For Parents
For Photographers
    • Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    Happy Father’s Day!

    June 18, 2010 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    Happy Father’s day to all the wonderful fathers out there!  We couldn’t better express your spirit, love, and devotion more than through some of our member’s favorite images.

    The world is a better place because of you….


    Thank you so very much to
    our wonderful contributing NAPCP members for sharing some gorgeous photos!

    Happy Father’s Day!

    Crystal JamesCrystal James

    Baby Milestones

    June 16, 2010 | Posted by Crystal James

    Custom Photography is such a wonderful way to capture your little one’s milestones, but doing a portrait session every month might be a little overboard right?  Enter PickySticky! This is a fun and creative way to capture the many changes in your baby every month.  Just peel and use these adorable stickers on a onesie or shirt and you have a simple, quick, and cohesive way to do simple snapshots and chart the monthly growth of your precious baby!  The best part is, they look more like a custom-designed shirt than a sticker, so all of your friends will think you’re so creative!

    These are a wonderful gift idea for a baby shower too!  I bought the Missy Fissy Package for my sister in law and decided to do all of the work for her.  I found a great sale on 4-pack white onesies in all of the sizes (you’ll need four each of 0-3 month size and three each of the 3-6, 6-9 and 12 month) then I added a sticker to each one and wah-lah – unique baby gift!   They have Belly Stickers too – so fun!

    Here are a few pictures I took before wrapping them up!

    hthornehthorne

    Planning Your Photo Shoot: What to Wear

    June 14, 2010 | Posted by hthorne

    Now that you’ve set up an appointment with your photographer, you’re probably wondering “What in the world are we going to wear?”  This is often a part of the process my clients want or need guidance in as it can be overwhelming, especially for family portraits. Your photographer should be able to guide you in your clothing choices based on session location and you or your child’s personal style.

    First of all, I don’t want anyone to think they should run out and spend a fortune on new clothing! A lot of times prior to our session, I’ll go through the child’s closet or even each family member’s closet and pull “looks” that will work well together.

    I recommend wearing bright colors as they photograph nicely but almost always end up photographing a couple of different looks with children which may include solid black or white.

    Here’s a simple age breakdown for recommended clothing choices:

    Newborns/Babies: In  newborn sessions, your photographer will want to focus on the precious details of your new addition as clothing can be distracting. Besides, is there anything cuter than a bare baby?  For older babies, hats and diaper covers are a sweet addition.

    Toddlers/Big Kids: Bright colors, baby legs/leg warmers/tights, hats, hairbows, tutus and bloomers look adorable. Your photographer may have a few items on hand for you to use – just ask! Try to avoid logos, cartoon characters and anything not age appropriate. Layering looks nice on big kids and don’t be afraid of fun polka dots, florals or even stripes (in small doses.)  Barefoot looks sweet for this age group as well.

    High School Seniors: The sky is the limit for these sessions as most seniors bring several clothing changes.  I always recommend something bright and fun, something black, a fun dress and accessories for girls.  Layering looks really nice (think cardigan over a sweet sundress or a fitted jacket paired with nice jeans or a dress.) Scarves, hats, jewelry and fun shoes complete the look. Guys photograph well in darker denim, button downs, sport coats and anything that defines their style (hats, a funky belt, sports jersey, etc.) Again, try to stay away from logos and characters.

    Families: Some might disagree but I really think complimenting each other versus matching each other is key!  How many pictures have you seen with everyone wearing white shirts and khakis?  For a more modern, colorful approach try these combinations or a variation of:

    -Primary colors  like red, yellow, blue and green mixed in with denim

    -Jewel tones like deep purple, crimson, navy, emerald green and gold

    -Navy with a pop of color like bright yellow or orange

    Need a little inspiration for your little ones?  Some great catalogs and websites for children’s clothing include J Crew’s CrewCuts, Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, Chasing Fireflies, bestdressedkids.com, MyVintageBaby.com, Gymboree, Old Navy, and for amazing designer deals, my new fave is Gilt.com.

    For one-of-a-kind and affordable hand-made treasures, I’ve purchased lots of unique baby items including hats on Etsy.com. Careful though – it can be an addictive website!

    Lastly, and probably most importantly, your clothing should accurately reflect you and your family.  If you aren’t the type to pile on the layers and accessorize, then you probably shouldn’t be photographed that way.  Don’t be afraid to play with color and textures.  And never hesitate to ask your photographer for guidance!

    Kristen the designerKristen the designer

    Kid Friendly Summer Recipes!

    June 14, 2010 | Posted by Kristen the designer

    A great place to check out when you’re looking for something new to cook this summer is Disney’s Family Fun site. Below are just a few yummy favorites that would be perfect for a cookout, or maybe an afternoon snack for the kids. Enjoy!




    My favorite was the Fairy Berries recipe, pictured in the bottom right corner above. It makes a great treat for a little girl’s princess themed birthday celebration, or a backyard tea party. Plus they just look so delicious!

    Ingredients

    1) Large strawberries with stems

    2) White chocolate (such as Nestle Premier White Morsels or Wilton White Candy Melts;
    1 cup of pieces will coat about 12 strawberries)

    3) Red food coloring

    4) Decorating sugar (sprinkles also work well)

    Instructions

    1) Rinse the berries, then pat them dry with paper towels.

    2)Place the white chocolate in a bowl and melt it in the microwave according to the package instructions. Stir in red food coloring until the chocolate is tinted pink (we used 5 drops for 1 cup of chocolate).

    3) Pour the sugar onto a plate. Holding each berry by the stem, dunk it into the chocolate, then roll it immediately in the sugar. Place the berries on a sheet of waxed paper and let the coating harden.

    Alice ParkAlice Park

    Baby Nurseries: Designing for your baby boy or girl

    June 10, 2010 | Posted by Alice Park

    Often times when I choose a location to photograph a baby, I go straight to their nursery.  Aside from always being filled with the most beautiful natural light, every detail of the room has been carefully handpicked with all of the love in the world. Their nursery is a reflection of mom, dad, and baby – all lovingly wrapped up into a stunning space.

    Over the next few weeks, we’ll be discussing beautiful elements in nursery decor, while bringing in guest contributors to share their insight and expert opinions.  If you have any particular questions, please feel free to share it with us in the Comments section.

    Meanwhile, here are a few nurseries I photographed that illustrate easy tips for designing for either a baby boy or girl.  Gender neutral rooms are often my favorite, as they’re practical as much as they are lovely.

    1.  Create a room you adore.  No matter what the design — be it ultramodern, eclectic or my favorite, traditional — in the end a nursery needs to please only your baby and you.

    2.  Paint the walls a color that you love.  Consider sophisticated color combinations for your nursery like sage green and white or light blue and brown. Choose a palette that reflects the rest of your home’s décor.  Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring.

    3.  Get some grown-up furniture for baby. An armoire, for instance, is practical, chic and remains useful as your child grows up.  Love this shot with Ford reading in his room.

    4.  Add in pops of color to keep the room fresh and fun. I love how Knox’s room is simple, sophisticated, and a place he knows he can play and have fun in.

    5.  Hang plenty of family pictures on the walls. Babies of either gender benefit from the visual stimulation these items provide.  NAPCP will post more on this particular tip… ;)


    Terms of Use . Privacy Policy


    © 2009-2012 National Association of Professional Child Photographers. All rights reserved. Site by Custom Photography Blogs

    Site Managed by: Delta Decisions Inc.