Minneapolis Family Photographer | 4 Generations

Hi again, ladies and gents!

Let me stop for a second to tell you that I am seriously the luckiest photographer in the world. My clients are always so wonderful to work with. That's true of my session with the four generations of this lovely family, too!

I met up with them right before Memorial Day at Centennial Lakes Park and the weather was not perfect for photo-taking. The sky was overcast and it drizzled all day. While the weather was wet, it was this happy family that made this shoot such a joy. 

This family is not only photogenic, but also a close-knit group who clearly love spending time together even when they have to travel. They are lucky to have each other.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Minneapolis Family Photographer | D Family

Welcome back, everyone!

I recently had a stupendous session with the D family. I've said it before and I'll say it again – I truly have the best clients ever! This family was no exception, either. 

We met at in Carver. I love shooting at outside because because everyone just seems more relaxed.

For our shoot, the Ds brought the whole family together for a fun and relaxing afternoon.  Their fun attitude really made for some amazing photos.

It truly was an amazing photo shoot.  

Okay, on to pictures of the D family!

Dress for Success: What to Wear for your Photo Session

Rule #1: Coordinate—but don’t be matchy/matchy
If you’re shooting with another person, make sure your outfits complement one another’s. Choose a consistent color palette (which does not mean the same color). If someone is wearing a bold pattern, dress the rest of the group in more solids, but be sure each carries one or more colors from the “star” outfit for consistency.

Rule #2: Accessorize!
Scarves, hats, bows, bands…it all adds a fun twist to an otherwise “standard” look. Accessories are also a great place to coordinate looks. For example, if Mom is wearing a bright pattern with lavender, pink and gray, little brother can rock a pair a gray sneakers while Dad can choose a lavender vest and big sis with a pink headband.

Rule #3: Try for Texture Layers and textures and can really add depth to your photos. Look for clothes and accessories with rich, simple detailing—embroidery, tweed, ribbons, etc—or layer pieces to add dimension and texture. Texture is especially important if you want a lot of black and white shots, which naturally need more visual depth and detail than color images. Also, because you’ll want to keep the pace going during your session, layering is a great way to make quick, convenient outfit changes—pull off the sweater, slip on the vest and you’ve got a whole new look!

Rule #4: Dress Kids for Comfort & Movement Kids naturally run, skip, dance and jump around during photo sessions—they’re kids! To avoid unnecessary aggravation, let them be comfortable in the clothes and opt for apparel that accentuates their natural energy. Skirts, fedoras, scarves, and knit sweaters allow for natural movement, so when the kids start getting wild, their clothes will look even better.

Rule #5: Be Timeless
You’ll have these pictures for generations—don’t date yourself! Choose classic, timeless pieces, or even vintage apparel and accessories. Opt for the latest trends and you may feel otherwise about that amazing outfit in a few years (or even a few months) from now.

Displaying Your Photos

To Frame or Not to Frame…
Amazing photos deserve an equally amazing display—but that doesn’t have to mean a traditional frame.

We have access to many creative vendors who offer wide varieties of traditional and non-traditional framing and display options. Whether it’s a traditional frame with hand-cut matting, shadow box or float frames, we can expertly guide you to the right fit for your images.

Looking for something truly sleek, chic and modern? Try going frameless! Canvas gallery wraps, image blocks, standout mounts and other creative prints still showcase your photos beautifully, but offer a modish spin that goes perfectly with more contemporary décor.

No matter which method you choose, get creative! Filling your walls with a lifetime of memories is one of the most special, most visual ways to tell the story of your family—so get hanging!

Choosing a location that’s right for you

Choosing a great location is one of the most important pieces of setting your family’s photo shoot. The backdrop you select will set the stage for the entire session and will be an essential piece of every shot, pose and, ultimately, the finished product. We recommend picking a spot that’s special to you, either a spot you love, somewhere you frequent or a place that best represents your family.

After you’ve narrowed down the list, it’s important to think about some key logistics: are there restrooms? Is the distance from the parking to the actual shoot location far? If so, pack comfy shoes for everyone! Will there be places to change outfits, retouch hair and makeup and relax between shots? Will there be crowds nearby—and, if so, are you comfortable shooting in front of others?

We’ve seen amazing sessions everywhere from backyards to baseball fields, lakes to open meadows. We know the area and can help make recommendations based on your family’s unique needs, personalities and inspirations.

What to expect before, during and after your shoot

A photo shoot—whether it’s an engagement, wedding, newborn or family session—isn’t just about the day of. The process can start weeks or even months before, and extends through a post-shoot process to finalize editing, retouching and product delivery.

We’re all about creating a truly personal, truly immersive experience for our clients—and that starts with you. Here’s a step-by-step look at the process, and the important part you play in getting the best pictures:

• Before the consultation: This is definitely one of the most fun parts of the process. Check out Pinterest for inspiration on location, poses, props and general styling. Start thinking about your style and what you’re looking for in your session. 
• The consultation: Ask questions, look through our portfolio and figure out what approach you’d like to see in your session and final prints. If you’ve found great inspiration in step #1, bring print outs or websites along! We’ll discuss how you intend to use the images—save the dates, invites, artwork, framing, etc—and help you refine the message you’re looking to convey within your session. 
• Finalizing the details: After we determine a location we’ll confirm a date, time and, based on that information, help you finalize apparel, props and poses. 
• The shoot: The day is finally here! Have fun and relax and you’ll naturally take better photos! 
• Post Processing: We’ll color correct your images, crop, check for highlights and shadows, and do a bit of retouching. Then we’ll post a few “best of the best” to Facebook or our blog. 
• The preview: We’ll schedule time post-shoot for a photo preview session, and send you some specials that will be available at the time of your preview so you will know what to plan for. 
• Final delivery: Turnaround time for products is based on the specific product you order. Once your final prints/products are available they will be available for pick up in our studio. Or you may opt to have us delivery them to your doorstep if that is more convenient for you.

The Importance of Hiring a Professional Photographer

With the recent explosion of the digital camera market, and even smart phones that take amazing photos, why should you go with a pro?

A smart camera does not make a smart photographer. Just because your friend, co-worker, or relative may have a high-speed, high-quality digital camera, does not mean he/she is an amazing photographer. While good “over-the-counter” equipment does help the average consumer up their photography game, a professional photographer brings an artistic vision, approach and creative eye that can’t be bought at the electronics store! Professional equipment perks: Shooting with Canon and professional lighting equipment helps us take the best shots, even in less-than-optimal circumstances. Low light, nighttime and even high speed action shots can be tricky for the amateur shutterbug, but pros know all the tricks to capture every moment. Posers: Ever tried to corral 50 friends and relatives—including a few wild kids—for a big group shot? Or need a little inspiration for your own special portraits? Professional photographers can help—and will know how to get guests together quickly and easily while making everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. They’re hired guns, not guests: Just like you’ve missed something at a wedding, party or other event because you’re chit-chatting, dancing, grabbing a drink at the bar or maybe even a few minutes late, a professional photographer is there exclusively to capture your moments. By hiring a pro you’ll guarantee he won’t miss the perfect shot because he’s tearing it up on the dance floor—Uncle Bob just might! The end result: Pro photographers can also edit and retouch images and design beautiful finished products like albums, custom prints, canvases and more.

Your best moments deserve just that—the best. Go pro!