Spring 2011 -- Clothing, Locations, and Getting Beautiful Pictures to Last a Lifetime!

Here in Arkansas it's been crazy with the snow. Seriously? Since when does it snow that much and often here? Well, the sun has finally started to come out, we don't have to dress from head to toe in snow gear just to be able to walk and stay warm. I haven't even needed a jacket! It only means one thing. Spring is right around the corner!!!!

Besides Fall, Spring is the best time to get your portraits made. Doesn't matter if it's Family Pictures, Senior Pictures, Bridal/Wedding Pictures, or Engagement Pictures. The flowers are blooming, the weather is perfection, and you can finally leave your house after the winter's hybernation.

A lot of clients ask me what they should wear. I always say try to match but, don't be too matchy. Meaning, don't make everyone in the family wear the exact same sweater. It's best to be cohesive, keep the clothes fun and playful. And ladies, don't forget the importance of accessorising. My favorite part about shopping. I love the accessories.  Here is an example of what to wear for a family session with clothing for the dad, mom, girl, and boy. You can find all of these outfits and accessories at http://www.oldnavy.com/.

See how you can keep it cohesive by sticking with the blues. You have fun pops of the purple, cute accessories, and a mix of different patterns.

Another question I get asked a lot is about locations. I have a personal favorite, and that is Lake Fort Smith. It's so huge and offers a wide variety of backgrounds, the photo session doesn't get boring. And it's great for all different types of sessions, from wedding to family pictures. But, don't forget that you can play around with your locations just like you can with the clothing. If you are, say, getting engagement pictures done. If you're clothing options tend more towards the fancier variety (not casual, but not your bridal attire) the contrast of the beautiful, you and your fiance in gorgeous clothing, up against a grittier background is perfect. It makes the subject, meaning you, pop even more and look even more gorgeous than you already are. Gritty location choices? Downtown Fort Smith and Van Buren. All of the old buildings, the railroad tracks, and the streets are perfect. And the locations are great for Senior pictures, too!

Getting pictures made can be a super fun time with your loved ones. These pictures last a lifetime. When your little boy grows up, these will be the pictures that he won't mind you digging out of the closet and you showing them to his girlfriend. These will be the pictures that you will want to put in your daughter's slideshow at her wedding. Just have fun shopping, have a great time being a model, and leave the picture taking to me.

Hope to see a lot of you in Spring!!! And remember, by referring my photography to a friend, you get 50% off your choice of either a mini-accordian book or a soft cover book!!!

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The Young Sisters

I met up with S and T early in the morning Sunday. And I mean early as in the sun wasn't even up yet. But, no traffic at all. Which is pretty awesome this time of year.

These sisters were super fun. I had a blast photographing them. I spent two hours with them and it seemed like the time just flew on by, despite the cold weather.

I was bundled up in a sweater, coat, big scarf which I loaned to T for this picture, and a hat and I was still freezing. I don't see how these two just wore sweaters, no coats or anything.

Once again I am super jealous of someone else's hair. LOL! T's hair is so gorgeous and super thick.

These sisters are really close, but they are completely different from one another. S is very girly and T is more of a tomboy. Oh, and S likes Edward and T likes Jacob from Twilight. I have to side with T on that. Edward who? Go Team Jacob!

Don't forget to click on the pictures to view them larger!

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Osborne Family Pictures

I met with this fun family last weekend. The little girl had a different pose for each shot. It was so cute!

I love the color of her hair! And it's natural!

Another husband that was game for anything. He kept throwing out ideas for pictures. I loved it!

Wondering what to wear for your family photos? Look to this session for examples. I loved their outfits. They had accessories, different textures, and they weren't all matching. I loved it!

Click on the pictures to view them larger!

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GWSH Family Pictures

This was a big group. Nine to be exact. And they were all so much fun! You can tell how much everyone loves each other by how much they poke fun at each other. And this family was no stranger to poking fun. LOL! Even I was made fun of, especially for the way I say cheese, so I guess I feel loved, too. All I have to say is that if I get tired of taking pictures, which I highly doubt, I have an opera singer career waiting for me. HAHA!

Let's move on to the pictures....

You can tell they are a fun family! W, over on the far right, has a little Captain in him! LOL! If you don't know what I mean than you don't watch near as much television as I do.

It was cold outside. Literally freezing cold! I'm so glad they brought blankets. This is T and B. Who are the youngest of the bunch and I'm pretty sure they are the tallest.

Remember M and D? This is D's family. Everyone in this family, even the husbands, have been blessed with the most gorgeous eyes!

This is W and M. M has a great first name! It's the same as mine, but spelled differently. LOL! She's also as cute as a button and I love her hair cut!

I had so much fun taking all of your pictures! I giggled so much that morning! Thank you so much!!!!

Don't forget to click on the pictures to view them at full resolution.

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M and D Couple Pictures

This couple let me take their pictures back in May when I first started out and I had only one previous photo shoot behind me to back me up. I didn't know what I was doing, but their pictures ended up being some of my favorites! And, now, that I have become a more seasoned photographer, they are back again and still looking gorgeous! Seriously, they are one good looking couple!

She has the prettiest brown eyes I have ever seen. And he has beautiful blue eyes. Can you just imagine what their children's eyes are going to look like?

I love love love these two pictures!

The middle picture is kind of a throwback to everyone's favorite from the first photo shoot I had with them.

I love how M is game for doing any kind of pose, most men are not like that. Most men don't want their picture taken at all. I'm talking to you, Josh! LOL! Husbands take notes from M! LOL!

Don't forget to click on the pictures to view them larger.

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Sam

Okay, I have to say that I love my dog! He is not only spoiled by me and my husband, but by my parents, as well. In fact, I think that they are probably worse when it comes to spoiling him. He is their grand puppy, after all.

So, when we decided to do Christmas cards this year... Or well, when I decided to do them and I begged and pleaded my husband to do them... We had to have our little doggy in there with us. After looking at all of the pictures, it was easy to see that Sam stole the spotlight. He's just so photogenic! So, after all of this proud mommy rambling that I'm doing, here is our little Scottie.

Isn't he cute? I'm going to post the Christmas card picture after I get all the cards sent. Look for it in the near future.

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M and D Christmas Pictures Preview

Here is a quick preview of M and D's pictures that I took. I will do a full post of their session later. They're picking one picture for their Christmas cards this year, and I don't want to spoil the surprise. :D

Enjoy this one for now...

Don't forget to click on the picture to see it bigger.

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