Fall Mini Sessions: SBS Photography CT

I was driving home today and noticed about 10 trees that had started to change color already! That, plus the cooler temps can only mean one thing, Fall is right around the corner! Fall in Connecticut is the perfect backdrops for your family photos. People don't travel to New England every Fall to take in the foliage for nothing, right?

This year we are offering Fall photos at two locations. You will have a 30 minute block for your session (roughly 20-25 minutes will be spent capturing your timeless memories leaving enough time to travel around the park). After your session, you will receive a digital proofing gallery. From there, you will select 10 of your favorite images to create your own digital gallery. These images will be high resolution, and digitally enhanced. You'll be able to download, share and print these photos. You will also pick one image to be printed as your 8"x10" print. The price for these sessions is $99 + tax.

The first location for our session is Southford Falls. Located in Southford, CT (at the Oxford and Southbury town borders). Southford Falls is known for it's vibrant fall colors, it's charming red covered bridge and of course, it's waterfall. There is a 1/4 mile loop around the park. It is an easy walk (a few uphill inclines and rocky paths). Sessions will be held at this location on October 14th, and October 20th.

The second location is Topsmeade State Forest in Litchfield, CT. Besides having a small nature preserve on site, Topsmeade is home to the cutest little cottage with a variety of gardens. Large open fields, rock walls and tree lined paths round out the charm of this location. This park is a very easy walk (some paths are gravel covered but nothing that a stroller couldn't handle). Sessions will be held here on October 27th.

Sessions are filling fast, so don't wait to book your session today!

Dressing the Family for Fall Photos!

You've booked your fall photos, yay! Now to decide on outfits!

A few weeks ago I was planning outfits for my own family photos. To say it was a disaster would be an understatement. Thinking I had all the time in the world, I put off looking for an outfit for myself until the last minute. Rookie mistake! After running through the mall, Target and eventually TJ Maxx I was able to find a dress that I liked, but then the real fun came: dressing my husband and daughters. Eventually we did find the perfect outfits, and then it thunderstormed and our session had to be rescheduled until later this month! But I thought, if I had such a hard time figuring out what to pick for family photos, then others probably do too! I searched high and low on the internet, and put together the best advice for planning your outfits for Fall sessions.

1. Start Early!!!

You would be surprised how quickly stores turn over their seasonal outfits. It's not until you need something specific do you realize it's nowhere to be found! Case and point, I literally could not find a flowy maxi dress anywhere I looked the first week in August! Everything had switched over to Fall dresses and colors making my search a little more difficult.

2. Decide on a color scheme

A few years back the fad was to dress the entire family in the exact same outfit (think all white shirts, and jeans). Adding color and variety will make the photos more interesting! It's best to start with one persons outfit and build on from there. Remember, you want to complement colors! Some colors you will want to avoid are bright whites and neon colors.

I love these handy little charts for finding complementary colors

Some great color schemes for fall include: reds, oranges, purples mustard yellows, greens, denim, navy, and neutral.

3. Choose something timeless

Fads come and go, but these photos are going to be adorning your walls for years to come. Try to avoid logos, shirts with large graphics on them, and opt instead for something simpler.

4. Dress for the weather

Fall in Connecticut could mean 80 degrees or 40 degrees. You don't want to be too hot or too cold during your session. Including layers that you can easily take on and off depending on the weather is always a good idea! Things like sweaters, jackets, scarfs, leggings, and tights are easy to layer and take on and off as needed.

5. Textures and Prints are your friends

While you don't want to have everyone in over the top patterns, you should definitely think about including them. It's best to limit these within a clothing set. Plan to have one person with a distinct pattern and maybe one other person with a subtle pattern in their outfit. Tiny plaid print and complicated patterns don't always photograph the best, a larger plaid print, is definitely the way to go.

Textures can be incorporated throughout your outfits, just like adding color it will give some variety to your photos making them more interesting.

6. Don't forget the shoes and accessories

As you plan your outfit think about the shoes and other accessories you might want to wear. Try to avoid open toes shoes, and athletic shoes (I know I know...with kids something that is easier said than done). You want your shoes and accessories to pull together to "make" the outfit.

7. Make sure the outfits are comfortable

Trying on outfits ahead of time to make sure you are comfortable is a great idea. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing, it may translate into your photos appearing stiff.

Here are some sample outfit samples that I found on Pinterest.

Some helpful hints for each member of your family

Mom:

Things to look for- maxi dresses, A-line dresses, jeans, cardigans, fitted blouses, scarves, ankle boots, riding boots, fitted tunics and leggings

Things to avoid: strapless dresses or tops, sleeveless tops or dresses, low-cut shirts, baggy clothes, chunky knits

Dad:

Things to look for: blazers and jackets, khaki pants/shorts, button-downs, sweaters layered over collared shirts, dark wash jeans

Things to avoid: short-sleeved tee shirts(unless layered under something), short-sleeved button-downs, baggy shorts/pants, athletic shoes, cargo shorts, white t-shirts

Girls:

Things to look for: age appropriate dresses, jeans, cardigans, scarves, skirts with sweater, tunics and leggings

Things to avoid: neon colors, athletic shoes, characters or logos on shirts, visible diaper/underwear (a pair of shorts will do wonders covering this up)

Boys:

Things to look for: button down shirt, blazer or jacket, khaki pants or shorts, layered sweaters, dark wash jeans, but also add in some cute little boy accessories like bowties, or suspenders

Things to avoid: athletic/sports wear, athletic sneakers, sleeveless tops,

You can always feel free to reach out to me as you are planning your outfits. Happy planning!!

Haven't booked your fall or Holiday photo session yet? Contact us today to secure your spot.

"Stock the Studio" Maternity Session Sale!!

Mommy’s-To-Be we have an exciting special just for you!

From now through December 2019, purchase one of the dresses from our “Maternity Gown Wish List”, trade it in after the session for a free maternity package(session + images and prints) ! We have dresses for all price ranges.

How it works:

1. Book your maternity session and let me know which dress you will be purchasing from our wish list.

2. Purchase the dress (please save receipt for proof of purchase)

3. Wear your dress to your session

4. Trade your dress into the studio after the session and receive a complimentary maternity package (including prints and digital images). *Want more than one dress for your session? Session credits can be applied towards additional prints, digitals or future sessions based on the price of the dress.

It’s that simple! All of the dresses are listed below with the specific color we are looking for as well as a purchase link. Once a dress is selected it will be removed from the wish list so check here often! There are two tiers of packages based on the overall prices of the dress.

The following dresses entitle the client to a 30 minute maternity session with their choice of 15 digital images, and one 8x10 print of their choice (package is normally a $125) .

White Everly

Example of the Grace dress style- long sleeve with a v neck

Grace Dark Rose

Grace Pine

Grace Steel Blue

Grace Amber Gold

Example of the Harper dress

Harper Black

Harper Baby Blue

Harper Merlot

Serenity Rainbow Skirt

Ember

The following dresses entitle the client to a 1 hour session with their choice of 30 digital images, one 8x10 print of their choice and 10 4x6 prints of their choice. (Packages is normally $175)

Eden Royal Blue

Eden Wine Red

Eden Dusty Pink (will be added in a few weeks for purchase)

Eden Dark Cyan (will be added in a few weeks for purchase)

Serena Royal Blue

Serena Dark Mauve

Serena Dark Cyan

Serena Ocean (will be added in a few weeks for purchase)

Serena Dusty Lilac (will be added in a few weeks for purchase)

Athena Smokey Blue

Athena Garnet

Monroe Hunter Green

Monroe Plum