Jane, Jessica, & Hunter | Lake Shawnee | Topeka, KS Photographer
I went to a huge high school. We’re talking 1,000+ students on three floors of a school that was a block wide. I normally stayed with my small group of friends, but I was familiar with a lot of people. Different classes, different cliques.
When Sharla contacted me about a Lace, Pearls & Little Girls session for her daughters, I knew that she looked so familiar right away. And of course, she was. She was a year younger than me through middle school and high school years. We had mutual friends, but somehow never really became friends ourselves.
Her girls, Jane, Jessi, and Hunter, were dolls to work with. Their personalities were so different from one another, but they all had a quiet smile like their mom. We met at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, and we were able to get so many great portraits of all three of them. Hunter was all too happy to jump in the water in her lace, and her big sisters were there to make sure she didn’t fall. We watched butterflies, chased each other, and saw squirrels. It was a great and energetic shoot!
Using Pinterest to Plan Your Session | Topeka, KS Photographer
Most of us know what Pinterest is. Quite a few of us use it for either inspiration, funny quotes, or an easy recipe to make for dinner on a Friday night. It's a great source of information, and can be used as a search engine for people who are interested in the same things that we are.
So, of course, it canbe used as a way to curate images that you are drawn to as inspiration for a portrait session of your own.
I always give my clients the opportunity to share their images with me on Pinterest that really like on a shared board. They can pin images, and so can I. I don't try to recreate the images that they pin, but I do try to understand what my clients were drawn to. The poses, the lighting, the setting. It can all give me an understanding of what style they like.
What if your client pins only images that are completely out of your style and comfort zone and something that you couldn't possibly deliver without going far out of your normal shooting style? Your client should understand your style prior to booking and starting a Pinterest board, but maybe they haven't. Seeing what they like gives you that open communication channel to say "Hey, I might not be the photographer for you."
It's good for everyone!
Pin away, friends!
Molly & Livy | Lake Shawnee Ted Ensley Gardens | Topeka, KS Photographer
When I first advertised my Lace, Pearls & Little Girls sessions, I knew I wanted other mommas to feel that complete awe when they see their daughters all dressed up in their wedding gown or beautiful lace and sweet smiles. Sara, Molly & Livy's mom, jumped at the chance to book, and she told me that she has been dreaming of getting the girls in her dress but never got around to it.
So one evening after we both left our workplace, we met at Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee in Topeka, and I could not have asked for better light for these two girls.
Molly wore Sara's dress first, and the little squeal that she gave was just what I wanted. Molly was excited, and Sara was too. It took some ingenuity to keep the dress on Livy's little bitty frame, but we did it. They just look so sweet.
After we finished with the wedding dress, we did some "sister pictures," and I have to say that I don't think I have ever seen two kids as perfectly excited as these two. They had poses they wanted and ideas of where. And again, that light.
I am looking forward so much to their full family session in October!
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It has been both busy and relaxing around here. It was fair week around here, and it is always so much fun. There's always a little buzz of small town pride when it is fair week.
My husband is a volunteer firefighter, and the fire station always hosts an open house the Saturday morning/afternoon of the fair. Over the past year, our family has gotten close to the other families who also have volunteer firefighters, and it made the day much more fun.
Reagan latched onto Courtney, who you may have seen in some of my other blogs. Her momma loves to have their photos taken, and Courtney is so good with Reagan. They blew bubbles and played in the fire truck and ambulance. They both got wet when they got the fire hoses out. They skipped down the sidewalk holding hands. It was just so cute.
I am thankful to be a part of a small community where my kid can have such friends.