Random Wednesday: What to Wear For Your Portrait Session

I often get the question "what do you think we should wear for our session?". Good question, since your session is an investment...you want to look your best! You also want your images to reflect your family's personality and to fit into your home, right?

I often tell clients to try to dress with some pops of color. I personally think children look best in bright colors OR pops of color (hair bows, scarves, socks, shoes...you want to bring out some color in the pics...make it fun!). So, I usually tell clients to start with the girl (if there is one!), and dress her in bright colors and/or patterns. I then tell them to choose colors within what she is wearing and coordinate the rest of the family. By coordinate, I do not necessarily mean match, just don't clash.

Take some tips from this family. :) Colorful, cute and fun!


Also, check out this blog for some great tips on the latest trends, ideas and great places to purchase clothing!

One more thought: if your child has a favorite "lovey", "friend", stuffed animal or toy...bring it along! These extras make for more personalized images...make your images memorable!

Random Wednesday: Snapshots

Sometimes the best pictures, are those that are not posed. Some people like to refer to them as "snapshots", I prefer to refer to them as lifestyle portraits.

Such special moments are caught when the subject(s) are not aware the photo is being taken. I love these kind of moments. They make me smile. :)




Happy Wednesday!
xoxoxo

STRENGTH {Fort Myers Photographer}

Wife. Mother. Daughter. Friend. Survivor. This is Marti. Several years ago, Marti was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after many rounds of chemo and radiation, she BEAT IT. Go Marti. Now, she is faced with another challenge-lung cancer. However, she is a very strong woman-and that is why she will beat this. Marti and her husband contacted me and requested a session of the two of them before the chemo started to cast its awful side effects. Marti emailed me 5 days after this session to tell me we did it just in the nick of time--her hair had started falling out in clumps.

Chin up, Marti. This is only another bump in the road of your life. You have the strength to get through this. Thank you for allowing me to capture some sweet moments between you and Alan.

Sweet {Sanibel and Fort Myers Family Photographer}

There is no other way to describe this family. They are so sweet. Every one of them. This is one of my husband's best friends and his family. They were visiting from Michigan and wanted a session while on vacation. It makes me so happy to be able to capture memories like this for families!









Enjoy your sneak peek guys! Proofs are on their way!

Firecracker! {Fort Myers Baby Photographer}

This is my second time (third time if you count her family session!) photographing sweet, baby Lila! She is full of personality and such a firecracker! Love her!

Lila is turning ONE!





She's DONE here.

Random Wednesday: You Make Me Happy

If this doesn't make you smile, you need to go back to bed. :)

Long Distance Session {Phoenix Area Family Photographer}

Meet the Beckers. This gorgeous family flew me all the way to Phoenix, AZ for their family session! They happen to be good friends of ours, and they really wanted me to do their family photo session. How flattering! Who am I to turn down a few relaxing days with friends? :) Thank you again, Shelly and Jude!

Look at these boys. Seriously? Can they be any more gorgeous?!?!? To top it off, they are very well behaved and super sweet!















I could not choose just a few images for this post...if you made it this far, thanks for looking!

Random Wednesday--Local Talent: RPM Design House

Random Wednesday is baaaaaaaaack!!! I resolved to blog more a few weeks ago, so expect to see twice weekly (baby steps here!) blog posts from me!

Occasionally on Random Wednesdays, I'd like to spotlight a local talent or service that I think would appeal to those reading this blog! This week, it's RPM Design House. (click here to check out some of his work! it's AWESOME!)

RPM Design House has been in business in Southwest Florida for 5 years. However, Michael Rabalais, the owner of RPM Design House, has been providing services for a total of 10 years. You may be asking, 'what kind of services?' Well, the main premise of his business is painting murals in homes and businesses. He also offers business branding and product design. But let's get to the really interesting portion: painting murals in nurseries AND helping to design/decorate the entire room. I'll let you hear it straight from him:

SJD Photography: What type of services do you offer?

Michael Rabalais: A large percent of my clients request mural services for interior rooms such as family and living room spaces as well as kids rooms. What makes me different from a regular painter is my ability to help with the design making process and level of services I can provide to complete a whole room design. I often times design and create hand made valences, framed art work, and signage for each room. I also help my clients pick out bedding and assemble furniture such as cribs and install shelving for closets.

Michael's murals are GORGEOUS by the way and very creative! His designs are 'original theme concepts' and 'one of a kind'. His services are VERY affordable and he does not charge per service or hour. Once a price is established for a mural based on his client's budget and time frame, he includes those services.

Ok ok you say, what's the cost???

I'll let you hear it straight from the artist's mouth: A 12x12 room can be painted for as low asd $225.00. Mural services start at $325.0o for an 8x12 wall. I also often work with my clients to allow them to benefit from all my services based on their budget. For example: If a client requests a complete infant room design for a budget under $400.00, I can offer them a complete room package of Painting and a mural but create a smaller mural and offer to install shelving or custom drapes to keep my time and cost down.

Affordable, right??? Where was this guy when I was designing my kids' rooms?!?! ;) By the way, I've met personally with this talented guy myself, and he is very personable and easy to get along with!

If you're expecting, or simply want to redecorate the nursery or your child's room (or if you're in need of business branding or product design) you HAVE to check him out! For more information regarding RPM Design House and the services Michael Rabalais offers, please visit his site and stay up to date on his blog! He's fantastic!

25% off your ENTIRE print order!

This should make you giddy with excitement! Book your session by Monday, January 25th, and receive 25% off your entire print order!

Call 239.410.2802 or email me: shannonjdodge@gmail.com

But hurry, because this offer expires Monday, January 25th at midnight!

*Your session must be scheduled before May 25th, 2010 for this offer to be valid.
**Valid on full sessions only. Session fee is required to hold/reserve your session.

New Year Resolutions

Happy 2010! Can you believe another decade has FLOWN by? Yikes. I must be getting old! The new year brings new promises or resolutions, right? There are quite a few changes I am working on right now!

*Blogging. First and foremost, I PROMISE to be a better blogger! A new and improved blog is in the works, as is a change in the website. Look for more frequent specials, offers on mini sessions and contests!

*Pricing.I will now be offering collections, both digital and print. I have had quite an interest in digital images and I'd love to offer a more affordable option for those of you who LOVE to scrapbook and share images from their sessions.

*High School Seniors. Look for a special post and casting call for seniors!

Thank you to all of my wonderful clients for making 2009 a SUPER year! Here's to an even better 2010!