Preparing for your Holiday Portrait Session

1. Arrive 5-10 minutes early... this gives you plenty of time for last minute issues that may arise. 

No need to be too early you want everyone to be fresh and ready.

2. What to Wear.....this can be really stressful for some but DON'T STRESS! When picking out outfits,

pick out the outfit for the most difficult person to dress first & then plan everyone else's outfit around theirs. 

Plan like it one person's outfit.

Too many patterns can be too busy for the eyes but still let it be an expression of YOUR FAMILY!

Check out my Color Palette guide to help you style your family. 

For extended large family sessions dress each family group in their own color or color palette. 

If you have any questions or need guidance that's what I am here for please ask!

3. Don't stress...

laughing+ loving+ calm = BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!

Not every beautiful photo is cheesy smiles...

in fact the ones that are often the most touching are those natural looks. 

So don't point at the camera to get your little one looking then all we have are fingers pointing!
 

I may have a little pocket of treats to hand out to age appropriate children

but if you prefer me not to, just let me know. 

Remember if you are not in the picture and are helping to make the children smile or a pet look make sure to  stand nice and close to the camera .... right behind me is the best!

And don't leave the pets at home! If you want to include your pets, dogs or cats let's talk we can capture your family including the furry ones!

After your session your gallery will be available for gallery purchases 2-3 weeks from your session. If you are interested in a RUSH please reach out to have a RUSH payment added.

And don’t forget to order you holiday cards…. Check out our custom card creations or choose option thru your gallery shop.

CAPTURING CREATING & CRAFTING YOUR MOMENTS INTO MEMORIES!

~Denise, When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise

Don't Forget to Like & Follow

 When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise Facebook Page & Instagram

for upcoming events and specials!

Family Family where life begins and love never ends.

We all know the more people involved in anything the more stressful the planning can be! As a KISS (Keep It Simple Sweetie) kind of girl, I am the first to shy away from the big plan of getting the entire family, the his… the hers…the theirs….the thems…the everybody…. all together for that BIG production of an event with one exception…….. a portrait! The generational portrait is one big production that the benefit and value outweigh the stress and complication. And what if the stress and complication vanished and all that remained was this big 16X20 Canvas of the entire family … laughing … all together … and having fun? Sound impossible? Well, it’s not and the value is immeasurable. 

So, what’s stopping you?

The where? 

The when? 

The what? 

The who? 

The how to? 

Enter …. ME!

Let me guide your family thru the process. From the color scheme to the laughs, let me take you to the immeasurable portrait in every family members’ home. This treasure isn’t just for the family of today either it’s a legacy for generations to come.  

As a memory maker, I value photos of the past possibly more than the ones in the moment. A photos power stops time. It allows for the viewer to go to that moment to react and take in the details of that second in time. Who hasn’t looked at a family photo and said oh my goodness look what dad was wearing or can you believe how small I was now I’m 6’ 7”…. all my clients just chuckled as they envisioned me on my stool all 5 feet three quarters of an inch of me! A generational photo allows future generations to take in the culture, the fashion, and trends of the time as well as see their family.  I know you all love that feeling you get when you see that Facebook memory or TimeHop reminder come up from 5 years or 10 years ago. Sometimes just looking thru a photo album … (hopefully you still put your photos in albums) can remind you of Grandma’s perfume or Grandpa’s cologne. It’s amazing how the brain works! A photograph can literally trigger the 5 senses of a memory. 

Grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter, caring deeds, wonderful stories, and love.

Now I’ve convinced you …. What next? 

Step 1 Let’s chat! 

Step 2 Contact the family! Put that Family Group Messenger in action. AND don't forget the PETS! Schedule the date. 

PRO TIP… if little ones are involved consider nap times, if pets are involved take them for a walk before to get their energy out. 

Step 3 Check out the color palette guide. The last thing you want is everyone wearing clashing clothing! 🤣 Consider having each smaller family group wearing their own color. Of course you can go with neutrals tans, white,  grey & black to show cohesiveness. But don’t be afraid of adding color and complimenting colors to show the personality in your family dynamic. You can even have family shirts made. Whatever choice you make I am here for guidance along the way so the end result is valued by all. 

Step 4 HAVE FUN! I know I know we all want that perfection but remember some of the most perfect photos are the authentic in the moment ones where you aren’t trying so hard.

So RELAX … laugh a little and have fun! 

Pets are Family tooTime Spent Together Creates Memories

As always YOU make me Happy when YOU choose When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise 

Calling all MOM-arazzi's & DAD-arazzi's!!!

They are already starting whether it's the College Students heading into their dorms or Pre-K thru Seniors our social media feeds are filling with those soooo important 1st Day of School Pictures!  We all know how much we treasure looking back on those first day of school pictures but we really realize how much we love them when we don’t get to take them anymore. 

So here’s a few tips and tricks to capture those moments and make the memories of your child’s school career! Because before you know it those 12+ years will be gone. 

1.  For little ones maybe have them sit on a step or lean against a wall. This helps the antsy moves and any first day nerves. BONUS… stairs   are a great place to pop a sign up with all their first day stats! Looking for a sign, check out this  Chalkboard Back to School Stats. Don’t fear the close up! Have them sit down and prop their hands under their chin and look up at you! First Day of SchoolFirst Day of School Photo
2. Now you don't just have to focus on that crazy hectic morning. Make it a full day theme and snap candid pictures from the clothes laid out to the goodnight kiss! Sometimes the best moments you capture are the candid ones where you aren’t saying say Cheese….PRO TIP…. stop saying cheese! 😆 it actually makes the face unflattering in lots of cases. 
3. Don’t think the front door is the only place … Use a tree, garden  or florals to spruce up the scene. Make sure to put the sun behind your child if you don’t have a shaded spot. No one wants squinty eyes or worse yet a child yelling the sun is in my eyes. 
4. If taking inside shots try to position by a window or with a doorway. This allows for natural light.
5. Get some Props! Get a Custom Sign or try a little nostalgia and each year have your child hold their first first day picture and watch that growth from the first year to the twelfth year. Wanna try something so fun, grab an Adult Sized Shirt with their Class of and each year let them grow into it! 
6. No one says mom, dad or the siblings can’t crash the 1st day picture party so grab a selfie when you have a silly moment. and bring in the whole family or some of their friends at the bus stop. DON"T forget the pets!
7. School Photos Don’t just put them up on social media and let them fade away in the virtual world print one from every year and display them BONUS you now have your first decoration for their Graduation Party!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Last HAVE FUN with it! Last year we became Empty Nesters … insert crocodile tears….while it was a super emotional moment seeing my baby leave nest and head to college I played it up big getting her sister to take some silly pictures of us to make the transition a little more   of a laughable moment! So grab that BYE BYE sign or bottle of wine and make those moments laughable.  
   
   Now there’s always a moment we want captured by a professional. If you want some Back To School professional images Let's Chat! If you are homeschooling or looking for a little more in those school pictures this year we can create some wonderful memories for all ages. And don’t forgot those Senior Experiences. From the Snappy Quick to the Paparazzi Package When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise can create those Senior Moments tailored to your Senior.

         As always you make me happy for choosing When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise !