I spent saturday morning at the {R} home in Janesville, Wisconsin.

It was fun to get to know mom & dad & photograph Ella in her own surroundings.

Ella had one of THEE most beautiful nursery’s I’ve seen in awhile.

Momma {& daddy} have some pretty wonderful decorating taste, which makes my job easier.

I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again, I absolutely LOVE my job.  I love that I get to meet fabulous people, wonderful families & many times clients that I’m lucky to eventually call friends.

Spending time with them in their home & creating some beautiful lasting images that they will hopefully cherish for a very long time = LOVE.

I like that some days I’m shooting in the studio & some days I get the opportunity to photograph at a clients home, on-location or @ a park.

I love the thrill of walking into a new environment, the challenge of the changing light, the different location & wanting to create thee best images possible for my client.

Enjoy the sneak peek & Happy Snow Day!

~sN

Absolutely, hands down, favorite.

The {R} family

Daddy & Ella

Mommy & Ella

Godmother “A” & baby Ella

Vintage Baby {love love LOVE the chair & hat}

Momma had such great decorating taste.

The girls called themselves the “Godmother Dynasty”  So cute.

Yeah for Ella rolling over!

Get those toes, baby girl.

Love.

Thank-you Daddy for the help of holding the mobile above my camera, worked out great!

Cuddle time with Godmother “A”

Makes my heart melt, love those cheeks & eyes.

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {R} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

Mr. Mason & Mr. Devin recently came into the studio & let me tell you that Devin was so well behaved.  Momma {brave soul} brought the boys in by herself & let me tell you, she is one lucky lady.  Those boys are not only absolutely adorable but Devin was the perfect big brother!

It was wondering seeing you again Jill.  Enjoy the sneak peeks!

~sN

Momma & her two boys.

Brothers.

Bright colored Mason.

Mr. Devin all grown up.

{p.s. he is a looker, good luck in a few years…}

Mr. Devin, almost 4 years ago for his 4 month session {2007}

Luckily I kept this bear around.  It was all the rave back in ‘07.  {I have a monkey too}

It was fun, bustin’ it out of the prop closet.

Mr. Mason, 2010 @ his 4 month session

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {G} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

Sweet little baby Tate.

I met his mom almost a year ago when she called & asked me to photograph her nephew as a surprise gift for her sister.

We’ve kept in touch this past year & was so excited to hear about her pregnancy news!

I’ve had the opportunity to photograph several of Tate’s older cousins & look forward to watching this clan of little babies get older.

I’m not sure I can emphasis enough just HOW. MUCH. I. LOVE. TO. PHOTOGRAPH. NEWBORNS.

Yikes. Amazing.

Thank-you to awesome clients like Kellie & Chad who allowed me into their home & gave me free creative range to capture their little one.

Seriously, they just melt my heart.  I love every minute of it.

{even if they do perhaps tinkle on my blankets}

It was great to spend the morning at your home K & C, enjoy the sneak peeks!

~sN

Meet Tate, the Rockstar.

His beautiful nursery

Daddy is a Police Officer, & this was a vintage decoration in his room.  Loved it.

{Mommy & Daddy also met there}

Some Bow Tie goodness.

Loved this idea.  Mommy put on red lipstick & kissed his cheek.  The smirk was a bonus.

Love his little lips here.

Mr. Cowboy.

Amazing bedroom.

Momma’s boy.

I couldn’t help but include this image.  I will say though that he didn’t do this very often during his session.  I think this was just a little squeal  & he went right back to sleep.

But look at those wrinkles, love it!

Daddy & his little boy.

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {P} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

The {C} family came into the studio this past week & brought their little {ok, not so little} doggies.

It was a blast.  I love photographing animals, especially dogs.

It was great meeting you Robin & Tony {& the pups}

Enjoy the Sneak Peeks!

{sN}

Here is Cooper

Lexus

Ok. This is obviously a bit of a “blooper” shot.  But I could not help myself.  I was trying to get a good shot of Lexus & Cooper was a bit busy in the background.

I just had to include it for a few laughs.

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {C} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

Mr. Sterling came to the studio last week & had an agenda of his own.

This little 18 month old, is a smart smart cookie & is quite the entertainment.

I look forward to seeing how much he has changed for his 2 year session, coming up this summer!

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing this family for the past two years, starting with an Engagement session, through their wedding & watching Sterling grow up.

That is one of my very favorite parts of what I do, being able to work with families & watch their families expand.

Enjoy the sneak peak Sarah & Matt

~sN

Yes that is Play-doe & yes it matches his vest.  Momma was thinking ahead!

Because, sometimes it’s just OK to cry.

Sheldon, the paci made one last appearance for old times sake.

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {B} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

The the {R} family rolled into the studio I knew I would be kept on my toes.  Little miss Lydia was so adorable & full of energy for the whole session.

We ended up with some very sweet images of the family, miss Lydia & her little brother Miles, debuting on the BLOG @ 2 1/2 months old.

Here is mr. Miles

Loved his super serious look.

miss Lydia

Mommy kisses.

Love, love, love family shots like this.  Now did we take several of them, of course we did.  You have two when a 2 year old is involved.  But I just love this image.

This was a vision after talking to mom.  During the planning process of her session we discussed doing a “name” shot.  Having Miles spelled out & he would be the “I” in the image.  I’ve done this shot before outside, with chalk & obviously that wasn’t an option this time a year.  So we thought of cutting out the letters with felt!

I think it worked out great!  Hope it is what you envisioned Nicole!

*BLOG CONTEST REMINDER*

Leave a comment for the {R} family to win a $50 studio credit & at the same time your entered to win a $50 studio credit as well.

Contest Information :

If a client {Bridal or Portrait} get 15+ comments on their BLOG post they will receive a $50 studio credit toward their print order or wedding album.

ALSO….

I will randomly pick one winner from the comments that are left on the BLOG that week & they will ALSO get a $50 studio credit.

So to summarize :

Go to the BLOG, share the love, leave a comment or two, win free stuff & help my clients get free stuff too. Pretty simple really.

HELP!

“We have a family portrait session coming up & we have NO idea what to wear?”

Been there? Done that?

Yep I figured.  So here we go.  I decided to go ahead & put a few things together for your upcoming sessions, whether they are with me or another fabulous photographer in the area.  I really hope you are able to take some information out of this post & turn it around to work for your family!

{warning :: I am not a fashionista, not in the least bit.  with that said, proceed with caution}

{helpful websites along the way}

Colour Lovers

this is a fabulous website for many things.  but you can build, search, & save your own color palettes.  print them out & take them with while you shop

Awkward Family Photos

If you have NOT seen this website you’ve been living under a rock probably.  {ok maybe a cave}

But this serves as an example of what NOT to do, enough said.

———————————————————–

This first slide I wanted to go with a more class palette of grey & black.  A lot of my families are going this route for the fall & I love it.

Just because you use classic colors in the images does not mean that they’ll be “classic” & “boring” themselves.  Don’t be afraid to go with your gut instinct.

I love the variety of texture & color here.

Oh & obvi the “peace” shirt is my fav.  I just wish there was the word “out” down below {peace-out}

FYI all pieces in the below slide can be found from the GAP

With this palette I wanted to use colors that complimented well & that worked with all members of the family.

You can easily swap the maroon out for a navy sweater & pop in a little hot pink action for another fabulous color palette.

{Below is a mixture from GAP, Old Navy & Janie & Jack}

{But wait, I can NOT afford $89 for a dress I’ll only wear once?}

Word.  I hear ya, for sure.  Please keep in mind these are only to SERVE as a vision, an inspiration & a starting point.  Heck you could get the same look from hittin’ up some fancy garage sales, the goodwill or your friends closet?  Be creative.

{YO, I am NOT a size 6, or even 10 for that matter!}

UMM, again, word.  From personal experience I am not a small & tiny person.

For this I would direct you to looking online where there are more plus sizes available

Lane Bryant

Nordstorm

The following are websites that I suggest looking through.  Some perhaps will be within your budget & some will not.

Also I must give a gigantic shout out to Etsy.

WOW = addicting.

Fabulous hats, accessories, scarves etc.  When in doubt, check etsy!

{p.s. don’t blame it on me when your etsy bill is $100+ a month…}

One of my absolute favorite places for FUN, BRIGHT colored clothes especially for girls is Hanna Andersson

{hint :  search craigslist}

Some of my favorite GIRL findings

{GAP, Old Navy, Gymboree}

Some of my favorite BOY findings

{Gymboree & GAP}

DON’T BE AFRAID

*to be bold, have fun with color

*use props {whatever those may be}

*use accessories

*add on layers

*be open to new, funky, random locations

Another fun idea is doing your family session {or part of it} in super amazing Holiday PJs like these here from Hanna Andersson

{final thoughts}

matching polos are NOT a good idea, even though someone told you they were

trust the professional photographer that you hired to capture these images & enjoy your family

be open to options, ideas & craziness

choose a color palette & pick clothing that coordinates NOT matches exactly

stay away from Dora the Explorer & Spongebob t-shirts

keep your eyes on & off the camera : remember some of the best images can be captured when your not looking

and again :: HAVE FUN!

{heads Up}

please feel free to share, pass on & even comment below.  heck you can even e-mail me with questions on where I found a certain sweater or dress

I sincerely hope that this was helpful & somewhat amusing, if not well too bad.

thanks, peace out & happy holidays

s. {natale}

For the 4^th year in a row we’ll be offering our Fall Portrait Session Days on-location.

This year we’ve decided on two dates :

Saturday September 25^th – Evansville, WI

&

Saturday October 16^th - Beckman Mill, Beloit, WI

With 5 available spots each day.  We offer the session fee at a discounted rate from our regular on-location session fee.

Session Fee
$75
{1/2 of the session fee is due when you RESERVE your spot & the remainder is due the day of the session}

Please plan on arriving 15 minutes prior to your session time to stretch, have a snack, use the restroom etc, so that you can get the most out of our time/session together.

Please contact the studio ASAP to book your spot

608.289.9264

stephanie@natalephotography.com

These events have also been posted on our Facebook for more details & information check those out

Evansville Wi Fall Portrait Day – Facebook – September 25th 2010

Beckman Mill Fall Portrait Day – Facebook - October 16h 2010

Looking forward to seeing old clients & meeting a lot of new ones as well!

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

s. {natale}

Brayton is so fabulous in front of the camera.  He always has a surprise waiting for me around the corner of the lens.  His eyes are crazy awesome.

His parents & I met a few years back at the Rock County Bridal Fair.  They own an amazing stationary store on Madison’s West side, called

The Paper Deli Store

If you haven’t had an opportunity to swing into their store, you have to.  They have fabulous unqiue gifts, cards & also drop dead gorgeous invitations.  So if you are getting married?  You’ve got to check them out.  {wow I’m like a commercial}  No seriously.  They have some great stuff, make sure & swing by the next time your in Madison.

Then even carry these :

HARVEYS Seatbelt Bags

Moving on, oh yes Brayton.

We had a wonderful morning shooting Brayton’s 3 1/2 year session.  They picked me up early a.m. so we could scope out locations together & what sweet clients, there was a Starbucks Latte waiting for me.  {thanks}

Enjoy the Sneak Peek

s. {natale}

Kim & Kevin are expecting a little boy in a few short weeks & recently came into the studio for a maternity session.

I met Kim over 3  years ago.  She was the attending nurse for a birth I photographed at St. Mary’s.  I photographed her & Kevin’s daughters Jasmine & Tia, & was so excited to hear they were expecting baby #3 & it was a sweet little boy!

So excited to meet him @ his newborn session & enjoy your sneak peak!

s. {natale}

I know this shot has been done a million & one times, but I still get many couples who request it.  For some reason it really worked for me this time.  I love how this shot fell together for them!

So notice the band on Kevin’s hand.  On the flip side it says “It’s a boy” & he wears it every day, how CUTE is that?

Here is one of the big sisters :: Jasmine

Big Sister.