Yesterday we had got about 2 feet of snow. The kids (and dogs) loved it. Our neighbors invited us down to go sledding. Here are a few pictures of our day in the snow.

Reese went to preschool and plays soccer with the oldest brother in this family. Finn LOVES his younger brother and sister.  They get along great together. I went over to their house last week to snap a few photos of them. Finn came along, so what was supposed to be a little photo session turned into a playdate. I still managed to get some adorable photos of the kids.

Happy Groundhogs Day! I haven’t even turned on the news to see if he saw his shadow. Here’s hoping for an early spring.

A little cliché? Perhaps. But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand New I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.

2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling). If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.

3. Matching No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks. In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t. If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.

4. Stressful No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory. This is supposed to be fun. If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous. I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good. During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile of leaves on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your family, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good. This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense. Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph. I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace Christmas dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. (unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

(used with permission from Jeanette LeBlanc)

I photographed these sisters a few times last year, so if you have been following my blog for a while you should recognize them.  The little sister just celebrated her first birthday. The first time I photographed her she was just a few days old. We were lucky to get a warm day for these photos. I love the balloons.

Back in the fall, I photographed a friend’s family. We have been friends since high school. She lives in a different state now so I don’t get to see her family often. This was actually the first time I photographed all four of them.

 Don’t forget that if you book a session for February or March, the session fee is just $50 and prints are 20% off.

Also, there are still a few spots open for the Valentine’s Day mini session this Saturday. See the post below for details.

I photographed this little one when she was a newborn. She is now 6 months old and cute as can be.