Studio193 Photography Blog

Great Outfits For Your Child's Photoshoot by JCrew

I was shopping online earlier and I happened upon JCrew's site. I looked at their kids line, Crewcuts, earlier this year and loved it. 

Here are some shots from their website that I pulled. 

These are just a few super-cute things they have for your little guy or gal. I love the colors and think almost all these would be great for any skin-tone. The only one in doubt is the bright yellow, which, I think need a warm skin color to make it pop. A couple of these outfits are a bit casual, but that's fine if that's who your kid is. I love a layered look. I might add a scarf here and there or perhaps a hat. 

One thing I might warn you on is the puffy vest. I have had issues with these in photoshoots before. This is not to say you can't wear them. These are just better for standing shots or, at least, older kids, as they tend to ride up and obscure the face.

One of my favorite things here is the bright yellow skirt. One of our clients actually wore this very thing to her shoot and she looked AMAZING. I will have to pull an image and post it so you can see for yourself how wonderfully it photographed.

I thought I would go a step further and pull together a few things that "match" (but not overly "match") for a group shot. I tell people all the time to avoid the "everyone in white shirts and jeans" thing. It just doesn't look natural. So, if you want to go neutral for your family photo, just mix up textures and patterns, keep your color palette in the same hue or at least the same intensity.

So, here are a few I put together. These, by no means, have to be replicated exactly. This is just an example of what I think works for a group photo. Mixing patterns is fine, I actually love it. Just make sure one pattern or color doesn't SCREAM out at you more than another.

I should mention...make sure the outfits you coordinate for your group shot have the same level of casualness. Don't do one formal and one casual together. If you have a little girl who loves to dress up and a little boy who hates it, find a happy medium for your group shot and let them wear "their thing" in their individual shots. 

Lastly, and I think this is a biggie, don't stress your child out over a specific outfit just before the shoot. Try to find things you can both agree on or at least come to some kind of agreement days before. Kids, especially in a certain age range (usually 3ish), can completely have a fit if you surprise them with something you know they will hate. I've seen it before and usually after some tears and bribing, the shoot goes on as planned but not without stress for you and them. So, just keep in mind what you know will trigger your child while choosing outfits for your photoshoot.

On to today's picture....

This little cutie is the most fun to photograph. She is all smiles and we just love her! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Cool Product...Recycled Rice Laundry Bag

I try to scout out new stuff to tell you about. Preferably things you, as a mom, would be most interested in. So, I was looking through a magazine the other day and ran across these really cool bags. They are laundry bags and wastebaskets but I was thinking, "Wouldn't they make really cool toy storage?". They are lightweight. The laundry bag has handles, so you could literally stroll through the house, picking up all the toys and chucking them in the bag as you go. And...the colors are really cool. I think they would look great, not only in the laundry room, but in the corner of any playroom or kids room.

Now, here's the REALLY cool part...

They are totally recycled, made from rice and feed bags from Cambodia. Plus, the designer of the bags employs disabled and disadvantaged villagers to handcraft each one. So, you can feel great knowing that you, not only have a fab-looking, unique bag, but you are helping people in need and doing good for the environment too! And at a mere $36 for the large laundry bag, your wallet will feel pretty good too!

Without further ado...

 If you are interested in picking up one of these bags up, you can get them VivaTerra . I also did a quick Google search and found market bags, yoga bags and messenger bags at Uncommon Goods starting at $28. Hard to believe for a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted item!

So, that's it for today. I have been working away at my new holiday card designs. I will post some as soon as I can. I am SUPER picky so they have to be just "so". As I work on a design, I spend hours looking for the perfect font, try a million different colors, then, if I can stand it, leave it for a couple of days only to revisit and make final "tweaks" with a fresh eye. Holiday cards are tougher for me because I don't typically like to do what's expected. I don't want everything to be red and green. So, just check back and I'll have some things for you to see soon.

Today's photo is of a real cutie! Baby Jack was as snug as a bug in this shot and it didn't take long for him to fall asleep! We had loads of fun photographing him. We loved his very stylish mom! Her house was really cool and I found out she is a do-it-yourselfer like me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Studio193 Photography Offering Birth Announcements

We have been out of town but we're finally back. Looks like we'll be playing catch-up for a couple of days. We've been really busy lately. We are already doing fall shoots, even though it's 90 degrees outside. I have been urging people to schedule early this year because it is looking to be our busiest fall yet. 

I've been working on some new holiday cards for the upcoming season. Last years were quite a hit and I am really excited to add to the line. I also have designed some new birth announcements. I have been doing these for a while but I haven't really "advertised" them. 

So, you get the first "sneak peek". This line of announcements is called "Vintage Toys". All the text and colors can be customized to fit the photo you choose from your session. I have had some orders for these already and have gotten great reviews. I really enjoyed working on them! I love mixing vintage graphics with modern color and design. I hope you like them!

   

And for the photo of the day, I just had to post this image of this little baby. I used her photo in one of the birth announcements above when I was working on the design and I fell in love with it. I hope you like it as much as I do. 

Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned as I will post some new holiday card designs soon!

Elle Boutique's fall fashion show!

Hello all. I have had lots of feedback on the last post, Clothing Ideas For Your Child's Fall Photo Shoot. I'm glad this is helping. Just remember, these are just suggestions. You can get really cute pieces right here in town, even at Target. And, if you have a little baby, don't forget me & Mommy-to-be. Janice carries tons of really sweet outfits for babies. I love the line she carries called Tea. It is perfect for a baby photo shoot because it is simple and the colors are soft. I highly suggest this for picture day. 

Well, it's that time of year. Elle Boutique is having their fall fashion show. They will have tons of new lines to show you. Diana of Diana Warner Studio will be there with all her latest pieces of jewelry. Last year was a hit and the show was packed. I am sure this year will be even bigger! 

This year the show will be held at World Grotto in Market Square in downtown Knoxville. It is going to be on Friday, September 19 from 7-9 p.m. You will be able to park for free in the Market Square parking garage. 

Also, they will be having a HUGE sale at the shop on September 18 and 19 and Diana Warner will be there for a trunk show. They plan on having tons of new mark-downs so make sure you stop by there on those two days so you can pick up a few new things. I know I plan to. I love a good sale! 

On a different note, I should mention that it is time to book your fall photo session. We have had lots of calls already and are booking pretty fast. This has been the busiest August we've seen. I expect to have an even busier fall and we may actually run out of available days altogether. Fridays and Saturdays are the first to go so if that is a day you would want, give us a call soon. 

Today's picture is a shot we, here at Studio193 Photography, took. I designed this card for Elle Boutique's fashion show. We had this shoot on one of the hottest days. This was one of the "cooler" outfits but we had to shoot with jackets and coats too. And it was probably about 90! The girls did great though.

 

Photo and graphic design by Studio193 Photography.

Hope to see you at the fashion show! 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Clothing Ideas For Your Child's Fall Photo shoot

Today, I wanted to talk about planning your Fall photo shoot. It's getting to be that time of year and we are booking like crazy so I thought I would make it easy on you and do some posts of some great outfits for your session.

The first place I always go when I am looking online for clothing suggestions is Boden. I love how they layer clothes. It just looks so fun! So, I will do a section for girls, boys then babies. Here goes...

Cute clothes for your little girl 

These first are great because they are so casual. If the kids are comfy, trust me....you'll get better photos. I think we all know how kids whine when you put them in clothes they don't normally wear. That can affect how they feel and look during their shoot. So, if they don't normally wear frilly dresses, I don't suggest that for picture day. However, I will say...if they do wear frilly dresses and love it, as some little girls do, then go for it! 

As for color, I think these colors would work well for any skin tone. They are vibrant, yet muted colors and it is toned down with the brown. I can see these working great outdoors, throwing leaves, skipping through the park and just having fun. Love the tights and shoes. Don't overlook those. This can really make the outfit!

Love these! They look funky and cool! What little girl wouldn't look FAB in these??? The hat and scarf are a must. I think these colors would work great on anyone. I will make a note on the black here...if you have a super-pale little one, stay way from solid black. This shot doesn't count as it has a bright print with the jacket so it's okay. But if it were a solid black dress, it is just too harsh for the fair-skinned child. Substitute brown for black if this fits your child's description. Again, this outfit is fine because the black jacket is layered with color. 

These, again would work for any skin tone. Great for an outdoor shoot. They are very simple, yet the way they have layered the pieces makes it interesting. Again, try hats and scarves. They are so cute!

I am in love with this cute little dress. The colors are perfect for a Fall shoot and I think would be perfect no matter whether your child is fair or dark. I love the big polka dots on the other outfit. I think navy looks great on all skin. Navy can also be a good substitution for black as it's a bit less harsh. 

Love the skinny jeans and boots. Of course, I love the bags too. My niece has just started carrying a bag. It's so darn cute! The red is pretty bold. I worry about red with some very fair children because it can be too harsh but I think this one is fine as it's layered with white. 

I think this is one of my favorite outfits here. Odd because I usually love color and these have very little. But, I love that the scarf and hat is where the "pop" comes from. I also love the texture. When you layer, you don't always have to look at just pattern but look at texture too. The short outfit here is very tone-on-tone but it is still really interesting. I love that they paired this with textured tights and shiny shoes! And I am all about the skinny jean with the ballet flats, jacket and scarf. So, if you are afraid of bold color or you just know you wouldn't want hot pink in your photos, this is a great way to do neutral. These are also great outfits to do for a group shot or family shot as they would be easy to coordinate around. I plan on doing an entire post on how to coordinate outfits for a family photo soon. But these are exactly what I will focus on. Neutral. Not too "matchy-matchy". Great texture. Looks great on everyone. So if you have a family shoot coming up, stay tuned for that

Well, here's the color. I love it. I love the striped tights. I really like the layering and fun shoes too! I think these colors would work well on anyone. 

To see these outfits in other colors, visit the Outfit Ideas link on the Boden site. 

Cute clothes for your little boy

Now for the boys! Well, Boden does it perfect when it comes to layering for little boys. These are cute but cool. He will feel like he's just hanging out with a friend at the park in these outfits. The colors are great and I think would be great for any skin tone. If your child has fair skin and you are concerned that red is just not their color, then go with the blue instead. 

I adore hats for boys as well as girls. So, don't forget to bring one for your shoot. I really like the red shirt in this outfit. And remember, these kinds of pants are a great substitution for jeans if you want to mix things up a bit.

The layering here is perfect. You have a tee under it all, then a button-up then a jacket. It looks great. Kind of preppy until you get to the shoes, which adds a funky vibe. These colors would be great for any little boy in photos and would look especially nice outdoors. 

Love the camo pants with the red puffy vest. If your child is younger than three be careful of the puffy vest or a puffy jacket. I say this because they tend to ride up with you sit down. And at a young age, kids don't really know to make the adjustment and pull it down a bit. That means...it rides up and covers their face too much. And if you start making clothing adjustments with a two or three year old, it could mean a breakdown. So, if they are little, the less puffy, the better. You just want to be aware if the shirt, jacket or whatever rides up when they sit down.

 

These outfits are two of my favorites. I love how casual they look. The colors are great as well. And there is just something cool about bold stripes on a little boy. I should mention if you have a son who hates to change clothes but you know you want to do more than one outfit for your photo shoot, layering is a great way to get multiple looks without having to get undressed. For instance, you may want some shots in the blue hoodie, because he looks great in blue. But, then you have the red shirt under to get a whole different look. All without changing. All he has to do is pull off the hoodie. It's a great way to mix things up. You could even get a third look by layering a jacket on top of that. 

The same thing applies to these outfits. You can get multiple looks from these simple pieces. Since boys don't like to change as much as girls do, this might just be the answer to getting more variety from your photo shoot. These outfits would look great on any little boy. They are pretty neutral and are great for an outdoor session. 

To see more color options on these boys outfits visit the Outfit Ideas link on the Boden site.

Putting outfits together for a group shot

Now, I have put together a few outfits you could have your kids wear for their "together" shot. This is just to give you an idea of how not to look too "matched" and coordinating well together. 

All clothing images provided by boden.com. 

You can see that I paired colors but did it in layers. So, you don't have to find two green shirts that are identical. If you just layer the color in each outfit, it will coordinate without looking overly "matched". And blacks tend to look great with gray and browns with tan. So, you can pull in these for pants or jackets and they will look good with your "signature" color layered in as a dress or shirt. Also, keep in mind of the style you choose for each child. This should match. You wouldn't want your little girl wearing a frilly dress and you little boy in a hoodie. 

So that's it for now. I will do more posts on baby outfits and coordinating for the perfect family photo soon. We're off to a shoot right now of a couple of out favorite kids so I have to run.

Hope you enjoyed the post and it helps you in planning outfits for your next photo session. 

Here is a cute little guy we photographed recently. He had so much fun playing in the mulch! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Frame It On A Budget...display ideas for your photos

Well, I have been on a mission lately. I have been wanting to create my own display wall. I've done this for myself before and I help clients plan their displays all the time. But it's been a while since I have done it for myself.

I decided to give myself an added challenge...to do it on a REALLY tight budget. I will say that most of our clients have no interest in going on a hunt for frames, mats and try to decide on colors and so on and so on. Most people are either too intimidated or just too darn busy to tackle such a project. 

But, there are those who need to create a photo display on a budget or, like me, just LOVE the thrill of the hunt. So, my mission is to create an awesome display on a budget. I haven't set myself a dollar amount yet. I just thought I would go out there and see what I could find. I have already found 5 frames that I love. Bill is unconvinced, and you'll see why when I post the photos. But, I told him to trust me and let's just see how it turns out.

I'll wait to tell you more when I get Bill to shoot everything. I'll give a step-by-step on how I did it. I want you to see just how fun, easy and inexpensive it can be. 

I will give you a money-saving tip today, though. So here goes. If you are on a budget and need to buy ready-made frames off the shelf start with buying frames larger than you prints. If I know someone is planning a display and they aren't aiming for a symmetrical layout, then I advise them to purchase their prints in a variety of sizes. I usually say to start with your favorite image and make that your largest. Then, work your way down from there. It is a pretty safe bet you will have a display that is visually appealing if you choose an odd number of images. So, go for 3, 5, 7 and so on. 

Okay, back to the frames. At this point, you would already have your prints. This will give you a guideline to help you choose frames that will work best with your art. And, if you listened to my advice, you will have a variety of print sizes to work with. So, get frames in larger sizes than your prints. For instance, if you have a 5x7 print, then you might choose an 8x10, 11x14 or even a 16x20 frame. This works particularly well if you choose a print that is an odd size, like a 6x9, as you can usually never find that size frame right off the shelf. 

So, now you have your prints and your larger frames. All you need now are mats. So, head on over to your local art store (like Jerry's Artarama, Michael's, Hobby Lobby or Joanne Fabrics) with prints in hand. You may even choose to take your frames too. You will, at least, need to know your frame sizes. And, don't hesitate to take your frames in to these places, even if you didn't buy them there. It's not like you are walking in to a gallery. They don't care where your frames come from. They are mass retailers. As long as you buy something from them, they are happy. (I know this first-hand because I had some mats cut for my project at Hobby Lobby. I brought the frames with me and they didn't even give it a second thought. They just gladly cut the mats of my choice and I was on my way.)

Where was I...

Oh, so, take your prints and your frames and dig around in their pre-cut mats first. You just might get lucky and find exactly what you need. As a matter of fact, Jerry's Artarama has Nielsen Bainbridge, museum-quality, 8-ply cotton rag mats in a variety of sizes from about $10-$15 dollars each. I price-compared this to Jerry's 8-ply mats that I had them cut. HUGE difference in price. It was $42 and if I wanted to leave with it that day, you up that price to the mid-$50's. So, if you can find a pre-cut mat you like, go for it. As always, just make certain you choose archival quality.

If you have exhausted the pre-cut mats and have to get one cut, don't worry. If you are okay with a simple 4-ply mat, it will cost you a lot less that the 6 or 8 ply. So, consider that. 

Now you're finished. All you have to do is go home and put it all together. Well, you may want to pick up a few other supplies. Like, backing paper to keep the dust out. Hanging hardware to hang it all with. (I HIGHLY suggest you check out the Hercules Hooks I have suggested in the past. You can pick up a pack of 20 at Linens N Things, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target for about $10.00. And you don't even need a hammer! Super easy!) You may need to dig through hubby's tool box (though I have my very own as I LOVE doing stuff like this) for a tape measure, level and even a good old hammer and nails. 

If you need any ideas on where to get ready-made frames in a variety of sizes and colors try these places. 

Target

Hobby Lobby (they have 50% frequently so you can get frames for a song)

Pottery Barn

Jerry's Artarama (located in the Bearden area of Knoxville)

Michael's

So, I will now give you a couple of shots of displays that inspire me and are currently the inspiration for my "frame-it-on-a-budget" project. I love these!

Photographed by Annie Schlechter for Domino Magazine, May, 2006

Photographed by Francesco Lagnese for Domino Magazine, Aug. 2007

Photographed by Simon Upton for Domino Magazine, June 2006

Visit dominomag to see these displays and more. 

I think the first display is my favorite. I adore the mixed frames, the fact that some pieces are matted and others aren't and the relationship the display has with the desk and it's accessories. It's very eclectic and I LOVE it!

The second display is a little cleaner and neater than the first and third. I think I like it because they mixed the frames and they mixed the colors of the photos. Also, notice how a large mat makes even small images feel more important. 

The third image has some large pieces. I love that it goes floor to ceiling. I, of course, love the mixed frames. This display reminds me of a New York city apartment. It is an organized clutter that looks well-traveled and eclectic. I have a friend in NYC who has a fabulous apartment at 93rd and Riverside. She was a ballet dancer with the American Ballet Company and she has such a mix of prints on her walls. It reminds me of this. Her photos of her on stage and her ballet company performing in all these other countries...well...it's just wonderful. I found myself studying even her "snap shots" that were simply tacked up with pins. It was like she was sharing bits of her life through her pictures. 

So, give your guests a "sneak peek" into your life and put those photos out and on the walls. You'll love looking at them every day and they can be a great conversation starter at your next gathering. 

Don't forget to check out the link, Photography Display Ideas for more ideas on displaying your family photos.

Today's picture is of another little baby. It seems we've had a lot of those lately. And I love it! And I love this little guy! He was so laid back. Can't you tell?!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by. More later!

Displaying Photographs from British Homes and Gardens

Well, it's been a month of Sundays since I've written (In case you weren't aware, that's the way we say, "it's been a while", here in Tennessee). I've gotten lots of requests to post so I am finally doing it.

You know how it is when you haven't called your mom in a while. You feel guilty. You think..."I'll call her today!". Then, your day is crazy and you forget until 1:00 a.m.! The next day you start the cycle all over again. By now, weeks have passed. You are guilt-ridden and you know you are going to "hear" about it when you finally do call. So, you put it off some more. Just hearing the old..."I was wondering when you were going to call" is like fingernails on a chalkboard. So, between the guilt and the lecture, calling seems to get further and further down on my list. Eventually, I call and face the music. I tell her how sorry I am and how much I have missed her and thought about her. She doesn't try to make it any easier. The first thing she says is (yep, you guessed it), "I was wondering when you were going to call". Then she proceeds to tell me how much my sister calls and how I used to promise to her when I was a little girl that I was going to build her a house right beside me when I grew up so we could live close together forever.

I want to tell her she should never believe a promise a 4 year old tells you.

For example...

"I promise I'll clean my room every day for the next year if you get me this toy" (actually, for me it was shoes but that's another story altogether).

"I promise I will practice every day if you just let me take piano lessons" (even though they were on Saturday mornings and everyone knows that's the ultimate cartoon morning!)

"I promise I'll take care of it if you just get me a puppy!" (I don't think I need to expand on this one, do I?)

But, I don't say any of that. I just keep it on the inside. I apologize in my guilt-ridden state, get off the phone and PROMISE myself I will call every week from now on.

I kind of feel like that about not posting in so long. I think the phone calls with my mother have instilled some kind of weird guilt thing and I have projected that on this blog! So, I am vowing, from this day forward to post more regularly! And, I'm not 4 anymore so, it should stick!

I was flipping through another of my very cool British magazines, Homes and Gardens, and found a great article on "Displaying Photographs". So, I thought that would be the perfect post, since you seem to like them so much. It's my gift to you for not saying, "I was wondering when you were going to post." (Though, you may be saying that, I can't hear it so that's okay with me!")

In this shot, it looks like they have displayed color, unframed canvas prints. I know for some of you this might be a bit contemporary, but personally, I love it! I am so in love with white walls, vintage furniture and bright art work and accessories. So, this one is my cup-o-tea.

Here they have some tabletop display prints. These work great in 4x6, 5x7, 5x5 and 8x10 sizes. Displaying prints in this way is very versatile as you can move them from room to room to change things up a bit. I also suggest my clients rotate these out. Meaning, keep more current pictures displayed (unless they are your very favorites). This allows you to constantly change the scenery on your tabletops. It gives you something new to look at. And, just by their nature, they are easy to change out. Typically, they aren't professionally framed, so it is easy to get a new look with some new favorite photos in minutes.

Another thing I like on this page is they have done a grid of images on the wall, the photos are all different sizes but the grid is a perfect rectangle. So, for those of you who have tons of photo in many sizes and really want a more symmetrical display this might be the ticket for you. The look is unified by using all black and white images, keeping your mats and frames the same.

Here are more tabletop photos. I love to cluster things together, creating a collection. Just do as they've done here and keep you larger prints in the back and stagger the sizes as you go forward. That way, from afar, you get a little glimpse of each photo and upon closer inspection, you can see every photo clearly.

They have also created a collage of photos (top right). These look to be about postage stamp sized but this can be done with 4x6's as well. Or even a collection of wallets could be neat. Just vary the orientation, like they've done here to keep it interesting.

Then they have all white frames and all white mats with a mix of black and white photos and color (Bottom left). I love this (as you know, I'm into the white thing right now). I love how the display draws your eye up (Remember the stair-step thing I was talking about in a previous post...this goes from sofa to lamp to display). This is such a great way to bring height here.

The little photo next to this display is a little hard to see on screen. But, it is a table that has photos and momentos under a glass top. This is another great way to get variety. This can be changed out often to get a whole new look.

I really like the idea of the last photo on this page. It is a map of Paris with two photos mounted on top of the city. I love this idea. You could do the same with your child's photos. What about doing a map of where you went on vacation, and then mount a couple of vacation photos on top that you love. I think this is a really fun idea. And it is so different, it is sure to get attention from your guests.

Here is the last page of the article. They show some very pretty albums, which you could put your photos in, another tabletop display and a wall display that is done in an entirely different way. Bumping the framed photos right up to each other is a great way to get more photos in a smaller area. I have to admit...this isn't my favorite but I have seen this really work, like, going up a stairway. So, don't be afraid to play around with this. If you have limited wall space but want your family photos displayed, this could be right for you.

Lastly, they have a large unframed canvas propped on a shelf. I love this. Though, I might not do it over a stove, like they have here. But I do like that they put a large photo in the kitchen. It is unexpected, and I like that. I like photos in bathrooms too. I think we are all "trained" to have photos displayed in the usual places, bedrooms, family rooms, hallways and stairways. But, I think we should branch out a bit. Why not?! It's our home. Let's make it what we want!

Well I hope these ideas will inspire you to go out and hang some art! Now, here is one of the cutest little babies!

More later! Thanks for stopping by!

Frederic Fekkai...the best hair products ever!

So, I saw my very good friend today and she told me my hair looked great. It's always nice to hear that something looks great. So, I shared the hair products I have been using lately.

First, I have to say, even though I am a beauty product junkie, I have never been a big spender on shampoo and conditioner. Many moons ago I would occasionally try the pricier stuff and never really saw a difference. I began to think they were just all the same. So, why spend $25 and up on a bottle, when I could spend $4.00 at my local Target and look just the same? I would spend a ton on other things like gel, mousse, conditioning spray and every other styling product I could get my hands on. But, shampoo and conditioner, never.

Then, over the past year or so, my hair started to get really dry and some even fell out! I wasn't doing anything "bad" to it, other than my typical highlights. So, I talked to my hairdresser and he mentioned I needed to use something with protein. They only sell Aveda products and I have to admit, I hate them. Sorry Aveda, but there is something they put in every single product that gives me a headache. Not only that but I feel like all their products are like tree sap, making my hair sticky instead of shiny.

So, as usual, I did a bit of research and found Frederic Fekkai. They have several formulas, all of which you can find at Sephora. I have used two of the shapmoos and conditioners. The first is the Glossing line and the second is the Protein Rx line.

I started with the Protein Rx to try to get my hair "repaired". I used it pretty consistently for about 3 months, only using the Glossing line occasionally. I would also do the Protein Rx Hair Mask, which I used about twice per week.

The Protein Rx really got my hair in much better shape. I will say that it does not leave your hair as shiny as the Glossing. But, I would suggest starting with this to get your hair on the road to recovery. Then, I switched to the Glossing, which I use most of the time now, adding a protein hair mask about once per month for good measure. The Glossing shampoo and conditioner are very light. They don't weigh hair down. They make your hair super-shiny! My hair hasn't been this shiny since I was 8! It is really amazing!

Since I like the shampoo and conditioner so well, I have stopped experimenting with other styling products and now use Frederic Fekkai exclusively. So, I'll tell you about a few of those as well.

First, I use the Glossing Cream every day. After I have towel-dry my hair, it's the first thing I put on. I concentrate on the ends and don't do much at the roots so it doesn't weigh my hair down. Then, after I have dried my hair, if it looks a little puffy, I put a pea-sized amount on my hands and rub in through the ends again. I love this stuff. I can't say enough good things about it.

Another thing I have used and like is the Technician Glaze. I don't use this every single day. I just use it if I need a little extra shine. You put a small amount on dry hair (I focus on the ends) and it will make your hair really shiny, but not oily. Well, not oily if you don't use too much. So don't go overboard with it.

I have also used the Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control. Now that the weather is warm, I will probably use this pretty regularly. However, I will say, I think it makes my hair feel like there is something on it. A little powdery when it's dry. Not quite as shiny as I like. However, if it will prevent frizz, I'll give it a try. I have not yet encountered massive humidity, so I can't say if this really fights frizz just yet. I will have to let you know on that. If it doesn't, I will stop using it altogether because I don't like to feel hair products on my hair after it's dry. I could be using too much so I will have to try less and see if that makes a difference.

Lastly, I have tried the Full Volume Mousse. Like I said, I don't like to feel lots of product on my hair. So, I actually use very little of this at the roots. I do think it gives me lift. So, if you have flat hair, it's worth trying.

I plan on trying the Summer Hair Beach Waves soon. I love the way my hair looks when it's kind of "undone". So, I think this sounds like just the product for me since it is suppose to create that tousled, beachy look.

So, that's pretty much it. Frederic Fekkai has tons of other products to try. And I'm sure I will get around to trying most of them since I've been really happy with everything so far. I use hair products sparingly and never use hair spray so it will take some time to work my way through their product line. But, I will try to keep you up-to-date on my findings.

Well, speaking of perfect hair...could this hair be more perfect?! I love it. Makes me wish I was 8 all over again, before coloring, flat irons and curling irons!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

My love/hate relationship with self-tanner!

It's that time of year. I like to call it "Tanner Time". Every year I go on a hunt for the ultimate self tanner. This year is no exception. I'm sure you go through the same thing.

You want a tanner that works.

You want your tan to look real.

You want it to last.

You want it to be easy to apply.

And for me...this is a biggie! It has to smell good.

I'll be honest. I have never found one that fits my last criteria. Never! So, I have to make exceptions, as I'm sure many of you do as well.

So here's what I've found.

Last year I found the ultimate tanner that looks like a real tan. I mean, you really look like you've been in the sun. It is called St. Tropez and you can get it at Sephora. It really works...for a while. Your tan won't last very long. Actually, once you've showered, expect half your pretty glow to be washed down the drain. Also, it stinks to high Heaven! Whew! You could smell me from a mile away! So, after I finished that bottle, I had to abandon it altogether.

Then I thought I would try to ultra-pricey Glow Fusion, also at Sephora. At $58 per bottle I had high hopes for this one. It claimed to be "odor free" which, after my last experience, was pretty high on my list. So, I decided to splurge and go for it. It is pretty easy to apply. It was low-odor going on but I did smell that old familiar smell of burned macaroni a few hours after I applied it. But the odor was much less that St. Tropez so it was an improvement. It also claimed to last an entire week. This was particularly important since it costs so much. And I hate applying the stuff. So, if I just had to do it once a week, all the better. I wouldn't say it lasted a week, however, more like 5 days. That is better than the typical 3 days you usually get from tanner. So, it was an improvement. There is not tons of color, like the St. Tropez. It was actually a pretty mild color. I really wanted something a bit darker. And I found that because the stuff was so pricey, I applied it less than I should have. So, I really didn't have much of a tan at all while using this one.

Then, I tried a variety of drug-store brands. I usually get the daily stuff so I don't have to worry about streaking. The bad thing about this is you stink pretty much all the time. And it takes a few days to build up your tan. I think the Aveeno brand was my favorite. Someone recently told me to try the Hawaiian Tropic brand so I will be on the hunt for this one next. She said it does a great job and doesn't stink. And, it's cheap so I will let you know how that one turns out.

This year I went into my local Sephora and asked what was good and what they were selling the most of. I got a whole new recommendation. The girl I chatted with says the Bliss brand is the best she's used. She said it is the exact same formula they use at the spa. I did a "smell check" on my arm and it actually smelled good. So, I decide to buy it and see what happens.

Here goes...

It smells nice going on. After a couple of hours that oh-so-familiar stink came back ever-so-slightly. It is mild so I think I can handle it. The color is nice. It is a light color, though a bit darker than Glow Fusion. So, I am pretty happy with that. As soon as I find the Hawaiian Tropic daily tanner, I plan on using it with the Bliss to...hopefully...give me the perfect, pretty, not-so-stinky tan. We'll see.

So, here's the funny part. Who invented spray tanner? Was it a man? I say this because...when you spray this stuff on it feels like you are getting twenty lashes! It is freezing! Like a little blast of Arctic air, trapped in this tiny can. I can't help but wonder if the "maker" of this is secretly laughing as he imagines women across American being blasted with the stuff.

So, why the can? Why the spray? I mean, you have to rub it in anyway. If you didn't have to rub it in, I would get it. But you do. Do they think you will have someone else spray you down so you'll get a nice, even glow? I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon. I don't even look in the mirror when I am applying it, much less let someone else spray me down. The horror! So, if I have to spray it on myself and rub it in. Why the can? Can't we just get a nice bottle of lotion?

So, that's it. My love/hate relationship with self-tanner. You'll know it's a tanner day when you see me.

I will be particularly awake, from the blast of arctic air.

I will have hands that look like I've been dyeing leather.

I will be glowy, like I've been to the beach.

And lastly, if you smell burned macaroni...

Enough about all that. Here's the cutest little fellow! He just loves his monster trucks! And we just love him!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great tanner day!

Happy Mother's Day from Studio193 Photography!

I hope everyone is having a great Mother's Day! We've had a busy week with shoots and I've been at the computer getting all the gift prints ready. So, it's been a pretty hectic week.

We had two shoots yesterday. One was of a little guy who is three. We have photographed him for three years and we love their family. We had so much fun! At the end of the shoot he had a a favorite pair of frog rain boots that he wanted to put on. Sometimes that is the reward at the end of the shoot. They can pick what they want to wear and where they want to be for the last pictures. Believe it or not, those are usually the cutest shots!

The little boy wanted to splash and there were no puddles. There was a small stream, however, so his parents decided it would be okay if he splashed in that. Even though it was just ankle deep, we needed someone to go in with him. Of course, I elected Bill. So, in they go and within seconds they were both soaked! The little boy wanted Bill to pick him up and plop him down in the water so the splash would be bigger. Well, it was bigger all right. It was hilarious! And, for all of you who know Bill, you may remember he hates germs. He's not a total germ freak but pretty close. Being in a stream where you don't know what kind of germs are floating around in that water is not usually his cup of tea.

However, I will tell you a secret. He loved it! When we got in the car he said he had the best time! I know the little boy did! He had to pore water out of his boots. I had to get a shot of that. I also grabbed the camera and got a shot of Bill and him splashing about. I plan on posting it but it is not processed yet so you'll have to wait to see it. It is pretty funny!

For now, here are a couple of more cute little baby shots for you to enjoy.

I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I just put them both up. I love the little smile but I love the other one too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Mother's Day!