"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile!"

What to Wear Wardrobe Wise

 The most common question I get before a shoot is "What should we wear?"  In an effort to help explain what works best during a photography session, I have put together some samples of what photographs the best.  

Keyword: Coordinate, not Match.  

The days of all white or all black with jeans or khakis has passed.  Let's face it, it's kind of boring.  My favorite things are bright colors, layers, textures, and accessories.  Think "complete outfit."  Go the extra mile.  It pays off.  Matching tights, bows, hats, glasses, scarves are a must.  It's good to put bright colors and patterns on the kiddos, and then adults wear a coordinating solid.  Here are some family outfit ideas, and some color schemes that work well together: 

Things to AVOID:

1.)     Try not to be "Matchy Matchy."  Every persons unique personality should come through.  We were not all built to wear the same thing.  

2.)     No all white or all black...again, boring!  Also white is super light reflective, and black is super light absorbent.  You run the risk of standing out from the crowd in one of these.  If you must go dark, go Navy or Brown.  If you want to go light, go tan or pastel.  

3.)     Try to avoid greens and yellows for outdoor sessions.  They tend to clash with the grass.

4.)   Clashing Reds.  If more than one of you are wearing red, please make sure they are the same red, or at least coordinate.  No purply red, and orangy red together. 

5.)   No big logos, unless it is the clothing brand, i.e. Gap or Polo.  In other words, no Sponge Bob t-shirts!

Here are some great "boy" ideas that I found on Pinterest.  Great places to shop for complete outfits like these are The Gap, Old Navy, The Children's Place, Gymboree, Nordstrom, and Nemaan's.

Here are some cute "girl" ideas, also found on Pinterest.  Time to accessorize!  Think hats, scarfs, tights, bows, matching shoes, even purses or teddy bears can be fun accessories.  

The exception to the bright color rule is a Newborn Photography Session.  In this case it is preferable for the parents to be wearing all black.  Most newborn photo shoots are done in studio.  New moms are not usually excited about showing off their figure, and the baby needs to be the focal point anyhow.  When Mom and Dad wear all black, and the baby is naked, it makes for a nice display of the baby, which is the whole reason we are doing the shoot in the first place.  Shooting newborns this way ensures that we capture elated/proud parents and beautiful new babies.  Here are a few samples from my studio that illustrate this style:

Lastly, and most importantly: "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile!"

Happy Shooting.

How to keep your bridal gown clean during bridal portraits.

I had the pleasure of shooting bridal portraits for a brilliant bride this Memorial Day weekend.  She had an ingenious way to keep your bridal gown clean during bridal portraits.  Take an old sheet that you are okay with trashing.  Cut a hole in the middle and step into it.  Wrap your dress up in the sheet.  Voila!  Now we can walk all over God's green Earth, and not worry about getting your bridal gown dirty before the wedding.  Priceless.  Check out the results:

Why Destination Photography?

So, you've decided to say your "I do's" someplace spectacular.  Here are some compelling reasons why you should take a photographer, and turn your trip into an "Expedition!"

jenXpeditions is Making Moments Legendary.

• Your wedding album is a story book, and you should tell the whole story:

When you contract an on site photographer, not only are they unknown to you, but they are contracted for a very small window of your excursion.  Taking a photographer with you means you have a professional in your entourage to capture the details of the adventure.   Your brunch and your rehearsal are critical portions of the story that needs telling, and there's no better way to tell a story than when you are a part of it.

You've put your heart, soul, and personality in the details...let's capture them.

• It's easier and less expensive than you think... and it's your Legacy:

It's as easy as adding a room and a plane ticket to your entourage.  What is a "plus one," when you are talking about creating heirlooms for your children and grandchildren.  Your legacy wont know what the food tasted like, but you can guarantee that they will want to put their hands on the photographs.

Your wedding photographs are your most prized heirlooms.

• You do not want your memories to stay in your iPhone:

When you hire a professional to come along, you are relieved of the responsibility of worrying about what to do with your images.  If you are like 95% of us, you will likely leave your precious memories to gather cyber dust in your phone, your computer, or your camera.  Let a professional be burdened with bringing your story to life in a tangible way.  Let's face it, shuffling through images is not your priority, but a professional has been paid for it to be theirs.

Just hanging out is worthy of preserving.

• You want an artist to capture your once in a lifetime event:

Someone with a creative eye, and an education in light and composition, can make every day moments feel newsworthy.  Weather you are walking through the hotel, sitting in the airport, on a bus, or sitting down for a bite to eat, it is so very important to capture these fleeting moments.  The actual ceremony is only a part of the story when you are talking destination.  Be aware not to trivialize the rest of the journey.

Even the bus ride is a first rate memory.

I relish the opportunity to preserve people's happiest moments for many lifetimes.  Don't neglect crucial pieces in the puzzle.  Allow jenXpeditions to make your moments legendary!

jenXphotography.com Booking Sensational Destinations Now.

DFW Baby Photographer

It's Baby Smash Cake time again!! Ellie Sapio turned one this past week, so we got to do one of my favorite things in the world...a Smash Cake Session.  One Year Old Baby Photography Sessions are some of my very favorite, but especially when it is one of my favorite little people.  Eliana is a little slice of awesome!

Some babies take the eat every morsel approach.  Ellie favored the popular finger painting option.  

Whatever babies do with their cake it is adorable.  

Smash Cake Images are my favorite way to capture the One Year milestone.

I find my self wondering when I am taking an image like this, "Are my clients going to think I suck or be mad because I've just cropped their babies head out of this image?"

Oh well.  Perhaps, but they are still some of MY favorite images.  Not sure why...just seems even sweeter for some reason.

Who doesn't like baby bum's? (Unless it's your turn to change them of course!)

...and why does crawling in a tu tu make me so happy?  "These are a few of my favorite things." 

...and even the back of your head is so adorable, I feel like I better capture that too!

The obligatory "It's my party, I can cry if I want to!"

I often get asked how I can do what I do.  Even during this shoot Ellie's Mom, Melissa, voiced that wonderment.  I understand the sentiment, because I feel that way about teachers.  I thank God for teachers every day, because I know I do not have what it takes to do what they do.  ...but what I do?  Sure it takes a fair amount of patience when babies and kids, and sometimes even adults don't want to follow directions; But then something amazing happens, like Ellie decides to take her first consecutive steps right there in my studio, and I'm thinking "What's the opposite of FML?"

It brings me great joy to be able to capture some of the happiest moments in peoples lives.  My life is Awesome.  Thanks for sharing it with me. 

Newborn Photographer

The holidays have me running so crazy that I have trouble finding the time to blog about my photography sessions.  It's ironic, because that is the time of year that I am shooting the most portraits and events, and also the time that I share the least about.  It's unfortunate, and I intend to have someone helping me post blogs by the next holiday season.  

Here's an attempt to make up for it.  This is one of my favorite holiday family portrait sessions from this season.  It is a combination newborn photography and family photography session.  Perhaps it was my favorite because it happens to be my brother, my sister in law, and my nephew welcoming my newest nephew.  I adore newborn photo sittings, but it is infinitely more special when the baby is family.

Welcome Atticus "Vaughn" Mrnustik.  What a gem!

Check out this wing span!  Basketball for sure.  No boxing young man!  Your mug is too cute!

I love the juxtaposition of Mom laughing and baby crying.  Marvelous.

Um, this may be one of the sweetest Daddy/Baby pictures ever...oh wait...look at this next one!

Oh how I love this image...let me count the ways!

Just a sweet sleeping 6 day old!  Have I said I love my job lately?

"This is my baby brother!"

Little cowboy in training.  How delicious.