What Should You Wear?

Choosing Clothes for a Photo Shoot

You’re planning to get your picture taken soon. You have everything ready to go – the appointment is made, and everyone is ready to show up. Except for one thing. What on earth should you wear?

Choosing clothes for a photo shoot can be a real challenge. You don’t really want to go buy all new outfits, but you definitely want everyone to look good! How do you figure out what to dress everyone in? Where do you start?

I would begin with choosing a place to display your finished piece. Too many people start with the photograph and just look around for a place to display it that looks okay. I suggest, instead, you start with the display location that you’re looking to fill, and design your portrait from there.

-       What color is the room?

-       What color are the accents?

-       What textures do you see? Woods? Fabrics? Glossy surfaces?

Once you’ve zeroed in on these features, it’s a lot easier to start choosing your clothes. If your display area has a warm, dark feeling, with heavy textures and earthy tones, you probably don’t want bright blue, red, and green colors with shiny patent leather shoes. You’ll want items like wool sweaters, cotton shirts, furry hats and muted tones throughout. You might want an accent color for emphasis – maybe on the kids so the attention is drawn more to them. Okay, so you have a style you’ve decided on, but how do you choose the colors?

1. Begin with the main color in the room you’ll be displaying the image. Is it white? Is it blue? Yellow? Green? Define the main color and mimic that.
2. Look at a color wheel or some sample color palettes to begin understanding how colors go together. Zero in on the ones that feature your main color
3. Look for patterns in the images you’re finding, and notice which colors are paired with your main color most often. Do you like the look? If you hung your sample image in your chosen display place, would it fit in?

Once you’ve reached this point, you’ve got your colors. Look through your clothes for appropriate textures and colors, and voila! You’ll have your outfit chosen in no time. Chances are good you’ll have some options already in your closet. If you don’t like what you see, at least you know what you need to buy.

Where to Take Pictures

It’s time for new pictures of your kids. You don’t want school pictures with the blue background and the straight-on angle. You want real pictures. Ones that capture your child’s essence, and allows you to remember who they were at this time in their lives. You’ve got a camera, and you (pretty much) know how to use it. Now what?

If you’re looking to take some pictures of your own kids, you’re up for a challenge. It’s never easy, no matter how much training and experience you have. Your kids just won’t act the same around you as they will around any other adult. They know what they can get away with when you’re in charge.

You need a place to go where the kids will pay attention.

I would recommend a new place. Somewhere the kids have never been, or maybe they’ve been there only a time or two. The new situation often puts kids a little on guard so they’re a bit more likely to listen to instructions. Look for a place with natural wonder – not play structures. Of course you want your kids to have fun on their photo shoot, but playgrounds have lots of distracting lines and colors to make composition more difficult, and let’s not forget the other kids! Who wants to worry about keeping them out of the frame? Too much trouble when you have your own kids to deal with.

If there’s a beach near home – but maybe a little farther than you typically travel – that’s always a safe bet (it doesn’t matter what season). A forest with a hiking trail, a grassy field, or a local public garden would make a wonderful backdrop. Think like an out-of-towner – where might you go if you were just visiting your area? Travelers often choose to visit places of beauty.

Find a beautiful place near your home that you don’t often visit, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful photo shoot with your kids.

Rainy Day Blues

It has been raining. And raining. And raining. And still raining around here. It just won’t let up. I know what you’re thinking – it’s Seattle; get used to it. But in my experience (only 3 and a half years, but enough to feel somewhat at home), rain in Seattle tends to be light and misty. Sure, it might rain all day long, but you typically don’t need an umbrella. As long as you dress in layers, it’s really no big thing.

This week, it’s been like a good old-fashioned rainy day in the midwest. Big, fat raindrops. Thick and heavy clouds. Puddles everywhere. Mud. Worms on the sidewalks. Eeew…

No, I didn't photograph this image. It's from the cover of McCall Magazine back in 1943! The maker's name is Nickolas Muray - he died in 1965.

I had my Beach Photo FUNdraiser this weekend. I got lucky on Saturday, and was able to shoot during the few hours the rain subsided, but there was no chance on Sunday. It was just way too gross. The whole thing got me thinking about my philosophy: Capture life as it really is. Accept what you see and make a memory out of it. Why did I decide enough was enough?

I think the rain is fun and exciting. Shooting in the rain is a challenge worth facing – and it helps to create some of the most unique images out there. I would be thrilled to have a photo session with my family in the rain!

But it’s not about me. It’s about you. I can truthfully tell you that photos in the rain – with the jackets, umbrellas, and all of that – are so fun! But I can also come to grips with the fact that some people don’t want to be pelted in the face with cold rain and wind after they’ve anticipated their photo session for so long. There’s Seattle mist; and there’s steady, fat, and oppressive RAIN. Your pictures will be around for quite a while. It’s important to be sensible and set yourself up to enjoy the experience of making a memory.

I canceled photos on Sunday because it was the best way to make our time together FUN. That’s what this FUNdraiser is all about: Kids having FUN at school, and you having FUN with your family. This kind of rain is just not fun.

If you want to find some beauty in the rain, check this out. These photographers know about rainy day beauty. You could see it too. You just have to be open to it.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

As I write this, I’m watching hail beat down on my back deck. It’s March in Seattle, and it’s hailing. That’s unusual, to say the least.

Less than a week ago, I went out with a boy, his mother, and two of his friends. The temperature was in the low 30’s, there were snow flurries, and the wind was ferocious. It was picture day. Now, you might think it was a bad day for photos, and we should have rescheduled. But I would have to disagree.

It was an unusually cold day, and ice had formed over all of the puddles from previous rainfall. The kids were freezing, but they quickly found ways to make the day fun. They walked on the ice to see if they could break through it with their weight. They found walking sticks, and began using them to break the ice as they walked by.

Eventually, it became a team project to stop at every puddle and destroy the icy cover together! Kids are amazing in their resilience. Put them in a tough situation, and their adventurous spirit will emerge. Then you make sure you have your camera ready to capture the sparks that are uniquely them.

When our session was all said and done, we wrapped things up, and headed out for hot chocolate and cookies. It was a worthwhile afternoon, with good friends and good fun. You should try it some time.

I can’t believe it’s booked!

I just want to send a heart-felt thank you to everyone for all of your interest in this year’s FUNdraiser. I am blown away. I was hoping to fill up 9 slots for this, and instead I’ve filled a whopping eighteen and I have an overflow list in case someone needs to cancel! It’s overwhelming to me, and I’m so grateful to have such a wonderful response. Not only am I excited to work with everyone, but I am also thrilled to be supporting the Room Nine Community School PIE/PTSA.

This event means a lot to me. Thank you for helping to make it a success.

Lara

Last Chance for Photo FUNdraiser

I have one spot left for the FUNdraiser. One. I extended the event once again, allowing just 3 more families an opportunity to participate, and I have one spot left. I will not be extending it again, so make sure you get in touch as soon as you can if you’d like to participate. Details can be found on my events page, if you’re interested. Thank you to everyone for making this a success!

Pictures for Ballard MOPS Moms

This morning I had the privilege of photographing the awesome moms of the Ballard MOPS group during their annual Spa Day. They spent the morning getting pampered and dolled up with various local vendors – hair stylists, makeup artists, and much more. Then when they felt beautiful enough, they came to my “studio” to get pictures taken. It was a fun morning! I’m so glad I had the chance to work with this group of strong and passionate young moms. They inspire me to be a better mother myself.

SPPA Award of Excellence

Thanks to this sweet little newborn baby girl, I received an Award of Excellence in this weekend’s SPPA Annual Print Competition! It was really great to hear all of the feedback about so many awesome images. I can’t wait for next year!

Vacation Photo Workshop

Spring break is coming up. Are you planning a vacation? Sign up for my workshop and learn some helpful hints to making better vacation photos. We’ll look at big challenges with taking pictures in the sunshine, and simple ways to overcome them.

Who should come: Moms & Dads and People with Cameras (kids in tow are okay)

When to come: Monday, March 7^th, 10:30-11:30am

Where to go: Register for the workshop, and I’ll tell you!

Registration is $30, and 2 for $50 if you bring a friend. Sign up before the end of the day on Friday, March 4^th. Contact Lara at (206) 724-2177 or lara@laragrauer.com

The FUNdraiser is Extended!

36 hours after announcing the 2011 Beach Photo FUNdraiser, it was booked. Wow! Since there is still interest, I have opened more time slots on Sunday, March 13th from 4:00-6:00. Let me know if you want to participate, and I’ll reserve a time for you.

Thank you all for supporting a great cause! I’m really looking forward to a fun weekend.

Love and Hugs,
Lara