After an initial reschedule during our crazy week of storms, I finally had the chance to meet up with Meagan last week in one of my favorite urban spots!  We were a little worried about the wind, but it ended up being a perfect evening.  Love it when that happens!    Meagan is such an incredibly sweet AND beautiful girl, and like most of my seniors this year, she is very talented!  She sings, acts, and is a soccer star too.  She brought along her mom and a good friend (who also happens to be my baby sister), so needless to say, there was lots of laughing.  I had such a great time finding a bunch of new spots at a “well-used” location, and Meagan had a killer wardrobe and was up for anything so it worked out great!  Thanks for a wonderful evening, and enjoy your sneak peek!  P.S. I want her hair!!!

Here is the last installment of Kelly of Kelly V. Photography’s great series on how to dress for your body type!  Make sure to check out Part One {Pear} , Part Two {Apple}, and Part Three {Hourglass} as well. Here’s what she has to say:

Here’s the fourth and final installment highlighting each of the four female body shapes. I’ve absolutely loved doing this series and have gotten great feedback from clients and Wardrobe Wednesday {Where fashion meets photography} fans. I just hope it helps you figure out your body type and how to accentuate your best features — something everyone wants when it comes to picking an outfit for your portrait session. 

I’ve already featured the pear shape, the apple shape, and hourglass. And last but not least? The rectangle! For all of you perfectly proportioned ladies out there, thanks for hanging in there! I hope it was worth the wait.

RECTANGLE SHAPE
Typically rectangle-shaped women have:

• A full neck
• Broad back
• Average bust
• Undefined waist
• A balanced figure
• Great legs and arms

America’s next top model?
Your figure is lean and athletic. You likely have a fuller neck and your back is broad. Your shoulders and hips are balanced between a straighter torso with a waist that has few curves. Your bust is usually small to medium in size and your hips are square and your butt is flat. You are blessed with slender legs and arms. This is currently the ideal shape for today’s models.
Because there is little difference between the measurements of your chest, waist and hips, you’re the only shape that doesn’t need to worry about balance. Instead, work to create the appearance of a curvier waist and bottom to enhance your femininity, and draw focus to your great legs and thighs.

Tops
To give the illusion of curves, look for wrap tops with a scooped or V neckline. They will emphasize your bust and draw attention to your face. When searching for a bra, look for choices that have extra padding and an underwire for fuller, more feminine curves. Tops with spaghetti straps will draw attention to your chest, making it appear larger. Look for jackets that have a cinched waist or bias cut. Jackets that flare out from your waist will create instant hips. Tops that are fitted and go in at the waist will help give the appearance of a curvier figure.

Pants
Your ideal pants will hug and lift your bottom. Larger back pockets that are spread far apart will make your butt look fuller. If they have flaps on them, even better! It will add some bulk. Jeans with slight fades on the thighs will help give them shape. You will look great in jeans that have a low rise and that are a straight fit from the hip to the knee with a slight flare at the end.

Skirts and dresses
There’s not a whole lot you can’t wear. However, some things look better on you than others. A contoured waistband helps create curves. Pencil skirts, A-lined skirts, as well as those with a dropped waist look great on you. When looking for dresses, select something with a little bit of a flared hemline above the knee to show off those slender legs. You can also add a belt to accentuate your waist.

Shoes
You have great legs, so show them off! For you, the sky is the limit, so feel free to experiment with wedges, straps, pointy toes, peep toes — you name it! And you’re one of the lucky girls who can pull off that sexy stiletto heel without looking off balance.

What to avoid
The list of things you need to avoid is short. On the top of the list are vertical patterns and lines. These tend to make you appear thin and lanky. Next on the list is clingy and tightly fitted tops. You should also stay away from short cropped jackets that end at your waist. You also want to stay away from loose garments that don’t show off your curves. Stay away from skirts, jeans and pants that are high-waisted. You should also avoid jeans with a straight cut because they will only emphasize your straight figure.

I feel like a broken record, but here we go … I got the honor of photographing another beautiful senior girl on another windy night last week!  I’m lovin’ all of my gorgeous seniors, I could definitely do without the near constant wind we’ve had lately.  Luckily, Sophie was a trooper and she totally OWNED that wind.   She brought some gorgeous outfits that really complimented our nice natural surroundings, she has a great sense of style.  She also brought along her two younger brothers who snuck in for a few sibling shots – aren’t they the cutest?  Thanks so much for a great evening Sophie, I had a blast!  And I’m STILL laughing about our “encounter” in the field!  Enjoy your sneak peek! 

OOOOHHH, I really think I NEED the dress Erica of Erica May Photography found for this week’s awesome maternity post!  I’m glad Erica is excited about her upcoming maternity sessions since one of them is mine! :) This post gives me all sorts of inspiration, I hope it will do the same for you.  Here’s what she has to say:

This week I decided to put together some wardrobe ideas for a maternity session. I have a few maternity sessions coming up this Spring that I am excited about so it was a lot of fun! It has been awhile since we have done a maternity Wardrobe Wednesday and we were in need of some new Spring looks. Sometimes shopping for cute maternity clothes can be a bit of a challenge but I noticed that, especially this Spring, retailers have really improved their maternity selections! I was so excited to find all these fun Spring colors when looking around this week. When putting together a wardrobe for your maternity session I find it is easier to find the woman’s outfit first and then find a coordinating outfit for the man. Here are a few tips for your maternity photo shoot:

1.) Admit that you need maternity clothes – okay, we have all stretched our pants as long as we can but some well-fitting clothes are always a must for photo shoots!

2.) If you want to elongate your torso go for a long shirt and a short jacket.

3.) Prints that completely cover the fabric can divert attention away from the tummy and breast area if you want to tone these areas down a bit.

4.) Don’t be afraid to wear form-fitting clothes to show off that belly!

5.) Get your man involved to help think of ideas for your session. Do y’all love to watch baseball, hang out by the lake or beach, or go for ice cream? All of these things are
great ideas on how to incorporate your personalities into your maternity session!

The first outfit below is the most affordable option and would be super cute for a maternity session! I love the bright colors in the woman’s outfit and you could accessorize with some cute and colorful jewelry. The optional cardigan is perfect for layering. The second outfit ensemble is a bit of a splurge – hey, it is hard to find cute maternity dresses but you could easily swap it out for a cheaper solid color dress. I loved the nautical feel of this dress and by adding a big floppy hat you could change the look of the outfit dramatically. The man’s outfit is relaxed and pulls in the rest of the nautical colors. So, don’t miss your opportunity to capture your beautiful pregnant glow. It won’t last forever!”

Shopping Guide:

Woman’s Outfit #1
Maternity Crochet-Trim Jersey Tops $14.50 Old Navy
Maternity Tiered Drawstring-Waist Skirts $26.50 Old Navy
Women’s Espadrille Wedge Sandals $25.00 Old Navy
Maternity Cropped Denim Jackets $32.94 Old Navy

Man’s Outfit #1
Royal Palm Peached Poly $21.99 J.C. Penney
Men’s Bootcut Jeans $29.50 Old Navy
Men’s leather-trimmer Flip Flops $19.50 Old Navy

Woman’s Outfit #2
A Pea in the Pod Collection: Ella Moss Sleeveless High-low Hem Maternity Maxi Dress $195.00
Large Straw Stripe Sun Hat – Dark Khaki $29.99 Amazon

Man’s Outfit #2
Fish Hawk Cliff T-Shirt $14.45 Abercrombie
Indian Pass Shirt Polo $78 Abercrombie
Cascade Lakes Pants $78 Abercrombie
Navy Stone-Washed Toms – $48

I had a pretty good feeling that this was going to be an awesome session, and Charly did not disappoint!  She really wanted an edgy urban look – graffiti, grunge, etc. – so it was the perfect opportunity to venture down to Deep Ellum and peek around.  I honestly can’t believe that in almost two years professionally I have never shot a session down there.  It is such an amazing location!  There is SOOO much to see, it really is a sensory overload.  Charly is a super-talented singer and actress (I’ve seen her in action!), so we tried to incorporate those themes with some great murals and graffiti.  AND she brought the most awesome outfits – I mean her colorful flowy dress is a photographer’s dream.  She and her mom were such troopers – we probably walked a mile at least, and Charly got to climb up on abandoned buildings, hang out in the middle of the street, and balance on rooftops.  Well worth it though!  Thanks for such a fabulous session, and enjoy your sneak peek! 

I love, love, love what Jennifer of Minor Impressions Photography has put together for us this week!  It just goes to show that classic and sophisticated does NOT equal dull and boring!  Here’s what she has to say:

It’s hard to believe, but my parents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary next month! My mom has already requested that we have a family portrait with all of their kids and grandchildren, but I will be suggesting that she also takes the time to reflect on just her and my dad’s relationship, and have a session with just the two of them.

Of course, a lot has changed in 40 years.  Not only have different fashions and styles come and gone, but our body shapes can change quite a bit in 40 years as well. {I know mine has changed significantly in just the 10 years I’ve been married!}  So, it’s understandable that “finely aged” couples are hesitant when it comes to having portraits done. After all, for many couples, the last time they had pictures of just the two of them may very well have been their engagement pictures when they were a size 4 and their laugh lines and love handles had yet to make their appearance. Don’t let the emergence of your well-lived life deter you from capturing this special moment in time. You can find some modernly chic ensembles that not only reflect your mature side, but portray your enduring effervescent personalities as well.

You’ll see in the wardrobe below that I’ve chosen some items which can be mixed and matched. The top outfits are more casual and allow you to have a session in the park or somewhere that shows your fun side. Find some swings, or bring a blanket to lie in the grass. The woman’s jacket will help to hide some of those “age marks” around your waste and you can switch out the different tank tops and/or pants to have an alternative color and look. The men should find a shirt that has slight accents of the various colors, but be sure to roll up those sleeves and relax a little.  The bottom selection gives you an opportunity to pep things up a bit and reveal your ongoing romantic relationship.  These outfits are great for an urban location and add a touch of sophistication. Don’t forget the accessories to pull everything together and bring a few props that exemplify the connection you have.

SHOPPING LIST

Women’s Casual
Jacket
Pink Tank
Orange Tank
White Capris
Sandals
Necklace

Men’s Casual
Pants
Shirt

Women’s Dressy
Shirt
Pants
Earrings
Necklace
Bracelet

Men’s Dressy
Shirt
Vest
Pants
Hat

Sofia and I got to meet up on what couldn’t have been a more beautiful day.  It took a little maneuvering, but we were finally able to fit this in among her track meets and my crazy schedule!  I’d had a nice long break from shooting thanks to some illness and weather reschedules, so I was definitely ready for this one.  Sofia was a wonderful model – she has a beautiful smile and nailed the “serious” look right off the bat.  She picked out some awesome outfits too, they fit so perfectly into our locations!  Thanks for a wonderful session, and enjoy your sneak peek! 

Shannon of Shannon J. Dodge Photography has a great new retailer “find” for us this week!  I love all of the great colors and prints – make sure to read the whole post … there may be a little special treat for everyone this week! Here’s what Shannon has to say:

I hope by now, our Wardrobe Wednesday {where fashion meets photography} posts have gotten across that white or black is a bit boring. Hopefully what we’ve been conveying is that when it comes to portraiture, bright, colorful and even whimsical is way more exciting! A couple of months ago, I stumbled upon THE cutest, most colorful and different children’s clothing I’ve ever seen! I decided I needed (ok ok…WANTED) a few things for my own kids, so I contacted the genius behind the sewing machine. Krisha Hinkle is the owner and sole designer of Jacks & Kate, a local Fort Myers area company. She whipped up a few shirts for my son, and an adorable dress for my daughter. Every time they wear their Jacks & Kate apparel, they get compliments and I get asked where their clothing is from. Not only is this clothing adorable, it is made VERY well and with love. Krisha is super talented, that’s for sure! I almost fell off of my chair when I read that she is self taught and only been at this for a little over a year. WOW. Not only does Jacks & Kate offer adorable ties, bowties, name and number t shirts, t shirt dresses and other dresses, but also totes! These bags are SO adorable and would make a great purse, overnight bag, diaper bag and yes…camera bag!!  Enough rambling…bring on the eye candy!

Make sure you look at all of the images…there might be a special promotion code at the end!

And because you know you want to buy something adorable, Jacks&Kate is offering 15% off for one week only! (4.6.11-4.13.11) Just use the following code: SJDBLOG 

What are you waiting for? Go get something for yourself or your kids…or both!

Jacks & Kate on Facebook
Jacks & Kate on Etsy

I would LOVE to shoot something like this one of these days!  I adore the way that Rebecca of Rebecca Keeling Studios has put some great ideas together to truly capture kids in their element.  Here’s what she has to say:

Spring is officially here!  The days are getting longer, the grass is getting greener, the sun is getting warmer, and the trees and flowers are starting to bloom!  It is one of my favorite times of year, not only because of the beautiful weather, but also because my “studio” (aka: mother nature) is ready for business!  But, as the saying goes, “April Showers Bring May Flowers” and as much as we plan ahead, and cross our fingers/toes/legs/arms/etc. we can never quite fool mother nature.  This year, instead of rescheduling your outdoor session due to “bad” weather…why not get creative and embrace it!!  How much fun would your kids have splashing and playing in the rain in their new boots/umbrella/coat??  Sure, it might not be the sunny, bright images you originally planned, but there’s really no better environment to bring our your children’s playfulness, joy, and true laughter than letting them do what they do best…PLAY!  And the best part about rain?  If you don’t actually have it, you can make it!  Just pull out those sprinklers and garden hoses.  Then, you’ll have the best of both worlds…AND, you’ll have images that you will treasure for years to come.

Shopping Guide

Girl
Persnickety Green Stripe Bell Pants: $42 | www.littlelunablue.com
Persnickety Retro Rosette Skirt: $70 | www.onegoodthread.com
Persnickety Appliqued Umbrella Tee: $54 | www.onegoodthread.com
Hatley Watermelon Raincoat: $49 | www.hatleystore.com
Hatley Watermelon Boots: $35 | www.hatleystore.com
Watering Can: $25 | www.gardenartisans.com

Boy
Boden Board Shorts: $36 | www.bodenusa.com
Boden Big Applique T-Shirt: $30 | www.bodenusa.com
Western Chief Monster Umbrella: $15 | www.westernchief.com
Western Chief Monster Boots: $30 | www.westernchief.com