15: The Other Side of the Lens, The Client Experience: The Bodilys

Hiya Humbletakes Fam!

I have a very special treat for y'all. Cuz I love ya! I have another installation of  "The Other Side of the Lens"! *and the crowd goes wiiiiiiiild*

I have taken Erin's family pictures for many years and I have loved watching her three wonderful kiddos grow up. This is another reason I feel lucky to be working as a photographer. I get to watch, and be part of, your family growing up and maturing. I get to see how an awkward 9 year old with glasses and braces blossoms into one of the most beautiful young women I've ever seen.  How a tiny 4 month old is on the move only a year later. These are wonderful, fast-moving times. And sometimes I'm even lucky enough to see the absolutely perfect baby that was just a "baby bump" the year before! My job is a gift. My clients are my family. And my life is full of joyous moments.

You have your family pictures taken every year. Why?

In real time it may not seem like it happens very quickly, but my kids change so much. You know that saying, "the days are long, but the years are short" (or something like that). When I look back at previous sessions and old photos, I can barely believe how much they've grown. We have used Melissa for years because she can capture who my children are at that point in their lives. If they make funny faces or react to something in a totally genuine way, she catches it. These moments are absolutely priceless. It's so easy to forget the silly face my youngest used to make that would have us all cracking up or the reaction my daughter had when we would talk to her about boys at school. I feel like Melissa gets it. She understands that these times fly by and these moments are precious.

What are some of your favorite things you've done with your pictures?

I have used Melissa's pictures in so many ways I can't even count. Aside from the family photo book and social media, I would have to say that my favorite thing I've done is get huge...like, huge 16x20 gallery wrapped photos of each of the kids and the kids together on the wall going up the staircase. I love looking up at that wall. OH! And I printed another gigantic (can't remember the size) gallery wrap and put it above my mantle in our main room. It completely finished the look of space and is an absolute eye-catcher!

What is one of your favorite pictures or sessions that Melissa has taken and why?

That's so hard because I’ve loved every picture.  But some of my favorites are:

One of my favorite pictures Melissa has taken is an amazing sports volleyball action shot of my daughter, Baylee.  It shows her hustle, drive, determination, hard-work and beauty, all in one shot.

There is a shot of my second daughter, Brielle, that I just can't get enough of. Bree is very intelligent and her humor is often subtle and understated. Her expressions are the same. There is a shot of her that perfectly captures her slight smile and brilliant eyes. I just love it.

And my youngest, oh my youngest! This boy is an all out goof ball. He is a comedian through and through! He has us laughing constantly with his crazy facial expressions and witty remarks. I think Melissa catches his craziness in such a way that you can see he is silly yet sweet, energetic and endearing, crazy and charming.

There is a family shot Melissa took of my family in front of barn doors that is one of my favorites!  It captures the personality of my family, shot beautifully, and in a setting the has an emotional connection for me of my childhood growing up in the country.  Pure Magic.

I have loved watching this little mob grow and change. I feel like these kids are my very own. I adore this family and feel incredibly blessed that they trust me every year to permanently capture these amazing times in their ever changing lives.

Shout out to you, Bodily's! *fistbump*

Shoot ya Later :)

The Other Side of the Lens, the Client Experience: The Christensens

Hiya Humbletakes Fam!

I wanna give a quick shout out to all of my June MMS peeps! You guys were amazing and I am so happy I got to meet/shoot/hang out with all of you! If you'd like to join the MMS fun you can book your May Mini-Mini Session below!

July 8th: BOOK HERE

July 16th: BOOK HERE

July 29th: BOOK HERE

It is here! The time you have aaaaalll been waiting for! *drumroll* This month's installment of "THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LENS, THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE....ERIENCE...erience....erience...." (monster truck rally announcer-like).

The Christensen family are long time clients of mine and I adore them. Cassie loves authenticity when it comes to her family photos, and life in general, but really for family photos. She has four crazily adorable, little humans running around. She understands that not everything is perfectly in place all the time and that it's ok.

Let's hear her take on her photography shoot experience! 

You have family pictures taken every year, why?

All my single years and newlywed years, I wasn't very big into pictures.  Even when I had my first baby I didn't take the time or energy to get pictures done.  When my second baby rolled around, I realized how fast time was flying. I looked at my then 19 month old boy and realized I had already forgot so many of the little moments that I tried to freeze in time, by taking a mental picture. 

I would think to myself, "this moment is so precious and special, I want to remember it always."  I came to learn I was already forgetting many of those "mind taken" still shots.  I've been doing family pictures ever since.  I want to have those moments captured forever, not just in my heart, but on print.  And an added bonus, I am able to share my joyful parent pride with Grandma's and Grandpa's.

What are some of your favorite things you've done with your pictures? 

Melissa has done an amazing job capturing the light that sparkles in my kiddos eyes. My heart melts when I see a close up photo of them, with their authentic smiles and their eyes filled with laughter.  I've used my pictures in so many ways it's hard to pick a favorite. I always have amazing Christmas Cards, ask any of my friends.  I've used the pictures for birth announcements. On my fourth baby, Sydney, I gave an announcement to my OB-GYN and he said, " that's one of the best announcements I've ever seen."  And he has seen thousands over his career.

I thought is was because my baby was so adorable, but really it was probably the pictures that made it amazing.  My third boy, Matthew has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. One photo shoot delivered a close up of his beautiful baby blues. I framed and enlarged that picture, and placed it on my mantel.  Five and a half years later I still love looking at it and remembering his big, beautiful eyes. I'll cherish that picture for as long as I'm alive.

I've also used some "mini-mini" pictures for my kids baptism pictures. Those pictures have really spotlighted that day in my kiddos lives.  I've also totally replaced my kids school year book pictures. I get way better pictures at a way better price.  

What is one of your favorite pictures or photo session that Melissa has taken and why?  

I'm not sure I can even answer this question, I've gotten so many wonderful pictures over the years.

One of my favorite photo shoots was with just my family, Melissa took us to an old abandoned barn.  She engaged each one of my kiddos and got great pictures. She even got a few pictures of my husband goofing around with the boys.

I remember feeling a little self-conscious about my "after baby" belly pooch. When I got the pictures back I was shocked with how good I looked. Not trying to sound snobbish, but I felt great looking at myself in those pictures.  I was grateful for a photographer who took the time to make me look good, knowing how important that was for me, during a time in my life when I felt insecure. 

Another one of my all time photo shoots was of my entire in-law family.  We were together for Thanksgiving and my mother-in-law wanted to have "entire" family pictures. We went to this really cool, old, vintage location. It ended up being a little cold, but we still all had a great time.

We were all goofing around and giving Nonnie and Papa huge "hug attacked". It amazes me that everyone in the picture had smiles on their faces, I mean with 9 grand-kids, that has got to be hard to do. I love, love, love the pictures from my second daughter, Sara's baptism photo shoot. I'm her mother and have always thought she was beautiful. When I saw her pictures I saw her in a totally different light. She is growing into such an amazing woman, her pictures were gorgeous!

I also had Melissa come take photos at one of my daughters birth. I know it's a little unorthodox, but I absolutely love seeing those pictures and remembering everything about that amazing little bundle joining our family.

Melissa was very tasteful and truly captured that experience for us. I'm done having babies, which makes me a little sad, someday's (not all), but I'm truly grateful and cherish all the little moments of time that Melissa has captured of my crazy little life!

*      *      *

There you have it! I couldn't have said it better myself.

Shoot ya Later :)

Coordinating Outfits Stressin' You Out? Let Me Help!

Guten tag Humbletakes Fam!

How are you guys?

I find that one of the things that my clients stress out about the most (second to the weather here in unpredictable Colorado) is how to dress their families!

The thought of trying to achieve a perfect photo shoot can be overwhelming. But luckily for you, you have an expert in your pocket! I can help you figure out how to coordinate your family’s outfits without all the stress and hassle. Here are my top 5 tips for getting the exact balance of cohesion and individuality in your session.

Matching but not too matching

This is a hard balance to strike so I have added a few pictures of my clients that I feel struck it perfectly.

I love mostly neutrals and a hint of color. Using neutrals is helpful because usually all the members of your family already have an article of clothing in that color so you don't have to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe!

I love a splash of color but nothing too distracting.

Don't be afraid to accessorize

A chunky necklace, big scarf, or fun tie can be the perfect additions to any family photo shoot. Stay in your color scheme and you will be amazed at how using accessories can make your session hip and fun.

Both of these sessions were done in the fall/winter months and I LOVE the chunky necklace and the scarves (and those suspenders...get outta town!). They add color, texture, fun and warmth!

Patterns can be perfect, if used carefully

Patterns can be a very scary commitment for a family session. I understand. You have to be careful with strong graphic prints, but they can add a lot of personality to your family pictures.

With that being said...don't go crazy. Keep your pattern prints to a tasteful minimum and use them as an accent not a foundation.

The beautiful floral pattern of her dress brings brightness and color to their color scheme. The grey and white polka-dot is more understated but still adds interest and personality to this sassy girls pictures!

Keep your location in mind  

This is something that is very important but gets overlooked. If you are shooting in the middle of a wheat field your options for colors and patterns are much more open than if you choose to shoot in front of a bright wall or a building covered in graffiti.

If your location has a ton of personality then I recommend using mellow colors, skip the strong patterned prints, and go easy on the accessories.

Keeping your location in mind will help you narrow down your clothing options.

The black and pink are perfect for this nature setting. They are fun and bright and draw your attention. On the other hand, it was smart to keep the colors to a minimum when shooting in front of this awesome (and colorful) graffiti.

Finally, have fun with it!

Don't overthink it! There are millions of ways to make your photo session exude the personality of your family. While I do think it's important to consider your clothing choices I definitely do not think it's the most important aspect of a family photo session. Come and have a great time and you will love your family pictures regardless of what your mob is wearing!

What are some of your favorite accessories to make your photo session unique and personalized?!

Shoot ya Later :)

3 Tips to Photograph Your Kids Like A Pro

Hey Humbletakes Fam!

        

I'm gearing up for my last May MMS and June's MMS's that are just around the corner! Links to book below :)

May 27th: BOOK HERE

June 3rd: BOOK HERE

June 11th: BOOK HERE

June 24th: BOOK HERE

In the meantime, I thought I could help all of you moms and dads capture the ever elusive and eternally adorable smiles of your kiddos with three of my favorite tips.

Shooting kids is most often the hardest (and most amazing) part of my job. Kids have a hard time during photo sessions because, well, photo sessions are boring. Over the years I have learned some valuable lessons when it comes to shooting kiddos to get not only beautiful images but genuine expressions!. Here are my top three snippets of advice for the next time you want to capture your child's adorableness!

It's up to them!

I promise this is the best advice I can give anyone!  If your kiddos are not interested in taking pictures they will absolutely let you know. My advice? Take pictures when they're up for it. That means:

*well rested

*fed

*happy/playful

Be patient and wait for this golden time. I guarantee the best pictures always come from kids who feel good.

Let them relax! (so you can too)

In my experience, kids do the absolute best when you allow them to take time to relax. If you're constantly screaming "smile" at them, you will get a fake, plastered, school-photo-type smile. If the kid wants to:

*make a funny face...

*show you a leaf...

*tell you a funny story...

...let them

And be snapping pictures the entire time! Sometimes the greatest pictures happen when you and your kiddo weren't even trying. So relax and have fun!

Play!

My final piece of advice is to let your kids play! Let them run around, pick up things they find, or play on the swing-set.  Not only will you capture the true essence of your child at that point in time, but your pictures will have so much more personality and genuineness. It's worth the time and energy for you to poke your head out from behind the camera and tickle or chase them. Don't be afraid to stop shooting for a couple minutes to chat with them or just hang out. Your kids will love spending time with you and probably won't even mind a camera in their face!

I love the crinkled noses, closed eyes, funny faces and huge smiles.

Getting beautiful pictures of a child's genuine happiness is never easy, but I hope that with a couple hints and tricks you can relax and enjoy taking pictures of your babies!

Tell me, what are some of your favorite tips for shooting your kiddos? Happy shooting!

Shoot ya Later :)

4 Ways I Manage Mompreneurship

Hey Humbletakes Fam,

I hope all of you lovies are doing amazing! Spring in Colorado is so amazing. It's putting up a fighting chance for my favorite season. Who am I kidding? Fall will never lose it's place. Book your bright springtime MMS below :)

April 22nd: BOOK HERE

May 6th: BOOK HERE

May 14th: BOOK HERE

May 27th: BOOK HERE

I have been thinking a lot lately about the feeling of overwhelm. How easy it is to get lost in all of the to-do's and should-be's. I realized that everyone's list is different but we're all busy. We're all trying to make our way through a productive and fulfilling life.

Well to any of my stay-at-home or entrepreneur mammas out there, I get it. I feel you, sister. I want to share four things I do, to lessen the overwhelm in the hopes that it will help you too. These are just a few things that always help me gain perspective and, frankly, calm the hell down.

1: Stretch

This sounds weird. Don't judge me. This is a safe space, right?

Stretching for 15-30 minutes before bed while listening to my most mellow playlist is one of the absolute best ways that I know will help me get a better nights rest and give my mind a break. I try to tune out my lists and worries and focus on me. On my body.

Giving my body a little bit of attention and love for working so hard for me throughout the day. When I stretch I always sleep better and wake up with less aches and stiffness (chronic back issues). After stretching my mind seems to race less and falling asleep is easier.

Pro tip: After stretching I will not look at a computer screen or my phone. I will get a drink of water and immediately crawl into bed. I don't want all of the relaxation I just earned to go down the drain when I see the emails that need to be answered or get sucked into the Instagram black hole or am reminded of how early in need to wake up the next day.

2: Check-in with myself (and my hubby)

This may seem obvious but I feel like I learned to really "check-in" with myself (in the last three or four years).

What checking-in means to me, is using reason and logic to understand why I'm feeling what I'm feeling. Overwhelm, stress, anxiety, restlessness, laziness, whatever-ness. I bust out my analytical chemist side and treat my emotions or reactions like a scientific problem. Usually, after thinking through what I have going on or talking with my husband about what I am feeling I can usually pinpoint the why I'm feeling a certain way.

Once I understand the source of my overwhelm I can gain some perspective about how serious a problem actually is. Hint: I can blow things out of proportion sometimes. Quick example: blog posts. I can get so bent out of shape about needing to write a blog post to stay on schedule that it's all I can think about but can't fit into my schedule, yet (planning, see #3). Before I know it I'm freaking out that my to-do list is getting out of control and I just can't breathe.

See, it all started with a blog post. And this is just ONE example. My point is, if I can get a handle on the fact that my stress about writing a blog post has sprung me into stress induced hives I can make a plan of attack to do what I need to do.

3: Make a plan. Prioritize.

I structure my days into time blocks that are reasonable and doable for having a curious one year old staggering around, climbing on everything, and eating charcoal out of the fireplace.

I plan my day around babysitting swaps and nap times. I figure out what I feel is the most important (or what is causing the most overwhelm) and have it written down. This way, I stay on task and utilize my precious work time wisely.

I take smaller chunks out of big projects and bust out small projects, Planning it out a week at a time.While I'm working on Monday I won't be thinking about everything I'm not getting done that day. If I have it on the schedule for Wednesday, I don't have to think about it on Monday. I just handle Monday.

Pro tip: Treat yourself as you would your child, or someone you care about deeply. Be flexible with yourself, your schedule and how you prioritize and you'll feel way better!

4: Cut yourself some slack. You're doing your best.

You really are. You are doing your best to manage everything on your plate. We all are. We're all fighting different and equally challenging battles. And we're doing it beautifully, in stain covered pajamas, with no makeup, and eating out of a can. But, hey, we're doing it. We're working our asses off for ourselves and our families.

*fistbump*

I'm always on the hunt for creative ideas to help manage, life. What are some of your tips and tricks to keeping your perspective and overwhelm in check?

Shoot ya Later :)