Right now I’m getting lots of inquiries from senior clients who want one last family portrait before they head off to college.  Dressing families with older children isn’t much different from dressing families with small children, but I it is definitnely time for another post to help give all of these more “mature” families a visual.  I started with a fun print for the daughter’s dress that gave me a lot of good color options and built the rest from there.  This is a more casual look, and I think the families I’ve photographed around this age range have just felt and acted more like themselves and more relaxed in casual rather than formal outfits, and it’s something I generally recommend.  All of the outfits from head to toe were found at Old Navy – I know moms of kids everywhere can appreciate one stop shopping!

MOM

Capri Pants – $25.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=8976980020008&cid=5456

Tank Top – $10.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72244&vid=1&pid=706081&scid=706081702

Sweater – $22.99 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=59093&vid=1&pid=898026

Necklace – $14.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=9198&vid=1&pid=174530&scid=174530002

Sandals – $19.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55151&vid=1&pid=897799&scid=897799002

DAUGHTER

Dress – $27.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50186&vid=1&pid=898301&scid=898301012

Sweater – $20.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=60783&vid=1&pid=122726&scid=122726042

Earrings – $8.94 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=9201&vid=1&pid=158844&scid=158844002

Wedges – $25.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55150&vid=1&pid=897791&scid=897791012

SON

Shirt – $19.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=64803&vid=1&pid=897967&scid=897967022

Shorts – $19.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=34053&vid=1&pid=289066&scid=289066022

Sneakers – $24.94 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=37844&vid=1&pid=104503&scid=104503012

DAD

Shirt – $12.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6985&vid=1&pid=898372&scid=898372042

Jeans – $29.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5209&vid=1&pid=574143&scid=574143022

Sandals – $19.94 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=16727&vid=1&pid=104482&scid=104482012

I absolutely adore this post that Kelly put together, especially with my own little one’s birthday only a few months away!  Here’s what she has to say:

My little guy recently turned one, and I couldn’t wait to take his birthday portraits, complete with a cake smash. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, you plunk the birthday boy or girl down for some instant photo fun — just add cake! The results are always messy and memorable once they dig in.

In addition to capturing my son covered in frosting, I also wanted some images of him outside — exploring, reacting to his surroundings for those natural expressions I know and love.

First birthdays are a major milestone and a popular reason for booking a portrait session. But rather than just picking outfits and props randomly, if you give it just a little extra thought, you can plan and style an amazing first birthday session so all of your images (although very different) are coordinated and look amazing when paired together for an album, wall display or however you choose to enjoy them. And because I just went through it myself, I have real examples to illustrate — which always helps, right?

Need another reason to read to the very end? I lined up some awesome deals for you from some very incredible vendors.

Okay, for Evan’s portraits I opted to go with the colors of his nursery because I know I’ll display some of the photos there. (For more on matching your outfits to a room in your home, see this Wardrobe Wednesday post.) Evan’s nursery is filled with light blue, navy and red, so I knew I’d have a ton of options. If you’re interested, check out his room here.

I did a little shopping and came up with a few great outfits and props for outdoor portraits as well as his cake smash in my chosen color palate.

Okay, so how awesome is that giant cupcake cake? Well guess what? I made it! That’s a photo I took in my studio. And you can make one too!

Wait. Just wait. Before you get all, “Yeah, but you’re super creative … I can’t do that” on me, I am the World’s Worst Baker. I ruin just-add-water brownies. (Just ask my family.) But I really, really, really wanted one for Evan’s cake smash photos, so I did a little research online and decided to give it a try.

Here’s what I purchased:

Yes, you could certainly use your own cake batter recipe, but being the World’s Worst Baker, I decided to keep it simple and leave it to the expert Duncan Heinz. You could keep it even simpler and apply the frosting with a spatula, but I was feeling adventurous, so I went for it. The decorating tools were fairly simple to use, and the little turntable was a minimal investment and really saved the day when it came time to add frosting. My 4-year-old spun it while I applied the vanilla.

In my research process, I checked out a lot of photos of other people’s cupcake cakes and decided I didn’t really care for the bottom half when it was unfrosted or frosted. I thought it either looked unfinished or weird. Then I found this incredible tutorial on how to make a giant cupcake liner using chocolate melts! Brilliant!

I followed the directions exactly and nailed it on the first try. It was super easy and slid right out of the pan. I didn’t even have to trim the sides of the cake for it to fit, just a little off the top. Easy, peasy.

The last tip I found that really made things simple was how much batter to put in each side of the pan. After you’ve coated both sides with cooking spray and lightly dusted them with flour, fill the portion that will become the top half of the cake with 2½ cups of batter. Fill the bottom half with 3½ cups of batter. No more, no less and both sides will bake evenly. Bake at 225 degrees for one hour.

Let your cake cool, trim, place inside your kickin’ chocolate liner and decorate!

* * * * *

And here are a few of the final results with my birthday boy. Even though the images are very different, they still coordinate! Can’t wait to design his mini albums to pass out to family.

Where to shop

OUTDOOR PORTRAITS

Tie: $17.95, Trendy Ties

White button down: $14.94, Old Navy

Jeans: $16.94, Old Navy

Plaid hat: $6.99 (on sale), Gymboree

Headphones T-shirt: $12.99, Old Navy

Navy pants: $14.94 Old Navy

INDOOR PORTRAITS

Pennant: $32, Blue Moon Studios on Etsy

Personalized name shirt: $18, Three Lulus on Etsy

Diaper cover: $5.99, Amazon

Tie and jeans (see above)

CAKE SMASH GOODIES*

Wilton cake pan: $22.94, Amazon

Jumbo confetti sprinkles: $0.99 per ounce (I purchased 2 ounces) Shop Bakers Nook

#1 candle: $1.29, Amazon

Two boxes of store-bought cake mix, two containers of store-bought vanilla frosting

One package of chocolate melts, $2.99 at craft stores

Cake decorating turntable: $14.99, Shop Bakers Nook

18-inch decorating bag: $8.14, Amazon

Large cake decorating tip coupler: $4.56, Amazon

Large decorating tip: $3, Amazon 

* If you’d prefer to avoid shipping fees, I purchased all of the cake-decorating items — including the pan — at Michael’s Craft Store

What’s that? You need one more great reason to shop? Done. Here is a discount code from a few vendors featured in this post exclusively for my clients and Wardrobe Wednesday fans! Enjoy!

I absolutely love this post from Shannon, she details how to choose your outfits based on where you want to hang your images in your home — complete with visuals. And if you’re thinking, “Oh, great! Now I have to match my clothes AND my home decor?” Don’t sweat it. It’s easier than you think! And perhaps a great jumping-off point if you’re not sure where to start.

Here’s what she has to say:

When planning your shoot, whether you are the photographer or the client, you likely discuss the following: prices, products, location and wardrobe. Am I right? Shake your head yes, please.    Location and wardrobe are SO important to a photoshoot. They are both essentially what MAKES the shoot. I don’t care whether the location is a bedroom, the beach or a downtown area … I bet most clients have a specific “look” in mind when booking their session. But sometimes it’s difficult to actually coordinate all of that. Enter Wardrobe Wednesday.

3. Get those gorgeous photos ON YOUR WALLS! You’ve invested time and money in the photoshoot. What good is it doing you to keep them on a disc? 

My packaging has been a work in progress for almost two years now. When I decided to move towards a more boutique style packaging, I started using the brown boxes, tissue paper, and wraffia ribbon, with clear bags for my portraits. Then I added the ornate cut stickers, love those! While my clients loved the change and often refer to delivery day as “Christmas,” I knew I wasn’t quite done yet. I’m so excited to show off the last two elements of my branded packaging! Drum roll please ……..

TA DA! Custom branded reusable totes and client care cards!

All client orders will now be boxed and delivered in one of these lovely branded reusable totes! They turned out even better than I had hoped, and I just know all of my awesome clients will love showing off their LHP love at the grocery store or the park, or wherever they might come in handy. All orders will also now include a set of Client Care Cards. These cards contain a wealth of great information on how my clients can care for and protect their artwork so that it will look perfect for years to come. With these two additions to my packaging, I sincerely hope that my clients feel like they are getting that extra special attention that I so love to spoil them with. Just dying to get your hands on one of these bags?!? Contact me at lindsay@lindsayhorn.com and book your session today!

Oh baby Everett, what a sweet little angel.  I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to photograph this cute little guy just before Christmas.  He was so wonderful - although I must admit that holding and snuggling a cuddly little one week old baby made me a little sad that my own little one is growing up so fast!  Mr. Everett stayed nice and sleepy most of the time and allowed us to get through some fun set-ups.  I love working with this family because Mom is an artist and always brings her own props and ideas to the table (check out their maternity portraits!), she had bought him the cute little aviator and owl hats! LOVE!  I think it’s a wonderful idea to have something of your own for newborn portraits.  While I have great props and headbands/hats, I do have to take them back with me, and I think it’s special that he will have those as a cute little keepsake.  Thanks for letting me come over and “play,” I had such a blast! 

In lieu of a wardrobe post this week, Wardrobe Wednesday is giving away a FREE SEAT to the He Said She Said Photography Workshop to be held in Naples, FL on March 30th and 31st. This is an $1,100.00 value! Head over to fellow Wardrobe Wednesday-er, Shannon Dodge of Shannon J. Dodge Photography’s blog for details on how to enter and how to win!!!

You might recognize this gorgeous couple from their “just because” couples session in the fall of 2010, and here they are now, proud parents of a precious little boy.  Oops, I don’t want to skip ahead!   I absolutely adore working with them, and as I told Ragan, it’s extra special for me because I’m getting to document their growing family from the very beginning.  Nothing warms my heart more!  That is why I just couldn’t say no to a mini maternity session this fall while I was technically on my own maternity leave.  We ended up shooting on a beautiful (but windy) fall day.  We incorporated some great things that they brought along and ended the night with some beautiful silhouettes.  These are some of my favorite shots EVER.  I don’t know what it is about the simplicity of a silhouette (other than maybe how hard they are to come by in Dallas), but it just takes my breath away.  Now you’ll have to make sure to stay tuned for Part Two coming soon! Enjoy!