Wardrobe Wednesday {what to wear for your engagement session}

This week's post is by the fabulously talented Rebecca Keeling of Rebecca Keeling Studios in Virginia!

I absolutely LOVE this week's picks. Thank you Rebecca!

She says:
engagements are some of my favorite sessions...most couples are up for just about anything i can throw out there, so i love to spread my creative wings! but, no matter how exciting our location may be, there is nothing that makes the session more personal than the wardrobe. nothing says young, vibrant, fun, adventurous, LOVE quite like beautiful color. nope...i don't mean matchy-matchy...just coordinate a little, in color and in style. like these snappy combinations below, they each have some sort of loosely tied theme. maybe start with your favorite color shirt or your go-to jeans. don't be afraid to get outside of the box a little...try something new, and FUN! heck, bring three outfits and we'll try them all. and ladies, don't forget to accessorize your guys. they might try and pretend that they don't care, but they want to look good, too. enjoy!




sun & fun girl:
earrings: express, $17
ring: guess, $22
shoes: aldo, $50
dress: boston proper, $159

sun & fun guy:
shoes: piperlime, $60
shirt: express, $60
bracelet: buckle, $13
pants: express, $80

easy-breezy guy:
shoes: skechers, $68
belt: fossil, $30
shirt: lacoste, $89
jeans: buckle, $45

easy-breezy girl:
boots: aldo, $110
earrings: etsy, $54
shirt: arden b, $39
shorts: arden b, $39

urban chic girl:
jacket: arden b, $68
bracelets: guess, $28
earrings: etsy, $74
shirt: arden b, $39
shoes: victorias secret, $55
jeans: buckle, $78

urban chic guy:
hat: buckle, $27
shoes: buckle, $56
shirt: express, $50
sunglasses: armani exchange, $65
jeans: buckle, $53

Yes, I shoot weddings and all of my wedding packages include a complimentary engagement session! Please contact me for details!!!

Thanks for visiting!

Muah!
xo

Wardrobe Wednesday {Newborns and Toddlers}

This week's installment is from the super talented (and entertaining) Morgan Dawson of Morgan Dawson Photography!

I love these ideas...so much fun! Thank you Morgan!

Straight from Morgan's keyboard: :)

Some of the most popular portrait sessions are with kids in the newborn-to-two-years-old range, which is why I decided to focus on their clothing needs. Unlike other groups, you really need to dress for the age. So here we go...

Newborns: Less is better, but if you want your baby clothed go for a diaper cover rather than a plain disposable one. They come in all sizes - even newborn - and a wide range of fun colors.

Cake Smash: If you’re not familiar with them, the concept is simple: cake + child + camera = hilarious. This is going to get really messy, really fast - so a colorful diaper cover is all you need!

Bigger Babies and Crawlers: Even though you probably have a closet filled with cute outfits, this might not be the time. Layers and ruffles can spell disaster with a constantly scrunched-up baby. The more time spent tucking in a shirt, moving away a collar ruffle, or pulling down a dress means more missed shots and an annoyed baby. Stick with simple pieces like a fun onesie or diaper cover with some BabyLegs. The other nice thing about these outfits is that they make changing diapers during a shoot a snap. (Again, less fussing = happier baby.)

Walkers: Once your child can walk you can start to consider layers. A skirt or dress with a cardigan, t-shirt with a button down on top, etc. Just make sure you still keep it simple (nothing that needs to be tucked in) and comfortable - these kids will be on the move!

And finally, a quick note about accessories. Hats and headbands are definitely cute, but if your child isn’t a hat-person, then don’t force it. The hat-on hat-off scene is a sure way to upset a baby. If you have something picked out, consider practicing wearing it once in a while before the shoot. The more comfortable your child is, the better the photos will be!

I hope you like the examples I’ve picked out. They might not be for everyone, but I hope you’ll consider showing a little personality (yours AND your babies) in the outfits you pick. And with unpredictable newborns and toddlers, it’s always a smart move to bring a second outfit... so make it a fun one!

The pieces above all come from retailers that may be new to you, but I think you’ll enjoy. Please note that these are just examples; you can find similar items at traditional stores like Old Navy, Gap, etc.

Luvaboos: I think it’s important to support small and local businesses whenever possible. Luvaboos is a natural parenting store and baby boutique that specializes in cloth diapers. Even if you’re a 100% disposable person, their covers are too adorable and totally fit over disposables!

• Happy Heinys Pocket Trainer (orange) $15.95
• Blueberry Cloth Trainers (green) $15.95
• FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper (white) $17.95
• Bummi Super Brite Diaper Cover (mixed) $12.25

Kitsel: This is one of my favorite online retailers for fun children’s clothing. Be sure to take a minute and browse their full line of T’s and onesies - they’re hilarious! The “I’m only doing this till my band gets signed” onesie is a personal favorite.

• Shabby Baby Hibiscus Dress $42
• Felt Blooming Flowers Onesie $29
• Headphones Onesie $23 (also comes as a t-shirt)
• Chick Magnet T-shirt $22.95
• See You Later, Alligator Onesie $28.00 (also as a short-sleeved onesie and t-shirt)

BabyLegs: I don’t have kids yet, but these just seem like the most brilliant item ever. They can be used as leggings in babies and toddlers, or worn on the arms of children (or their parents). A friend swears her baby’s uniform is onesie + BabyLegs.

• Go Fish Leg Warmers (UV 50+) $12
• Jelly Bean Stripped Leg Warmers $12
• Camo Leg Warmers $8

Threadless Kids: They carry a large line of onesies, hoodsies (!) and t-shirts for kids of all ages. The main site is for adults.

• Glou-glou T-shirt $9

Mini Boden: I don’t know where I’ve been, but until recently I was out of the Boden loop. Men, women, teens and babies - they’ve got it all!

• Skate Cargos $24

Etsy:

• Bright & Birdie Beanie Hat $20 http://www.etsy.com/listing/47065910/bright-and-birdie-beanie-newborn-size
• Vibrant Giraffe Beanie $20 http://www.etsy.com/listing/46992199/vibrant-giraffe-beanie-aqua-and-lime
• Turquoise Flower Hair Clip with Lime Green Headband $7.95 http://www.etsy.com/listing/45836143/sale-buy-2-get-1-free-plus-free
• Plaid Baby Newsboy Hat $15.00 http://www.etsy.com/listing/47311150/plaid-baby-newsboy-hat-3-to-6-months

I am LOVING all of these ideas and I hope you (past, future or potential client!) find some GREAT ideas to use for YOUR shoot!

Everybody have a great hump day!
Mwah!
x0

Family Fun on Sanibel Island {Sanibel Island Family Photographer}

When you think of the beach, what comes to mind? Sand? Sun? Water? SWIMMING? Meet "Miss Kathy" of ISR Fort Myers (Infant Swimming Resource), and her beautiful family. I met Kathy almost 3 years ago, when I enrolled Emma in to the ISR program. She was only 18 months old, and Kathy patiently (very patiently...Emma was tough!) taught her the skills she needed to swim and float in order to SURVIVE should she fall into a body of water. We are surrounded by water in Florida. Our home is surrounded by water...we have a pool a few feet from our sliding glass doors and beyond that, there is a lake. So for us, this was not an option...it was a necessity! It is now almost 3 years later, and Emma is a fish in the water! We have since taken August for lessons as well, and he is also a fish. It's really cute to see a 13 month old swim and float!!! (I posted some pics from August's lessons at the end of the family pics)

Thank you Miss Kathy for being so patient in teaching our children the necessary skills to save themselves and to enjoy the water! I had so much fun "working" with you and your wonderful family!!



They met 17 years from the day of their shoot! :)










Bless you if you've made it this far! Thanks for looking!

MWAH!
xo

STILL SEARCHING FOR 2011 SENIOR REPS!!

I am looking for high school senior reps for the 2010-2011 school year! Huh you say? But what's a senior rep? Stick with me here, and i'll explain.

A senior rep is a high school senior who will represent Shannon J. Dodge Photography and help spread the word and promote us to their classmates. Sounds easy, right? Keep reading if you are still interested!

A senior rep will receive the following:

* a FREE session complete with wardrobe changes at the location of your choice (you will have a list from which to choose) ($150.00 value)
* password protected, online gallery of at least 20-25 images
* 50 rep cards (a card with images from your session...these are to share w/ your friends/family)
* 4 low resolution, web sized images for you to share via email or social networking sites (MySpace and Facebook)
* Print credits AND a chance to earn up to $150.00 CASH! The more people you refer to me, the more you get

So do you think you'd make a great senior rep??? If so, contact me ASAP. I am only taking 1-2 seniors per high school!! Click HERE to contact me! (then click on Talk to Me and fill out the form) OR email me: shannonjdodge@gmail.com

Here are a few samples from senior shoots:





I only need a few, so if you're interested, please contact me ASAP!

This week's picks are from a guest contributer, Jennifer Sebby of Mountain Pony Photography. Thanks Jennifer! She says the following about her choices:

As a guest contributer this week I decided to put together some outfits that would work for a family session, but that could also be paired up to use in a sibling shoot, as a couple, or any other combinations as well. I started with the necklace which is not the normal place for me to start, but when you find a piece you love this just goes to show you can start anywhere. The colors in the necklace are beautiful and give a lot of a range for the other pieces. For shooting just the couple take out the necklace for more of a focus on the couple and the muted colors in a few shots as well. When the whole family is together the necklace is not the center because of the colors in the girls dress. For the men I stayed very casual for ease and versatility. Thank you to all the amazing photographers who are main contributers to Wardrobe Wednesday for allowing me to put something together this week.



Woman's Outfit:
Flutter Tank: New York & Co. $18.86
Linen Pants: New York & Co. $18.86
Sterling Wing Cuff: Etsy.com $38.00

Shoes: DSW $49.95

Man's Outfit:
Dark Blue Polo: Old Navy $15.00
Brown Cargo Pants: Old Navy $29.50
Men's Slip Ons: DSW $39.95

Girl:
Navy blue sparkle sequin blossom clip: Etsy.com $58.00
Crochet-back dress: Gap Kids $32.50
Jewel Sandal: Payless $19.99

Boy:
Blue Polo: 77 Kids $16.50
Plaid Cargo Shorts: 77 Kids $29.50
Canvas Slip Ons: Payless $14.99

Sisters {Miromar Lakes Family Photographer}

I love this family. They are friends of ours whom we don't see nearly enough! (especially since they live less than a mile away!) This was my third time photographing them. They had faith in me since the beginning--when I started my business just about 2 years ago! You can see their earlier sessions HERE and HERE. Oh boy...I've come a LONG way since their first shoot with me! Thanks for believing in me, guys. :)

I hope you love your sneak peek.











Until next time...
Mwah!

Wardrobe Wednesday -- Calling all 2011 HS Seniors!

This week's Wardrobe Wednesday just happens to coordinate with a special announcement! I am looking for high school senior reps for the 2010-2011 school year! Huh you say? But what's a senior rep? Stick with me here, and i'll explain.

A senior rep is a high school senior who will represent Shannon J. Dodge Photography and help spread the word and promote us to their classmates. Sounds easy, right? Keep reading if you are still interested!

A senior rep will receive the following:

* a FREE session complete with wardrobe changes at the location of your choice (you will have a list from which to choose) ($150.00 value)
* password protected, online gallery of at least 20-25 images
* 50 rep cards (a card with images from your session...these are to share w/ your friends/family)
* 4 low resolution, web sized images for you to share via email or social networking sites (MySpace and Facebook)
* Print credits AND a chance to earn up to $150.00 CASH! The more people you refer to me, the more you get

So do you think you'd make a great senior rep??? If so, contact me ASAP. I am only taking 1-2 seniors per high school!! Click HERE to contact me! (then click on Talk to Me and fill out the form) OR email me: shannonjdodge@gmail.com

Here are a few samples from senior shoots:






This week's Wardrobe Wednesday is brought to you by the SUPER talented Lindsay Horn of Lindsay Horn Photography!

She says,

"When anyone asks for suggestions on what to wear, the first two things I always say are layers and textures. A mixture of textures and layering can add so much depth to an image and make it overall more visually interesting. I tried to capture those two ideas in these outfits for a senior girl. I also like to tell my senior girls to accessorize! The beauty of an accessory (like the sweater, headband, or even funky jewelry) is that you can wear it for a few shots and take it off for a few shots and get some different looks. Outfit #1 is a great casual outfit with a nice pop of color. Outfit #2 is a little dressier, and I included a couple of options for shoes."

Outfit #1

Jeans: Gap - $59.50

Cami: Wet Seal - $9.50

Jacket: Kohl’s - $26.40 (on sale)

Shoes: DSW - $34.95

Necklace: American Eagle - $19.50

Earrings: American Eagle - $12.50

Bracelet: American Eagle - $12.50

Outfit #2

Dress: Nordstrom - $44.00

Sweater: Forever 21 - $18.90

Belt: Nordstrom - $10.00

Boots: Wet Seal - $16.99 (on sale)

Sandals: Forever 21 - $7.50

Necklace: Forever 21 - $9.80

Earrings: Forever 21 - $3.80

Headband: Forever 21 - $4.80

I especially LOVE outfit #2 although they are both awesome! Trendy and beautiful!

I hope this gives some of you seniors inspiration for your future session!

Until next time...

Mwah!