Children/Kids Photography

While there is still a bunch of snow on the ground here in Mankato, Minnesota, it is the perfect time to do that shopping for your Spring photos. Local stores like Kohls, Target & Once Upon a Child already have their Spring outfits on display.

The question of “what to wear” is usually the first question I get after we book a photo date. Here are a few tried & true tips.

1. Dress in something you feel your best in. For young kids be sure the material doesn’t itch or fit too tight.
2. Find a color that compliments your skin tones and a tone people are used to seeing you in.
3. To keep it easy pick the color that looks best on you and then add one or two colors that compliment that main color.
4. Go easy on the amount of patterns you choose, be sure to mix in some solid colors with your patterns.
5. Layers provide a great look and variety, add a scarf, cardigan, jacket or button up shirt.
6. Accessories can add some depth, considering bringing a hat, belt, necklace etc.
7. Dress the whole family from head to toe, be sure kid’s shoes aren’t too tight or uncomfortable.
8. Pack a back up choice for young kids who might need a back up plan.Here are a few samples of family clothing choices perfect for Spring or Summer-

   

I’ve owned a camera for 25+ years and have heard the phrase “Say cheese” a billion times, but it wasn’t until recently that I wondered WHY?

WHY DO WE SAY CHEESE WHEN BEING PHOTOGRAPHED?

A theory is the fact that the word “cheese” forces you to bring your teeth together in a way that opens up your lips and exposes your teeth and makes you grin. There are many other words in the English language that cause your mouth to make the same facial expression. So how did we land on the word “cheese”?

To start, it may be surprising to know that portraits weren’t all smiles back when portrait sessions were rare. The elite were the only ones that could afford to have photographs taken of them. Photographers would commonly take pictures of them in a way that only had them with a blank expressing. Smiling was seen as something that only the lower class and children did. (sad right?, they also had to sit for very long exposures and it’s way easier to have a somber look for hours then it is to hold a smile)

In looking back to the popular phrase’s origins, one of the first ways “cheese” was used in a way to make someone smile was during the 1940s, appearing in The Big Spring Herald in 1943:

“Now here’s something worth knowing. It’s a formula for smiling when you have your picture taken. It comes from former Ambassador Joseph E. Davies and is guaranteed to make you look pleasant no matter what you’re thinking. Mr. Davies disclosed the formula while having his own picture taken on the set of his “Mission to Moscow.” It’s simple. Just say “Cheese,” It’s an automatic smile. “I learned that from a politician,” Mr. Davies chuckled. “An astute politician, a very great politician. But, of course, I cannot tell you who he was…”  (I dug a little deeper to find out he may have been referring to president Roosevelt, but no one is certain)

So that’s fun right? Some other words I use to get people to smile are “monkey monkey” “money” say “ha ha ha” then they feel silly and laugh.

However my all time favorite “smile advice” came from a very sweet great grandmother in the back of the church. While photographing a wedding party- and struggling to say something funny myself- Grandma yelled from the congregation “Just say penis, that will work, penis, penis, penis”  And yes, yes it did.

Do you make new year resolutions? I do sometimes, mostly for my work life & not for me personally. But for 2021, I’m encouraging you to join me on this personal goal-
Get in those photos with the people you love & who love you.

We all share images of our kids right, maybe even our kids with our parents, their friends, neighbors, sports teams, but where are you, the parents? After thinking about all the excuses we make (“when I have more time, when I’ve worked out more, when I get a hair cut, after I get a new outfit, when I am not so tired”) I’ve decided to make a list to encourage you- YOU CAN DO THIS!

Here are a few ways you can start working on getting in your photos

1. Hire a professional photographer- call today & schedule it, scheduled things get done
2. Let your kids have your camera for a day & tell them they can take photos of anything, I promise you’ll be part of their art
3. Have a friend come for a play date & take photos of each other with your children
4. Have your spouse do it & then photograph him or her as well
5. Ask a stranger at the park (safely of course) people love to help you out
6. Ask your cousin to help, the one who also has kids, who also needs to be in photos & trade
7. Use a self timer it’s not that scary, it can actually be a lot of fun

I hope you join me on this fun adventure to be in more of your photos in 2021. As one mom reminded me recently, It’s just so important.

Here was my first 2021 attempt with a self timer- We used a tripod & I ran back & forth, one time carrying the house cat. (she didn’t get the concept)

Here is a sample of a mommy & me session we created last year! Click HERE & be Inspired!