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Fun Themed Portrait Ideas

There are many fun ways to stay creative as a family portrait photographer.  One of my favorites, is to plan a styled session.  This goes beyond cute clothing and fun locations!  It begins with a story!

1. Ship Wreck

I am inspired by so many things.  Looking at beautiful advertising campaigns, art work and music videos provide me with tons of ideas.  Over time, I became inspired by the ocean, vintage clothes and being stranded.   What would that look like as an editorial session?  So, I asked my good friend Denyse to help me come up with some fun clothing and props and the perfect models for a ship wrecked session.  We ended up at sunrise on the beach with all of our props and clothing.  The session was amazing. (See more photos from the shoot)

portrait theme ship wreck

2. Princesses

Styled sessions are often inspired by my client’s kids.  Young girls so often go through the phase of being obsessed with Disney Princesses.  This gorgeous gal wanted to wear a different princess outfit every day… she literally owned them all.  In order to capture this fleeting time in her young life, we decided to do a style session with a Princess hanging her laundry up to dry.princess theme photo shoot

 

3. Vintage 

Vintage nostalgia often provide a fun, classic look. As most of you know, I am obsessed with vintage cars and clothing!  Here is both a family vintage portrait and beautiful high school senior photo. In both cases props, styling, and wardrobe is key. We can help with all of it.

theme-vintage-family

 

4. The Art of Memory

Other sessions have been motivated by a family memory.  One of my clients who is an artist wanted to paint a picture of her grandmother hanging her laundry (don’t know why laundry has been a theme)… We created a set to look like her grandma’s house and took lots of great images.  She then turned them into a painting.art themed photography

5. Classic Childhood

These are some of the most fun sessions! The kids get to be themselves and pretend all at the same time.  The result is relaxed, unique shots.

childhood themed portaits

6. Natural Beauties.

Juxtaposing classic, vintage indoor furniture, beautiful gowns and the beauty of nature creates stunning results.

nature glamour gowns

Inspiration can come from anywhere!  A favorite book, a painting, a song… you name it.  These portraits are amazing because they are unique to your family.  I love for the client to be really involved in telling their story through images, so we capture exactly what they imagined.

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Happy Mother’s Day: Laguna Beach Family Portraits

Everyone warned me that Junior year of high school was killer.  Between academics, standardize testing, school activities and trying to perform in the pool, I feel like my son Cameron never gets a break.  I want time to slow down, because I know the next year or so will go by way too quickly.  I am sure senior year will be filled with friends and fun and I will get limited opportunities to spend one of one time with him before he leaves for college.  This has been in the forefront of my mind as I quickly get in the last of the graduating class of 2015 Senior Photography Sessions.

I am always thrilled to photographer seniors before they embark into adulthood.  Really, it is the last opportunity to have a photography session planned that solely focuses on who the senior is today.  It is even better when Mom gets involved.  I have photographed Noelle for herself and for business in the past, and I was excited to include her in her daughter’s High School senior photography session.  Since the Wheelers have unfortunately, not done many family sessions over the years, we decided to make this about all the girls in the Wheeler family and do a sister’s session as well.  Here are just a few of my favorites from the session.  There were really just so many beautiful images and the girls were naturals in front of the camera!  Enjoy!

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The Simpson Family: Laguna Beach Family Photography

I love a gal that comes completely prepared, and who is a little afraid of wearing white pants.  Allyn Ann and family showed up in the Newport Back Bay with super cute outfits on as well as backup outfits just in case something got dirty.   We started by showing Georgia the cute ducks on the farm that I visited most Sunday evenings as a kid.  She asked where the cows, chickens, horses and piggies were?  This two year old definitely has a little spice to her personality… another thing I love especially in 2 year olds.

Like most photography sessions that include two year olds, it felt a little like directed chaos.  Georgia ran back and forth chased by Jeremy, her Dad, or by her sweet Mama.  She shared with Desi and I that her Grandpop calls her Sugar and her Mama say “love you”!  I couldn’t stop smiling.  I ran behind with my camera and tried to distract her my asking her what color are the flowers, and what do they smell like.  In the end we got some many sweet images.  Here are just a few.  Don’t forget to check out the video at the end for more cute portraits!  Enjoy!

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Beautiful Sarah

Beautiful Sarah is such a sweet soul! Her Mom, Janice, wanted to do something special for her sweet daughter, and thought a photo session to show her just how beautiful she is both on the outside and on the inside, was just in order. Brittany from Brittynortonartisty, showed up early to decide on a fun, youthful look for Sarah. Deseree was on had to provide styling, but Janice got the clothes just right, and we didn’t even need to use any of our wardrobe. We started Sarah’s session in my studio and the surrounding area, but quickly jumped in the cars and headed for an open field. Sarah’s sweet, natural look blended in perfectly with the small purple blooms surrounding the field.

It was such an honor to work with this amazing family. Enjoy!
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Beautiful Carolin

I am so inspired by the amazing people I get to photograph each day.  Especially those people who face adversity with a smile and have a beautiful spirit.  Carolin is one of those unique, beautiful individuals who can really light up a room with her gorgeous smile.  She is an only child whose Mom is a survivor of brain cancer.  Unfortunately, Carolin’s mom is in wheelchair as a result of an injury suffered after the cancer treatment.  Carolin’s amazing Dad is super supportive, but still has to travel for work.  This doesn’t slow Carolin down at all.  She comes home, helps fix dinner and hangs out and keeps her mom company and still manages to find time to act in her school plays and get all her homework done on time.  A truly warm, sweet, bright and loving person.  I am so proud to have had an opportunity to capture her beauty, inside and out! Enjoy!

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See more by watching her slideshow: