Abby

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Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Abby and her mom, Alyssa. We had attempted to connect for our session the week before but we were rained out. So, last weekend, although a bit overcast, was a go! I met the two at Weir River Farm for the session and had a very nice time wandering the grounds, playing a bit of Simon Says and checkin' out the cows. Abby's outfit was too cute, and Alyssa informed me that Abby had chosen it herself, which of course made me like the two of them even more.

Summer's Here!

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This is Summer. Her mom called me quite a while ago hoping I could photograph Summer's delivery at home, but unfortunately, my schedule is no longer free enough to be able to do that, (my one regret to having full-time work).  Instead of having me with them the as Summer arrived, they had me come for a session in their home eleven days later. She was cute as a button.

John Daniel

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It was back to Endicott Park for a session with cutie-pie JD!  His mom and I went to high school together and shared many band-related experiences. Now, she's a mom and I was psyched to take some good shots of her little one (actually, I photographed JD the day he was born. Kristen had hoped I would cover his birth, but a c-section brought that to a halt!).  

Gracie!

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The other evening, I had the pleasure of hanging out with little Miss Gracie and her mom, Amy. Amy had never had a pro take photos of her little girl and she decided it was high time. I met with them at their home and pretty much did as I always do, let the kid make the decisions!  I followed Gracie around and did my thing in the dusk light.  Amy also came up with the fun idea of photographing tubby time, which I thought was great! Capturing day-to-day moments like that is something I really love to do because I think those moments are fleeting - time flies so fast! -  and it's rare when a parent might have their evening routine captured on "film". I was happy to do it for them.

Sessions with Little Ones

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I often get asked by my clients what they can expect from their session and how they should prepare. So, I thought I would take this opportunity to make a little entry about this very topic. Things to keep in mind when you're having a session with Cydney Scott Photography. 1. Wardrobe is important. Think layers, patterns and accessories. Don't overdue it by covering your two year old with bangles, but try to avoid too much plain, and try to avoid uncomfortable. 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 can really add to their photos.

When it comes to babies, be minimalist. Put them in something simple so the baby doesn't get overshadowed by a showy outfit. As for props and staging; I often just use what I find in your home. By doing this, it gives your photos a personal touch that's relevant to your family.

Noah sports some cool layers and sneaks with character.

 

With Liam's simple onesie, we are drawn to his eyes and not layers of clothes.

 

When it comes to family sessions, avoid being too matchy matchy. It doesn't let your family's fun-loving personality come-out if you're all wearing the same exact outfit. Wear colors that work together but are not exactly the same.

2. 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?  So come to your sessions with an open mind and breathe deep. Not all wonderful photos are of kids smiling right into the camera.  Sing a song or tell a knock knock joke that you know you're kid will find funny. Make silly faces. Or, simply take a walk and leave it to me!

3. Go into your session with an open mind. 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.  This helps you get a variety of shots, and it keeps things fresh and helps prevent boredom. 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!

4. Have on hand a favorite toy or two. Their stuffed bunny might seem ratty, but they add to the photos a great deal if it's something your little one loves.

5. When the family's all together for a photo, don't worry too much about the camera. You don't always have to be looking right into the lens. Sit with your child and tickle them, chat with them, sing a little song with them, read them a book. Those moment shots are often the best kind of family pics!

Your children grow-up fast. I want you to enjoy your session as much as I love being able to help you preserve those fleeting moments for you!

 

 

 

 

William

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I recently had the pleasure of meeting William, who is a friend of Noah's. For our session with William and his mom and dad, we went to a nearby park, ran around, blew some bubbles...it was a jolly time!

A very nice response from Amanda, William's mom, after she got a chance to look at and share her photos;

Hi Cydney, I wanted to share... on Monday I had sent my dad (who lives in NC) the link to the pictures.  He had had an especially tough day.  I was on the phone with him as he went through, and his reaction to EACH and every one was priceless.  He is in a lot of physical pain (long story) and he said that after looking at those pictures he couldn't even feel the pain.  He truly was thrilled and kept complimenting your work.  He also said, which I had thought the same thing, that when he thinks of William and his personality, you captured a piece of each aspect of him.  So I wanted to thank you for such an amazing gift... hearing his joy was the best! ~Amanda

Reuning and Sons

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I was very happy to have a chance to go back to Reuning and Sons and shoot for them. I was there to take some portraits, collect some "artsy" shots and I also caught a few funny moments, like the staff's reaction to owner Christopher Reuning's joke about a monkey piloting a plane. Always a lovely space to shoot in and such nice people to be around.

Amanda & Billy

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A few weeks ago I got an email from Amanda, whose boyfriend Billy was coming home from his military duties in Pensacola to spend the weekend with her for her birthday. She also wanted their picture taken together while he was home. That's where I come in. After lots of back and forth to figure out the best spot to meet at and have a photo session, we settled on Powissett Farm in Dover, MA. I was a little concerned that meeting there on a Sunday would result in crowds but to our surprise, it was completely quiet on the farm (who wouldn't want to spend their sunday visiting pigs?). Photographing these two was great fun and for a pair who claim to not be "touchy feely", the did a fine job during their session!

What to do? What to wear?

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Wondering how to prepare for your engagement photo session?  Well, I was directed to a great blog entry HERE, which I'm going to share with you here almost in it's entirety, almost completely verbatim (along with some of my peanut gallery comments added in)! So, here are some things to keep in mind when you are prepping for your session (and in many ways, this is applicable for any session with CSP) 1. Outfits. There are so many different ways to go on this, and so much different advice out there. So I’m going to stick to the top three bits of clothing advice we like to offer.

a) Don’t wear a lot of solid white. Especially anything big and bulky and all-white. Just don’t do it. White adds ten pounds on camera. It’s an optical illusion at its meanest. Now, that said, this is not THE RULE. If you have a white outfit that you feel you look fantastic in and makes you feel gorgeous? Wear it.

b) Complimenting each other without being matchy-matchy. The key is to select colors that compliment each other and are in the same color family, but aren't identical. Showing who you are with your own personal style is important. Then, choose something for him that matches you.

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D)  Yes to color and yes to great shoes! And accessories! If you're looking for an excuse to buy that dress you've always wanted but can't find a reason to buy one, a photo shoot is a good reason.

2. Be yourself.

A) Be happy. Be in love. You know how PDA (Public Displays of Affection, for those who haven’t been to high school in awhile) kind-of grosses people out? It doesn’t gross us out. So squeeze each other tight. Let the joy in. Remember how you felt the first time he said I love you. Remember your first date. Whatever gets you to that happy place. These are your rite-of-passage-pictures! Work the love!

b) I stole this from Jasmine Star (don’t judge, haters. She’s the coolest person ever and you wish you were her). Smile with your eyes. It works.

c) Open up and let us into that bond that the two of you share. We all put up walls in public and with those we’ve just met to keep ourselves from being humiliated. But we WANT to see the real you. Goofy, dorky, the fabulous model you were in your past life, whatever you are. We can skip the I’m normal facade. You don’t have to be.

3) Enjoy yourself and have fun!

TAGS: esession, engagements, engagement session, portraits, portrait session, how-to, getting ready, clothes, couples.

My Lovely Weekend

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It started many years ago when I came home from upstate New york, where I was living at the time, and I had only the long Labor Day weekend. I asked that this collection of people get together for the weekend in the cape, so I could spend time with everyone during my short visit. From that was born our annual Labor day weekend. This year, it couldn't happen right on Labor Day, so we did a little switch-a-roo. 

Enjoy!