The fall brings with it leaves and cider, and lots of smiles into my lens (the holidays are great incentive for clients to get in touch)! Tommy, while he looked serious (and disgruntled) in a few of these shots, is a beautiful little man with parents who adore him and a grandma who's a champ at peek-a-boo (very helpful for family shots!).
Now that Brayden is two, his parents Kristin and Benjamin touched base for a quick session. Such beautiful weather to capture a beautiful family in.
I was flattered and excited to be asked to photograph the first child of my coworker Andy and his wife Elizabeth. I learned of Cora's arrival well before arrival time, so I had a lot of waiting and looking-forward to do.
When it finally came time for the spotlight, Cora was skeptical of me I think, but in the end, we did just fine. I love her sweet, thoughtful little face!
These little snuggle bunnies have grown a lot in the past year. I was excited when their mom got in touch for a one year session. Photographing them (as is always the case with any human between the age of one and four), is like trying to keep cats in a wheel barrow.
I've actually never tried to put cats in a wheel barrow, but I imagine it's an interesting challenge, as is photographing humans between the ages of one and four. They were fun and squirrely and curious and busy in all the best ways.
Lisa and I had to reschedule their first family session when the weather decided to not cooperate (Thanks a lot New England!). Second time was a charm though and we had beautiful weather to romp through the Fells with Lisa, her husband and their cuties!
It's been a busy month for me and I really love that; love taking pictures, love that people want me taking their picture. All good things!
Emily and Joe hired me to shoot their wedding a few years back and I was very excited to hear from Emily's mom, asking me to photograph her new grandson Alexander!
Kristin, her husband Will and their four legged Cocoa met me at the wonderful Wright's Pond for a session. Unfortunately, they brought their really difficult and ugly kids Hanley and Davis (insert sarcasm font here). At the risk of sounding like a sixteen year old, they were adorbs!
This year's fall mini sessions were again a big success! Cold air didn't stop my clients form bringing their A-game and Salem Willows made for another lovely backdrop.
Babies babies! They're the best, and little Miss Lily is no different. What a sweet little peanut. Her session was made even more fun by her two big brothers; one with a curly top and one with curly fur everything!
I've been photographing Sandi, her husband Brian, and their kids for years and years and oh-my-gosh-look-how-little!, and I always enjoy seeing them. This year we met at Salem Willows Park (the site of this year's Fall Session Day).
One extra nice thing about Sandi is that she always reminds me and encourages me to shoot candid when I'm with her family. Sometimes I get so into portrait mode that I forget the strength that comes from being a fly on the wall, and the fact that I love shooting that way!
Hiring a professional photographer can be a bit daunting. You've committed to a date and time, find yourself at the mercy of New England weather, and crossing your fingers the kids won't get sick, and the grown-ups will feel camera-ready. Nor'easters and stomach bug outbreaks aside, here are some tips for looking your best and rocking your session. Keep in mind that these are suggestions, not hard and fast rules.
If you go with the same color, mix it up by choosing varying styles.
WHAT TO WEAR
For reasons no one understands, white seems to add ten pounds to everyone. Pastels and other muted toned like pale grays and beige makes most of us look pasty. Stick with colors you know you look good in. Don't be afraid of bold, unless it's really not your style. It will contribute to the personality and pop! of your photos. That said, 'got a new white dress you feel fabulous in? Then go for it!
If you're in a group, wear colors form the same end of the color spectrum, without being matchy-matchy. Everyone in identical chinos and white polos will leave you looking like you belong on a real estate billboard in Florida. WE DON'T WANT THAT! Select colors that compliment each other, but aren't identical. If you go with the same color, mix it up by choosing varying clothing styles to show each person's individuality.
Choose accessories which will show off your personality but not detract by being too wild or flashy (unless that's what you want!).
IF KIDS WILL BE IN YOUR SESSION
When dressing little ones, including babies, avoid shirts with charming phrases on them as they will be hard to read in your shots. Avoid fussy (think sailor suit). If they're not used to hats and headbands, skip them. You won't get natural shots of your child if they are uncomfortable with what they are wearing. Dressing your child (or letting them dress themselves!) to show their personality will only add to your photos.
Some of the best shots are when you're just enjoying each other!
Props. If your shoot is taking place in your home I will often use what I find there. Does you're little one have a ragged bunny she can't part with? Let Bunny join the session! It will add some sweet nostalgia to your collection. Bubbles are fun to have on hand too.
Don't forget to schedule around nap time and meals, and whatever you do, don't let your little one get hangry. Make sure they are fed and have had a potty-break beforehand.
BREATHE! If you are relaxed, your child will be relaxed. How would you feel if you had multiple people barking at you to "smile!". Not so great, right? Come to your session with an open mind and breathe deep. Not all wonderful photos are of subjects smiling right into the camera. If you're doing group shots, bring along a toy that I can hold to keep their attention during group shots. Don't be shy about singing a song or telling a knock knock joke. Make silly faces. Or, simply take a walk and leave it to me! I'll make fart noises until we get the shot!
HOW I WORK. Your session might include lots of moving around. I might plop your kids in the middle of your bed (provided you don't mind) and let them jump around for some fun action shots, or maybe on my way to your home I notice an interesting stone wall in your neighborhood. We may end up takin' a walk to hang out on that wall. If you have a place that's special to you, don't be shy about letting me know. This helps you get a variety of shots, and it keeps things fresh and helps prevent boredom for kids and grown-ups too. Alternatively, I may come into your home and find everything we need for the perfect session is right there in front of me. You just never know. Just remember to go with the flow and enjoy the experience!
I look forward to working with you!
Your bundle of joy is on their way or it has already arrived? Here are some things to keep in mind as your little one experiences their first photo session;
What are you looking for? My style of newborn photography is a combination of lifestyle and documentary photography. You will receive lots of direction, but I also love to come into a home and be a fly on the wall. I want your photos to be about you and the new bond you have with your baby. Lots of photos will be taken of your baby alone, prop-free. I won't be jamming your baby into baskets or hanging them from tree branches. Please take a look at past sessions I've had with newborns to ensure my style is right for you. NEWBORNS
Schedule Your Session When you know you'd like to work with me, get in touch ASAP. You can do this before the baby arrives to give me a heads up of their general arrival date, then get in touch with me again as soon as your little one arrives so we can schedule an appointment soon. For convenience and comfort, your session will take place in your own home.
I'm on my way to you. Now what? Thanks to my years of newspaper photography experience, I have shot in all kinds of scenarios. You've just had a baby, which means you're likely stressed and sleep-deprived. When I come to your home, I do not expect a spotless locale! I will, however, likely move things around so we can get the best shots possible (but don't worry, I'll replace everything before I leave).
We'll follow the light. Natural light is the best light, so please open all your shades and curtains before I arrive. This will help me figure out all our location options within your home. It could be a hallway, it could be the kitchen. It is often more than one spot and I will likely make use of many if not al of them.
Temperature Your little one just came out of 98.6 degree oven. They like it warm, so unless it's summer and your home is already rather warm, I recommend turning your heat up so they aren't uncomfortable if they're being photographed in just a onesie, or a diaper, or nothing. Which brings me to my next suggestion...
Clothing To help keep your baby comfy, I suggest keeping clothing as fussy-free as possible. If you want to incorporate hats or headbands, go for it, but try not to be too disappointed if you little one protests and it needs to be removed. Bold colors help photos pop, but too much pattern can be a distraction from the star of the photo. For family photos, avoid being too matchy matchy with each other. You have personality! Show it by wearing whatever makes you feel good. Are you having one of those Can't Find Anything Good to Wear days (see above about being sleep-deprived and stressed)? Choose a color you know works well on you, keeping in mind that paler colors can wash you out and should be avoided. Back to baby; if you want naked shots of your little one, loosen their diaper about an hour before I arrive to avoid lots of marks on their skin when we disrobe them. If you want shots of your baby in just diapers, it's a good idea to have a cloth diaper, diaper cover, or bloomers for asthetic purposes.
Feed Me! Well, don't feed me (although if you feel compelled I love cheese and anything chocolatey), but rather, be sure to feed and burp your baby before I arrive so they're nice and comfy and satiated as we get started. We can, and will, stop at any time to feed them more if the need arises. Same goes for diaper changes.
Siblings If you have older siblings to be included in the session, please have someone on hand who can take them when they're not involved in the session. Usually, I'll have them hop into shots intermittently. If they are milling around during the entire session they are bound to get bored and possibly disturb the peace.
Relax When you are stressed your baby senses it. Relax and trust that I'm going to take great photos of you, your family, and your new baby! I'm very comfortable holding and working with my littlest clients so never fear, your baby is safe with me. A good amount of your session time may be dedicated to changing diapers, feeding, and calming your baby. That's normal. If you're baby is squirmy or upset, that's normal too. We'll take a break so you can hold them in their favorite blanket or walk around and bounce them in that perfect way that helps settle them.
Be Patient A calm baby is key and that starts with you, but it's also not something we can always predict or control (welcome to parenthood!). Maybe you dreamt of sleepy baby photos but your little one is wide awake. That's OK! Big eyed baby photos are beautiful too. Unexpected things happen all the time during sessions, but we can work with it, and in the end, you'll have a great little collection of images for ever and always!
I wasn't very active with my camera over the 4th of July weekend. I can never completely turn it off, but as I age, I have learned to slow down and enjoy with my eyes and soul a bit too, rather than feeling a need to document at all times. But still, I did. Some with my big kid camera gear and some with my phone. Now that I've joined Instagram (@CydScottPhoto) I've been enjoying the inspiration I'm finding there from other photographers in addition to the challenge of shooting in square format, often with the phone, and sharing work slightly different than my everyday stuff.
Below is a combination of both! Scroll over the photos for more info.
traffic on the way to the cape. So slow I could photograph my mutt Harlow out the window!
a quiet moment in the morning
I sewed bandanas for the dogs! Harlow, on the right, is mine, and Bootsie who tends to be camera shy, belongs to my parents.
Bootise
Vivian
Never a shortage of treats!
Heading to the boat for a ride
On my dad's boat.
On my dad's boat.
I love Fin's smile in this one!
group shot!
My parents
It was a busy weekend. Lots of things to smell, chew, bark at, be afraid of (fireworks) and chase. She was exshausted at the end of it!
I had a great time this past sunny Saturday morning with Evey, her wonderful mom Zoe, and her beautiful daughter (also named!) Zoe.
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