dressing for the sesh! {family size}

"what should i wear?!"

ahhhh. the question that dates back to, well, post-garden-of-Eden! (adam & eve definitely didn't have to worry about family photos. but still...:)

{i'm starting a new little series on my blog! over time, i'm going to be posting ideas to hopefully help you pick out the perfect outfit(s) for your session...ranging from senior guys, gals, and families!}

so!

deciding what to wear is kiiiinda one of the more important decisions you'll make--once you've gotten the approval of the family to have some photos taken. and lets face it, we all want to look good! scratch that, we want to look like we stepped out of Family Fun or the 23 million ads from khols that come in the sunday paper. right?! right!

so, i'm going to attempt to give y'all some tips/advice/words of wisdom.

(i love fashion, and spend a good majority of my time observing photos...but i'm definitely not an expert yet...)

1. avoid being "matchy-matchy"

i highly doubt you all leave the house wearing matching sweaters or polos. ever. so why should you have photos hanging on your wall of you dressed as such? the goal is to have everyone complement each other, but not be identical. ;)

2. mix 'n match

this is what makes it fun! mix and match colors and patterns to create fun statements. pick 3 or 4 colors that go together well, and spread them out among everyone.

3. layer like you're bakin' a cake!

layers make an outfit so much more interesting! the good news? it really isn't that hard to do! add a fun, bold necklace, scarf, vest, belt or boots, and voila! you've got a complete outfit.

4. cheat a little.

no, not on a test. that's never ok! but it's ok to cheat when it comes to fashion. :) and by cheating i mean, "find examples from other people who get it more than i do and try to copy them." magazines & catalogs are great for this! if you know what style (classic, modern, preppy, funky) you want, look for inspiration in similar places. (j.crew, anthropologie, land's end, even ads from old navy or j.c. penney's!)

5. celebrate the individuals in the group!

let your son sport his favorite cowboy boots, allow your daughter to wear her new headband that she practically sleeps in. personality is something to be treasured, and family photos are a fun way to showcase your unity as a family but differences & quirks as individual members!

{in case you like visuals, i've found some good examples online that i've placed below!}

source: #1. #2. #3.

was this helpful at all? feedback is always appreciated!
love always,amelia renee:)

cassie | model | part two

if you don't remember Cassie (although i'm not sure how you couldn't! she's gorgeous. period.) then check out part one of her session here. we had the chance to work together once again, this time in the snow!, and it was a blast. and cold. so very cold. but Cassie wanted photos in a few certain outfits, so we braved the weather. like always, it was worth the frozen toes! see for yourself. :)





















love always,amelia renee:)

millers | family portraits | cedar falls, ia photographer

this shoot was a quick, end-of-the-year, spur of the moment idea. and those are really the most fun;) our senior pastor, pastor John, and his wife Karen have 3 (grown!) children, and when they were all home for a week between christmas & new years, we quickly set up a time to grab a few photos out in the woods by the church. (do notice the lack of snow. in december. late december! amazing.)





michael, the oldest, and his wife Jessica.

oh, and guess what? they're having a baby! so, in a way, these could be reeeaally early maternity photos, riiiiight? ;)

matthew. he's going overseas soon to do missions work in linguistics and translation.
laura! she's a super sweetheart & was in my small group for main event.

there is never a wrong time to get family photos taken! feel free to read this letter.
love always,amelia renee:)

zac + crystal | married | cedar falls wedding photographer

i realized that i never got around to blogging a wedding i shot last summer! it happened one day before detasseling started, and in between changing blogs, so there never was an ideal time for that. today, however, is ideal, because it is Zac and Crystal's 6 month anniversary! :) congratulations on your first married six months, you two!
this was my first "big" wedding (although it was really pretty small!) Zac & Crystal spent their day surrounded by the people they hold closest, and you could truly tell it. everything went smoothly (no bridezillas here!) and it was such a wonderful, hot day full of love.i mention it was hot? i just looked up the local weather for july 16th, 2011...and the high was 90! it was the kind of weather puts beads of sweat on your back the second you walk outdoors. however, the entire wedding party were troopers and let me sneak a few photos out & about town!
Zac & Crystal, thank you for allowing me the honor of photographing your wedding! blessings to you both on many more years of married life!























love always,amelia renee:)