Details, details, details....

I'm often asked about how to prepare for a bridal shoot. So here's my top suggestions. Practice your hair, your makeup, even your smile. Can you pull off a solemn look? Do you even want too? Plan out your details, your jewelry, your hair up, your hair down, what kind of flowers you want to hold. And I always encourage a veil, at least for pictures. It can be a very effective prop for showing mood, emotions etc.

Also, plan for some fun. What makes your bridal session uniquely yours? Unlike any other brides? Other than your face above the white dress? Heather chose to have her picture done at the fire station because her honey is a firefighter. She also chose an vintage car museum because they share a love for old automobiles. What do you share with your fiance? The possibilities are endless...it could be motorcycles, tennis, soccer, an NFL football team. Think outside the traditional box and create a picture keepsake of something that is individually you.

What to do after the pictures have been taken....

Once you have invested in good photographs, then put them to work for you. You may parlay your engagement pictures into announcements, your family pictures into a Christmas card and your business pictures into advertisement. Pictures speak in a 3 dimensional way, they draw you in and make you feel things. They create interest and encourage questions, add a phone number and you are on your way to booking a new client.

Every family photograph is as unique as every family

It's always my goal when doing family photography of presenting you with something that is individual to your family. I will use traditional poses that you can hang in your family room and give copies to grandma. I also incorporate photos that bring memories to mind. Little time capsules that can create emotions when viewed 10 or more years from now. Pictures that act as seeds to recreate dialogue of what your family was and is. Each family is a work in progress, each member represents a thread that binds a family into one great quilt.

Snow presents it's own unique challenges....

This family actually bid on a photo-session with me. Thanks for not letting my donation sit there flat, its embarrassing if you offer something that nobody wants. Timing is everything, these pictures were taken early December for Christmas cards. And baby it is cold outside! If you choose to have your pictures taken in the snow you must do two things...wear good cold weather boots or shoes and pray for an overcast sky. The glare off sun bright snow is litterally blinding to you and the camera. Also you must be very very quick to avoid red ears and red drippy noses. I think we captured some fun images within our limitations.

Viking fans start out young....

Not everyone wants their picture taken when I am behind the camera, but I'm usually lucky enough to coax a smile here and there. I know what you are thinking... they are too young to be grandparents. To which I say, aren't we all? Old age doesn't start until 20 years beyond your current age. I have had the opportunity to shoot this family before and they admit to blinking more often than not. Funny story when shooting them with their dogs, even the dogs blinked. I had as many outtakes as keepers because someone shut their eyes, even their grandson. Go figure, I didn't know that was genetic.

Here's Lucy....

This is Lucy and she let me take the picture of her family and brother. She was absolutely adorable. She shares her mother's beautiful eyes and her father's infectious smile. She will grow up to be a heartbreaker for sure. And don't you just love her adorable headband. Her talented mother creates them. Thanks Lucy for sharing your beautiful family with me. Note: in the past I have posted slideshows of pictures, however over time they become "glitched" and then my families lose access to sharing their photos from my blog. So from here forward I plan to post fewer pictures, not in slideshow form, so they will remain available.

So many choices....

What makes a good engagement picture even better? Choice! Change up your clothes, change up your pose and above all else have fun. Engagement pictures take about an hour, and the first half hour is usually a wash because it can take that long to feel comfortable in front of the camera. Invitations that include multiple pictures are somewhat unique to Utah. They are less formal, but more fun. It's a great way for "great aunt Edith" to get a good look at the groom or bride, whichever the case may be. When using more that 2 pictures make sure you use a 5x7 format and if you care, the font is something you can choose to personalize just for you. From Disney to Twilight, it's all available. So now's your chance to vote, which one would you choose?