SPRING FLING | Lola & Me Photography Washington DC's Family Photography

2011-02-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Being born and raised in California means that winter here in the East is nice, for about a minute. I'm already dreaming of SPRING! Spring means 'new life' in nature and for me I get a revived sense of creativity. A new life photography-wise if you will.

Spring can be such a wonderful time of year to capture true love at heart. This week I will showcase some great wardrobe selections for dressing your family for spring photos. As a photographer I love capturing the story of families in the spring. It's a great time to capture the love within a family and fabulous colors of spring. With the bright green grass and the beautiful new blooms you can truly have a variety of color added to your wardrobe selection. In this week's What to Wear I've decided to showcase a base of gray with pops of color!

TIPS: First the visual rules of thumb still apply: textures, layers and accessories! Next make sure your family looks well coordinated, as a group and individually without matching clothes. Finally use your accessories wisely. Particularly if you are wearing mostly neutral colors. Let your accessories add the accent color which will help your looks tie in together seamlessly.

Mom:
Poppy Sweater The Gap $30
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=8993&vid=1&pid=802761

Slate Skimmers The Gap $49.50
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5718&vid=1&pid=791593&scid=791593042

Bracelet J Crew $58
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/bracelets/PRDOVR~41325/41325.jsp

Dad:
Slate Gray Sweater J Crew $59.50
http://www.jcrew.com/mens_category/sweaters/cotton/PRDOVR~36236/36236.jsp

Olive Butter Shirt Old Navy $24.50
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=64804&vid=1&pid=822785&scid=822785032

Girl:
Vintage Dress Pear Mini Boden $52
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Dresses/33150-GRN/Girls-Pear-Daisy-Vine-Vintage-Dress.html

Fuschia Leather Ballet Flats Mini Boden $44
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Shoes/Shoes/39070-BPK/Girls-Fuchsia-Leather-Ballet-Flats.html?orcid=-72#cs0

Fuschia Cardigan Mini Boden $40
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Girls-Knitwear/31453-BPK/Girls-Fuchsia-Pretty-Cardigan.html

Boy:
Grey and White Sweater Mini Boden $42
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Boys-Knitwear/21413-GRY/Boys-Charcoal_Grey-Marl-V-neck-Jumper.html

Blue Jeans Mini Boden $36
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Boys-Trousers-Jeans/Jeans/22223-DBL/Boys-Dark-Blue-Denim-Straight-Leg-Jeans.html?orcid=-71#cs0

Green Converse Shoe Zoo $34
http://www.shoezoo.us/converse.htm

Blue Jeans The Gap $59.50
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=16127&vid=1&pid=804862

WINTER WONDERLAND | Lola & Me Photography Washington DC's Family Photography

2010-12-14T11:35:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting here in my office thinking about the weeks ahead. Typically I get busy (by busy I mean booking 2 months in advance) starting around August. By November I am already starting to pick the date my last session of the year will be. Then January usually returns back to my normal session scheduling pace. After years of shooting I've come to realize the one main factor why Jan and Feb aren't as frenzied as Aug-Dec is because most clients prefer outdoor shoots. Outdoor shoots in the freezing temperatures of Jan or Feb normally don't seem all that appealling. What would we possibly wear that would make our family photos memorable and amazing?

When an outdoor shoot is scheduled for this time of year one of three scenerios take place:

(a) My clients choose outfits that are a mix of these great color coordinated, completely adorable clothes which are completely inappropriate for the weather. So clients arrive wearing the non-coordinating but very warm ski coats. We run outside throw off the coats....snap snap snap.....put on the coats and warm up......throw off the coats......snap snap snap.....etc. All the while shivering and trying to put on a natural smile in freezing temperatures.

(b) Clients choose studio a shoot. (**NOTE: Studio shoots are not a bad thing. In fact, studio shoots offers a ton of variety and when newborns and babies are involved are a must).

(c) Clients wait until warmer weather. (**NOTE: Again not a bad thing just not the only option!)

If you want to book an outdoor shoot in Jan or Feb why not? There's a really easy solution - bundle up, while also looking great! Who says that by bundling up you can't look absolutely amazing?

LAYERS, COLORS and ACCESSORIES are the key ingredients when it comes to putting together a great cold weather wardrobe for your photo session.

WINTER WONDERLAND WARDROBE TIPS:

1. Jackets can be pricey and buying a trendy colorful coat especially where kids are concerned may not be a viable option. If you already own jackets that fit well (we are not talking the huge moo-moo sized jacket that goes with everything) then go with it and accessorize! Adding a cute hat, scarf and/or gloves will make a huge difference.

2. Vests (esp the puffy down vest that are in this year...think Old Navy) look great over sweaters or hoodies.

3. This year grey is the new black. Try a base color of grey or a beige-y grey and then POP it with some color (think vibrant purple or brilliant turquoise).

4. Tights or leggings are a great way to add that POP of color while helping to keep you and the kids warm. Plus they look great with boots!

5. If you still need some warmth try throwing on some thermals underneath and an extra pair of socks!! You'll be dressed with style to go play in the snow.

BOTTOM LINE: Winter is the perfect time to get those UNIQUE YET AMAZING outdoor portraits. All it takes is some creative planning to get that perfect mix of warmth and style!

Here are some ideas I put together:

Mom: $169.99 JCrew
Dad: $89.99 Eddie Bauer
Boy: $44.95 Olive Juice
Girl: $129.99 crewcuts and $24.00 miniBoden

Lola & Me Photography - WHAT TO WEAR?

SPRING FLING | Lola & Me Photography Washington DC's Family Photography

WINTER WONDERLAND | Lola & Me Photography Washington DC's Family Photography