Here are my friends' family photos at Wellesley College. They're a good looking family, including the dog!
Back in October I took some photos for fashion blogger Mayara of Mayliving. We spent a few hours at Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA and I fell in love with the architecture and beautiful grounds. I've lived near Boston my whole life, I can't believe I've never made it to the college! Now it's one of my favorite shooting and walking sites, it's almost as good as being in Newport (almost).
I also discovered that I love shooting lifestyle fashion photos and I'm excited to work with a few Boston blogger's this year!
Check out Mayara's photos below and be sure to leave her some love on her blog.
Looking for some books to start 2017 on the right foot? Here are 4 books to read at the beginning of the year to inspire you to have your best and most intentional year yet!
Hands down one of my favorite books, Big Magic spoke to me on so many levels. Liz Gilbert argues that we shouldn't suffer at the hands of our creative talents but rather participate in them joyfully. One of my big takeaways was that you don't have to show the world everything you create. She also argues that we are ALL creatives and that creativity is not reserved for special people. I love Liz Gilbert and her writing style is warm and friendly!
Written by the creator of Grey's Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes chronicles her year of saying yes to everything, especially the things that scare her. Saying yes and confronting fears led to a truly transformative year. Her writing style is funny and distinctive, this was a truly enjoyable read.
Goal setter extraordinaire Lara Casey writes about living life on purpose and taking control of how you spend your time and energy. She is focused on intentional goals that help people uncover what matters most in their lives. She is also the creator of Powersheets, a work book style goal setting system. They are currently sold out but you can pre-order them here.
Ever wonder how some people manage to accomplish so much more in a week than you do? We all have the same amount of time in a week and author Laura Vanderkam challenges you to think differently about the amount of time you have and how you set priorities. The things we fill our days with should be deserving of our time.
Comment with your favorite books down below, I'm always looking for a good read!
I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet little family at Cushing Park in Framingham. Little Zoey was so giggly and happy. It was clear to see the joy they shared just by being together.
Family photo season is finally here! The seasons are changing, beautiful foliage abounds and Christmas is right around the corner. Now is the time to start thinking about scheduling a photo shoot if you want images for your Christmas cards.
If the thought of coordinating your whole family in stylish outfits and getting your kids to smile for the camera strikes fear in your heart you're not alone. Children are notoriously unpredictable (perhaps you've noticed?) and short of praying or doing a rain dance there's not much you can do to guarantee your child will be in a happy mood for photo day. However, there are some things you can do in advance that will ensure everyone is prepared. I've compiled a list of my top tips for a smooth family photo session:
1. Bring snacks. A fed child is a happy child. I try to have some snacks (bribes) on hand but if your child is picky or has allergies it's always a good idea to bring your own.
2. Naps: Schedule your session for your children's "happy" time of day. If they're usually cheerful in the morning try and schedule your session at that time. If they have epic meltdowns right before dinner they probably won't do well with an evening shoot.
3. Clothing: Probably the biggest source of stress besides children's behavior. If you're not a fashionista it can be hard to pick out coordinating outfits for everyone. A general rule of thumb is to pick 2-3 colors and stick within that palate. Neutrals count as colors too. My favorite colors for fall are Tan, brown, taupe, cream, grey, maroon, yellow, and navy blue. You can visit my separate what to wear guide here
4. No pressure: Prepare your children for the photo session but you don't have to threaten them to behave. If they're reluctant to come you could promise them a trip to the park after, ice cream, or another special treat. If they do have a meltdown at the photo shoot it's okay. They're usually smiling a few minutes later!
5. Communicate: Make sure to discuss with your photographer all the things that are important to you BEFORE your session. If getting a shot of everyone looking at the camera is your number one goal be sure to let your photographer know. A good photographer will do everything in their power to get you the shots you want and they should listen to you. That being said, understand that children are unpredictable (not just your kids, all kids!) and you may not get the exact shot you have in mind.
6. Prepare the kids: Tell them you're going to have a family adventure and you have to get all dressed up. If they're not convinced try to schedule a trip to the park or ice cream after the session if they listen well for the photos. If your husband isn't convinced tell him he can go golfing after or whatever it is that husbands like to do!
7. Relax: Guess what happens when you ask a toddler to smile and look at a stranger... they freak out! Instead of stressing about everyone looking at the camera, play with your kids and enjoy yourself instead! A toddler would much rather play peek-a-boo with mom or get tickled by dad than stare at a stranger with a black box. Playing with your kids brings out real smiles and your stealthy photographer can snap away while you casually walk down a wooded path or have a picnic in a field.
I hope I've given you some tips you can use for your next session, remember it's supposed to be fun and just go with the flow. If you have any tips that work for your family please share them below!
If you're ready to take the plunge and try a session for yourself, I'm offering mini sessions in Framingham, MA on October 15th and 16th. Visit this link for booking information.
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I recently took my friend Antoinette's son's senior photos at Cushing Park in Framingham, MA. Modeling is definitely not his favorite thing but he was a great sport and we got some really good shots. Rafael came along as a posing consultant and I wish I got some pictures of the two of them crouching together but I was laughing too hard!
My best friend from middle school recently welcomed her third baby, an adorable chubby little boy! His big brother is madly in love with him and his sister thinks he's interesting sometimes.
