a purpose and a reason I chose that prop or that color or that location. Pinterest is a great way for me to lay it all out & see what looks the best together from clothes, colors to props. I start with a sketch pad & than take it digital.

I always suggest to the mum to hire a makeup artist ( which I can provide for an additional fee). Show her places she can buy/rent clothes for herself or the kids. Why spend all that extra money on an outfit you might not wear again.

Come back often for more tips & ideas!

Photography Mentoring, Tips & Tools

The Magic Within 1st annual Pittsburgh Shootout

The Magic Within 1st annual Pittsburgh Shootout

A shootout brings photographers together from all over with different skill levels for one common bond-photography. Together we network, build your portfolio & make friends in the community & most of all have fun!

Who is welcome ? Anyone from any state or country – at any photography skill level

What to expect: 3 stylized sets (Tween set, Pre-tween set, Toddler set)

Cost : $100.00 gets you your golden ticket. You can shoot from the time your get there till the time we wrap up .

Date: June 4th

*this event requires a purchased ticket – please print your ticket after purchase & bring it to the event

PURCHASE TICKET HERE ✨

LIMITED SPOTS!

Children, Styled

Sparkling Star to Squeaky Clean

Turning ONE can be a lot of fun!

When my client came to me about this session…she mention that her daughters birthday was based around stars I immediately starting daydreaming – I mean stars ARE kinda my thing 😉

Before we could even finish our conversation I pretty much already had a vision on what I wanted to create for them for this special milestone.

We started off floating in the clouds & reaching for the stars. Than moved on to a more simple look. I love capturing this age & the sweet innocence so keeping it simple with a cute knitted bonnet & a ruffle diaper cover did the trick. After that is was SMASH cake time. This sweet baby girl loved creating art with the icing – it was quite fun to watch.

Than for a little bubbly tub time. It was actually spur of the moment when I turned to mum & said …how about a bubble bath ? She loved it & we went with it. So glad we did too! It made for some magical moments that mum & I won’t forget 😀 ( <<< Hey I am a part of this too ya know !)