Mrs. C. Alicea | Southern Maryland Portrait Photographer

When Cami got in touch with me a couple weeks ago to tell me that her birthday was coming up and she wanted some portraits done for herself, I knew we needed to start planning her session right away!  Cami has become a friend of mine and I had the honor of having coffee with her right after our session.  The planning was in the works and knowing we had a short amount of time to work with (her birthday was coming up, after all) we decided that a sunrise session on the water at Solomons Island would be more than perfect.  And after freezing our butts off at 6am in what felt like 20 degree weather, that coffee we grabbed was much needed!  Hahaha.  

Happy birthday to a woman who is beautiful inside and out!  

I had such a great time taking your portraits, Cami!  Thank you so much for spending your morning with me. 

Wall Displays | Southern Maryland Family Child Photographer

So, you've invested a lot of time and money into your recent photo shoot with your family and you receive a custom made disk with your loving memories.  Now what?  Do you do what most people do and put the disk in storage and forget about them?  Maybe you share a few of the images on Facebook with friends and family.  But beyond that, what happens?  The images sit on the disk or USB drive and collect dust.  You think about the blank wall space you have above your couch but you have no idea how to fill it stylishly.  Or the walls in the nursery or hallway that desperately need to be decorated.  

Instead of filling your walls with decorations from Target or Pier 1 Imports that don't have any special meaning to your family, why not fill them with prints and canvas of the memories you captured during your photo shoot of your family!  By all means, I'm definitely not saying to fill every corner and inch of wall space from basement to bathrooms.  But strategically placed, well styled prints in frames and canvas prints of your family will not only fill your walls and add some style and pizazz, but they will also make your house feel more like home.

Take it from someone who has painted her walls 6 different times in the 4 years I've lived in my house...the thought of choosing prints and canvas can definitely be a daunting and scary experience.  And if I have any advice for someone seeking out prints and canvas for their home it would be to sit down with your photographer and speak about your options.  There are many different types of printed products, paper options, finishes, sizes, frames, and grouping options.  No wonder someone can look at a blank wall and get so frazzled that they decide it's much easier to leave it blank!  

Three canvas print grouping.  Large 20x30 canvas print, framed by 2 smaller 10x20 canvas prints.

  
When choosing canvas or prints for your home, trust your photographer when they say 'bigger IS better'! Because it really and truly is much, much better. Can you imagine a lonely little 8x10 print on this wall? Neither can I.

Choosing to frame prints is also a great option!  Large 20x24 print with 4" mat and 1.5" frame molding, with three smaller 5x7 prints in 1.5" mat with 1" frame molding.

My prices for canvas and professional prints are highly competitive. And the professional quality of the print is 100% guaranteed!

Styling for Your Session | Southern Maryland Family Photographer

So, your family's photography session is coming up and you've dug through everything your family owns and you STILL can't come up with something for them to wear.  You want them to look adorable in their photos, but not too stuffy.  And you definitely want them to look like themselves.

thechildrensplace.com

Here are a few tips to get the creative juices flowing:

1) Dress in layers.  During the colder months, you don't want your little ones with blue lips and chattering teeth.  Layering clothing gives images texture and color, and serves an even better purpose with keeping the babes warm.  

2) Think pattern/texture.  Cable knits, furs, linens, denim.  They all have different texture.  And each type of fabric photographs differently and picks up or reflects light differently.  Don't be afraid to mix and match.  You don't want things too matchy-matchy anyway.  (Remember those 1990-ish images where everyone's wearing a white shirt and jeans?  Stay away from that!)  Everyone has their own personality and sense of style.  Show it! 

3) Don't be afraid of color!  Green and yellow go great with deep purples.  Red goes well with purple too!  Brown and pink.  Yellow and grey is super popular these days.  Find a piece that you love that has multiple colors in it and use that key piece as inspiration for the rest of your styling.  If you have a red scarf you're in love with, then pair that with red pants and a sweater to match, for baby boy.  

gap.com

 4) Choose timeless pieces.  Your images will last forever.  After the children have grown and left for college, your photo will remain the same.  Trends and fads fade away and are replaced quickly.  (Do you ever cringe when you look back on the 80's white washed jeans, shoulder pads, and poofed bangs? I do!)  Stay away from Dora the Explorer and Mickey Mouse prints.  Solid colors always look great layered with prints of stripes or plaid or gingham.  For little girls, tasteful flowers or lace is always beautiful and timeless.  

gap.com

5) If you've hit a road block, ask for help.  The people who work at the Gap or the Children's Place are always willing to offer up suggestions when you ask.  And the clothes they have for kids are ADORABLE and you can almost always find great sales.  Walk around the mall and window shop.  The mannequins are styled in ways that are perfect for inspiration.  Check the web!  My Pinterest Board is always being updated with ideas for your sessions.  

Hopefully, these ideas will help point you in the right direction!  And remember, your family photo session is the best representation of YOU.  So don't lose your style in someone elses details.  Go with what makes you comfortable and I'll help you showcase it!