Hailey G. | Santa Fe Trail High School Class of 2021 | Overbrook, KS Senior Photographer
Being a senior photographer is fun. Being a senior photographer whose rep is this sweet is even better.
I have known Hailey for oh, probably, six years. When we moved here, I already knew her uncle from my job and became friends with her mom pretty soon after. I took their first family photos that year, and here we are all this time later.
We will be shooting more throughout the year since she is my sole senior rep for Santa Fe Trail High School seniors this season (Thanks, Covid. NOT). She had an idea of what she wanted for this session, and then we just kinda winged it.
Sometimes not having a concrete plan turns out beautifully too.
Amber, Ethan and Jackson | Family Session | Overbrook, Kansas Family Photographer
I am so behind with blogging some of my recent sessions! With a new day job and working from home and everything else going on, it has definitely slipped to the back burner. But no more! I am working on catching up and hopefully getting back into a groove before crazy fall season starts.
I have taken Amber and Ethan's photos before, and when she contacted me about new updated photos, I couldn't wait. Jackson is just at that age where he is adventurous and curious - which usually translate into the cutest portraits.
Of course, when we met at the spot we would shoot near the lake, it was full of people. Like, full. I knew of another spot that didn't look quite as appealing, but we figured we would try it. I know Amber and Ethan were both probably thinking I was legit crazy when we pulled into what looked like a dried-out swamp. Even I wasn't sure how it was going to go because I knew it wasn't exactly their vision.
But, look at these photos. It was gorgeous. They were gorgeous. It turned out perfectly.
And I think I earned their trust as a photographer, which for me, is a big thing. Enjoy!
Warning : We're Gonna Get Weird
If you've ever had me as a photographer, you know I talk baby talk. I chase toddlers (not to be scary, I swear). I make silly faces and make bad jokes that teenagers cringe at. I show them how to do poses that feel so awkward that they think I am bonkers.
At almost every single photo shoot, I can make one promise. We're gonna get weird. You can almost count on me saying, "I know it feels super weird, but it's gonna look great!" And I haven't had a client tell me any different yet.
I do what I have to to get those smiles and laughs and weird questioning looks that 3-year-olds often give me. It's worth it, and I don't mind if people think I'm a little goofy. If we're being honest, that's probably true anyway.
When families come to me and see me be totally relatable and goofy, I feel like it opens things up, and they feel comfortable more easily. Maybe my clients can attest to whether that is true for them, but I feel it from my side.
Are you nervous when you show up to shoot your family portraits? Or senior portraits? Any tips you can give ME to make the situation more comfortable for YOU?? Let me know your thoughts!
Including Your Pet | Carrie L. Sunday Photography | Overbrook, KS Photographer
If you are planning on bringing a pet to your session, I am all for it! Since my sessions are all shot outside, it gives us a great opportunity to include them. They are a part of your family too! I love furry friends and am always pleased to add them into your sessions! Sometimes they can get hyper or jumpy, but we can make it work. Here are some things you should remember to bring to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- A leash. This will help you keep your pet near to you and where you want him or her for photos. (They aren’t just for dogs, you know. I've seen cats with leashes too!)
- A friend. Having someone come with you specifically to take care of your pet is ideal, but not a requirement. This will help so that your pet is not running around all over the place or alone in the car, should you wish to take some photos without them.
- Treats. Treats are great bribery for your animal. It will help keep your pet still and focused on the camera. It's so funny how bribery works with dogs/cats and kids.
- A favorite toy. The noisier the better. This is also a great tool to help keep your pet’s attention on me. We can also use it for a fun game and get some fun interaction shots.
How to Get Those Real Smiles | Carrie L. Sunday Photography | Northeast Kansas Photographer
Kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to avoid the gritted teeth and bug-eyed forced smiles during our session.
Here are some things you can do:
- Make a list of things that your child thinks are funny and send it to us prior to the session. This way, we can be prepared and add these things into our bag of tricks.
- Also give us a list of icebreakers for your child. Tell us the kinds of shows they watch, music they listen to, friends’ names, favorite story, etc. This will give us something to talk to them about, and will help them to forget that they are in front of the camera.
- Practice phrases at home to see which ones that evoke the best smiles from your child. (Please, oh please, avoid “Say cheese!” unless that really works for you child. It always give us TOO MUCH cheese.)
- Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.
- If there is a song that your child loves, load it up to your phone and bring it along with you, or be prepared to sing it for them during the session.
- Prepare a bribe and show it to them, or remind them of it, during the session. A trip to the zoo or the park or an ice cream date. Whatever works.