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    • Stephanie RueStephanie Rue

    What should we wear?

    October 6, 2010 | Posted by Stephanie Rue

    One of the most common questions I get right after the session date, time and location has been picked is…what should we wear?  My best advice is find something you really love.  In the sample board below the first thing I saw was the red and black polka dot dress for my littlest one.  I love it!  I designed the rest of the outfits around that.  I didn’t want anyone to match but they all coordinate and I wanted to make sure that each child had an outfit that suited their personality.  The day after I found the little red dress for the baby, I was flipping through a catalogue and came upon the grey and black dress for my older daughter.  It was perfect, still little girly enough for a 5 (almost 6 year old) but a little more mature than the baby doll dress I picked for her sister.  The shoes were a perfect fit, as she loves things that sparkle and make tap, tapping sounds on the hard ground.  She hates wearing rubber bands in her hair but is happy to slip on a headband so off to forever21.com I go.  They have a great assortment of hair accessories for AWESOME prices, many in the $3-$5 range.  Boys are much easier.  I found the cable knit black sweater on jcrew.com and could just see my handsome little man it.  The grey cords were my first choice but I wouldn’t have hesitated to put him in a pair of dark wash jeans.

    Hopefully this helps get your creative juices flowing. This particular idea board works for my kids, my family (our style) but it is not a fit for everyone.  Pick what works well for you and your family.

    Here is a 2nd inspiration board.  This time I went less traditional with the colors and a little more casual.  For the previous inspiration board  I put together a grouping that I plan to use for my own family but not everyone has two girls and a boy (or two girls and a dude as my son says).  So this time I put together two outfits for girls and two for boys.  One is for a younger girl / baby and the other is for a little older girl and same goes for the outfits for the boys.  And for those of you who haven’t come across Mini Boden yet, check them out!  Their clothes are adorable and the quality is great.  They wash up really well.  The whole catalog is available online but select items are available at Nordstrom.

    I encourage families to bring more than one outfit.  Fall sessions are often geared towards getting THE picture for your Holiday card but for many people (especially with older kids) it is the one time of year you have family portraits taken.  You may want a picture of your entire family in Christmas attire for your card but not as a permanent wall decoration in your home.  You don’t have to choose one or the other.  We can do both!

    Stay tuned to the NAPCP blog for follow up post where you can see a session go from inspiration board to finished product!

    janejohnsonjanejohnson

    Summer Fashion Alert!

    July 20, 2010 | Posted by janejohnson

    One of the most common questions a client asks after booking their portrait session is “what do we wear?” Personally, I have a hard enough time deciding what to wear for a normal day, let alone a portrait session that will hang on my walls for years to come!

    Because of this, I’ve taken some time to put together some fun outfits for your children thanks to the ever fashionable Janie and Jack–a children’s clothing company that offers distinctive, finely crafted clothing and accessories for the little ones in your life!

    Be sure to check back next week for a fashion alert just for you (the parents)!  Because you’re just as important as your little minis, even if they’re the ones who end up stealing the show!

    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!


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