Patterns vs solids

Choosing between patterns and solids for a photoshoot depends on several factors, including the setting, your personal style, the message you want to convey, and how you want the final images to appear. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

1. Purpose and Setting of the Photoshoot

• Studio vs. Outdoor: In a studio with a plain background, patterns can add visual interest without clashing. Outdoors, consider the environment; busy patterns might compete with a vibrant or complex background.

• Professional vs. Casual: For professional headshots, solids are often preferred as they keep the focus on your face. For fashion or creative shoots, patterns can showcase your style and add flair.

2. Visual Impact

• Solids:

• Timeless and Versatile: Solid colors are classic and work well in various settings.

• Focus on You: They draw attention to your face and expressions without distraction.

• Easier to Coordinate: Solids are simpler to match with different backgrounds and other outfits if it's a group shoot.

• Patterns:

• Adds Interest: Patterns can make an outfit stand out and add depth to the image.

• Expresses Personality: Bold or unique patterns can convey creativity and individuality.

• Can Be Distracting: Busy patterns might divert attention away from you or clash with the background.

3. Flattering Your Features

• Body Type: Certain patterns can be more flattering depending on your body shape. For example, vertical stripes can elongate the body, while larger patterns might add volume.

• Color Choices: Choose colors that complement your skin tone, hair, and eye color. Solids make it easier to control the color palette, whereas patterns require careful selection to ensure colors harmonize.

4. Number of People in the Photoshoot

• Solo Shoot: You have more flexibility to choose either solids or patterns based on your preference.

• Group Shoot: Coordinating outfits is crucial. Solids are generally easier to coordinate, ensuring that patterns don’t clash. If incorporating patterns, ensure they complement each other without overwhelming the composition.

5. Avoiding Common Pitfalls

• Small Patterns: Tiny prints can create a moiré effect (a wavy or distorted look) on camera, which is distracting.

• Large Logos or Graphics: These can date your photos and draw attention away from your face.

• Consistency: If choosing patterns, ensure they align with the theme and don’t compete with other elements in the shoot.

6. Personal Comfort and Confidence

Ultimately, the best choice is what makes you feel confident and comfortable. If you feel great in patterns, your confidence will shine through in the photos. The same goes for solids.

Tips for Combining Patterns and Solids

• Balance: If you opt for a patterned piece, pair it with a solid to balance the look.

• Complementary Colors: Use solid colors that pick up one of the hues from the pattern to create cohesion.

• Layering: Incorporate patterned accessories with solid clothing or vice versa.

Final Recommendation

• Go for Solids: If you want a timeless, versatile look that keeps the focus on you.

• Choose Patterns: If you want to add personality and visual interest, ensuring the patterns are not overly busy and complement the setting.

…and of course, you are always welcome to bring a few options to your photoshoot so we can look them over together.  

  

3 Tips for choosing the perfect color palette for your family photo session

I’m not sure about you, but I can hardly believe how quickly summer has flown by! In the blink of an eye, the kids are back in school, and the lazy days of summer are behind us. While it might feel like we're just entering fall, many photographers know that this is the beginning of "family photo season." These sessions are more than just capturing a moment in time—they're about showcasing the love, connection, and personality of your family. I always have questions from my clients regarding what to wear in sessions, especially from those who are attempting to coordinate an entire family or large group.  A great first step to dressing your family for fall photos is selecting the right color palette. This choice will serve as the foundation for your outfits, ensuring that everything comes together beautifully. To help you make the best choices, I’ve put together three tips for creating a color palette to ensure your photos look timeless and cohesive.

1. **Start with a Neutral Base**

Neutral tones like white, beige, gray, and soft pastels provide a great foundation for your family's outfits. They work well with any setting and allow the focus to stay on your family rather than distracting patterns or bold colors. Once you have a neutral base, you can add pops of color or texture to give your photos depth and personality.

2. **Coordinate, Don’t Match**

While it might be tempting to have everyone in identical outfits, coordinating colors and styles without being too matchy-matchy often looks more natural and relaxed. Pick a color palette with 2-3 complementary colors and vary the shades or patterns within that palette. For example, if you choose blue and cream, one person could wear a navy sweater while another opts for a light blue dress.

3. **Consider Your Setting**

Your photo session's location can greatly influence your color palette. For outdoor shoots in nature, earthy tones like greens, browns, and soft blues blend beautifully with the surroundings. For urban settings, consider bold or jewel tones that stand out against the backdrop. Think about how your chosen colors will interact with the environment to create a harmonious look.

Here are three color palette examples that work well for family photo sessions, along with some styling suggestions for each:  (for the sake of example, consider 2 grown-ups and 2 kids)

1. Earthy Neutrals

 Colors: Soft beige, warm brown, olive green, and ivory.
Styling Ideas: 

  - Grown-up 1 wears a brown sweater with beige chinos.

  - Grown-up 2 can wear an olive green dress or a cream-colored blouse with a soft brown skirt.

  - The kids could wear a mix of ivory tops and brown or green bottoms.

  - Accessorize with tan boots, a wool hat, or a cozy scarf to add texture.

 2. Cool Blues and Grays

Colors: Navy blue, light gray, dusty blue, and white.
 Styling Ideas:

  - Grown-up 1 - navy blue sweater paired with light gray pants.

  - Grown-up 2 might choose a soft gray dress or a dusty blue blouse with white jeans.

  - The kids could wear combinations of gray and white or navy and blue, such as a navy vest over a white shirt.

  - Add a bit of contrast with a patterned scarf or a statement necklace.

3. Warm Autumn Tones

Colors: Mustard yellow, deep burgundy, burnt orange, and charcoal.
Styling Ideas:

  - Grown-up 1 wears a charcoal sweater with burgundy pants.

  - Grown-up 2 might choose a mustard yellow dress or a burnt orange top with dark jeans.

  - The kids can mix in these colors with a mustard cardigan or a burgundy skirt.

  - Finish the look with brown leather boots, a warm-toned hat, or a chunky knit scarf.

These palettes coordinate beautifully in photos while allowing each family member to shine in their own unique way. all the while maintaining a cohesive look.

Capturing Summer Magic: A-Z Unplugged

A-Z Unplugged: Summer Photo Ideas for Kids

Photo journaling the everyday occurrences of your summer is a wonderful way to document memories with your kids. Here’s an A-Z list of photo ideas that are small, meaningful, and budget-friendly:

**A 

• Art Projects - fingers/faces/clothes covered in paint; applying glue or coloring

• Airport 

**B  

• Build or bake something - Pie, Cake, breakfast, stirring batter; Building with mom, dad, grandpa, grandma; Cardboard box tower or maze

**C 

• Camping - (Even a backyard camping setup is a great photo opportunity.) - Dirty faces and huge smiles

• Campfire - Roasting hot dogs or marshmallows

**D 

• Donuts

• Impromptu Dance party

• Dugout

• Dock

• The family dog

**E 

• Eating - ice cream, watermelon, popsicles (messy is good)

**F  

• Fizzy drinks

• Flowers (picking, watering, smelling, planting)

• Flip Flops

• Freckles

• Friendships

• Fishing

**G 

• Gardening

• Growth chart

• Goggles

**H 

• Hiking

• Hoola hoop

• Hopscotch

• Hammock

**I

• Ice cream truck

• Eating Ice Cream

• Going to Little Man!  

**J  

• Jumping (a favorite).  In puddles, on the trampoline with dad, on the trampoline with sprinklers, off of a log…jumping photos are just the best. 

**K

•  Kites

**L

• Lemonade Stand

• Lake

• LAKESIDE!!

**M

• Movie Night

• Moonlight

**N

• Nature Walk  

• Naps

**O 

• Outdoor Games or playground - especially with mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa

**P  

• Picnic

• PLAY - my very favorite.  Board games, Hot Wheels tracks, bubbles, trampoline, pool….this is where the magic of summer lies

**Q  

• Quiet Time Reading  

**R 

• Road Trip - Document a family road trip, even if it’s a short one.

• Rain

**S 

•  Stargazing - Capture the magic of stargazing on a clear night.

• Slushies

• Smiles

• Street Fair

• Slip-n-slide

• Sleepover

• Swim meet

**T 

• Tree Climbing

• Tucked in

• Teddy (document your kiddos’ favorite stuffie at this stage) 

**U  

• UNDERWATER!!!  

**V 

• Visiting the Farmers Market

**W - 

• Water Play  Capture fun moments with water balloons, sprinklers, water hose, or a kiddie pool.

**X - 

• Xylophone Music** Take a picture of your kids playing or enjoying music/ musical instruments, even toy ones. 

  **Y

• Yoga 

**Z - 

• Zoo Trip - focusing on the kids’ reactions to the animals.  

These ideas are designed to create small, meaningful moments that reflect the joys of summer. At the end of the season, these photos can be compiled into a beautiful scrapbook or photo journal, preserving those special times with your kids. Enjoy making memories