A PSA to parents wanting that "perfect" family portrait,

I get it.

Although there is no substitute for hunger or missed naps... kids are generally quite easy to photograph. It all comes down to one thing... they want to be entertained. I like to be entertained too... so I get it.

My typical process with photographing kids individually is to let them express what type of photos they want. So first I say "Where do you want to take *your* photo"? Then suddenly... it's their idea that their picture is being taken!

I let them take a few silly poses first, and then I show them the back of my camera- and we laugh. Then generally they're excited to take more.

When they're extra un-interested I let them take photos of their parents with my camera. Kids love to take photos, and love to look at photos of themselves! This one is basically always a hit, as is taking a "superman" photo where it looks like they are flying ( They're jumping )

My last ditch efforts usually consist of hitting myself over the head with something, fruit snacks, smarties and in desperation playing a youtube video next to the lens. 😅

In my experience... bribery, doesn't work. Ice cream? Nope, not unless it's right now. Threats? Nope, gets teary eyes and fake smiles.

So you can try to do bribery- but if you want to threaten your kids into having a good smile.... You're not going to get it. I promise.

It's all about making it fun- for parents too. We all want to feel understood, and our ideas respected.

So relaaaax. Let's have some fun and

❤️ Let them be little ❤️

The story behind the fruit bouquet….

Instagram is funny, you can feel like you are friends with someone even if you’ve never met them… I follow an incredibly talented baker. One day she posted that her husband had unexpectedly fallen extremely ill… long story short, he had a brain tumor. He is doing well currently, but is going to be re-learning how to walk and talk over the next few months…she was 9 months pregnant with a rainbow baby when all this went down. STRESSFUL and SO scary.

A family friend of hers started a silent auction to raise money for medical expenses. I immediately offered a bridal session.

Then comes in this beautiful person… Shelli, the highest bidder!

I’m really happy I got to work with Shelli, albeit the horrible circumstances leading to our meeting.

The stars re-aligned.

Husband is doing well… we were reminded of how important and wonderful our community can be, I met a wonderful couple, added a new venue to my list, got some of my favorite ring shots of all time, and helped out a friend in the process.

I have donated a couple sessions before to animal shelters- but this one especially made me grateful that I had something I could offer, too.

My philosophy has always been, if you have you should give.

If you don’t have money, give time, if you don’t have time or money, give love and prayers.

So why does Shelli have peaches in her bouquet, (other than the obvious fact that it is SO pretty, and unique)?

Shelli told me that every full moon has a name- typically according to the harvest that month. This month’s full moon was the “fruit moon”. Their wedding day fell right on the full moon, so they decided their wedding decor would involve a “bunch” of fruit arrangements. Get it… a “bunch” of fruit? ha ha. . .