"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.

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.

DFW Newborn Photographer

I got to meet a beautiful new family this past weekend.  The Dave family came to my studio for a newborn session.  I adore shooting newborns, and I especially enjoy first time parents.  It is such a joyous (even if a little sleep deprived) time.

Kavita and Tejas welcomed their first baby, a precious girl named Vidhi, last month.

Little Vidhi did not appreciate being knocked off of her routine, and let us have it for a good portion of the session, but as always, we managed to get some good stuff anyway.  You definitely have to be prepared to bend to a newborns needs, as a parent, AND as a photographer! In both cases, it's totally worth it.

Here's a little something you may not know if you have never done a newborn session with me.  In order to get beautiful "naked baby" images, it can get a little messy!  In almost every instance, someone is going to be the victim of a little accident.  In this session, it was all of us!  Clients are sometimes surprised when I expect them to look and smile anyways.  Hey, if the baby is happy, anything for the shot.

The good news is, in todays technological world, I can use photoshop to disguise anything unsavory that may occur during a newborn session.  Witness above the before image.  Not super obvious, but I had to remove a little "tinkle" off of Dads tummy.  Also what new parents learn quickly...parenthood is glamorous stuff!!

...but again, totally worth it.

Love the expression on baby's face in this one.  I have some shots that are more natural looking, but I think this one is hilarious.  Lot's of personality coming out.

Look at this perfect swirl of a belly button.  Absolutely perfect, just like it's owner.

My thanks to the Dave family for sharing their precious little family with me for an afternoon.  It was a pleasure meeting you guys.

I met a very sweet family this week during a newborn shoot.  They are new to jenX, referred to me by my good friends and faithful clients, the Sapio's.  When I get referrals from clients, I send out a $50 print credit to the family that refers me, so keep those referrals coming!  Good way to get your prints payed for!

Love, love love, newborn photography sessions, and this one was not exception.  This new little guy, Blake, was a real treat.  He was one of the sweetest most well behaved babies to come see me in a while.   He must have gotten it from his big brother Chase, because he was quite charming for a Four year old!

This is one of my favorite family portraits in a while.  Lot's of personality.  My favorite.

DFW Newborn Photographer

Sugar and Spice and everything nice!!  I do so love little boys, but I have been shooting nothing but boys boys boys lately.  I was so excited to have a newborn session with little miss Eliana Sapio this past week.

It was so hard to choose favorite images to put on my blog...there were tons of cute ones, but here is what made the cut.

Precious angel with her proud biggest brother Luciano.

How sweet it is.

Mommy and her first girl!  Yea for little girls!!

It was pretty challenging getting a family portrait this time.  Elli and Melissa acted like a perfect ladies, but I can't say the same for my equipment.  My flash had a mind of its own during the family portion of the session.  Throw that in with one sad boy, Leo, one dad ready to head back to work, Rick, and one crazy boy, Luke, and it was not easy to capture this image!  

I really think there are not a lot of sweeter things in the world than Daddy's and their girls.

I bought this hat special for Elli.  I knew she was going to be close to being a Valentines baby, and I wanted to be prepared.  What a little love!

This look says to me "that's right, I'm gonna call the shots around here!"

Just a little prepping for being a Diva.

...and three generations of fabulous women.

Congratulations on the new addition Sapio family.  I love her to pieces already.  I greatly appreciate the opportunity to get my hands on such a precious little thing.  It rules to get to play dress up for a living!

DFW Newborn Photographer

I got to spend this past Sunday with the Willard family.  They have just welcomed their second baby boy, Blake Wesley, into the family.  

I was so excited when Mom, Sinead, thought to save the baby's first bath until I got there for their newborn session.  Once again, I love my job.  How fun to get to capture a newborns first bath.  Awesome.

Big yawn, accompanied by an even bigger cry! 

 He was not sure what to think about bath time, but I think newborns are just as cute crying as they are when they are happy.  So adorable.

One of my favorite things in the whole world is baby feet.  I could just eat them up!

Love the sweet new baby skin peeling...love the composition of this image.  

Look at how sweet and peaceful this little guy is.  He did not want to cooperate with me on a couple of the shots I was trying to get, but once I left him alone he conked out...what an angel!

Blake got so comfortable I think he might have stayed there all day if we let him.

Proud new big brother Logan had ZERO desire to have his picture taken with his baby brother.  Trying to shoot toddlers is a lot like herding cats...they have their own idea of what direction they want to go, and they will not be persuaded otherwise.  Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Dad Wes hung him upside down.  I think it is one of my favorite sibling pictures ever!  They are at least in the same frame, and it is hilarious!  Especially the contrast between crazy toddler and peaceful newborn.  Priceless.

This image makes me want to lay down and snuggle that baby!  How sweet.  His blue blanket was made by his Mother's God Mother on a loom.  Amazing.  Seriously...it's making my want a nap looking at him!  

A very heart felt congratulations to the Willard's!  Two beautiful boys in less that 18 months is a crazy blessing.  Hope you can get some sleep soon so that you can enjoy it!  :)

Thanks for sharing them with me.

Frisco Newborn Photographer

I'm running way behind on blogging.  I have had too many sessions to have the time to blog about them, but I couldn't resist sharing this one.  I had a newborn photography session last weekend with the Giglio's.  Here is first time Mom Nicole with her new little angel Asher.

Nicole is a real natural of a Mother from Go.  No new Mommy awkwardness at all!  She is a pro already!

And Asher was perfect during this photo shoot.  He didn't always want to cooperate necessarily, but he was sweet and happy the whole time.  I only caught one image of him being sad.

Here's new Dad Damian and his little football.  This family is so photogenic it is kind of unfair for the rest of us!

This is the only image I caught of Asher being sad.  Pretty unusual for a newborn photo session.  Normally lot's of crying going on.

Love this one where he and his Dad are checking each other out.  Adorable little family.  Congratulations you guys!  

In this one he seems a little serious.  Not sure if he is mad or concentrating, but he definitely had something on his little eight day old brain.  Just wait till he can share that with ya' Mom!

Love the little leg warmers.  Favorite baby outfit for a boy yet.

I like Asher's hand in the back ground of this image.  Looks like he's saying "Oh, what are they doing to me now?"  Being a week old is rough, huh buddy?

This may be one of my favorite newborn images ever!  It took almost an hour to get this shot.  Asher did not want me moving him where I wanted him.  I usually suggest newborn sessions be in the first 10 days.  That way babies let you manipulate them the way you want them, they sleep a lot, and their skin hasn't broken out yet.  Asher was the exception.  He did not want to pull his head off of his chest.  He desperately wanted to stay curled up. After pulling him around on my bean bag for almost an hour, he finally gave in...and unbelievably gave me a smile!  That almost never happens during a newborn shoot. Newborns rarely smile, and to happen to have the camera pointed at them in the position you want at the time is crazy rare!  Thanks Asher!  You are a doll.