remember how in all of my previous style guides on engagements, maternity, and family portraits I told you less is NOT more?  well, here is the exception.

Often times a client will have a duffle bag full of lingerie to choose from during her boudoir session, but i recommend only wearing 3 or so outfits.  My style of boudoir is less ‘Victoria’s Secret” and even less “maxim”  and more fine art sensual.

the simpler the wardrobe, the better.  and even better yet, is none at all.

Here is the thing, ladies.  he doesnt care if you are wearing his favorite baseball hat and posing with his bat.  it wont turn him on more to see you in a cowboy hat with his button down t-shirt on.  these images are about you, about your body, about your sensuality, and your confidence.

THAT is what is going to turn him on the most.  these images are as much for you as they are for him, and you can be beautiful and artful and still be sexy.  if he does have a thing for girls in cowboy hats, lets incorporate it, but do it in a proper manner.  a cowgirl on the hotel room bed seems a little…. awkward and out of place.  why not in a private field at sunset?  that seems a little more authentic AND sexy to me, right?

Ferenc Berko – Bombay nude, 1942

edward weston

le container

saul leiter

source unknown

lacie hanson

andrey yakovlev

image credit: http://tig-fashion.blogspot.com/

I need to start off by saying that there really is no right or wrong for this post. every photographer will tell you something different,   and it will fit their style of photography and (hopefully) you’re style if you’re hiring them.  Some photographers urge bold colors and shocking contrasts, other’s will encourage matching, and others will want you to include props.

my style is much more whimsical, soft, airy, and dreamlike.  if i could plan my ideal session it would have little girls in thin cotton and lace nightgowns, and little boys in jeans with no shirts.  we would be shooting at sunset or sunrise, in a field, or by the water.  they would swing on swings hung from giant oak trees, and a misty fog would lay on the ground.  So, if any of you want to make that happen… i’d be more than happy to photograph it!  i enjoy photographing the children the most, but of course, i love the connection between parents and their children.  Newborns with their mamas in the window-light of a giant window with billowing curtains, and little boys holding frogs and lizards, pulling wagons through the field.

so, it goes without saying that when i photograph children, less is absolutely, positively, more.  I know you love that giant flower headband that you just bought on Etsy to go with the Hot Pink polkadot dress, and so do I, but for me as an artist, it doesnt inspire me the way the innocence of a cotton shift dress does.  And, i’m also not sure that you’re going to fully love that hot pink polkadot dress on your living room wall in a giant frame.  if it doesnt say ‘timeless’ to you, it might not be a good choice for the investment you make in quality photography.

It’s important, during these sessions, that we let the child guide the session.  if you find beauty in childhood, you’ll find beauty in the dirty mouth.  in drinking out of the hose.  in blowing bubbles and not worrying about the soap getting on his shirt.  you’ll be ok with him picking up a frog. these Childhood sessions are my favorite, more than any other type of photography.  it is true, and it is real.

my style choice changes a bit when i photograph the family all together, with Dad included.  i still like to stay timeless, but Ethereal and whimsical sort of fall to the side and leave a bit more room for style and fashion. full family sessions become a bit more editorial and a bit less documentary.

we did our own family shoot this year with the fantastic Esther Louise, and this is what we decided to wear.  little punches of color and pattern in the boy’s clothes, and a little mix of bohemian and classic (to match our personalities).

The biggest myth i can bust here is that you DO NOT NEED TO MATCH.  actually, please, dont.  it is so fake and contrived, and as a photojournalistic photographer i’m doing my best to keep it real- i just cant with matching outfits.  coordinate, sure, but don’t match.

ladies, i love flowy dresses- you can read all about my obsession and get fabulous ideas in this post.  Fellas, stay in the same style genre as your wife, if she’s a little dressy, you should be too.  if she’s going a little vintage, dont go all ‘sporty’.  actually… try not to go sports at all.  unless we’re doing a session with you and your son on the baseball pitch, lets leave the baseball hats and the logos behind.

If you’re looking for what clothes to wear check out polyvore.com and pinterest.com for inspiration. figure out the style of session you want to do (urban downtown? country field? seaside?) and then pick a color pallette with at least 3 tones and incorporate textures, patterns, and accessories that fit the feel of the location, and your own personalities.  check out this post for some of my favorite inspiration boards.

Some Do’s:

• Do stay in the same style group together.  If you’re going formal, you all need to be formal and likewise for casual.

• the attire should match the location.  very rarely does a form fitted feminine business suit fit the style of a country road and golden sun filled field.  of course, rules are meant to be broken, but only carefully with thought. better to have bohemian in bohemian, and formal with formal.  if you’re going for a theme (say, a retro Pan-Am feel at an airstrip with some old Cessnas) your attire needs to not only match the era, but also the location.

• Dress for the weather.  there is no sense in having a well planned outfit but having the children freezing and unhappy during the shoot.  it will show through in the photographs and there is nothing i can do for that.  have backup outfits ready for cold weather.

• If you want to retain some cohesiveness without being matchy-matchy, set a color pallet and pick clothes from that with different textures and patterns.  Textures, patterns, and layers give interest to your shoot just as those same elements give interest in interior design.

• De-stress beforehand, even if that means having a glass of wine. the kids can read your level of stress and will act accordingly.

• Flowy dresses are always a big bonus- anything that shows movement will translate beautifully to photography.

• Do get hair and makeup professionally done- it makes such a huge difference in how you feel during the shoot and the final product afterward.

• have snacks for the kids ready, and make sure they get a good nap in.  that goes for you too, they can read your stress.

• Trust your photographer, and the locations I have scouted.  Remember, it’s all about the light, then the connection between you all, and very lastly, the location.  A boring parking lot can be completely transformed once you step into the best light.

• Give me some space when i photograph the little ones.  hovering parents saying “smile honey! smile!” does not help, no matter how much you want it to.  i will only stop when i know we’ve gotten great images, so you need not worry. and besides, the very best images are not when they are smiling at the camera.

Some Dont’s

• only bring props that you feel are intrinsic to you as a family and that are interactive. props that are not able to be interacted with (like her baptism outfit from 3 years ago, or the basket you’ve been weaving) may not translate into photography as well as, say, the radio flyer wagon your kids love and can pull them through the field.  the quilt you made for them when they were babies that you all love to wrap up in. the swing hanging from the giant oak tree in your yard, her favorite babydoll that she sleeps with every night, or his toy plane he loves to zoom over his head. You get the idea- but the main objective is to photograph the love and connections in your family, not the items in your life – unless they relate directly to your love.

• Don’t put off shopping until the last minute and wear your clothes for the first time on your shoot.  You want to know what you can and can not do in them.  If you feel restricted, it might not be the best choice. We’ll be having fun during your family shoot, and you might be spinning your children around, running through a field, or dancing in the street.

• Your shoes will be shown in photos, so don’t forget about that style!

• Sometimes less is more- but that doesn’t necessarily apply to clothing! The less skin exposed the more we focus on your faces and the connection between you all, and the more timeless your photos will be.

• Don’t leave tags on- the less time I spend photoshopping out stray tags, the sooner you will see your images. a photographers worst nightmare is hearing “but you can photoshop that, right?”  from their clients.

• Dont be late.  We are on no one’s time but the sun, and when that sun sets, it’s all over.  so unfortunately, sessions can not be extended, and the time you loose will have to be forfeited.  better to be early than late!

The most common question i have regarding client’s shoot is “what should i wear?”

and although my first response is always “wear what you feel most comfortable in” there are some added tips that can really make a fabulous shoot, just by making some simple choices in wardrobe.

because my style is a more natural approach and much less posed and staged, i LOVE clothes that you can interact with.  this means flowy dresses that you can lift up and twirl around, scarves that you can hold and will blow in the wind- anything that will give your hands ‘purpose’.

limp, dangling arms and hands are a photographer’s worst nightmare-  it makes the photograph emotionless, lifeless, boring.  we want to always be giving your hands purpose, and it’s so easy to do this if you have a big hat you have to hold on to in the wind, or a dress to pull up as you walk across the beach.  if your hands dont have wardrobe to interact with, then sometimes we revert to the standard ‘maternity poses’ which are so overdone, staged, and…. well….. fake.

remember Nicole from the maternity session on the beach?  her session was such a success because of the wardrobe (and she was such a beautiful mama to boot!)  with the skirt, the bare belly, the scarf, and the oversized hat (go big or go home!) her shoot was natural, relaxed, and authentic:

and dont forget, you dont HAVE to wear flowy dresses.  i love big oversized sweaters falling off the shoulder,  even the image of lace curtains just wrapped around the bare belly below.  and of course, this photographer who wanted to have an unpretentious look into what motherhood is really about.  i love LOVE stretch marks, oh man i love them so much- i wish everyone could see the beauty in them that i do.  these photos of her body have stayed with me in my heart and i hope always will.  we’re not all super models, and there is no less beauty in that.

if you want to find your own flowy dress check out these inspiration photos that i’ve gathered from the blogosphere and pinterest!

photo credit: http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/04/hannahs-materity-photos/

photo credit http://kellyhicksdesign.com/2011/04/hannahs-materity-photos/

image credit: elizabeth messina

from Asos.com a little pop of color!

Feminine, Elegant, and Timeless:

seriously loving this little inspiration board i found on polyvore the ruffle details would look amazing in a breeze and the look is classic and timeless and totally flattering for a baby bump.

Neutral Classic:

i love this one from polyvore because it could truly fit any location, urban, field, beach, home… anything

Ethnic Bohemian Beauty:

LOVE this flowy skirt and it’s unique pattern. it might be my favorite. i might even want to get pregnant JUST so i can wear it. with that orange scarf.  oh, and the location wouldnt be bad either!

whimsical love:

maybe my favorites thus far…

second up in the Style Guide series is engagement photography! there are some giant myths here, and i can not wait to pop them!

my favorite myth of all:  you should match.

oh, please dont.  If you don’t normally pick out matching outfits on a daily basis, don’t start with your photo session. I encourage couples to wear clothes that fit their personalities, and that includes clothes with pops of color, patterns, layers… anything goes.  The most important thing is to be comfortable in what you wear so you can concentrate on your fiancé, and not your clothes.  Check out polyvore.com or pinterest.com for thousands of style ideas.

my second favorite myth:  you need to bring props to have a successful shoot.  if you feel this way… continue reading

Some Do’s:

• Do stay in the same style group together.  If you’re going formal, you both need to be formal and likewise for casual.  If you’re going vintage, he should too.  Same era, same style

• the attire should match the location.  very rarely does a form fitted feminine business suit fit the style of a country road and golden sun filled field.  of course, rules are meant to be broken, but only carefully with thought. better to have bohemian in bohemian, and formal with formal.  if you’re going for a theme (say, a retro Pan-Am feel at an airstrip with some old Cessnas) your attire needs to not only match the era, but also the location.

• If you want to retain some cohesiveness without being matchy-matchy, set a color pallet and pick clothes from that with different textures and patterns.  Textures, patterns, and layers give interest to your shoot just as those same elements give interest in interior design.

• De-stress beforehand, even if that means having a glass of wine.

• Bring two outfits, or more if you’d like for me to help you choose between them. Flowy dresses are always a big bonus- anything that shows movement will translate beautifully to photography.

• Do get hair and makeup professionally done- it makes such a huge difference in how you feel during the shoot and the final product afterward.

• Trust your photographer, and the locations I have scouted.  Remember, it’s all about the light, then the connection between you, and very lastly, the location.  A boring parking lot can be completely transformed once you step into the best light.

Some Dont’s

• only bring props that you feel are intrinsic to you as a couple and that are interactive.  props that are not able to be interacted with (like that statue he gave you for your first anniversary together) may not translate into photography as well as, say, the guitar he serenades you with every night.  Or the vintage car he proposed to you in. or the swing where you kissed for the first time. or the quilt his mother made for him, and will cover your bed.  You get the idea- but the main objective is to photograph your love, not the items in your life – unless they relate directly to your love.

• Don’t put off shopping until the last minute and wear your clothes for the first time on your shoot.  You want to know what you can and can not do in them.  If you feel restricted, it might not be the best choice. We’ll be having fun during your engagement shoot, and he might be spinning you around, running through a field, or dancing in the street.

• Your shoes will be shown in photos, so don’t forget about that style! Ladies… we LOVE great heels!

• Sometimes less is more- but that doesn’t necessarily apply to clothing! The less skin exposed the more we focus on your faces and the connection between you two, and the more timeless your photos will be.

• Don’t leave tags on- the less time I spend photoshopping out stray tags, the sooner you will see your images. a photographers worst nightmare is hearing “but you can photoshop that, right?”  from their clients.

now for some inspiration!!!

The Romantic Adventurer:

i LOVE this roadtrip theme, and have always wanted to do an engagement shoot with an old convertible, oversized maps, driving up to the beach, dance party on the seats with the stereo playing, bobblehead doll bouncing to the beat on the dashboard, a kiss leaning up against the side of the car along the road…. please someone do this!  and pick me! me! im your photographer!

clothes can be found here

The Bohemian Desert Sunset:

clothes can be found here

Parisian innocence:

oh! trench coats! you know i love you. and your little hat too.  you can stay, and we will photograph you all thorughout the city. preferably in the rain, under an umbrella. kissing.  make my heart melt…

clothes can be found here

The Intimate Couple:

i can just imagine this in a vintage hotel room, smoky light streaming in from the windows.  you and your fiance, quiet, the two of you. he with his shirt unbuttoned, you in this vintage slip dress.  beautiful and timeless and elegant.

clothes found here

Sun-Kissed:

oh please, pretty please, someone do a session in an orange grove? and wear this jumper. with big sunglasses and buckets full of oranges. and we’ll sit on blankets and eat them and climb in trees to get them.  i must do one, i live in florida!!

clothes found here

Into The Field:

If you dont buy those 15 dollar pair of lace shorts, i’m gong to.

clothes found here

All Aboard!

imagine your engagement session on a sailboat, champagne, a little breeze, we dock to have lunch on a picnic blanket on the beach with straws in soda bottles and little mini pies.  throw in an oversized beach ball and umbrella, and i call that an engagement session.

clothes found here

Russian Doll:

bold prints and pops of color with accessories can make some of the best accents for photography!

clothes found here

Hippie Chic:

bring your guitar, bring your drums, bring your canvas and your paints, your handmade wildflower wreath. i already love this session, and i havent even photographed it!

clothes found here

Sunrise at the Beach:

can you even imagine owning this dress?  i can not imagine a dress that could possibly photograph more beautifully.

i love this couple so much. i just love love love them.  we had our engagement session on new years eve, and they were so comfortable with themselves, their relationship and being in front of the camera.  The whole time felt like we were just running around and having fun- and we totally were.

and as we walked back to the car through downtown i captured this image using a super secret technique that i’m going to be experimenting a lot with in the next year.  i love the low-fi feel, and such a great way to end our New Year’s Eve session.  i might share my secret… we will see. 

Congrats to Kaleigh and Ben, you guys were so wonderful and easy to photograph and i can not wait to photograph your wedding in Arizona this year!

…for the rest of this engagement session.  one of my favorites for sure  so much to come soon!!!

Hello 2012!  although we’re still booking like crazy, i wanted to put out our current tour dates for this year!  lots of countries, lots of travel this year.  march is our only month at home!  crazy.   these travel dates are subject to change- i could be at a location for more or less time- so do contact me even if it already looks like i will be out of state and likewise if it looks like i wont be in your area!  things evolve all the time here, so dont write it off

last year, i mentioned in my tour dates that if anyone was looking to do a shoot in NY that i’d love to go! and then…. Canon flew us out there for the premiere of the film.  Coincidence?  i think not.  SO… if anyone wants to have their wedding in Europe, i’d love to capture it for you  hey, i’m just sayin….

big.big.big things are happening at SugarLeaf…  i cant say the details just yet but you’ll know mid-march.  secrets secrets!!!

also, i’ll be announcing our 2013 wedding giveaway very very soon! i’m so excited about the topic this year i can barely stand it.