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!  

This week I decided to focus on an often overlooked group: the senior guys. Just because killer senior portraits aren’t always on the top of their to-do list doesn’t mean that they don’t want to look great too. I’ve pulled a few different looks together for guys of all types using many of our tried and true guidelines – textures, layers, and of course, an accessory too. 

The first look is a classic casual outfit – jeans with a plaid button up, with either a cool jacket or sweater layered over top.  I think an outfit like this would suit almost anyone and almost any location too, it’s very versatile. The second outfit is the GQ look. J  I’m still waiting for a senior to come with a GQ wardrobe (hint, hint, guys!), but for the right guy it would really make the images stand out.  I can easily see a look like this paired in a modern or more industrial urban environment. The last look is for all of the hipsters out there.  I fell in love with the varsity-style cardigan, but really liked the look of the whole outfit.  Add a fedora for an extra touch!  I think this outfit would look great in an older vintage downtown area or a great coffee shop or cozy book store.  SHOPPING TIP: If you find an article of clothing that you love online, make sure to check out the different images available – retailers often show a full ensemble using the piece (like the cardigan) and it may give you ideas on putting together the rest of your outfit. 

Shopping List

CLASSIC CASUAL

Red Plaid Shirt – Old Navy $24.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=78228&vid=1&pid=897953&scid=897953062
Tan Jacket – Old Navy $65 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5286&vid=1&pid=897399&scid=897399012
Tan Sweater – Gap $59.99 http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5180&vid=1&pid=869698&scid=869698022&ssiteID=ON
Jeans – Old Navy $29.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5209&vid=1&pid=574143&scid=574143022
Shoes – Piperlime $64.99 http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=21406&vid=1&pid=872954&scid=872954012

“GQ”
Suit – Express (although any tailored suit will do) http://www.express.com/suits-1420/control/page/2/show/3/index.ens
Striped Tie – Express $39.90 http://www.express.com/silk-tie-stripe-37742-825/control/page/20/show/3/index.pro
Solid Tie – Express $39 http://www.express.com/silk-tie-solid-36503-825/control/page/22/show/3/index.pro#jsLink

HIPSTER
Cardigan – Urban Outfitters $39 http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22563860&color=061&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&search=true&isProduct=true&parentid=M_APP_SWEATERS
Chambray Shirt – Old Navy $24.50 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=6921&vid=1&pid=897375&scid=897375022
Khakis – Old Navy $27.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=67525&vid=1&pid=776056&scid=776056002
Sperrys – Piperlime $85 http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=23881&vid=1&pid=833803&scid=833803002
Fedora – Old Navy $14.94 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5314&vid=1&pid=896360&scid=896360012

Loving this week’s compilation from Erica of Erica May Photography!  I must admit, I’m a bit of a neutrals girl myself.  Check it out:

I love compilations with lots of color but I know that is not always for everyone. Lately, I have been loving photoshoots with lots of texture and layers and more of a monochromatic theme. No, I don’t mean everyone wears a tan t-shirt but monochromatic can be done and done right! This week I chose brown as my starting color. Brown is probably one of the easiest colors to go monochromatic. All of the shades of brown look wonderful together and different textures are easy to find.  This toned down outfit scheme would have the viewer oohing and awwing over the “soft”, “vintage” and “muted” feel. Also, this would be a great staring point if you did want to add in a little color. A few pops of a burgundy in there would spice up the whole feel. A few accessories like these awesome hand-made leather headpieces or a vintage newsboy hat (there are a ton of these listed on Etsy) will give the kids an individualized look for their solo portraits. Enjoy!

Aren’t those leather headpieces gorgeous?? Julia over at Leather Blossoms has graciously offered a 5% discount off anything in her shop for our readers! I absolutely love her beautiful headpieces! Go check her out!

Shopping Guide:

Woman:

Leather Headpiece – Etsy – $48.00
http://www.etsy.com/listing/55501045/cream-flower-headband-leather-cream?ref=sr_gallery_6&sref=&ga_search_query=cream+flower+headband&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

ELLE Embellished Halter Top – Kohls – $18.00
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/tops_shirts/halter_tops/PRD~948844/ELLE+Embellished+Halter+Top.jsp

Dana Buchman Open-Front Crochet Cardigan – Kohls – $44.99
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/sweaters/view_allsweaters/PRD~931325/Dana+Buchman+OpenFront+Crochet+Cardigan.jsp

LC Lauren Conrad Slim Bootcut Jeans – Kohls – $31.99
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/jeans/bootcut/PRD~902871/LC+Lauren+Conrad+Slim+Bootcut+Jeans.jsp

Jellypop Preston Flat – DSW – $39.95
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/jellypop+preston+flat?prodId=236523&category=cat20068
Man:

SONOMAlife + style® Plaid Flannel Casual Button-Front Shirt – Kohls – $22.99
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/mens/shirts_polos/flannels_shirt_jackets/PRD~834105/SONOMA+life+++style+Plaid+Flannel+Casual+ButtonFront+Shirt.jsp

SONOMA life + style Bootcut Jeans – Kohls – $54.00
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/mens/jeans/bootcut/PRD~334188/SONOMA+life+++style+Bootcut+Jeans.jsp

Timberland Men’s Earthkeepers Chukka Boot – DSW – $79.95
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/timberland+men%27s+earthkeepers+chukka+boot?prodId=208664&category=cat20236

Little Girl:
Robeez Kendall Mini Shoez (Infant/Toddler)    $30.99
http://www.zappos.com/robeez-kendall-mini-shoez-infant-toddler-espresso

Cecilia Crinkle Dress – Tea Collection – $24.50
http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F13204/girls-dresses-cecilia-crinkle-dress.html#mushroom

Flores Pequeñas Leggings – Tea Collection – $17.50
http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F12305/girls-leggings-flores-peque-as-leggings.html#mole

Long Sleeve Purity Tee – Tea Collection – $22.50
http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F32001/boys-and-girls-t-shirts-long-sleeve-purity-tee.html#oatmeal heather

Cream flower hair clip  – Etsy – $28.00
http://www.etsy.com/listing/55720848/cream-flower-hair-clip-fascinator

Boy:

Ernesto Stripe Tee – Tea Collection – $24.50
http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F22002/boys-t-shirts-ernesto-stripe-tee.html#moss

Daytripper Jeans – Tea Collection – $34.50
http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F23301/boys-pants-daytripper-jeans.html#bio-stone wash

Herringbone slip-ons – GapKids – $9.99

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=74351&vid=1&pid=850384&scid=850384002

Vintage Page Boy Hat – Etsy Vintage Listings -  $20

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90301909/dorfman-pacific-tweed-paper-boy-or-page?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=boys+hat&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=1&ga_search

This week’s awesome Wardrobe Wednesday is brought to us by Shannon of Shannon J. Dodge Photography. Check it out!

“Happy 2012 to everybody! The new year will bring fun and exciting things to Wardrobe Wednesday and we can’t wait to share them with you!

Not to rush things, but I’ve noticed a lot of photographers booking Valentine’s Day shoots.  And guess what? It’s really not that far away!  So when planning this week’s installment, I figured what the heck, why not compile some ideas for styling a cute Valentine’s session? And so I did.

Really popular and CUTE right now are ties and tie shirts for boys. LOVE LOVE them. You can find them a lot of different places, but I found the most variety on Etsy. Have I mentioned how much I love Etsy? It’s such a great one stop shopping place online, so you can shop in the comfort of your own home. Bonus. I actually found everything you see in this post on Etsy, so I could stick with my one stop shopping theme! You can thank me later.   Also somewhat popular for boys right now are suspenders. They are SO cute on little guys and add such an adorable touch to photos. LOVE THEM. Throw in a fedora, and you’ve got your look for your little guy.”

Tutus and petti skirts have been pretty fashionable for girls for a few years. They are just too cute, especially for a Valentine’s shoot. Again, very easy to find on Etsy. I found the “rag tutu” skirt and fell in love w/ it! I’ll be purchasing one of these for my little girl. I love the look of it! Throw in some cute hair accessories and/or some leg warmers, and there is your girl’s look.

The following are a few of my own photos I took almost three years ago when I was first starting out in photography, I had this vision to dress my little girl up, along with her little friend, and just snap away. They are still some of my favorite images today! I ran to Target, and picked up an adorable t shirt and some woman’s knee socks. I cut the knee socks off at the ankle to make some cute leg warmers for the girls! I special ordered my daughter’s shirt and tutu, and I had the other tutu as a photo prop. I found an adorable knit hat and bow and there you have it. One cute session!

There are SO many darling clothes out there for you to dress your kids in for a fun Valentine’s Day shoot…head on over to Etsy…I dare you not to get sucked in!

SHOPPING LIST – (all items found on ETSY.COM)

BOY

Petite Peanut on Etsy: Little Guy Necktie Tie-Heart Throb Valentine’s Collection (4-6 years) $15.95

Antsy Pants on Etsy: Valentine’s Day Boys Grey and Red Tie Onesie or Shirt with Suspenders (size NB to 12 years) $18.00

This week we are proud to welcome Leslie from Seniorologie as a guest contributor to Wardrobe Wednesday. If you have not checked out Seniorologie you must run over there right now and check it out! It is an awesome resource for the Senior photographer and our senior clients. It is packed with tons of tips, ideas, and inspiration.  Check it out:

Here are a few awesome sets Leslie put together and some helpful tips from her!

“Mountain Charm – This holiday season is the perfect time to cozy up with your family near a warm fireplace.  And what better way to hang out together, than in comfy, cozy clothes.  Family photos don’t always have to be dressy for those holiday photos.  Why not get your photos made in a casual wardrobe that is perfect for this chilly weather?

Cable knit sweaters, fur vests and boots all add texture and layers to your wardrobe for photos.  I picked these outfits based on the mom’s patterned sweater and colored blue jeans.  This set the tone for the others’ ensembles.  Once I had her outfit picked, it was easy to coordinate but not match the other outfits.  The little girl’s shirt picks up the rust color from the mom’s sweater and the blue from her jeans.  The little boy’s flannel shirt is a perfect mixture of the same colors without perfectly matching them.  Then to finish, I kept the Dad’s outfit simple and casual with beiges and browns.  All together they make the perfect family wardrobe.  And I can envision the perfect family photo on the porch of a beautiful mountain retreat!”

“For the past few years, I have sent out Christmas cards that are not your typical red and green!  I love the options out there now with fun colors such as yellow and turquoise.  They just happen to be two of my favorite colors so I love to incorporate them into mine and my families wardrobes whenever possible.

I know the holidays are upon us and most of you have already gotten your cards out.  But if there are a few still looking for inspiration (maybe even for a photo for a Happy New Year card), think about pairing non-traditional colors to make a fun wardrobe for your entire family.

For this grouping, I started with the little girl’s dress.  I loved that it was so bright and fun.  I used the colors in the dress to coordinate with the mom’s turquoise dress.  After that, I thought about the men and decided to go a little more muted on their color scheme.  The gray worked as a perfect accent to the bold colors from the girls outfits.  After this was all put together, I did a little card shopping and found these awesome cards that just so happen to go with this color scheme.  The best thing about them, is that they really could be sent out any time of the year!”

“Every New Year’s I have high hopes of going to a fancy, dressy New Year’s Eve party and I fantasize about the beautiful clothes I am going to wear to ring in the New Year.  However, I always end up in my jammies and asleep before the ball drops!  What a party pooper!

But don’t let my normal attire of jammies deter you from dressing up and going out on the town!  With the beautiful outfits I picked below, I almost want to throw my own party just to wear this sequin romper!!

The trick with dressing for New Year’s is to be festive but also comfortable.  Let’s face it…it is a long night!  So when I stumbled upon this sequin romper from French Connection, I knew it was the perfect thing!  I chose the black one but it also comes in a bronze color.  Both are fabulous.  Pair it with tights, booties and some fun earrings and you are set!

For your date, it is best that he coordinate but not match.  So I picked a purple check shirt to add some color to this duo and paired it with some charcoal pants and tie!  If it is cold, you can always add a blazer and scarf!

Happy New Year!”

Thank you so much Leslie! We were honored to have you! Make sure to run over and check out the Seniorologie page and like them on Facebook too!

Rebecca of Rebecca Keeling Studios has some great party outfits picked out for you this winter.  I’m loving all of the great textures and sparkle!

The holidays are here, New Year’s Eve is right around the corner, and while you probably don’t have a portrait session scheduled for your party wear, there are sure to be plenty of photos being snapped and maybe even some fun photo booth opportunities, so you want to look your best!  I think the most fabulous part of New Year’s Eve is the chance to get all dolled up in sparkles and fun things that we don’t normally get to wear.  The trick to wearing “bling” (and not looking like a mirrored disco ball) is to do it a little at a time.  Choose one item of clothing that you want to highlight, a cute tank or a mini skirt, and then choose simple and classic items to go along with them for a knockout party look.  If you have a few holiday parties on your social calendar this year, buy pieces that you can mix and match for several different looks.  Jackets such as these shown here can be worn with dress pants, skirts, dresses, and jeans.  Fancy heels look super cute with both dressy clothes or with this beautiful off the shoulder sweater and jeans.  Mix in some sparkly accessories and you’ve got the perfect outfit for just about any get together.

Having a holiday engagement session?  These casual party looks would be SO cute in an urban setting.  Now, I know a few of these items are a bit more expensive than most people normally spend on clothing, especially the Hugo Boss suit…my boyfriend would look at me like I had three heads if I asked him to buy that suit.  The suit IS ridiculously beautiful however,  I was more going for the look to show how well it coordinates with the colors of her outfit and to show another option versus the plain old black suit and tie.  There are many less expensive options out there, just look for a similar style and that beautiful brown color.  The most important thing about getting ready for holiday parties is to have fun!  Don’t put on the same ‘ole thing you wear every year.  Even if you just buy one new piece, make it a statement piece and…bring on the bling!

Where to get the goods

{Casual Party: Him}
Vest: Buckle | $90
Shirt: Buckle | $100
Jeans: Buckle | $65
Shoes: Buckle | $65
Fedora: Buckle | $25
Belt: Buckle | $35
Scarf: Dillards | $16

{Casual Party: Her}
Jacket: White House Black Market | $60
Tank: White House Black Market | $78
Jeans: White House Black Market | $88
Shoes: White House Black Market |$56
Earrings: White House Black Market | $38

{Formal Soiree: Her}
Sweater: White House Black Market | $40
Jacket: White House Black Market | $188
Skirt: White House Black Market | $168
Shoes: Guess | $35
Earrings: White House Black Market | $34
Clutch: White House Black Market | $30

{Formal Soiree: Him}
Suit: Hugo Boss | $1150
Shoes: Piperlime | $98
Pocket Watch: Overstock.com | $65

Well, I know this one is obviously a little late for Christmas, but it’s still a great list of gifts for the special photographer in your life!  I’ve been just swamped with last minute to-do’s coming off of maternity leave, so please excuse my tardiness!  Morgan of Morgan Dawson Photography has some great ideas!

There is just not enough time left in the shopping season to be anything but honest and straightforward, so here goes: This is the kind of stuff I would want as a photographer, and I think it can help you, too. If you’re a photographer, you can send a link to this post to friends or family who need gift ideas. If you need to get a gift for a photographer or shutterbug, you’ve come to the right place. Here we go…

THINGS TO STASH INSIDE A CAMERA BAG:

Memory Cards: Photographers really can never have too many of these. When buying them, just be sure you know what format your photog uses. Compact Flash and SD are the most common, but double check since you never know. My personal collection includes a bunch of SanDisk 8GB compact flash cards, but I wouldn’t turn down a larger size (who would?). These can be purchased at so many different stores, so be sure to compare prices.

• SanDisk 8GB Extreme SDHC – BH Photo – $15.95
• SanDisk 8GB Extreme Compact Flash- BH Photo – $28.95

Batteries: When I asked the other WW girls about their stocking stuffer wish list, batteries were the first things mentioned. Flashes and other gear will burn through these puppies in no time – extras are a must!

• Energizer Lithium AA Photo Batteries – $15.19 (8-pack)

Lens Cleaner: What happens when mud gets on a lens? Smudges or sticky kid fingers? This two step solution will easily fix the day. All you need to do is use a few drops of the solution and then use the pads to wipe it away. Easy!

• Eclipse Cleaning System Solution – $7.95
• PEC-PD Lint Free Wipes – $9.79

Pop-Up Flash Diffuser: If your photog has a camera with a pop-up flash, this is a great gift idea. While the flash is easy and convenient, the light is often harsh and less than flattering. The best way to even out the light is by diffusing it somehow, and this puffer couldn’t be easier. It slides over the flash and automatically diffuses the light – awesome!

• Gary Fong Puffer Pop-Up Flash Diffuser – BH Photo – $16.95

Towelettes and Wipes: These little wipes are such a lifesaver for both the photographer and their clients. Large bottles of sunscreen or insect repellent aren’t likely to make their way into a camera bag, but there is always room to stash a few of these. If the model – or photographer – start to get a little shiny, the blotter papers can be a great fix when you’re on the go.

• Coretex SunX SPF 30 Sunscreen Towelettes – $12.75
• OFF Insect Repellent Towelettes – $11.25
• Clean & Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets – $4.65

FUN CAMERA GIFTS: These are just cute camera-related gifts that would make any photog smile. My personal favorite may be the “Oh Snap” bag, but that’s just because it also comes on a onesie

• Retro Camera Tea Towel – $14
• Oh Snap Camera Tote or Reusable Shopping Bag – $12
• Camera ornament – TwentyTwoTurtledoves on Etsy – $20
• Antiqued Silver Camera Necklace – debbychoi79 Etsy shop – $14.50

Fingerless Gloves: If you shooting in the cold, you’ll want a pair of fingerless gloves. If you’re sitting at your desk on a cool morning and want a little warmth, you’ll want a pair of fingerless gloves. Tons of colors – various warmth levels. A perfect gift!

• Freehands Microfur Gloves – $24
• Armwarmers/Fingerless gloves – Chicksale on Etsy – $39

Custom Camera Strap: Why stick with the boring old black camera strap when you can have one with style!

• Reversible Camera Strap – PhatStraps on Etsy – $34.99

Coffee Mug: Coffee mug? What’s so special about a coffee mug? This one actually keeps your coffee HOT! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made myself a cup of coffee or tea and then sat down to do a little editing. Before I know it, I’ve completely forgotton about my drink and it’s gone cold. This mug has a lid and stainless steel double wall interior (read: warm drinks). Note – they also make a travel version!>

• Trudeau 16-ounce desk mug – $16.06

Wardrobe is such an important aspect of your overall portrait experience, but putting together the type of wardrobe you want can often become expensive quickly!  This is especially the case for seniors who might be more fashion-conscious than the average consumer.  Well, don’t fear, you can put together several great and stylish outfits without breaking the bank!  I’ve compiled three looks from head to toe, accessories and all, for less than $175.  Better yet, substitute some of your own existing items (like boots or jeans) and save even more. 

For the classic casual look, I’ve paired a great pair of boots with a beautiful sweater and belt combo.  Add in the scarf and knit hat or wear it on its own.  If it’s too cold to stick with short sleeves, you could easily throw on a long-sleeve shirt underneath for a nice layered look.  One thing I always recommend to my cool-weather seniors is to use a great jacket to expand your wardrobe.  Throwing on a jacket can give the appearance of a completely different outfit, especially when paired with some other cold weather accessories like a colorful scarf and hat.  For the dressier look, I went with a pretty seasonal sweater dress glammed up with some fun accessories like the feather headband and necklace.  Add the jacket on top for a few shots to change it up once again!

There are great deals to be found, especially this time of year!  You can get a steal at stores like Forever 21 and Wet Seal, especially on shoes and accessories, while you can grab your staples at a great price at stores like Target and Old Navy.  Happy shopping!SHOPPING LIST

Casual Look
Jeans – Wet Seal $18.55
Sweater – Target $22.99
Boots – Target $29.99

Outerwear & Accessories
Jacket – Old Navy $25.99
Scarf – Forever21 $9.80
Hat – Forever21 $5.50

Dressy Look
Dress – Target $20.99
Tights – Target $5.60
Boots – Wet Seal $23.99
Headband – Forever21 $5.80
Necklace – Forever21 $4.80

This fabulous post from Kelly of Kelly V Photography is for you photogs!  Read below for some great inspiration on Christmas mini’s and some awesome discounts!