How can I look thinner?
Here is a question I get all the time. With proper planning and a few applied techniques looking thinner and leaner is a cinch! firstly, avoid standing out by wearing the wrong colors or patterns (see below for color choices). Tying hair back has a tendency to show lots of face, so avoid this. Hair should frame the face nicely and looks great when coordinated with a soft, high collar that will frame the lower portion of the face. Double chin? Biggest question of all. Avoid tight collars that squeeze the skin. Sit straight with your lower back muscles (not tense), and lean forward while gently pulling your chin out.
Should I have my portraits retouched?
Not everyone likes retouched portraits. There are varying degrees that retouching can alter a portrait and many extensive retouching techniques are available. The most common retouching used is for lines or circles under the eyes and blemishes on the skin. Whether to retouch or not retouch is a personal choice and should be determined only when the results from the portrait session are viewed.
My kids won't sit still. What do I do?
The best advice I can give is to be patient and not try to control the situation. Trying to have control over the moods and reactions of children is usually futile and only makes matters worse. I understand children and know that I need to gain their trust, at their pace, not their parents. so to allow this to happen, simply be patient and let me talk to the children. Don't answer for them or instruct them to "smile". Often for younger children (1.5 - 2.5 years) the best thing to do is ignore them. They often will sit still in the picture because they suddenly feel left out. Above all, be patient. I will. And no, I really don't have a ton of patience, I just know what to expect from children and know that sometimes it will take even an hour before I get the desired results.
Are you going to tilt my head in some unnatural position?
People have a natural tendency to make themselves uncomfortable. Unfortunately, relaxing one's muscles leads to poor posture. this means round shoulders and double chins. To look one's best we need to fight gravity. Sometimes I need to ask that a certain amount of sitting straight or turning the head is needed to adjust for this. However, if I don't say anything, then it means that everything is fine and no fine-tuning is required.
Can you come to us?
Although I do a lot of studio shoots, I can come to you. This is especially a good thing, when it comes to newborns. I find that it is a more relaxing environment for the baby and parents. Family shoots are fun to do on the beach, at the cottage, or somewhere else that is significant to you. Depending on where I have to travel, a travel charge may be applied.
When is the best time to do a newborn shoot?
As early as possible! Newborns do not stay newborn for long. The first week is the best time to do it, since they sleep most of the time, and are more bendable. I prefer to come to you for a newborn shoot (especially if you have a lot of natural light in your home) and this usually makes it easier to get a shoot in the first week. Just email before you are due, so that I can write you in on your due date (although you probably won't deliver on that day) and it lets me know some time around that date we will be doing photos.
Slimming Colours and Ideas
Most people prefer to look a little slimmer than they are; yes it's true that the camera adds ten pounds. BUT, most photographers can correct that plus subtract a few extra pounds by proper posing, and adjusting the camera angle or height. But it makes a big difference if you do the following:
Darker Colours are slimming. Consider Black, Olive, Gray, Navy, Plum, Burgundy, Dark Brown or Eggplant.
Solid colours are slimming
One color (darker) head to toe is slimming
Vertical lines are slimming, consider vertical pleats or a long chain
Instant flatter stomach: try pants with a flat front, no drawstrings, pockets, zippers, or decorations
No pockets! Avoid a lot of bulky pockets that draw attention to the waist area
Simple lines are slimming, consider A-Line skirts, collard blazers and blouses
Shoulder pads (small rounded) have slimming effect
Good posture always makes you look slimmer
Wear your proper size. You'll look slimmer in clothes that fit properly rather than too tight.
Avoid:
Lighter colours, they make you look heavier
Bold patterns, shiny fabrics, heavy fabrics make you look heavier
Short sleeves make upper arms look wider
Horizontal lines make you look heavier avoid belts and wide collars or wide lapels
More ideas:
White or pastel colors work best against a light backdrop
Avoid glasses, especially tinted glasses, whenever possible. They compromise the lighting and distort the facial lines. Pop the lenses out, or borrow a pair of frames.
Avoid big sloppy running shoes, especially ones that used to be white
Watch tight shirts on larger mid-areas
Clothing below the waistline should be darker than above. Otherwise,e ven lighter coloured jeans worn below a darker top could easily attract attention to the lower part of the body and away from the face.
Group Portraits
Clothing for group portraits must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. First, decide whether the basic tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns etc) or cool-toned (blues, greys, blacks, etc). Then follow the instructions above. It is sometimes very difficult to get everyone coordinated due to distance factors. When this is the case, we will work with whatever you show u pin and try to balance the colours within the poses.
Casual Beach or Outdoor Portraits
When there is a light background setting such as a beach, field of water, it is sometimes a good idea to dress in lighter colours, so that the clothing blends in with the backdrop. In this situation all white or pastel clothing works fine. All white clothing is great. White shirts and jeans work well. White shirts and beige pants are even better!
