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}

I recently flew to Michigan for the day to photograph a fabulous family before they take off on their next adventure : Japan.

I met Beth & Andrew a few years ago when I started photographing their then newborn : Ruby.  They lived in Madison @ the time & we had the opportunity to photograph at their home as well as at the state capital for a super fun Christmas session.

A lot has happened for this cute family between then & now.  Janna & Gwyn arrived last August while they were temporarily living in Denmark & you may remember a BLOG post earlier this year from when I traveled to MI to photograph the Robinson clan while they were home visiting for the holidays.

Click here to see that session.

It has been my pleasure to work with you guys & watch the girls grow up & get more beautiful every time I see them!

Safe travels to Japan & looking forward to next time!

s. {natale}

——————-

Miss Janna {1 year}

Miss Gwyn {1 year}

Daddy & his girls

Happy FIRST Birthday Janna & Gwyn

Miss Ruby is so proud of her little sisters.

The next two images just melt my heart.

Janna & her cupcake

Gwyn & her cupcake

Janna & Gwyn, finishing up their yummy cupcakes – glad we saved this until the end of the session!

Teja turns 16!!

Recently I had the opportunity to photography Teja’s 16th birthday in Madison, Wisconsin.  It was at the Eagle Heights Community Center

It was a wonderful party, full of great friends, family & outstanding food.   I just absolutely love photographing families that are so friendly, outgoing & fun!

I was able to take Teja aside & do some shots of just her & also her family.  Thanks for having me, it was great getting to meet you all!

s.N

The proud Mom.

The Family

Enjoy the Sneak Peak

{S. Natale}

I absolutely LOVE photographing first birthdays.  It is such a milestone for that little person & mommy & daddy.
I especially love photographing first birthdays when I’ve had the opportunity to photograph their newborn sessions, it is always a blast to see the changes from day 1 to day 365+.  Mommy & Daddy {a.k.a Sarah & Matt} have been clients for sometime now, I photographed their wedding & enjoy seeing them every time they are back in town.     We had a great session & combined both outdoor & indoor locations.  Sterling was a bit under the weather but he managed to be a trooper.

Meet Sterling & his friend “Sherman”

We used this same cowboy hat during his newborn session last July only his whole body fit in there

Sterling was not thee biggest fan of the cake, {Sarah you did a great job, the cake looked wonderful} but he entertained us nonetheless.

Enjoy your sneak peak

{S. Natale}

Reese with her adorable smile & crazy silly pig-tails made for an excellent model for her 1-year session.

I’ve been working with her older brother & mommy & daddy for quite a few years now & am always amazed @ how much she changes every time I see her.  She is so cute & bubbly, just like her brother was when I photographed him @ age 1.

We managed to sneak in a few family shots too.

Who would have thought, that Janesville’s Dog park would make a good location for a outdoor session.  We even made it out of there unscathed – if you know what I mean

Enjoy the Sneak Peak

{S. Natale}

…and just for fun.  One of Olin @ his 1-year session

When Liam came into the studio with all of his wonderful “accessories” that mama had recently purchased from etsy I was so excited.  I have had the privilege  of photographing his older sister Anika for the past year & a half & event though mr. Liam & I have met before this was his first session all to himself!

I think he did quite well & I look forward to seeing him grow over the next several months!  His cheeks are just TOO much!

Enjoy the sneak peak

~sN

Could he BE ANY cuter?  {In my best Chandler Bing voice…}

Yikes, this kid is A-dorable.  I had so so much fun photographing him & a big THANK-you to momma for some super fabulous props that she purchased from several different Etsy stores.  Etsy will get you in trouble, for sure.  Some pretty darn cute things…

I photographed Grayson when he was just a few days old back in January & it was a pleasure to see him again, only this time with big huge chubby cheeks, beautiful bright eyes & a smile that is just too much.

I. Love. My. Job. & am so thankful for such amazing clients!

Enjoy the Sneak Peak!

{S. Natale}

I had the pleasure of photographing Amanda {mama to be} & her wonderful family.  I can’t wait to meet your new bundle of joy!  Enjoy the last few weeks of your pregnancy!

You two were so adorable!!

Amanda & her sweet little guy Wyatt

Enjoy the Sneak Peaks Carl & Amanda!  Have a great weekend!

{S. Natale}

I met Chris & Kirsten @ Miller Park for the first part of our engagement session & we had beautiful Wisconsin Spring weather to photograph in!

We had a very special guest with us : Kaden.  Chris & Kirsten’s son.  He was ADORABLE.  With all capital letters.  My gosh he was so good as we toured the city of Milwaukee & stopped every 5 minutes for a shot.  Not to mention his beautiful smile.  Thanks Kaden for hanging with us & not complaining!  Hope Mom & Dad took you to a great place for dinner!

We started off inside the stadium for a few…

Then headed to the 3rd Ward

C & K you are so adorable!  I can’t wait to photograph your wedding this October!!

Kaden you are SO cute I just want to squeeze your little cheeks off

Enjoy the sneak peaks!

{S. Natale}