by Sara Arrigoni | Mar 14, 2014 | Photography Philosophy, Photography Tips
A few months ago, I was so excited to have my dear friend Beth Wendland in town for a visit and to take my own family photos. Just like all of you, I am not immune to a bit of nerves at the idea of being on the other side of the camera, and selecting outfits is the major concern for most clients. So much was running through my head, and I’m sure many of you have shared the same questions: How to hide the baby weight I’m still carrying? What will look best in the photos? How do I select outfits without breaking the bank on a new wardrobe for all of us? As a client, I faced these questions, and as a photographer, I know how it is to be on the other side of the camera, too.
Today I’m sharing my top 5 tips for picking outfits for your family photo session, and I’m sharing one tiny sneak peek from my own family photos… but you’ll have to visit Beth’s blog post today to see more!
A tiny sneak peek from our session. Here you can see the coral and blue I incorporated into our family portraits. To see more images, you’ll have to visit Beth’s post today, too!
My Top 5 Tips:
1. Choose your photographer carefully based on their style, and make sure your color palette and outfit selections complement that style.
This sounds straightforward, but really, choose carefully. I chose Beth not only because she is a fantastic photographer and friend, but also because her style–rich, vibrant color–reflects my own preferences as well as my family and home decor. We are a casual, active family, and I think all of us have a bit of sass. Also, our home decor is fairly neutral, but with pops of color here and there. I wanted photos that reflected our personality and would fit in well in our home, and that’s why I chose Beth. Of course, it only made sense then to choose colors that played to her strengths, too. I love her use of vibrant color in her photography, so it would have been silly to choose monochromatic greys and whites! Let your photographer excel at what they do best!
2. Dress the toughest person first, then design the rest of the family around them.
In most families, there is one person who is a bit tougher than the rest to dress, either because of body image issues (ahem, that would be me), stubborn kids (maybe your teenager is balking at dressing up), or perhaps a husband whose wardrobe is smaller than your own. Often times, the tough customer is actually mom, the person who is signing up for the photo shoot! But whatever the case may be, start by selecting the “hard outfit” first. A lot of people reverse this, and instead focus on the kids (“Little Susie has a beautiful dress to wear, and I can figure out what I want later”) and then end up frustrated as the session date approaches. Instead, realize that your kids will probably look cute in whatever you choose–and often our little ones have more choices than us anyways! Find something that satisfies your family’s toughest customer, and the rest of your decisions can follow.
For my session, I dressed myself first. I chose something that suited me and that I would feel comfortable in, but that also covered up my “trouble spots” that I feel less confident in since having the baby. Also, since I knew that I might be playing with the kids and holding the baby, I opted against the dress I first considered in favor of something that I could move more freely in. I’ll never forget a session I did where the mom had told me beforehand in our pre-session consult that she wanted photos showing her active family, but then she arrived in a fitted white dress… we made it work, but it definitely altered my plans for the session!
3. Choose two colors as a guide for the outfits, and then mix and match prints and solids for an effortless yet coordinated look.
Often people reflexively want to select one color, or one print and have every member of the family wear the same thing. (“Denim shirts for everyone!”) However, this results in a very forced, matchy-matchy look in photos. Instead, choose two complementing colors, and mix and match a few classic prints and solids. For my own shoot, I chose coral and blue. I wanted something fresh that would work with the fall colors outside, and by mixing solids with simple prints, I ensured that things wouldn’t be too busy or clash. Avoid prints that are very small or with too much going on–you don’t want your outfit to look like a “magic eye” poster.
4. Dress for the season and the weather.
This is another tip that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many children I photograph with chattering teeth because their holiday dresses are sleeveless and we are shooting in early December! Nobody photographs well when they are uncomfortable due to the temperature, and it just looks plain silly in photos when the weather obviously conflicts with the wardrobe choices.
5. Choose clothes that reflect the best version of the real YOU and your real family, not an idealized magazine ad.
I cannot emphasize this point enough! At the core of my own photographic philosophy is the belief that our sessions should reflect reality–not a varnished version of what we *think* other people want. Life would be boring indeed if every family showed up to photo sessions looking like the same J. Crew ad! When choosing to invest in family photos, invest in clothing and a photographer who will help showcase the real beauty of you and your family. You should look like the best version of you: confident and radiant and maybe a bit more polished than your day-t0-day look, but still recognizable as you. You and your family will all look best when you are comfortable and happy in your own skin, and your clothing should be a reflection of you.
My own family photos feature some images of Seth cuddled close to me in his ring sling. It may not be what every family would choose, but it reflects me and our family. Everyone who knows me knows I love babywearing, and it’s a major part of my motherhood and my kids’ babyhood that I wanted chronicled. Make sure your own family photos reflect what is important to you.
So how did all of this play out in my own photo session?
Well, to see a complete sneak peek from my own family’s photo session with Beth, you’ll have to head over to her blog today to check it out!
Please, tell us what you think! We love to hear your comments!
by Sara Arrigoni | Nov 18, 2013 | Photography Tips
Prepping for your family or couples photo shoot can be stressful for a woman. The sea of cosmetics and beauty items can be confusing for people who don’t normally wear a lot of makeup, but want to look just a bit more polished for their photo session.
Today, I come to the rescue with 5 beauty products that can flatter every woman. That’s right; these 5 cosmetics work for women of any age, skin coloring, and style. Best of all, most are also budget-friendly and readily available!
For photo sessions, I like a “you-at-your-best” look–nothing too dramatic or far of a departure from your “norm” but just a little more refined and dressed up for your shoot. Just a little makeup can emphasize your best features, since sometimes on film we can look a bit more washed out than in real life.
Here are a few of my favorites:
1. Pati Dubroff Perfect Natural Eye Palette (Costco, $17.99): this palette is a steal! With ten neutral eye shades that work for every skintone plus a pretty brown eyeliner, this palette can be used to achieve a variety of looks. And at $18, you can’t go wrong!
It’s sold out already on Costco online, but check your local warehouse; mine still had this palette as of my last visit. (If you can’t find it, the newer Pati Dubroff star palette color collection or Stila’s In the Light palette are similar, suitable alternatives, but both are a bit more expensive than the perfect neutral, which remains my favorite.)
2. CoverGirl Lashexact Mascara Waterproof Black Brown 935
, (Amazon.com or drugstores, $7): this is my favorite drugstore mascara. Affordably priced and akin to the popular (and much more expensive) Chanel Inimitable mascara, Lash Exact lengthens and thickens lashes. My motto with mascara is “go big or go home,” and Lash Exact doesn’t disappoint.
3. Stila Color Me Pretty Convertible Color Palette, (Amazon.com, $28): I have been a Stila fan since I first beheld their lipglaze pens in a movie. Of their products, their convertible colors remain a favorite. The Color Me Pretty palette contains five shades to flatter any skintone, ranging from peachy-pink to the neutral pinky-nude Peony to my personal favorite, Petunia. If you want the naturally flushed look like Natalie Portman or Kirsten Dunst (both of whom have used the Stila convertible colors in their movies), then look no further. These can be used on lips or cheeks, adding some bang for the buck.
4.. Orly nail polish in Taffy, (Ulta.com, $8): Orly’s Taffy is my favorite nail polish for photo shoots. A sheer soft pink with just a hint of sparkle, Taffy makes your nails look gorgeous… AND since it’s a soft, natural shade, it translates well in black & white photos as well. Some of the trendier shades that are popular right now (black, dark purples, navy) can look unattractive if photos are switched to black and white, so opt for a more natural shade for your photo session.
5… plus 1 extra: Cetaphil moisturizer & Ecolips lip balm (Cetaphil, best price Costco; Ecolips, available at Whole Foods or other natural food stores): Okay, so I promised 5 items, but I just couldn’t leave either of these off.
You know what’s not too camera-friendly? Dry, scaly skin and lips! Remedy those rough spots with these two great products. Cetaphil is a very cheap and effective moisturizer and is suitable even for most people with sensitive skin. Cetaphil is great for face and body.
And I first tried Ecolips when they were handing them out for free at a Dave Matthews Band concert, but once I tried it, I have purchased many more! It is simply the best lip balm I’ve ever tried… and I’ve tried many lip balms. Apply your lip balm before your gloss or lip color and your lips will look their best!
So now, tell me… did I miss any of YOUR favorite beauty items? What are your “go to” cosmetics when you want to look extra special? Or are there any beauty questions you have for your next photo session? Let’s keep chatting in the comments!
* Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links for Amazon.com for some products.
by Sara Arrigoni | Oct 28, 2013 | Sneak Peeks
I was thrilled to see the response to the first post of my Blessed Strength project, and today I want to showcase some of the “behind the scenes” of Kristy’s life as a Stroller Strides owner!
Before photographing Kristy, I had heard of Stroller Strides but never seen any of the classes in action. What is Stroller Strides? Basically it’s an awesome set-up wherein moms of young kids get to bring their children with them to workout classes. The kids get to hang out (and in nice weather enjoy the fresh air), the moms get to share in the accountability and camaraderie of working out with other moms, and everyone gets healthier! What’s not to like about that?
What was most impressive to me was that the sense of community and support among these women was almost palpable. There was no “shame-based” weight or diet talk that I’ve seen at other fitness classes (No “I can’t believe I ate an ice cream cone yesterday” type of thing), women of all shapes and sizes were participating, and the focus stayed on staying active and positive. And the friendship goes even beyond that. At the class I attended, there was even a surprise baby shower for Kristy (and no, they didn’t know I was coming so it wasn’t staged). Stroller Strides is about moms getting healthy, doing something positive for themselves, and being great examples for their kids.
In the classes, the women challenge themselves with a variety of fitness activities: relays, contests, races, and more. These women may have little ones, but even the expectant ones are rocking planks and jogging around the park. Just look at them go!
Interested in checking out a class? Kristy owns several local franchises. Find out more about their options here.*
* All comments are based solely on my own opinions and observations. I am not being compensated in any way for this post!
And … psst, Kristy has since given birth, and I’ll be sharing her birth story later this week so stay tuned! You don’t want to miss this special post!
by Sara Arrigoni | Oct 17, 2013 | Photography Philosophy, Sneak Peeks
Today I am so excited (and nervous!) to introduce a personal project that is months in the planning: my new photographic series, Blessed Strength.
Blessed Strength is devoted to capturing the strength of mamas–in all its forms, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Mamas are survivors, often unsung heroes, pillars of the family, molding tiny lives and melding disparate spirits into one beautiful whole called “family,” and I am passionate about chronicling powerful examples of maternal strength right here in our community.
The series will be kicking off with three expectant mothers who all have been inspirational to me for a variety of reasons. All of them are models of strength, determination, and love, and all of them are beautiful. As the series progresses I hope to feature a variety of moms and even grandmothers, and I can’t wait to see how this series evolves in ways I don’t even foresee yet.
But for today, I am thrilled to introduce our first Blessed Strength Mama, Kristy Fassio.
Kristy is the owner–and very active participant and teacher–of several local Stroller Strides franchises. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Stroller Strides, check out Monday’s blog post for a sneak peek into a class.) After meeting Kristy at a local fair and following her Facebook feed for awhile, what I was most struck by was that, in spite of being immersed in a fitness world that is sometimes rife with tough expectations, Kristy maintains a refreshingly honest, real and positive voice of self-acceptance and health of the whole person.
I approached Kristy a few months ago with my vision of photographing her teaching a Stroller Strides class, and I told her I hoped she would agree to be my first Blessed Strength Mama. At the time she agreed, telling me that she didn’t think she had ever seen a plus-size maternity model, let alone one being active, and that she was happy to be featured.
But while it would be tempting to view my choice of Kristy as our first Mama as just a counterpoint to a fitness industry in which models are no bigger than a size 4 and even the expectant models are sporting a barely-there bump–no puffy ankles, widened hips, or stretch marks to be seen–that would be missing the real point.
I didn’t choose Kristy because I thought she should be a poster-child for active plus-size mamas; I chose her because I think she should be a model for ALL mamas.
Kristy can break out ten burpees without breaking a sweat, teach a fitness class at eight months’ pregnant, and do pushups that would put a Marine to shame, but that isn’t even touching where her real strength lies. I chose Kristy because her strength of spirit is so immense.
One thing I love about Kristy is that she freely admits that self-love and self-care is at times a struggle, and I think all of us mamas can relate to that. We all have some demons, those nagging little voices that whisper their little lies that we aren’t good enough in some way. But what makes Kristy so strong is that she acknowledges how hard it is to face those demons, and then she blasts them away with a rocket launcher. Kristy is careful to emphasize that the journey to being a strong mama isn’t about reaching a certain size, or BMI, or even completing a half-marathon (which she has, by the way), but it’s about learning to love the person you are RIGHT NOW, not the one you hope to be “someday.” And along the way, she helps other mamas to recognize their own strength as well.
As I hope the images below show, Kristy shines. Even as merely an acquaintance, I can say that knowing Kristy has made me feel stronger and more empowered, and I can only imagine that her lucky friends and Stroller Strides pupils are that much more benefitted by having such a strong, powerful voice in their lives.
Kristy, thank you for trusting me to tell your story. You are full of Blessed Strength indeed.
This project is a real outpouring of my heart. I don’t usually ask for blog comments, but if the Blessed Strength project resonates with you, please tell me how it speaks to you. And if you know a strong mama, please let me know! I am hoping to grow this project throughout the upcoming months.
by Sara Arrigoni | Jan 13, 2012 | Photography Philosophy, Sneak Peeks
Today’s a long one, but I really have tried hard to put into words my goals for a photo shoot… and why photography is so important to me.
When I first began shooting projects for clients and for my portfolio, I was very much in an experimental mode. I eagerly looked at other photographer’s work for inspiration and I sought to have a game plan for each of my shoots. And yet I found myself left cold by not only a lot of what was out there, but also by what I was capturing in my own shoots. I saw a lot of beautiful pictures, where everyone looked glossy and perfect, very well-pressed and combed to be sure, but I didn’t feel a lot of soul in the photos.
I slowly came to realize that for me, photos that merely answered who, what, where, and when didn’t do much for me emotionally. I couldn’t connect to them–no matter how stunning the child or how perfectly staged the shot, or how much it looked like an ad from an Anthropologie catalog. And yes, I do love the work in Anthro… but for my own work, it just wasn’t “me” and I when I tried to stage my shoots to be like what I thought the families wanted or to be like a magazine ad, I was left frustrated with the outcome.
I realized that what really interested me about photography was the way it can crystallize the essence of a person, or a relationship, in just a split-second of time. And for me photography represents an art that I can pour not just my head but also my heart and feeling into. I love the challenge of capturing the emotional connections between mother and child, brother and sister, husband and wife… and answering the “how” and “why” questions. How do these people connect to one another and interact? How are they different from other families? Why are they special?
In August I was then introduced to a new method called Beloved. While originally geared toward couples, I’ve seen Beloved have powerful results in my most recent family sessions as well. With my most recent sessions I finally had the courage to embrace the Beloved approach. By forsaking the most traditional posing and embracing an altogether different methodology in my photo shoots, inviting the participants to engage in games, invitations to relate to one other, and reflection, I am finally feeling like I am seeing into the heart of people, into the heart of a family… past the “camera smile” that is a bit too wide and doesn’t quite reach the eyes and instead capturing moments of genuine emotion. And because each relationship is so different one from another, and each couple and family so unique, every session is different and beautiful in its own right.
Beloved may not be for everyone. It requires a certain openness toward one another, a willingness to open yourself to something “different” and even the courage to see a side of yourself that you may not always let down your guard to reveal in photos. But the results can be so powerful and so beautiful, I think. There is something so affirming to see, captured in a print forever, just how you are loved, and how much you are loved.
I am still growing in this method, and learning how to balance traditional posing options with the Beloved approach, but I am so excited to see what this year brings as I dive deeper into this, and I am grateful for the people who are coming along with me.
Here are some moments from my most recent mini session… Mom/Dinah works in children’s ministry at our church and is such an encourager and joy to everyone, and her men form her “team” (rarely is there a night you won’t find them on a court somewhere!). And the foundation of everything for this family is their faith in God. I love some of the moments we caught in just our 30 minutes together for the mini session…
Blessings, friends…
Boys will be boys!
Mama and her crew
I love this photo of this couple, sharing a laugh together, their enjoyment of one another evident.
