Ready. Set. Capture! - Photographing kids at play.

While it's nice having photos of your kids and family in formal environments, it really is great to have photos of their everyday play that isn't just on a phone too.  Let's face it, by the time they're grown the technology that will house their childhood photos will probably be obsolete or so degraded the photos could be lost forever.

I've made a few tips for taking photos of their play time, hopefully you can get some photos of them that you feel are worthy of being printed and saved.

1- Find a good spot!  Shade is great, or if it's an overcast day anywhere is good.  I like to position the sun behind the kids, so that it's not in their eyes making them squint and it allows for some magical lighting.

2- Time of day is important, I like to shoot early in the morning or later in the afternoon, not only because the light it better but also because the light feels cleaner.

3- Have someone else there with you to help wrangle the kids.  It's hard getting good photos if you're also spending the time assessing what the kids are doing and keeping them in line.  You get the best photos when you're not worried about their safety.

4- Details.  Take photos of what your kids are working on.  Supplies, paper, hands, feet, what they're doing.  Get it all!  These make for great reminders and if you want to make a collage they help break it up. 

5- Let them get messy!  The best photos are when kids are just being kids.  Getting into things, exploring, and getting messy.  It's nothing a little soap and water can't help.  And if you're worried about clothes, let them play in a diaper or underwear!  These photos don't have to go on the internet for the world to see, but they're for your kids as they get older to remember their childhood by.

Have fun and plan some messy activities for your kids!

Mom and Me.

I've been planning these for a while, but this post has been a difficult one for me to start writing.  I've stared at this blinking cursor until I've seen double.

Mom and me photos are something I didn't understand the significance of until recently.  One reason is partly due to my ever growing and super adorable daughter, Chloe.  I'm more aware than ever about how fast time passes and how I'm only going to get my daughter this small for a very, very short period of time.  I think that's something that needs to be documented, as well as the relationship that her and I have - she's not always going to love me unconditionally, need me so much, or let me hold her like a baby.  I need to capture that now, while I have the chance.
The other part that made me aware of the importance was losing my mom.  My dad always told me photos aren't for you, they're for everyone else when you're gone.  This isn't something you can really understand until the other person in the photos is gone, but it's true.  While I enjoy hanging the photos of my daughter and family on the walls of my home now, the true value of them will be in 40 or 50 years when my daughter and hopefully her children can look back at them and she can see how much I love her in them.

Thus is the birth of my mom and me sessions that I hope to offer every year.  I want to get photos of you and your children together, a few posed, but mostly you just interacting together.  Hugs, kisses, climbing you like a jungle gym.  Laughing together and possibly even being sarcastic.  The sweet looks that you pass your son or daughter, all of that needs to be captured.  Not only for you, but for them later on.

I know as moms we don't always love how we look.  And I get that, God knows I was hesitant to do the photos because I'm not happy with how I look (and I did do them!  And I LOVE how they came out.), but that's why I'm also offering makeup by a local makeup artist included in the session for those moms who want to take advantage of this.  Hopefully this will give you the boost you need to relax during a session and not worry how you look, so I can focus on getting the shots of you and your kids that will last a lifetime.  Or you could always go for a glass of wine, too!  =)

Enjoy some photos of a few local moms I had the pleasure of capturing with their kids, as well as my own photos that my husband took and I edited.  I really do believe in these sessions, so treat yourself this Mother's Day, or surprise your mom or wife!  I'm great at keeping secrets! 

Me and Chloe's session!  Makeup done by Victoria Chaisson.

Houma, Louisiana Photographer, Easter/Spring Mini Sessions

Spring Minis were the first big 'event' that I did last year when I got WhimsyClo started, so it's fun to see where I've gone in my photography and how my business has evolved. 

Chloe a whole year ago, look at that bald head!!

Oh man, that logo was pretty insane!  But the kid is pretty amazing.

I wanted to make this years Mini's better than last year's, though, so when these old windows popped up for sale I had to buy them, knowing that I'd find SOME way to utilize them!  I busted out all of the glass and painted one side colorful and spring-like, leaving the other side the original distressed cream so I could change it up or reuse if I wanted.  
Then I had my husband and his friend Andrew put together the windows with hinges, Chloe insisted on helping as well but she did a good job.  

I'm super super happy with how these came out, I just love it when my vision comes together!  And I can't wait to photograph all of the springy children with it!  

If you'd like to book a session, either call 985.226.5203 or email WhimsyClo@yahoo.com, or you can message me on facebook!

A look back - Houma, Louisiana Photography

A year ago this month I started this journey with my photography business, and I couldn't have imagined where it would take me.  Dream, yes, but I thought it was just that.  I didn't think I'd be as busy as I am now with so much support and love behind what I'm doing.  

What has honestly surprised me the most is the support I've gotten from clients, often strangers!  Until I photograph them, at least, by the end of the session most will know all about my life.. All the kind words, recommendations, and love mean so much to me, it's truly not something I could put into words. 

And still, every time someone books with me I get a mushy swell of emotion and happiness.  I'm so honored and touched that my clients choose and trust me with their photos, whether it be family or newborn or wedding.  

Here's hoping to a more creative year of business, filled with new and old and growing faces!  Enjoy some favorites from the past year, there are SO many and this was so hard to choose just a few!

I fell in love with this family.  They're so sweet and genuine, and their boys!  So adorable with their freckles and fiery red hair.  Their bond and love for each other just radiates.  I know when I was their age my brother was probably one of my least favorite people (sorry Kyle!), but these two?  It's very obvious it's quite the opposite. How lucky are they to grow up with their best friend right there with them all the time?