Top 5 Things to Photograph for Spring

Spring time is a perfect time for photography! The weather is cool and not too hot yet, the flowers are starting to bloom, the sun is starting to shine more. Here are some ideas of things to photograph in the spring time.

Flowering trees

This time of year, the trees start to bud and turn green.  Forsythia bushes start blooming in yellow bursts. Magnolia trees are one of the first things to blossom around this time of year.  It only lasts a short period of time, so be sure to get out there and get your pictures done!

Weeds

Farmers hate them, photographers love them! Weeds start springing up everywhere! Dandelions, and henbit are some of the first things to start sprouting.  There is nothing better than that classic kid photo of them making a wish on a dandelion.  As days get longer you will have more and more light to work with.  Make the best of it!  

Outside Time

Finally!! After months of being stuck indoors, the kids can run wild and free! Be sure to capture those happy kid faces.

Baby animals

I think this is just a springtime standard.  Baby animals just signify spring.  Maybe it has to do with Easter- new life and such.  Anyhow, we usually start with new chickens in the spring. It is always a must to capture new chickens.     

Stormy Skies

The weather gets a little crazy in the springtime.  Warm fronts move in, there is always a lot of wind and rain.  Wind in the hair always adds movement and interest to an image. Sometimes you can catch an interesting and stormy sky!  Especially just after a good rain.  Just make sure to protect your camera from getting wet! I have a rain cover that I use sometimes, but a Walmart sack will work too in a pinch!

These are just some of my ideas for spring. Spring is a perfect time for a photo shoot, so contact me if you’d like to set one up!

Thanks for reading!

Early Morning Family photos At Muscatatuck Wild Life Refuge

So it was early in the morning and the weather was perfect!! No Really. It was perfect. It had been soooo hot the week before, even in the morning. But this special morning the temperature was in the high 60’s low 70’s. And you guys, I cannot say enough good things about this family. They are so sweet!! They drove out of their way to come and get their pictures done, and it was such a treat! Being from Missouri they trusted me with the location. They are the type of people that are just seem so laid back. Billie is a photographer as well, so that’s like a super honor for another photographer to trust you with their own family photos. Hope you enjoy these!

Thanks for looking!!

Why should I book a full session?

There are many reasons to book a full session.  Here are some thoughts you might be struggling with.

Opposing thought 1: “Hey, I only need one nice family picture!” Honestly, said no one ever.  It never works this way! By the time you’ve put all that work into hiring the right photographer, picking out clothes, getting yourself ready and your family ready, getting to that perfect location on time, you’re not going to want just one photo! You will want cute pictures of the children, and fun family shots!  This takes time, and you have already invested so much!

Opposing thought 2: “It doesn’t take that long to get a good picture.”  That might be right for older children who will look at the camera and smile for that perfect traditional portrait.  But what about all those interactions in between that perfect shot?! What about your actual real-life family dynamics? I am telling you that it takes time to get used to being in front of the camera.  A quick 15-minute session is going to deprive you of genuine reactions and interactions. And just like you need warm up time, so does your photographer.  Sure, we can do everything to get those perfect shots quickly, but the more time you allow the more time the photographer can get those creative and emotionally deep shots! 

Opposing thought 3: “I don’t have the time for a full session.”  Look, you’ve spent a ton of time getting ready. Getting your family ready.  You’ve bought the outfits, you’ve done your make up, and hair, you showed up on time.  This is no small feat! Make it worth it!

Opposing thought 4: “A whole hour of taking pictures sounds so painful.”  Oh man, I hear you on this one! I would hate to spend a whole hour in front of the camera forcing smiles and poses.  However, full sessions aren’t like this.  Of course, I want to capture that one perfect, over the mantle, everyone looking and smiling photo.  But sometimes the best ones come from forgetting the camera is there. With a full session you will have time to do an activity together.  Genuine real-life moments only come with time.  While mini sessions are great for getting that one perfect traditional photo, full sessions are invaluable for the candid moments.  If you or your children need time to warm up to the camera, a full session might be for you!

Opposing thought 5: “I don’t have the money for a full session”.  I get that, photography is an investment. But honestly, it all depends on what is important to you.  If you want an awesome experience and timeless photos that you will remember and love, then I would encourage you to make it a priority.  You can book as far in advance as you need. For me, I require 50% at the time of booking, so if you pay half now, you can pay the rest when your session is.  If that is a full year out, then you can start saving and getting excited for this important day! For example, you know you will want fall family photos or maybe you go pick out your own tree every Christmas.  Maybe there is a tradition you will want to document so that you can be fully present! If so, then I would encourage you to make a photo session your goal!     

Opposing thought 6: “I don’t need a full session, it’s just not necessary.”  Honestly, I am going to just encourage you to think about it! There is a lot of value in a full session.  It is an experience! The time, attention, details and storytelling are going to be that much better in a full session!  Artful photography is an investment. To book your session go to my contact page and reach out to me today! Thanks for reading!