Dragonfly by Design Photography: Blog

Fall Photo Sessions! Colors and Outfits.

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:38:08 GMT

Fall Is My Favorite Color!

Weather it be Burnt Orange, Forest Green, Midnight Blue, Deep Maroon, or Rusty Red....This is such a gorgeous season! This is also my busiest time of year! Everyone is looking to get holiday photos done before it is too late to send out the greeting cards. Don't let the hustle and bustle keep you from getting the perfect look for your next session. Here are a few ways to make your pictures POP! (photos provided by Pinterest) View my board to see all ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/invu333/fall-outfits-for-photo-inspiration/

Book a Session with me: https://www.facebook.com/DBDphoto333/

Blend in with your Scenery: If you have chosen to get your portraits done with a snowy forest as the backdrop, Greens, Blues and Maroons will tie in perfectly. For those who have a bright fall colored meadow as a backdrop...think mustard yellow, burnt orange, and brick reds.

Pick 2 Accent Colors: Now that you got to look at the awesomeness that is fall colors, pick two and go nuts! whether it be gold and denim, plum and navy or green and orange....use these colors to accent your look.

Textures: Step outside your comfort zone and show off some texture! Sweaters are a great way to incorporate texture! Also, leggings, corduroy pants, leather jacket or boots, vests, ruffled skirt, and tasseled scarves can be great for textures!

Complete your look with Accessories: Now that you have an idea of what to wear....lets dress up your look with some accessories! Pick a couple cute pieces of jewelry, fun scarf, a watch, and maybe a cute hat or beanie!

Women: We have it pretty easy! We can put on a necklace and scarf and call it good. Here are some other ways to step up your photos with accessories:

MEN: So many times I have seen it where the Woman is dressed up with all the accessories, and the men has not one. It's not their fault, its pretty hard to imagine a man with accessories. For Men, it is simple....A watch can go a long way, and maybe nice belt with buckle. Don't forget the shoes and socks! Nice leather shoes can really make a statement, but the socks are where its at! Here are a few ideas for accessorizing your man:

Hair and Makeup: You don't have to go out of your way to get all dolled up, but a little color goes along way. Add a deep red to that pout or some shimmer to your lids to make everyone say "wow" when they see your portraits. OH....AND CLIP YOUR NAILS! This goes for all members of the family. Nails seem to get forgotten, but they are very noticeable in photos when unkempt.

NOW HAVE SOME FUN!

You get the idea, now get out there and have fun picking out the perfect outfit and style!

1. Pick your 2 accent colors.

2. Texturize

3. Accessories

4. Beautify

It is so easy, and you will be so happy you did when you see your photos!

Here is Your Checklist

And HERE ARE A FEW MORE GREAT IDEAS FOR INSPIRATION!... Thank You And Have A Great Day!

Kids: Its all about Bribery!

Sat, 20 Aug 2016 01:19:49 GMT

I have had so many families ask me if there are any tips or trick I do to get the kids to look at the camera, or behave during the session. I actually have little to do with it, though I find being fun very helpful. There are soooo many little things that help with keeping kids delightful and stress free on camera. Here is a list of things that I have seen or used myself to coax littles to smile:

Always Bring Bribery!: MM's, Skittles, Money, Ice Cream afterwards..... This is the #1 best way to keep kids smiling! I try and have MM's or Skittles fun sized candies on me to make sure there is some type of reward if the parents forget. "I will give you a quarter for every minute you take nice pictures!" lol I love that one! "If you keep smiling I will get you a double dipped cone!" YUM! These are all great examples of Bribery, but make sure you follow through. Kids are very smart, and will catch on if they think you aren't good for it. :)
Make A fool Of Yourself: Kids love being....Kids! And if they see mom and dad acting goofy and laughing, they will want to join in! I love on camera tickle fights! The crazier the better. Those smiles are real and you will get a great moment every time. Another great way to get real smiles is to do a staring contest. I love this because you get the before photo of "mom and son" staring intently at each other, then the next photo is of them both cracking up! Make sure to make silly faces to try and make them blink.
TURN UP THE VOLUME!: Lets have a dance party! If you have Spotify or Pandora on your phone, load a few of your little's favorite dance songs and we will play throughout the session to get them groovin'. If you don't have a phone with this capability, let me know before hand and I will make a playlist! :) This also works with adults, put some random classic dance songs on there to make sure I get you bustin' a move!
Look Over Here!: This one can get confusing to a child. I am asking the baby/kid to look at me, then the parent is saying the same thing in a different direction. The easiest way to get your little to look at me and smile, this may seem strange, is to play peekaboo behind my back. Crouch down behind me and jump up with a loud "peek a boo!" Gets them every time! Animal sounds are great too, just remember to stand behind me, not to the side. Have fun with it, they will react to you laughing and making a game out of it!
Snuggle Time: My son really likes this one. It isn't so much to get a laugh or smile, but to get an emotion. Take your little and hold them close. Look into there eyes with your foreheads together, kiss their cheeks, place their hands on your face. Not every kid wants to smile for the camera, lets face it....I am a total stranger to them. So, lets get those little moments that are so special and make sure they are stilled in time. These are always my most favorite with me and my son. They may be more candid, but I remember them so clearly and it always warms my heart.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS: I will get all the crying photos you need so you can show them on their 18 birthday, or put into their graduation year book. LOL! Sometimes crying can be comical, in hindsight.

What to wear? A few tips of on camera fashion.

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 05:21:43 GMT

Many of you have probably ran into the same issue the day before your family portrait...."WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?" Here are a few guidelines that I have found useful for families. A little list of...Do's and Don'ts.

Here are the DO'S:

Do Plan Ahead: Once you book your session, start thinking of the clothes right away. You may think certain clothes will fit your kids or that one dress is clean. If you wait until the day of or day before you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting, being dirty or need to be dry cleaned. You can also make it a fun day out with the family by going clothes shopping and getting the perfect look!
Do Color Coordinate: Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Instead, pick a couple of colors and choose clothes that will fit in this color scheme. Also, coordinate with your home scheme. Make sure you are wearing colors you won't mind hanging on the wall.
Do Accessorize: Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Have the man wear a tie for the woman to hold. Necklaces for the kids to play with or hats to hide behind. Chunky jewelry is also fun because it looks great on camera! Go bold, Get creative!
Do Texturize: I know we all love a classic plain T, but why not add a little more dimension to your look? Choose a scarf or belt to add a little more detail to your image. Remember, textures are your friend.
Do Consider Your Background: If you have planned on getting your portrait done in an area that has a mostly green backdrop, throw that lovely green top into the "Not to wear" pile. Instead, consider a rust orange, navy blue, or soft yellow to compliment the scene.
Do Think Classic: These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosing simple, classic clothes you will help give your images a timeless feel. A blouse, skirt and heels is a great classic look. For men, a simple button down shirt and tie with jeans and boots. The sky is the limit!

And the Don'ts:

Don't Show Too Much Skin: Now I know there are certain sessions that ask for the opposite, such as boudoir. But in this case, lets keep it classy. Too much skin will distract the eye from the face. Put the cute mini skirt down, and maybe go with a nice mid-length skirt. Instead of a spaghetti strap shirt, try a nice T, or blouse. This goes for shoes as well. I know flip flops are the ultimate summer shoe, but they are not so cute on camera. Boots, strappy heels, and pumps are great for portraits.
Don't Wear Distractions: Clashing colors can significantly detract from the beauty of your portrait, and other tones can make family members appear washed-out or cause people to blend into the background. Take some time to think about the best colors to wear, given the setting, family member's coloration, and the area in your home where you'll display the images. Try to avoid wearing: Stripes, Polka dots, Plaids, Checks, Paisley, Graphic designs, or Company logos
Don't Stress: No matter what you choose to wear for your family portrait, make sure everyone feels comfortable and relaxed in their clothes. This will lead to beautiful smiles and natural poses, and you'll end up with a gorgeous family photo you'll love displaying for many years to come.

These simple Do's and Don'ts will help you get that perfect photo to be displayed on the wall for all to see! Remember, this is only a guideline. Feel free to express yourself, don't be shy! I want your personality to shine through, for that is what makes a great photo!

Have a great night all! See you soon!