Saturday, September 13, 2014

What to Wear for Family Portraits

The fall portrait season is upon us. One of the things that I am asked most often is, “What should we wear for our session?” I decided this would make a great blog post. So, here goes...

Top 10 Things to Consider

1      1.  Coordinate. Choose 2-3 colors and keep everyone’s clothing within that palette.
2     2.  Patterns are ok. Don’t choose anything too wild and don’t have everyone in competing patterns.
3     3.  Layers are awesome. Layering adds depth and texture to your photos.
4     4.  Clothing should fit well.  This is not the time to think about how your child can grow into an outfit.
5     5. Put Mom first. It’s important that Mom looks and feels her best!
6     6.  Accessorize. Add a pop of color here and there with a belt, pretty scarf, hat or headband.
7     7.  Footwear is important. Your feet will be in some of the photos.
8     8.  Dress comfortably. Choose clothing that you would normally wear and make sure you look like yourselves
9     9. Be consistent. Provide a unified look by dressing everyone for the same season with matching sleeve lengths.
1    10. Be prepared for anything! You just never know what can happen especially with small children - a backup outfit for a little one is never a bad idea!

A few of my favorite places to look for portrait clothing include: Gap, Banana Republic, Lucky Brand, Lands End, Mini Boden, Tea, Mustard Pie (for girls), Crewcuts, Ann Taylor Loft and Anthropologie.



Here are a few examples of some of my clients and their coordinated looks:













Wednesday, July 30, 2014


Lifestyle Session Vs. Mini Session

Which is right for my family?

Laura Ann Photography, though geared towards personalized, in-home “Lifestyle Sessions”, also offers “Mini Sessions” yearly (usually in the fall).  In a nutshell, “Lifestyle Sessions” are designed and personalized with the client to create a one-of-a-kind session that tells your family’s story. These sessions are generally 1-2 hours and take place in the client’s home, but can also be at an outdoor location. “Mini (Petite) Sessions” are shorter sessions in a location chosen by me that are offered at a discounted price and may or may not include special products and/or pricing.
Here are a few things to think about when deciding which type of photography session is the right fit for your family.
1.     What is the purpose of your photo session? If you are looking for a few updated photos or want to create a nice holiday card, a mini session may be the way to go. If you want to capture your children as they are and preserve a special time in your lives, a lifestyle session would be recommended.
2.     How old are your children and how do they react to strangers? If you have young children that would do best having some time to meet me and play more comfortably in your home, a lifestyle session would be best. If you have done sessions with me before, your kids know me already, or are perfectly fine with someone they don’t know photographing them, then a mini would probably be ok.
3.     How much of an investment are you interested in making? This is a very personal part of the decision making process. Mini sessions are generally more affordable and a great way to get images with a boutique photographer. When looking to capture priceless memories of your children, when looking for wall art for your home or albums to celebrate special ages or times in your child’s life, a lifestyle session would be the best choice.
4.     How much time do you have for a session? Minis are short and lifestyle sessions are longer.
5.     Do you want to choose the setting for your photos and have a customized session or do you like to have everything planned out for you? Again, this is a personal decision and something to consider.

I interviewed a couple of my clients to provide you with their perspective. (And because this is a photography blog, I am including a few of their session images!)
Here is what Jamie Harris had to say about Lifestyle Sessions:
Why did you choose to do Lifestyle Sessions in your home over Mini Sessions with Laura Ann Photography each year? “I love the Lifestyle Sessions that Laura has to offer!  They are laid back and relaxed.  Laura really takes her time to make the kids feel comfortable and basically forget that there is a camera there.”
What were the benefits of doing a session in your home? “I love candid shots done in the house.  It is fun to see everyday moments caught on film! Also, the kids are in their natural element in the home, which to me means that they are being themselves.  This translates into great shots!  These are the type of shots that my husband and I enjoy looking back on. I highly recommend these sessions done by Laura!”
Can you offer any tips to families that choose to sign up for a lifestyle session with Laura Ann Photography? “Be casual and enjoy!!”


Here are Melissa Julian’s thoughts on Mini Sessions:
Why do you choose to do Mini Sessions with Laura Ann Photography each year? “For me, Mini Sessions are perfect.  They are quick and to the point.  Laura is GREAT at what she does and has never disappointed us.  Sure, the first time I was a little skeptical, as I thought, really, how on earth are you going to capture the best shot when you are only given such a short amount of time, but she does, flawlessly.”
Can it be difficult to get your children to cooperate with just a short amount of time for the session?  “Actually, this is why I love Mini Sessions so much, there isn’t much time for the kids to actually be distracted.  We get to our spot, Laura is ready and we shoot.  Kids don’t have time to really even process what is going on.  She has a way with the kids; they smile and roll with it.  No time to get burnt out.  It’s perfect.”







I am currently offering Lifestyle Sessions and Fall Mini Sessions. Contact me today to schedule your session.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Fall Sessions

Start Thinking About Your Family Photos Now


I cannot believe I am posting about fall sessions on a late night in July, but it really is time to start thinking about it now. Stores are starting to put summer clothes on clearance and the fall colors are creeping into the displays. It's hot and muggy down here in NC, but before we know it the long days of summer will be over. School will start back up, fall sports will get into full swing and soon we will be getting ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving and then, of course, the holiday season! 

I have vowed to get ahead of myself this year. I have to. We have a big family reunion planned in October, so I already know that I am more limited in the weekends that I will have available for sessions. If you have been thinking about booking a session with me this fall, please start contacting me now so we can get your session on the calendar. I will have a limited number of mini sessions again this year, but they will be early (September). I am hoping to solidify the details for those soon.

Here are some photos of one of my favorite families from last fall. These were taken in late November at a local park in Cary. It was actually very cold that day. Look at how well the clothes compliment each other. The mom was conscious of layers and textures, but also kept the kids in clothes that they would normally wear and would be comfortable in. She thought of everything even down to the shoes (which many forget to think about). 













Sunday, June 29, 2014

A Different Perspective

Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone & In Front of the Camera


Last fall, I met this awesome photographer named Jami Scull. She had recently moved to the area and we started talking at a photography workshop. I liked her right away. We began to get together often and collaborate on business ideas. I learned pretty quickly that not only was Jami a great photographer, she was a great person as well. Her photography business focuses on photographing women: fashion, glamour, boudoir, and fitness. Check it out at www.jamiscullphotography.com.

During our business pow-wows, we kept saying we would photograph each other – she would do a headshot/fashion session with me and I would do a lifestyle session with her and her family. I kept putting the idea off because being a shyer person, I am much happier behind the lens. I reluctantly agreed anyway and started shopping for some clothes – I knew I had nothing appropriate to wear. Jami helped me with ideas for what would work well. She helped me shop in my own closet and online.

As the session date approached, I made an appointment with my awesome hair stylist, Britney Tomic from Textures, to have my hair touched up and trimmed. We also set up an appointment to have her style my hair on the morning of the session. I did my own make-up after I arrived for the session.  Being newer to this area, Jami is still looking for a make-up artist to use for her client’s sessions. (If you know someone available, please let Jami or I know!)
The session date finally arrived and I was incredibly nervous about the whole thing. As a mother of three, wife of almost 12 years, in my mid-thirties, it was hard to think of myself having this sort of photography session. (Or really any type of session that didn’t involve my children or my family.) Many of you that know me well, know how hard it was for me when I turned 35. I was at a point in my life, where I was trying to figure out who I was, aside from a wife and a mother. I, like many mothers tend to do, had been putting myself last for a long time. (But I digress, that is a post for another time, perhaps.)

It was hard for me to imagine that after my body had changed from aging and from carrying said three children that I could still look as beautiful as some of the woman I saw on Jami’s website. That being said, I have also been working out like crazy at my favorite place, Excel Body Fitness (www.excelbodyfitness.com), for over a year and half and am proud of that accomplishment. Two years ago, I couldn’t even do one sit-up and so far this year, I’ve already done two half-marathons and feel stronger than ever. (Kickboxing anyone??? It’s my favorite!)

None of that mattered once I arrived for the session, though. Jami immediately put me at ease. She is very easy going and everything was low stress and comfortable. We got started right away. She used a few different lighting set-ups and backdrops and I changed a few times (making use of almost all the outfits and accessories that I brought.) She also did a variety of poses with me.

A note on posing – some might say it’s not important because I am petite and skinny. I say, posing is everything, even for petite, little me! It was a mini-workout to hold some of the poses, but it translates onto the camera so well. If you are reading this thinking, for whatever reason, you would never do pictures like this of yourself because you want to lose ten pounds. Don't put it off, just do it with Jami – she knows how to take the shots that will make you look your best. We ALL have spots that we want to hide and a photographer that can pose you well is KEY!!

I left the session feeling like it went really well. I was excited and nervous to see the results, but I knew that they would be great. A couple weeks after the session, I met up with Jami to view my images. She had put them into a slideshow that we watched together.

i.was.floored.

I mean, I was amazed at how AWESOME they were. My husband tells me daily how beautiful I am, but normally, I reply with some snarky comment like, “Oh sure, I’m beautiful in my stinky clothes from the gym this morning when I haven’t showered and my greasy hair is in a lovely ponytail with stuff sticking out all over the place.” It’s hard to feel pretty when that is your normal everyday look. But when I looked at these pictures, I couldn’t believe how Jami had captured the best of me.

I feel like when I look back at these or my kids look back at these or my husband looks back at these, they will show the best me. As tired as I can feel, as bloated, as greasy, as my wrinkles and grey hairs have started, as I taxi the kids around to a bunch of activities and I complain that time is passing too quickly. That is not who I am right now.

I am blessed and lucky to be raising these three beautiful kids, loving this fun and fantastic man, and being this beautiful me on the inside and outside. I appreciate that I can take my kids to their activities. (Still don’t really like the whole cleaning the house all the time part, but anyway…) I am here with them everyday trying to set a good example and providing them with all the love and support that they need. Hopefully what they see when they look at me, is what Jami captured in these images.

When I think back to my childhood and my own mother, I don’t think about the fact that she didn’t have time to shower or blow dry her hair, there were four of us kids to keep her constantly busy. I remember how I always thought she was the prettiest woman I knew (and I still do!). I WISH that I had more pictures of my mom from back then. I’m so glad that my kids will have these pictures of me. I don’t get in front of the camera nearly enough. I have vowed to try to do it more, but I am thankful that now I have Jami’s images as well.

So back to those images… I cannot even tell you how much I love love LOVE them. I am not embarrassed to say that I look at them all.the.time. I watch my own slideshow a couple times a week. She gave me an “app” of myself that I have on my iPhone. I love it. When you see me, ask me to show you and I will. Then ask me for Jami’s info because I will happily pass it on to you. All of us woman deserve to have something that reminds us that we are as beautiful on the outside as we are on the inside. Thank you Jami Scull Photography! 


Here are a few of my favorites…






Wednesday, February 05, 2014

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge - Purple


One of my favorite "purple" images!


This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com



Photo Challenge Submission

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

2013 Mini Sessions

Happy New Year! We had a very busy, fun and blessed holiday season and I hope you all did, too.

I have been wanting to post a series of pictures from my fall mini sessions for a while.  Mini sessions are always a busy and fun time for me. These are a few of my favorites from those sessions.