Why It’s Important to Capture photos at All Stages of Your Life
Recently I was going through my photo collection, and I realized that I had absolutely zero up to date photos of my parents and grandparents. It made me sad, because I’m starting to notice they’re aging and realizing how fleeting time is. As someone that loves picking up a camera, I was kind of surprised that I had let this happen. Then and there I really made the decision to change that. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of photos so that in years to come I could look back and remember my parents the way that they are right now.
I think its easy to get caught up in feeling like some stages of our lives aren’t worthy of capturing. We get busy, life gets stressful, kids, work, and other responsibilities take up our time. In the middle of it all we get older, and that seems to be such a taboo topic in our current society. Most people don’t want to see the physical proof of aging, and they sure don’t want it to be captured in a camera. So we start to shy away from the camera, because we feel as though if we aren’t in our 20s and at our prime, we aren’t worthy of capturing that stage of our life.
What people fail to realize is there is so much beauty aging, and though the circumstances that can arise with growing in life can be hard and feel unworthy of capturing, they are absolutely worthy. The journey you take in life makes you who you are, and photographs can be good reminders for what we were going through and feeling at the time that they were taken. Not to relive the hurt or struggle later, but to see the growth and remember just how much things change with time.
I love seeing my family members in their glory days, before me and when their lives were so different. But I also want memories to be captured of the people that I’ve grown up seeing, who they I know them to be and who they continue to evolve to be as we go through life together. Because I know that one day my memory won’t be enough, and generations to come are also going to want to get a glimpse into what life was like for us all before they knew us.
So lately I’ve been rounding everyone up and not only casually snapping shots at family gatherings, but making sure that I capture beautiful portraits of them too. They’re usually simple and quick, but I already know how important they are. And for as uncomfortable as I am in front of the lens, I’ve been making sure that I’m including a few of myself as well. I know I’ll rediscover them again in a few years and be thankful that I did. And I’d like to encourage you to do the same. A 30 minute portrait session is worth the time stamp that it serves as for years to come. Don’t be afraid of the wrinkles or dark circles or few extra pounds. These things are part of being human, and vividly tell a story when we capture them on camera.
How I Curate Senior Portrait that Stand Out & Stand True to My Clients
Senior sessions- a timeless tradition people love participating in & a well deserved celebration of your hard work! I know from first hand experience that senior portraits can really mean a lot to some people. They often mark the closing of a chapter and serve as a time capsule of who you were when this exciting new turn in your life was coming. But all too often, we can see these photos turning out less authentic and more mainstream. Senior sessions are something that I see falling trap to the latest trends and Instagram “worthy” fads. So how do I go about creating senior portraits that are beautiful, unique, and not too cheesy?
I Get To Know My Clients
Client consultations are incredibly important to me. I like to get to know you, catch a glimpse of your personality, and make a very clear plan of what you’re looking to get out of your session. Communication is key, and I want both of us to be on the same page about how the session is going to run, what the vibe is, and any special ideas we’re throwing in, long before the actual date. This is how I keep my sessions punctual and organized, which greatly reduces stress & anxiety for both me and you (something that is very evident in your photos!)
I Try to Pick Unique Locations
Even if our session is on a campus, I try to pick locations and angles that aren’t often explored in many senior portraits. Of course, popular spots are popular for a reason, they’re usually the prettiest and that’s completely understandable! But anything we can do to throw a little bit of you into your session is going to result in some seriously magical shots. That authentic energy radiates through you and shows up on your face more than you realize. So I try to think of places unique to your degree, special to you in your life, or that really speak to your personality! (P.s. if you need some inspiration, click here!)
You’re My Creative Partner
While I value being hired for my artistic creativity, if I’m creating a session tailored to you I need your input! What have you been dreaming about for this session, what’s your vision, how can we make our ideas align? I’m open and will try my best to incorporate any ideas/themes/vibes that you want to have shine through your session. No idea is dumb or completely unachievable. I promise, I’m one of your biggest cheerleaders and will be full transparent about what I can and can’t accomplish for you.
At the end of the day, I’m an artist and I value my work perfectly blending my style and yours together to create a magical session that you love. I’ll leave you with a little example of my most recent senior portrait session, which involved my best friend and our love for Taylor Swift. It was the best time, and her personality was radiant this entire session, I love to see it!
How I Get Genuine & Smiling Faces From Kids During Family Sessions
It’s a parents nightmare, and why most are hesitant to schedule family photo sessions at all. The session starts, everything is well & good, but after a few photos your kiddos are completely over it. The smiles get awkward, they get frustrated, and then the meltdowns start. This kind of thing can quickly derail a family session, overwhelm the parents, and it all shows on your face when you get the photos back. But I promise you, it can all be avoided. How, you may ask?
I have 3 beautiful godchildren, and between them all, many many years of experience figuring out what does and doesn't work when trying to photograph them. I’ve seen every melt down, bad smile, & totally over it all face you could imagine, and I’ve got it down to a science now on how to make sure none of those things become an issue during our sessions.
So listen up.
Don’t Force them to take the Picture
Kids are human just like us adults. Sometimes, they just aren’t feeling the pictures and I cannot blame them for that one bit. As much as I love being behind the lens, when I’m on the other side its a much different story. So I will never, ever force a kid to take a picture. If they say no, then we move on photograph someone or something else, and don’t make a big deal about it. And ever time, that response is exactly what they need to hear. They’ll take a minute for themselves, but then decide to join in when they see that 1) no one is going to get angry and make them feel bad for it and 2) everyone else is having fun with the pictures, so might as well see what it’s all about.
Don’t Over Pose and Over Direct
I’ve met kids that have big, beautiful, award winning smiles on demand. I’ve also met kids just like my god daughter that when told to smile, end up looking like Anthony Hopkins “fava beans” gif from Silence of the Lambs. It’s comical, and bless her heart she has no idea how or why she’s doing it, but it doesn’t make for a great family photo. So the best approach I’ve found is to turn it into something fun. Distract them in the moment, try to help them forget they’re even taking a picture. Whether that’s playing a game, saying a silly word, jamming to their favorite music, or using their siblings to entertain them. This not only gives you that natural, bright smile, but it also helps them feel more comfortable and they’re way less likely to burn out within the first few minutes of shooting.
and lastly,
Let them Get Involved
Kids are curious by nature, and the more you involve them in the process, the more trusting and comfortable they will be around you. I like to have kids help me make mom and dad smile, & maybe even let them take a few clicks with the camera themselves. Often they like to see their pictures right after you’ve taken them, and I’m happy to oblige and give lots of words of affirmation. That’s how I get relaxed, confident kiddos in my sessions, and the results are always fantastic.
So it’s really not hard. You’ve just got to let go a little bit, don’t micro manage and try to perfect your whole session. Humans were not made for perfection. When you can let go of the “perfect shot” in your mind, you start getting the most authentic shot. And that my friends, is what this is all about. Capturing the real and raw human experience, & creating timeless memories. So the next time your photographing those cool as heck kiddos and things start to go off the rails, take a deep breath and remember to give them room to breathe and a chance to trust you. It will make all the difference.
Want to know more about booking a family session?
How to Prepare for Your at Home Portrait Session
At home sessions- I love them, and encourage them! They’re intimate, authentic, and raw. They’re really, really good for creating images that are true to a person’s character. They’re also great for someone who doesn’t enjoy taking photos in public spaces, but isn’t looking for a studio portrait either. But, there are a few things that you should do to make sure that the session goes smooth for not only the photographer, but yourself also.
1.Make sure your space is clutter free
I know- it is not authentic or realistic to expect that someone’s home is pristine and perfect on a daily basis. The reality is, most of our homes (including mine) are busy, a little messy, what I like to call, lived in. And that’s perfectly fine! But for this session, its important that the unnecessary clutter is cleared out. This is because it will be the first thing to stand out and cause a distraction in your photos if not. We tend to forget the little things that are messy or out of place when we live with them day to day, so imagine you’re going into someone else’s home to help them prepare and use that to tidy up your space. Now, if you are not a minimalist that loves clean, crisp backgrounds, by all means do not change your space to that. I myself am a lover of knickknacks, books, floral arrangements, basically anything you can decorate your home with. So for my home sessions, I don’t change those things, because they’re a part of who I am. But I do pick up the random sock on the floor, the morning coffee cup still on the table, and any piled up junk from my counter tops. The unnecessary clutter is what we don’t want, but if its a part of your personality and can tell a bit about you, absolutely don’t change it. This also applies to any space that you want to use outside. In fact, I find that clutter outside shows up even easier than inside, so make sure that you’re prepared for that ahead of time also.
Clearing out your space ahead of time saves your photographer time from having to stop and move things during your session, and makes the whole day run smoother.
2.Keep it professional
As photographers, we know that photographing someone in their own space is only possible because you trust us. It can be a little unnerving having someone come into your home, a safe space that you love, and photograph it. We know that it requires a level of respect, professionalism, and sensitivity to do, and speaking for myself I will always give my clients that. But, the respect should go both ways. Remember that as nervous as you may be for them to come into your home, they are probably just as nervous to be there, especially if you don’t know each other on a personal level. You guys have a mutual responsibility to make each other feel as comfortable and valued as possible, and if you both fulfill that responsibility, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful session.
3.Have fun with it!
The whole purpose of these home session is to showcase who you truly are. If you’ve done the two previous steps in this list, then you’re all set up for success. All you need to do is remember to have a good time! Put on some music, maybe make a cup of tea or coffee, and relax. These types of sessions aren’t supposed to be stiff and posed, they’re meant to express the comfort and sense of self that you get from being in your home.
So that’s it friends. I know that if you do these 3 things, your home session will not only run smoothly, but you’ll also get more out of it than you could have ever imagined. These steps are really going to help your photographer give you images that people will look back on years from now and say “Wow, this speaks to who they were perfectly.” If you’ve got any other questions about how home sessions work, don’t be afraid to send me an email, I’m here to help.
Ready to book your home session now? Click below
The Top Three Most Unique Spots for Portrait Sessions in Louisiana
In this blog, I wanted to let you guys in on my top favorite unique spots for portrait sessions! We all know that there are TONS of beautiful locations across the state of Louisiana, but these are my most treasured and I always have a great time photographing here.
Lake Martin
Lake Martin is a beautiful 800-acre lake in Breaux Bridge Louisiana. Not only does it have tons of activities like hiking, canoeing, fishing, and air boat tours, it’s a phenomenal spot for any kind of portraits! The lake is overflowing with large cypress trees and beautiful Spanish moss. I love going here just to hang out and get some adventure in while not being too far from home. Sunset on the lake is incredible, and is sure to make any family, senior, or engagement session magical.
Kisatchie National Forest
Okay, this one is a gem that is close to my heart. My friends and I discovered it during a camping trip our senior year of high school. It was November and the leaves were changing, and the air was cool and crisp, making it a beautiful and enjoyable scene for hiking and exploring. I loved it so much that I took my own senior pictures there in the spring when the wild azaleas were blooming, and it was breathtaking. In the summer, wildflowers are in bloom everywhere, making you totally forget about the Louisiana heat, even if it’s just for a little while. This is just one of my favorite locations in the national forest, but you can read about another one here. I visit often, and I can assure you that no matter the time of year, your session is guaranteed to be vibrant with the abundance of nature nestled inside the national forest.
Your Own Home!
That’s right. Home sessions are some of my absolute favorites. I love nature, and I love the way that portraits turn out when taken outdoors. But the uniqueness of a session in your own home is unbeatable. We as humans try to make our homes an extension of our selves, and it’s that personal touch in the background of your portraits that take them to another level. With a little extra lighting, I’m able to bring the coziness of your living room right into your photos. But honestly, kitchens are my favorite. There’s something beautiful about capturing the mundane things like making a cup of coffee or dancing in the afternoon light with your partner in front of the fridge. The sessions don’t just have to be inside either. Portraits on the front steps of your home or in back yard are perfect for tying it altogether. Those images say “We built this space, and we love it. Welcome.” So, although they may sound intimidating at first, I promise they provide a level of intimacy and individuality that is unmatchable. Photographing people in their personal space is a privilege, and is something I do with the most sensitivity and respect.
So, there ya have it! My all time favorite, unique spots for portrait sessions in Louisiana. I’m so thankful that my career lets me capture and explore thee beautiful places on a consistent basis. But don’t just take my word for how stunning these locations are, check them out for yourself!
If you’d like to explore these places with ME during a portrait session, follow the link below to learn more!