Fall is in full swing here in McKinney, Texas, which means we are gearing up for all the traditional things: pumpkin patches, Halloween, outdoor cookouts with warm apple cider, and of course….fall family photo sessions. If you are finding yourself planning your own family’s session, here a few tips to keep in mind to make sure you have the most fun family session you possibly can!

Let Go of Perfection

Let me get this one out of the way upfront. If you are envisioning an entire session of perfectly posed, Vogue-style perfection, you may have come to the wrong place. While I 100% appreciate the beauty and talent that goes into these types of picturesque photo shoots, that’s not really what I offer. Of course, we will get at least one beautifully posed, smile-and-look-at-the-camera shot. I mean, you went through all that effort to select great outfits and wrangle your kids into the car, right? But that’s not where we’re going to stay, because that’s not what life with little kids is like. Over the years, I have found that when parents are worried about keeping their kid’s hair perfect and shoes unscuffed and constantly smiling for the camera, things go downhill fast. Kids pick up on their parent’s tension like a sixth-sense, so if you find yourself tense and snapping, those little guys are going to hand it right back to you. So make sure that you are ready to loosen your grip on controlling everything that will happen, because right when you do, that is when the real magic starts to happen.

Get Ready to Play

This is my number one tip to families of all ages. I don’t care if you are 2, 40 or 80 years old. You are never too old to play and have fun. For families with young kids, this one is a no-brainer. I mean, kids are just made to play, right? If you tell your kid to go off and do something serious, they’ll probably skip the entire way there. Kids just have a way of turning every task into a game. So for one single hour, I ask you to show up and be ready to bring out your inner kid. If you think you might have a hard time being silly in front of a camera, think about things you love to do with your family, times when you can relax and be yourselves. Maybe it involves a game of chess, or sitting around a campfire, or shooting hoops. Guess what…we can incorporate those things! I promise you that if you show up ready to play with your kids, they are going to have the time of their lives. And you will love the images we capture.

Show Off Your Talents

Oh my goodness, this is one that I wish more people would do! Have you ever felt like family sessions start to all look like each other after you see a whole bunch of them? Be willing to break that mold and show off what makes you unique. If you love to play guitar and sing for the kiddos, bring it along! Have a kid that can do the splits or a back flip? Let’s show that off! Do y’all love to go for evening bike rides or all have a thing for skateboarding? Please please please, bring those along!

One of the things I loved most about this particular fun family session was how they incorporated elements from their own story. The mom and dad had met in college at a swing dancing club, so they practiced some of their old moves in front of the camera. And the kids LOVED seeing their mom and dad dancing together.

In case you can’t tell, I love to show off what makes each family unique. So show up and let’s capture the essence of what makes you you!

Pile the Kids On

Okay, this one is a lot of fun if you don’t have any physical issues that prevent you from doing it. Moms, dads, grandparents…get ready to be the bottom of a kid pyramid. We can do this both sitting down or standing up, but it’s always fun to let the kids just pile onto laps, backs, shoulders. The more kids there are, the more fun it gets.

Show Affection

And my final tip for a fun family session…be ready to show affection. At some point during your session, I will typically try to guide you into some close poses where you can be free to hug and kiss. Some kids love to do it in a silly way, getting chased for hugs and kisses and tickles. Others love to sit in Mom and Dad’s lap and are happy to hide from the camera by snuggling into their arms. Whatever your child’s natural inclination may be, lean into that. If they love to snuggle, make sure you stroke their faces, move their hair out of their eyes, put your face close to theirs. If your child is a wild one, make the most out of the moments when you finally catch them, spinning them around and really teasing them with big hugs and kisses.

And of course, it’s important to catch some moments alone with just your significant other. Again, we will play off of your natural ways of interacting with each other. If you love to dance, let’s make sure we get photos of you dancing. If you love snuggling together on the couch, let’s make sure we sit you down and let you lean into each other. If you love to go for walks together alone, let’s make sure to capture that. Again, this is all about photographing what makes you unique.

Ready to schedule your own fun family session this fall? Christina Freeman is a family and child photographer based out of Anna, TX, but serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. If you have loved everything you have seen so far, be sure to check out this details page for an idea of general pricing, and be sure to get in touch to start your own process of booking today!

The post How to Have a Fun Family Session appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

Birthdays. If you are a parent, you know the significance of that one single word. If your kids are anything like mine, they are in full birthday mode at least three months in advance–asking how many days they have left, remembering one more thing they left off their wish-list, changing their birthday theme at least weekly. And for some reason, this excitement can be contagious. It’s fun to watch our kids grow and document just how much they change from year to year, which is why planning a birthday photo session is such a great idea. I understand it can also be a stressor, so today I want to give you 5 simple tips to help make your planning stage a breeze.

Start your planning process early

Okay, I admit, this is a super obvious tip, but for some reason this is one that I struggle with personally. I seem to always be the parent scrambling at the last minute to plan my kids’ birthday festivities, making those frantic phone calls to see what is still available and can be done at the last hour. Learn from my mistakes. If you are planning a birthday photo session for your little one, be sure to start the search for your photographer several months in advance, and ideally try to have it scheduled at least 1-2 months ahead of time. If you are hoping to have a cake smash, this goes for making sure you have your cake designed and ordered well in advance, too, as availability can often be limited, especially on weekends.

Make sure your visions align

One advantage of starting your planning process early is getting a great feel for the type of photographer you want to hire. Each photographer has their own strengths and areas of expertise–by setting aside an hour or two to do some research, you will actually end up saving time in the long run by contacting fewer photographers. Take an afternoon to look through the social media profiles and websites of several photographers in your area–most will keep up-to-date portfolios of the style of work they take on and enjoy doing. Be sure to search for specific terms on google, such as ‘McKinney birthday photo session’ or ‘Anna TX cake smash session’ rather than broad search terms like ‘photographer near me.’ (You can also search relevant local hashtags on Instagram). This helps to weed out photographers who may not specialize in what you are looking for. From there, be sure to get in touch with those photographers who specialize in the same style and settings as what you are hoping for.

Talk to your kids ahead of time

If your kids are old enough, be sure to sit down with them ahead of time and talk about what to expect from the photo session. One thing I have found especially helpful is going through old family albums and showing them photos of parents and grandparents when they were younger. Kids tend to be fascinated by photos of their parents at their own ages, and it can open up great conversations about how much we change from year to year and why we try to document these changes with a photo session. Explain that it’s important to get both serious photos and fun, silly ones that help show what they’re like at this age. And of course, letting them know that they may have a fun surprise or treat waiting for them at the end of the session is always helpful, too :)

Consult your photographer for outfit choices

Even if you already have outfits in mind, it’s always helpful to let your photographer know what you have planned. Not only will this help them envision your session, but many photographers may choose to plan locations based on your outfits or have suggestions for what type of outfits will work best for your setting. Color, fabric and texture all come into play for the final images, and your photographer should be able to help give suggestions as needed. Also, be sure to choose outfits that are both photogenic and kid-friendly. No matter how cute it is, your child will not be cooperative if their outfit is uncomfortable or itchy.

Think about what you want to remember

Finally, be sure to go into your session with the big picture in mind. While we all want to walk away with beautiful, picture-perfect portraits of our children smiling and looking at the camera, these sessions can really be more than just that. Take time to think over the last year of your child’s life: What have been your favorite moments? What new skills have they developed? What little details are you going to miss so much when they get older? Make a list of these bigger-picture ideas and be sure to share them with your photographer ahead of time.

…and finally….

a big thank you to beautiful Maci and her mom for this gorgeous third birthday photo session. I am so happy to say that I have had the pleasure of getting to photograph Maci for each of her birthdays, and she has been just so wonderful to work with from year to year. One of the things I have loved most has been getting to see the way she has grown and changed. This year, one new thing that she was doing was this sweet little upturned smile and slight bite of her lip…SOO cute, and definitely something I wanted to capture for her mom to remember! I love the thought that her mother always puts into each of her sessions, incorporating both family heirlooms (the family rocking chair passed down) and hand-painted details (the number three). This session was such a dream to put together, and I always look forward to photographing this sweet girl from year to year. Thank you so much for another wonderful birthday session!

Christina Freeman is a baby and child photographer based in Anna, TX, serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. If you have loved everything you have seen so far, be sure to check out my details page for an idea of my general pricing, and be sure to get in touch to start the process today!

The post 5 Ways to Prepare for Your Child’s Birthday Photo Session appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

I have to take a second to brag about my husband. He’s such a good sport, he really is. He puts up with me carrying my good camera around to all of our family outings, waits patiently as I lag behind snapping photos, and even handles my sharing of less-than-flattering images with so much grace and dignity. He does great. But if your partner is at all like mine, he’s probably not always thrilled about being in front of the camera, especially for a formal family session. So if you have your session booked and find yourself desperately trying to pump up your significant other about family photos, I’ve got you covered. Here are 3 easy ways to get Dad in front of the camera.

1. Help Him With What to Wear

Okay, so this might seem like an odd tip to start off with, so let me elaborate. Nearly every time I plan an out-of-the-ordinary event with my husband, he’s usually all game until he starts thinking about what he’ll have to wear. The thought of going shopping or wearing tight(ish) pants is like pulling teeth for him. Your partner might be totally into getting dressed up and planning outfits, and if so that’s great! That makes this entire part of it easy and you don’t have to worry. But to be honest, the majority of the guys I photograph definitely give off the ‘please don’t drag me out of the house in something I’ll be uncomfortable in’ vibes, and if that’s your significant other, I’m talking to you.

And I really do mean you.

If you’ve booked a photo session with me, you know that these images are not aimed at capturing perfection. They’re not about getting everyone to pose perfectly for the camera or to tame wild little spirited creatures into perfect submission. This session is about remembering just who your family is at this stage of life and all of the emotions that go with that. So let your partner know that it’s going to be okay for them to be comfortable. Let them know that we’re not going to change their style. We are going to keep it simple and work with what he naturally gravitates towards. If you tell me that your husband doesn’t leave the house without sweat pants, that’s cool…we’ll either go for a super casual in-home session, or we will work hard to at least upgrade to a clean pair of shorts.

If you need additional help planning Dad’s outfit, be sure to check out my inspiration board on Pinterest–if you notice, I tend to keep ideas super neutral and simple. A simple t-shirt and a nice pair of jeans is usually enough. And if you are looking to pick up a few new outfits, here are a few of my favorite stores to shop for basic staples for Dads:

Target
Gap
Zara
J. Crew
Banana Republic

2. Assure him he won’t be humiliated

I think there is definitely a fear with many dads that I as the photographer am out to embarrass them. I see it in their eyes when they arrive. They’re wary. They’re cautious. They’re waiting for me to pose them awkwardly and recreate this image (that’s an amazing picture, btw, and I would be absolutely thrilled to recreate it if anyone’s up for the challenge).

But that’s not what I’m going to do. While I tend to get a few posed and look-at-the-camera shots right at the beginning as everyone’s starting to relax into it, most of the session, it’s completely okay to not look at the camera. In fact, I encourage it. If your significant other is nervous about producing a perfect smile, it’s going to show up and the stress will be what shines through in the images. That’s not what I want. I would much rather let him be himself not looking at me. So let him look at the kids. Let him look at you. The majority of our session is going to be spent following you guys along as you play and interact as a normal family.

Which brings me to one last point on this one. Since I always love to showcase each family’s personality, let’s make sure we are doing things that you would normally do. If you’re not a frolic-in-the-fields kind of family, we don’t have to do that! If your husband isn’t a rough and tumble with the kids kind of guy, let’s figure out what he does love to do and figure out ways to incorporate it. Does he play chess with them? Neat–let’s go set up at an outdoor table downtown and get a game going. Does he build model planes? Let’s clear out a corner of the garage and get a setup happening (garage light is amazing, btw). Does he bond over fishing? Let’s go! If you want to make memories of your family right now, let’s figure out how to capture the true essence of what makes your family uniquely you.

Which leads us to the last tip to get Dad in front of the camera..

3. Make sure you’re having fun, too.

This one’s for you, Mama. I want to assure you of a few things. I know you have invested in a session, so there’s usually a lot of stress that goes on behind the scenes. Getting kids dressed in outfits they may not want to wear (see tip 1). Wrangling them into the car. Dealing with meltdowns. Threatening to take away the planned ice cream trip if they don’t behave. I’m a mom. I get it.

So as a photographer and a fellow mom, let me just assure you. It’s going to be okay. Even if things don’t go as planned. Even if your kid’s outfit rips on the way to the session and you have to stop to get a new one (no sweat–it happens). Even if your kid gets out of the car and does this the entire time. Take a deep breath. It is going to be okay.

Because here’s the thing. No family is perfect, and that’s not what we’re striving for here. It’s not what I seek in my images. I seek to capture memories and stories. Lots of stories. And sometimes little ones are unpredictable. And sometimes they are crazy. And you know what? That just makes more stories that you can look back on and laugh at years from now. So yes, your child may wake up on the wrong side of the bed and hate everything the day of your session. But you’re off the hook because we aren’t expecting them to be perfect. We’re expecting them to be themselves, which is just what they are being.

So allow yourself to take a deep breath and just go with the flow. Try to see the humor in every situation–laugh out loud, even! If you are totally calm and relaxed, chances are the rest of your family (your SO included) will be as well. We moms are magic that way–we totally bestow our moods on the rest of the family instantly. If we are having fun with the session, our chances of being able to get Dad in front of the camera in the future will go up exponentially.

I hope these tips help just a bit as you plan for your session. Everything else aside, it’s such a wonderful thing to have images of your kids with their Dad in them.

Be sure to leave your comments below and get in touch if you are ready to start planning your own session today!

Christina Freeman is an on-location lifestyle photographer based in Anna, TX and serving McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Wylie, Lucas, Celina and other Collin County communities. She seeks to photograph the fun and messy moments that connect us all in our ordinary lives, from the very beginning to the very end. Click the link below if you have loved everything you have seen so far and would love to start a conversation.

The post 3 Ways to Get Dad in Front of the Camera appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

Man, I love spring so much. As soon as January rolls around, you will find me outside studying our yard for any small signs of spring. Lucky for us, Texas does not disappoint when it comes to beautiful scenery–in March, there are the blooms of Bartlett pear trees, followed by the gorgeous yellow flowers that pop up all over the place on the sides of the roads and fields. After that, the wash of color from bluebonnets and Indian paint brushes take over before giving way to buttercups and Crepe Myrtles in May. If you love this time of the year in Texas, it’s a wonderful time to schedule your spring photo session. Here are just 3 simple tips to make sure you get the most out of yours:

Be flexible

Spring in Texas is gorgeous, but definitely unpredictable. If you are wanting an outdoor spring photo session, remaining flexible is absolutely key. If there is a certain location you want (ie. a field of bluebonnets), just know that peak bloom times can be uncertain. This year, bluebonnets bloomed nearly three weeks later than what was expected. The terrain can also change quickly, so an area that is full of yellow blooms one week may look completely different the next. Keep your options open and you will be much more likely to be happy with your results. Which leads us to tip number two…

Embrace the elements

As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change. I know we all hope for perfect weather the day of our sessions, but unfortunately, that is certainly not a guarantee here in Texas. If the weather on the day of your photo session rolls around and is less than ideal, don’t throw in the towel just yet. Cloudy days create beautiful soft, even lighting that will make skin glow in images. Wind can create gorgeous emotion through the movement of clothing and hair. Rain can present opportunities to capture reflections as well as incorporating fun elements such as umbrellas, rain coats and boots. Obviously, we will reschedule sessions if the weather is unsafe or unsuitable for the terrain, but otherwise consider giving the elements a chance. You might just love the results!

Be prepared

This last tip is my least favorite part of holding outdoor sessions in the spring and summer. As beautiful as Texas scenery may be, it does present an array of potentially unpleasant things, and it is always best to be prepared. As soon as the weather starts warming up, please make sure your feet and ankles are sprayed thoroughly with bug spray prior to your session to avoid any run-ins with chiggers or other critters. I always advise my clients to thoroughly wash their feet and legs after a session just in case, and do a once-over to make sure there are no ticks. Please also talk to your children prior to our session about the importance of being aware of where their feet and hands are at all times. I will always stomp around an area in search of snakes prior to sessions (I haven’t seen one yet!), but it’s always best to stay out of areas if you cannot see the ground you are about to step on.

So there you have it! I hope these tips will help just a bit as your prepare for your spring photo session! If you still need to schedule yours, there is still time. Please make sure to contact me to start planning yours today!

A few more helpful links:

Check out my pinterest board for ideas on what to wear

See this blog post for ideas on what colors work beautifully in the spring

Christina Freeman is a McKinney family photographer based in Anna, TX. She specializes in photographing families, newborns and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs.

The post 3 Tips for a Great Spring Photo Session appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

Welcome to Week 2 in my What to Wear series! This week, we will be diving into the ins and outs of color palettes and how to create them from scratch. If you missed last week’s overview, I recommend hopping over and checking that out here. If you’re good and caught up, let’s go ahead and get started!

When I was first starting off in my photography journey, I never gave color much thought. Actually, I never gave my clients’ wardrobes much thought, period. I simply would show up to the session, cross my fingers that my clients had better taste in clothing than I did, and go from there. Looking through my portfolio, I never could figure out why some sessions naturally seemed to look better on film than others, or why certain ones seemed to fall short of creating the mood I had been going for. Some families looked cohesive and well put together, and other ones…didn’t. I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing; I just knew that something wasn’t there.

The more I studied, the more I learned the importance that color can play in a photography session. Color can help trigger very particular moods and associations. Don’t believe me? Let’s try it. What emotions do you typically associate with the color red? Love? Sexiness?  What about black? Did you think power? Mysteriousness? Formality? And finally, how about the color yellow? Happiness? Friendliness? Laying it out like this, it may seem obvious, but the colors you select help convey the message you want to portray.

Finding Your Best Colors

While certain colors may be universal in conveying particular moods, not all tones are flattering to an individuals’ skin, hair or eye color. If you have ever had trouble finding colors that flatter you individually, I recommend trying a few of the following techniques (taken from David Zyla’s approach, “Color Your Style.” You can read more here).

To find your most flattering version of white, inspect the palm of your hand and choose the color that best harmonizes those tones
To find your most flattering version of red, check for the darkest tone present when you pinch the tip of your finger; also the color present in your cheeks when you blush or are flushed
To find your most flattering pop of bright color, inspect the tones in the veins of your wrist
To find your most flattering version of black, inspect the color of the dark ring around the iris of your eye
To find your most flattering version of brown, select the darkest tone found in your natural hair color
To find your most flattering version of khaki, select the lightest tone found in the highlights of your natural hair color

The following is a chart that I made from my own personal colors–The funny thing that I found by putting this together is that many of these colors are ones that I have always been naturally drawn to.

Once you have found your own flattering tones, you can start to put together your own personal palette for particular events (ie. your best formal color for a corporate headshot, or your best pop of color to convey a sense of playfulness). One last note on this topic: I have personally found that once I discovered my best shades, complimentary tones that hold many of the same characteristics have been equally flattering on me.

Developing a Color Palette For Your Family

Creating color palettes is one of my favorite approaches to selecting the perfect outfits for your family. To create a palette, select anywhere from 6-12 shades that work well together and reflect the style and mood you are going for.

Main Colors: I always recommend starting by deciding what your 2-3 main shades of color will be. These colors should always signify the concept you are going for. For example, if a high school senior wants a boho session inspired by the 1970s, I would recommend selecting shades of dark orange or mustard yellow to begin with. If an expecting momma wants a peaceful, serene feel to her photo shoot, I would recommend selecting light shades of blues, purples or pinks with gray undertones. The possibilities are endless–the important thing is selecting the perfect foundational colors that will convey the message you want to portray in your images, but are also tones that you feel confident wearing.

Accent Colors: These are tones included that will help add variety to your outfit without taking over. I always recommend selecting between 2-4 accent colors that can be included in accessories, smaller articles of clothing (like sweaters) or in small prints on the clothing.

Neutral Colors: These colors help support and balance out the other shades. Choose these tones last, as it often helps to see your overall palette first to know whether to include warm or cool neutrals. These are great filler pieces that round out the overall look. Please note that generally all shades of denim tend to act as a neutral, although certain shades can really come out as a strong blue on camera. In these instances, be sure to include the denim as a color rather than a neutral.

The following are just a few random sample palettes I put together. Please note that while I included lots of color options within each palette, I would not feel obligated to utilize every single color. These are mostly used as as starting point for inspiration, and are especially useful to draw from for extended family sessions:

Putting it All Together

Once you have selected your favorite color palette to work with, the fun begins. Many clients will use this opportunity to go shopping for the perfect outfits, although we can nearly always find things that are already in your wardrobe that will work. Keeping your color palette in mind, start by selecting your main pieces. For family wardrobes, I typically will start with the mother’s outfit. One of my favorite techniques is finding a beautiful dress for Mom to wear–this achieves several things: the style of dress can set the mood, lay a strong foundation of color to build off of, and provide an anchor for the other outfits to balance off of. However, if the mother would prefer to wear a blouse, I make sure to select a top in one of the main colors, and usually balance it out with a neutral on bottom. If she is wearing a dark top, I make sure to pair it with a light neutral; if it’s a light top, I will tend to stick with mid to darker neutral.

Next, I like to style Dad’s outfit. Most dads feel comfortable wearing button down shirts or nice t-shirts, so typically those are my go to’s. These shirts are easy to find in solid colors, so I will often choose a top in another main color, paired with a pair of neutral pants or shorts. As I am formulating these outfits, I always try to keep balance in mind. I always avoid having a solid block of similar tones on either the top or bottom. If the mother is wearing dark on bottom, I will be sure to break up that line of dark tones by placing dad in a lighter color of pants. The same holds true for tops. I am always looking for ways to provide balance to the overall image, to keep the viewer’s eye wandering around the entire photograph for as long as possible.

Finally, I balance out the look by choosing the children’s outfits. If the kids are small, I love to incorporate light patterns into their clothing. Discreet stripes and floral patterns are beautiful on small pieces of clothing, and it’s a nice way to incorporate pops of accent colors without going overboard. It’s also nice to incorporate cute onesies in soft neutrals to balance out some of the main colors. The same rules apply to selecting children’s outfits: always seek balance with the established outfits and colors.

A Few Last Things to Consider

One last tip from a photographer’s perspective: please note that if you are wearing a bold color close to your face, especially one in the neon family, these shades have a tendency of reflecting back up onto your skin and causing a color cast. Just know that when you wear some of these colors, it may add additional time to when you receive your images, as I will be busy editing those out, haha!

And that’s it for colors! I hope this has given you a little food for thought when selecting your outfits. For further reading on this topic, I recommend checking out David Zyla’s Book “Color Your Style.” Also, if you would like inspiration for sample color palettes, I have created a board with some of my own personal favorites here, or check out some of these pretty compilations to fit a wide variety of moods! Join me next week as we dive into the next round of this series!

The post McKinney Family Photographer | What to Wear Series: Color appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

When planning a session with clients, I always ask if there is anything they are feeling nervous or unconfident about. 9 times out of 10, I will hear something along the following lines: “I really would love to have some help planning our wardrobes. I am so lost when it comes to this sort of thing.” Let me say right off the bat, I am NOT a trendy person. This is a topic I have struggled with myself. When I started photographing families, I found I actually had to study the art of what to wear.

(Side tangent: My parents always dressed me in those floral dresses from the late 80s/early 90s with the huge puffed sleeves and big square collars. By fourth grade, I was slowly becoming aware that those were decidedly NOT cool to wear anymore. While the cool kids were wearing baja hoodies or neon Umbro shorts, I was still in my big dresses and lacy socks. Finally I begged my mom to get me a ‘cooler’ shirt from Wal-Mart. It was a bright blue hoodie shirt with graphic shapes doodled all over it. I can still remember Stephanie B. shouting, “Hey look! Christina finally got some cool clothes!” as I walked into my classroom the first day of school. Apparently that moment was seared into my brain for all of eternity, as I am still thinking about it as I write this blog about what to wear–ha!)

I have poured a ton of trial and error into this topic over the past few years, and here are the three main questions that I want you as my clients to ask yourselves as you plan out your family’s wardrobe for your session:

Do your outfits:

A. match the location we will be shooting at?
B. match your personalities?
C. help tell your personal story?

If any of these elements are off, the entire session will feel inauthentic. If we are shooting in an open field, there’s nothing worse than worrying about scuffing the leather on expensive shoes. Or if you have wild kiddos, stuffing them into itchy wool pants and bowties will just be asking for trouble. I want you to walk away feeling great about your session. I don’t want the memories that you make be stressful ones because your family felt uncomfortable with their outfits.

That being said, what you wear IS important. It helps set the mood for your session and can make or break the overall cohesiveness within your images. This is where I come in. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be diving deep into the topic of what to wear. We will start with the topic of choosing a color palette for yourself and your family. We will look into different colors and which ones tend to photograph the best. After that, we will delve deeper into choosing outfits: what fabrics, patterns and textures photograph well, considerations to make for each season, finding balance amongst the different outfits. And finally, we will take a look into dressing for special sessions.

And as a final note, I want you to always ask if you have any questions or uncertainties. As we plan your session together, I want you to feel confident every step of the way. If you feel unsure, just ask–that’s what I’m here for.

I’m excited to delve into this topic a little deeper with you in the weeks ahead. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for email updates at the bottom of my homepage. I look forward to joining you in the weeks ahead as we discuss more on the topic of what to wear!

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Christina Freeman is a McKinney family photographer and serves Collin County communities including Anna, Melissa, Van Alstyne, Celina, Plano, Frisco, Little Elm, Wylie, Lucas and the greater DFW area.

The post McKinney Family Photographer | What to Wear Series : An Overview appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.

I don’t know about you, but the slightly elevated temperatures around the North Shore area lately have put me into a frenzy. I have been busy rotating my closet in anticipation, putting away my heavy sweaters and replacing them (maybe a bit preemptively) with lighter shirts and dresses. Instead of blacks and navys, now my closet is starting to hint that warmer weather is just around the corner with creamy pastels and little bits of lace popping up here and there.

All this spring cleaning has also got the wheels in my head turning as I plan upcoming photo shoots. I am so excited at the prospect of getting back into it after my maternity leave, and I can’t wait to get some sessions going outdoors again. If you are planning your photo shoot and are looking for a few ideas for what to wear, here are some of my favorite colors for clients to wear.

I feel that wearing neutral tones not only places the emphasis on your beautiful face, but will also help achieve a timeless look in your photographs so that you can be proud of them for years to come. The great news is that these colors are super easy to find in stores right now, and the heavy emphasis on pastels with subtle gray and neutral undertones means that they coordinate well with each other. If you are taking family portraits, my advice is to mostly plan your around the neutral tones, then throw in pops of these color here and there. Top it off with a few hints of accents (silver, gold or both work as they are both neutral and eye-catching) and interesting textures (lightweight knits and laces work great in spring), and you are on your way to having a look that will be sure to photograph well.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions or want a little advice during the planning process. I can’t emphasize enough that what you wear really can make or break the feel of a photograph. We want the emphasis to be on you and your beautiful family, and we want the outfits you choose to compliment and not take away from that focus. Happy planning!

Christina Freeman is a McKinney family photographer based in Anna, TX. She specializes in photographing families, newborns and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs.

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I can very vividly remember the anticipation of school picture day, and the mild sense of panic that always seemed to accompany it. Some kids seemed to have gotten it down; somehow they always managed to put together the coolest looking outfits, their hair was perfect, and the photographer managed to capture them looking their very best. Alas, I never was one of those kids.

Sometimes when I talk to clients I get the feeling that they have the same sense of taking a shot in the dark when it comes to planning for upcoming photo shoots. I certainly can relate; outfit planning and posing myself for pictures has never been one of my fortes. Let me try to ease a bit of concern, though, by laying out a few things to consider when planning for your photo shoot.

1. Don’t worry about looking perfect for the pictures. I said it. Obviously, you want to feel presentable and confident, but it’s not your job to be picture perfect. That would be my job-the photographer’s. The reason you hire me is to make you look good in these pictures; otherwise, I would be unnecessary. So it’s my problem to worry about lighting, poses, flyaway hairs, awkward hands and closed eyes. If you receive your pictures and don’t feel good about them, that would be on me. So that should be one thing off your shoulders. I say all this because I have been on photo shoots where parents can’t stop worrying about how they and their children look. Sometimes, I can be in the midst of capturing a kid in their element, but miss the shot as Mom rushes in to fix a hair that is out of place. There’s certainly a time and place to look completely put together, but there is something even more beautiful about capturing your family being yourselves. If you look through my pictures, you’ll notice that I take a lot of candid shots. Expect a large part of your session to be spent playing. If that’s not what you are looking for, consider hiring a strictly studio photographer. However, if you have ideas for certain shots you want to get, definitely let me know! I love hearing client’s ideas and visions for the photo shoot, but preferably through correspondence prior to your actual photo shoot. If we brainstorm before, it will take another thing off your shoulders and give you more of a sense of being prepared.

2. Planning a location: There is a reason I love to push to try to get clients to schedule fall photo sessions. It is such a great time of year! I love that first crisp Autumn day when there is a slight chill in the air, but is not yet too cold. It takes me back to days of football and concession stands, Homecoming mums and cowbells (you might only get that reference if you’re from Texas), hot chocolate and frito pies. Autumn to me brings a sense of comfort; warm sweaters, chunky knits, leaves of warm and vibrant shades. This is the essence I hope to evoke in photo shoots this time of year. When choosing a location, look for places that show off this season’s strong imagery. For example, I know of a few disc golf courses in the area that have gorgeous trails where the trees and colors are absolutely beautiful. Things to be on the lookout for include: lots of traditional fall colors, golden grasses, last bits of wildflowers, hay bales, pumpkins, barns or trails, etc. I also love to take pictures at places where families love hanging out; parks are great for catching kids being themselves, petting zoos, bike trails, etc. If your family loves a place, there’s a great chance we’re going to get some natural and great shots, as well. Sometimes, simplicity works great, too. My last photo shoot was shot in the family’s backyard, right in their comfort zone. And the picture at the top was taken under a tree right outside our local library; it was the only colorful tree we could find in the immediate area that day, but it still worked great. Basically, moral of the story: brainstorm what images you hope to evoke, and plan out 2 or 3 possibilities. Sometimes weather and life just don’t work in our favor on the day of the shoot, so having backup locations is always a good idea.

2. Planning a time: If you’ve ever hired a photographer who shoots outdoors before, you’ve probably already heard it. There is a magical hour that exists for photographers about an just before sunset. If the sun is out, it casts a gorgeous golden light and is just perfect for portrait photography. Usually, I try to schedule for this hour if we are doing outdoor shoots. It really is best on sunny days; cloudy days leave it open where anytime will work. I understand that flexibility is not always an option, especially if you have small children where naps and bedtimes come into play. I will certainly do my best to be flexible, but I highly recommend trying to reserve the hour or two before sunset if possible. The bonus of scheduling fall sessions is this hour does not fall too late in the day this time of year!

3. Planning your outfits : I’ve addressed portions of this topic in similar posts, so if you haven’t already checked out my general guidelines for planning a family shoot, take a look on my family pricing page. Now to talk the specifics of autumn. First of all, make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Temperatures at this time of year can be unpredictable at best. If it’s a chilly day, make sure you wear the layers necessary to keep you warm for an hour or two outdoors. Bundling up in the Chicago area does not always evoke images of beautiful outfits, so here are a few suggestions.

Start with your base layer (the layer above long underwear, if you’re wearing it :-). This can be your typical outfit: jeans, long sleeve t-shirt or sweaters. This is the layer where you want to coordinate the dark/light, patterns/neutrals, complimentary colors that I’ve talked about in some of my other posts. By itself, this layer can be pretty boring. So we add a second layer. This consists of cardigans, sweater vests for guys, etc. You still want that first layer to be visible; this just adds a bit of warmth and interest. Finally, the third layer is piled on. This is where you can think about adding complimentary scarves, hats, gloves, boots, open jackets…whatever appeals to you and is appropriate with the weather. I do a lot of snooping around the internet for ideas on putting together family outfits, and I notice that the ones that seem the coziest and hold the most interest seem to follow this pattern of 3 layered outfits. To go along with the autumn theme, think chunky knits and warm tones as well.

I hope this guide helps to get your creativity juices flowing. These are not always the most natural things to consider, but a little bit of planning can go a long way to making a polished finished product. For some additional ideas, please check out my pinterest page (link at the top of the page); I have compiled some What to Wear boards that might be of some help. Finally, check out design-seeds.com for ideas on nice color combos that will hopefully work with colors you already have in your wardrobes. As always, if you ever need help planning, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Christina Freeman Photography specializes in family, newborn, children and maternity portraits in Glenview, IL and surrounding areas including Evanston, Wilmette, Northbrook, Des Plaines, Lake Forest, Winnetka, Lake Bluff, Highland Park, Skokie, Northfield and other North Shore Chicago suburbs.

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