Studio193 Photography Blog

Clothing Ideas for Your Photoshoot, Fall 09

Well hello everyone. We are booking now for Fall sessions and I've been helping one of our moms with some ideas for clothing for her shoot. So, I thought I may as well share with all of you.

I've scoured a few stores online and I'll start with one of my favorites. It's Boden, of course. It's typically one of the first places I go for great ideas. The reason is I love how they put their outfits together. They are quite casual, which I love. But, also, the colors are great. So, check out the outfits below and see if you have any favorites you'd like to try for your next photo shoot.

Clothing Ideas for Girls

I just love all these cute outfits for girls! I just don't think you can go wrong! Just be aware of the colors that look best on your child. If they don't look good in yellow, just choose another color. These are just suggestions. You adjust to fit what is best for you and your child.

I also try to make people aware that if you want color images, just be aware that these colors could be on your wall if you choose to do a wall display. So, if you don't have any red in your home and you know you want color images, it might be best to steer clear of that color. Many of our clients think they want black and white images but then decide they love the color so much, they just can't do black and white. Think about that when choosing outfits for your shoot.

Clothing Ideas for Boys















Here are some really great options for the boys. Again, think about color that looks best on your child as well as colors you may or may not want on your walls. Love the layering. Many of these pieces can be mixed and matched to create different outfits.

Boys tend not to like to change as much as girls during their shoot. A great way to overcome this is simply start with a layered outfit and just remove the outer layer. So, if they are wearing cargo pants or jeans, they can do a tee shirt for the inside layer, then maybe a button-up and then a jacket. We could start with the jacket, then take the jacket off to show the button-up. Take some shots in that and then take off the button-up to get some shots in just the tee. Luckily, the cargo's and jeans go with all, so there could actually be no changing at all if they didn't want to. You can get even more variety by adding accessories like hats and a scarf. Trust me...your boy will be so happy they don't have to change!

Clothing Ideas for Baby

These are such cute little baby outfits. There are a few things that differ when choosing clothing for a baby shoot than an older kid. Layering, for instance. I think layering is super cute and in "real life" babies look cute with little layered outfits just like big kids. BUT...in a photo shoot you have to be careful that they don't get too bulky. When sitting, jackets, puffy vests and bulky sweaters tend to ride up and that can obscure the face. That is especially true for babies that can't sit up yet. I say, less is more for them.

Just keep this in mind when choosing outfits for your baby. If you are unsure, simply try the outfit on them and see if it rides up. When in doubt, go for thin, single layers. You can always do hats and other cute accessories to mix things up a bit.

So, that's a brief overview of some of the things I found. To get any of these outfits or see even more variety, check out Boden. I also like to look at Target, Old Navy and JCrew for ideas so check those sites out as well.

Our fall is already filling up. For those of you who need Fridays and Saturdays, those tend to fill up first so give us a call as soon as you can. Also, we are doing more and more work in Nashville, which could limit the amount of weekends we are in town.

Thanks so much for all of your support. We've been very lucky to have great clients who continue to use us year after year. We really appreciate all of you and look forward to see you again this fall!

 

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!

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!

Clothing ideas for your children's photo shoot right here in Knoxville and Nashville

Well, it's been days. I know I am terrible for not updating sooner. We have been swamped! It's just that time of year. The weather is beautiful and the pollen is out in full swing! Oh well, that's part of it. I am just so glad to see leaves on the trees. I think the trees look so sad without their leaves.

I mentioned in my previous post, Boden, the best clothes for your children's photo shoot, I would post some clothing ideas that are available right here in Knoxville or Nashville or any city really. Because, they are at Target! I love Target and who wouldn't? They have really cute kids clothes for bargain prices.

So, I checked out their site the other day and pulled a few pieces for both boys and girls that I thought would be perfect for a photo shoot. I will also discuss which complexions look best in which colors. I have had a few people ask about this lately so I will give you a quick run-down that is, by no means, the end all. You know your child better than I, so you will know when a color looks better on them than another. The key is...what colors look best on them for photos?

Well, it is pretty much the same. The colors should first, and foremost, look good on them. The only color I really don't like for children's photos is black. Unless black is done "cute", and it rarely is...black is just too harsh for children's skin. Bill tells people he likes clothing that will give some contrast to their skin (basically so their shirt doesn't blend right in with their face). However, black, in my opinion, is too much. And what I am really talking about is solid black up close to the face.

I've also been asked about white. I am kind of torn on this one. I love white as it is so simple. But, if you have a very fair-skinned child, does white wash them out? We have used white a lot during photo shoots. I think it is simple and pretty. There are those times when white against very pale skin can see a bit too washed out. I think that is something that we can look at when we arrive for the shot and actually get to see your little one in person.

So, let's get started with these cute clothes from Target.

You can go to Target's website and check out their kids clothes for girls and boys. So, if you feel like ordering online, you can do that.

Cute clothes for you little boys spring photo session

I love these striped polos for little boys. The colors would look great on anyone. You could layer these with a long sleeve under or a hoodie over or they would look cute just layered with a simple tee underneath.

Here are another couple that I love. These colors are great for any skin tone. I really like the blue a lot. I think this would be great on a blue-eyed boy! These polos are perfect for someone who likes a preppy look.

I adore this polo. The color is great. However, if your child has really fair skin this color can be a bit intense. It is the fact that it is so saturated and a very strong color. So, just watch for that if your child is really fair.

You can't go wrong with surfer tees or athletic tees for little boys. I love all these colors. This red is one that is good for any skin tone. It is not too saturated and bright for fair skin. I love the charcoal, a much better choice than black. And the blues are great. These are perfect to layer with a hoodie and other tees. These could be good to create a sporty look or surfer-boy look.

And lastly, if you have a little boy who loves skateboarding, playing the drums or guitar, you just might have a little rock-n-roller on your hands. These tees are perfect for the little boy who is a bit edgier. I love these. I've said it before, brown if flattering to all skin tones. And charcoal is much nicer than black. So these colors are great.

And for bottoms, I love jeans, cargo shorts like these and cargo pants. Anything casual will go with all the shirts above. You don't really need lots of options for pants. We do lots of close-ups so shirts show up more than anything else. I like these shorts because they have a bit of pattern to them. I love mixing pattern. But this is tone-on-tone so it is not too over-the-top.

Cute clothes for you little girls spring photo session

I have loved this purple dress ever since I first saw it in Target. It is so sweet and so simple. This color is perfect for both dark complexions and light complexions and everything in between. I think it is perfect for any little girl.

These two dresses are very sweet. If you want something a bit more traditional, this might be one way to go.

I love how graphic this dress is. I love the black and white with a strong color. It is very cute. I think this would look great on any little girl for her photo shoot. It is one of my favorites here.

These floral dresses are so sweet. The first one has a sixties vibe but with modern day colors. I love that. These could be cute when layered with a cardigan or just by themselves. The colors are great and would look good on anyone.

Lastly, I love the silhouette of these dresses. I could see these worn with jeans underneath to get a bohemian look. Layer on some beaded necklaces and that would complete the look. Or just by themselves, they are as cute as can be. It really depends on what your child normally wears.

All clothing images above were taken from the Target website.

So, if you want any of these outfits, go to your local Target or simply their website and order them. I think everything is under $20 so how can you beat the price. These pieces can be mixed with things you already own for a look that is truly "your child".

If you are still looking for more clothing ideas for your photo shoot, check out our link Clothing Ideas for Your Photo Shoot.

Remember, don't drive yourself crazy trying to find twenty different outfits. Most kids are reluctant to change more then three times anyway. And some boys won't even do that much. Just match the clothes to your kids. If they are sporty, then go that route. If your little girl loves dress-up, then do that. You will be most happy with your photos if your kids look like "your" kids.

I've been so swamped I haven't had time to get any new shots "web-ready" so today is an oldie but goodie! Hope you love it as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Boden...The best clothes for your children's photo shoot

Well, I had a few minutes between the five million, four hundred thousand things I had on my plate today. I took that time to scout out some awesome outfits for your child's next spring or summer photo shoot. I was on several sites and have gotten lots of ideas for you. So many actually, I have decided to categorize them by store. So, today, it's Boden day.

I know many of you love Boden. And...well...so do I. It's not only a great place to find fab kids clothes but you can shop for yourself as well. And the prices are quite reasonable. And the clothing is simple, comfy and has a pop of color.

I noticed they have a section called "Outfit Ideas" for both girls and boys. So, I scoured through them to see what I could find to help you plan your wardrobe for your next photo session.

I'll post tons of pictures of the outfits and give you a brief "this is what I think" just below each shot. So here goes...

Great ideas for boys clothing!

I love hats! And, they look so great in photos. Any outfit with a hat is a winner for me! These outfits would look great on any little boy. The colors would be nice on any skin tone.

Again with the hats...love 'em! I think all boys and all skin tones look great in blue, especially if they have blue eyes. I usually say, leave the lemon yellow for those with darker skin. However, this one looks like it could be a bit more creamy than green so it could be okay on someone with a little lighter skin. The bold red helps. This would be one you would just have to see in person to tell if it would have enough contrast if you child is very fair.

I adore the surfer boy look. How hip and cool! The yellow in this shirt is darker and more saturated and has a warmer tone. So, I think this would be fine on any skin tone but would look FAB on medium to dark skin. I think the green and white would look good on anyone.

Again, the yellow here is good and can work for anyone. The orange would work for anyone as well, I think. I love the shoes too!

When in doubt...layer! Layering always looks good. It looks effortless and more put together than a single shirt. I even like layering tee's. Don't get me wrong, I love both these outfits. But if you are looking for something a little "less" casual than a typical tee, then layer a tee with a long sleeve button-up like this one. You can even roll the sleeves up and keep them down and have two different looks. I really like these combos! Again, blue is great for any skin tone. And it's a must for blue eyes!

I love long sleeve, bold striped polos for boys. It looks so fresh, modern and...well...European. And this green and white would be great for any little boy. This faded, worn blue polo is also great for anyone.

I love the layering here. You have the cotton jacket, shorts and a bold striped shirt in one. Then, just like above, the long sleeve button up. These are great! I love them because they look cool and effortless. These colors would be great for anyone.

This yellow shirt would probably be best on medium to dark complexions. It is a bit too light and cool (green undertones) for fair skin. I think it would blend right in if you weren't dark enough to have some contrast with this yellow. But the orange shirt would be great for anyone. I love the printed shorts. You can't go wrong with those!

Love this hoodie. I am kind of crazy for stripes too. Especially in the spring and summer. This pale blue with the little fish is quite cute. And what can I say about the hat! It's great. I have advised some people who have children with fair skin to hold off on red. It's really a certain color of red on very fair kids that is just too harsh. That is a red with a blue undertone to it. I don't know if you can tell by this red, but it's warmer. It is more of an orangey red. So, it's much more flattering on everyone.

Again, love the stripes. Love the layering. Love the hat. All winners in my book! The layering adds a little more "put together" look than a simple tee. So, if you want effortless without looking too casual, this long sleeve button-up layered over a tee is perfect.

These are great colors for everyone. I love how bold they are.

Great ideas for girls clothing!

All little girls look great in pink. It is universally flattering for all skin tones. I just love this little dress. The green tee is great and I love the flower graphic on it.

This green tunic is perfect with these little white shorts. It would be great on anyone. And who doesn't love a yellow polka dot bikini? Though you may not be using this for a photo shoot, it's still pretty darn cute!

I think shirts with a darker trim like this pink one are so cute. The hats are FAB! And, again, we have polka dots. I love them all!

These colors are fantastic for any little girl. The polka dots are so sweet. The necklace on the green and pink outfit adds a little bohemian vibe to it! I love the boho look. This would be super cute with braided hair.

If the outfits above are a bit too casual for you, try one of these. I love layering a little three-quarter sleeve blazer. And the dress is very simple and sweet. The same goes for girls...blue is universally flattering.

I love skirts! I love them for me and I love to see them on little girls. They are cool, comfy and casual, yet pulled together. This color of green is perfect with a lighter pink. And who couldn't love this strawberry tee and skirt? I remember when I was little having a pair of pants that had strawberries on them. They were my favorites and I never wanted to take them off. I wore them until they were capris!

Here are a couple of outfits that are a bit more dressed up than the others above. I love a simple white cotton dress. The beaded necklace is perfect to add a little pop of color. And everyone looks good in brown. This brown and white floral is really pretty. The metallic shoes really give a little pop to both outfits.

Great colors and I love a bold color with bright white. It is so fresh!

Love the layering. Love the stripes. These are very sweet and would be great for any little girl.

Oh how I adore this polka dot sundress. And I think it is awesome to pair a dress with skinny jeans, leggings or capris. The sneakers or "trainers", as the brits call them, are great. This is one of my favorite outfits here. The colors and graphics are perfect. Both would look amazing in photos.

These two are simple and fun. Notice how many of the pieces are showing up in different pictures. This is a great way to see how to play with pairing the same shirt in different ways to create a whole new look.

My strawberry pants...re-born!!! Someone HAS to get these. I guarantee your little girl will love them! And who wouldn't love to see pictures of their little cutie twirling in this skirt?!

More skinny jeans and a dress paired with them. This is a hit. I love the brown and pink polka dots too!

This blue is so pretty. And I think short skirts on little girls look so cute. The shoes are perfect too. I am kind of in love with this color of purple right now. I should mention that I think this color...and most shades of purple for that matter, looks great on all skin tones.

Last, but not least. Layering a hoodie with shorts is very cute. It just reminds you of being a kid. I think this yellow would be dark enough for fair skin. I would almost need to see it in person to know for sure. But, from the picture, it looks okay to me.

All photos of outfits above were taken from the Boden USA website. So, check out their site to pick up these outfits and many more!

Whew....that's a lot!

What more can you ask for? These are complete outfits all put together for you. This should give you lots of great ideas for your child's next portrait session. These are guidelines. So, mix pieces you already have with a few new ones and you're good-to-go. Use this as a reference for color, combining patterns and layering.

And don't forget accessories. Hats, cute shoes, necklaces, bracelets, headbands and scarves really tie things together. And don't be afraid to play with your little girls hair. Try pony tails and braids. They are super cute.

For my next post, I will post some things you can pick up right here in Knoxville or Nashville. So, stay tuned for that. For more info on choosing clothing for your child or baby's photo shoot, check out "Clothing Ideas for Your Photo Shoot" right here on this blog.

Today's photo's are of the cutest baby! I love her!

Thanks for stopping by!

Clothing ideas for your child's spring photo shoot

One of our favorite online retailers for FAB European children's clothing is Tutti Bella. They carry a variety of brands, including Lola et Moi, which I LOVE! They also have a top ten list. So, I thought I would review the Top Ten and let you know which items I think would be great for your kids spring photo shoot.

So, here goes...

For the little girls in the crowd!

First of all, I can see why their top ten is the "top ten". The pieces are effortless and cute. So, it makes perfect sense. I like the casual feeling. And, as you might guess, Lola et Moi is at the top of the list. Below are two very cute little dresses that I think would photograph beautifully.

I will say, if your child has fair skin, this color might be the way to go.

Image provided by Tutti Bella website.

I think this would show off a fair complexion a bit better than the next, which has lots of yellow. The pink is warmer and is almost always flattering on any little girl in photos. It is sweet and is a very cute silhouette. So, I think you can't go wrong with this.

As for the next one, which is also Lola et Moi, this yellow is great for medium to dark complexions in photographs. I just think it would show off dark skin a bit better than fair skin. This color of yellow is a bit "lemony" and whether you are a child or an adult, I think we all know, lemon is a color best left for those with a bit of color to the complexion. I think it makes dark skin glow. Yellow in general, can be nice on all complexions, I even wear it and I am pretty fair. However, I usually choose a warm yellow. I think this one is a bit cooler. So, if you think your child looks great in yellow or has a darker complexion, you can't go wrong with this dress.

Image provided by Tutti Bella website.

Another favorite I love in the Tutti Bella "Top Ten" is the Mish Mish white skirt. I could see this with a variety of tops and it would be great for any little girl. If you have a fair complected little one, perhaps choose a top with pink, orange or warm yellow, all of which would go great with the skirt. If you have a child with a medium or dark complexion, you can go for all of the above-mentioned colors as well as red, blue or green. I say, go for a pop of color with this skirt since it is white. Just pull out a color from the buttons or threads. I think a little tee or halter or peasant top would be great with it. If you are scared of mixing patterns, you can certainly go with a solid for the top. But, I think it would be great to play with a pattern, like a floral or dots. Just try to pull color from the skirt and you should be fine. If you want a clean, summery look, go for a halter or tank. If you want something a bit more preppy, maybe choose a solid tee or solid polo and if you want a bit more of a bohemian look, go for either a halter or peasant top. As for shoes, keep it simple. You can go barefoot or do flip flops, ballet flats or just about anything.

Take a peek at the skirt and you will see how super-cute it is...

Image provided by Tutti Bella website.

Now for the boys...

Bill and I usually say to try to avoid large logos. I worry that it might confuse people and make them think they should avoid graphic tees. I love graphic tees for little boys. I mean...you can put these with jeans, cargo shorts, or almost any bottom and look cute. From Tuttil Bella's top ten, I really like the Monster Industries Kong tee.

Image provided by Tutti Bella website.

I think this pale blue looks good on almost any skin tone. I especially like it on little boys with blue eyes. So, whether you have fair-complected little one or medium or dark, if your son has blue eyes, this will make them POP!

I also love the Small Paul Navy Strong Sailor Tee for little boys. I think this dark blue is great for anyone. And again, it looks great with any bottom.

Image provided by Tutti Bella website.

So, we say, no big logo's. But if you have a hip little boy, these tees are perfect. Every rule we give can be broken. Just use your own judgement. If your son wears these kinds of tees on a regular basis, then why not photograph him in them. You will look back, years from now, and be glad you did.

As for colors for different skin tones, here is a general guideline. If your child is really fair, red or super-saturated colors, like turquoise, can be a bit much. I really like these colors but I will say, for certain cooler, fair skin tones, it can look really harsh. How can you tell if this is your kid? Well, do they have very thin, fair, almost transparent skin? Do their blue veins show a lot? Do they burn when they are in the sun even a little? Those are good signs. I usually say try medium tones like, pinks, medium blues, medium greens, oranges and dark browns. Avoid tan at all costs! This just washes out pale skin. You can do tan on the bottom, just not on top. I also say to avoid black. It is just too harsh. If you want something low key, just choose a chocolate brown instead. It is universally flattering.

These "rules" are not set in stone. If you think red is your kids best color and they are very fair, go for it. Also, if it is summer and your little one has played outside and gotten a bit of color, these colors are usually fine. I would just recommend having a selection of outfits available prior to the photo shoot. I will go through the wardrobe with you to help you make the final decisions.

I hope this helps. I know a lot of you moms stress over clothes. My sister freaks out every time we photograph for her. Even though, we could shoot for her any time. So, I completely understand. She also likes to have one photo that is a little more "refined" with all the kids in it. If this is you, just go simple. Plan on this shot being the first one so we know, if the kids have a meltdown, we'll have it. I always suggest not doing everything matchy, matchy. Mix it up a bit. A good rule of thumb is choose from the same color scheme. Then lay your outfits out on the bed and make sure one doesn't scream out at you more than another. Do they all look good and "equal" together? That is what you want for that "refined" group shot. I will say...I love those unplanned moments when kids are just being kids. So, don't over-think it. I will help out when we arrive.

So, that is it for now. I will discuss this more as I know you will probably want more suggestions. Just stay tuned!

Don't forget to check out the other clothing links on our blog. Where to Find Great European Children's Clothing for your Photoshoot has a list of several online retailers, including Tutti Bella. Also, I have posted several "helpful hints" in the category of the blog titled, Clothing Ideas for Your Photo Shoot. It is a library of recommendations like this one that I think you'll find helpful. You may want to bookmark this page as I will be adding to this often.

So, good luck shopping!

Today's photo is of a very cute little girl. She was sassy and sweet, though this is one of her serious moments! I just love her!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pretty Me...the cutest clothes for a spring photo shoot!

Hey all! The other day I wrote about this absolutely fabulous little girls clothing line. These clothes are perfect for your spring photo shoot. I have had several people email me about how cute the clothes are. So, I decided to talk a little more about it today.

The online store is called "Pretty Me" and can be purchased through Etsy and Ebay. It looks like she carries sizes from 6 months to 4t but I did notice some 5's and 6's on a couple of items. So, if you have a little girl in these sizes, you should check out her stuff!

People ask me all the time about what their children should wear for their photo shoot. This line is perfect. The colors are bright, the patterns are cute and not overpowering and the way the clothes can be layered, you can have five different outfits out of 3 pieces! So you get a variety of looks!

I like that she mixes dresses with pants. Every little girl we've ever photographed in this young age range has not yet learned about the whole, "cross your legs when you sit down" thing. So, I will mention if you have skirts or dresses for your little one to be photographed in, make sure you have some pants, leggings, tights, bloomers or something like that on hand. That way, if we do shots of her sitting, we'll have them if needed.

Leggings can either be patterned or solid. Just coordinate them with the outfit. If you do patterns, I think stripes and polka dots are great. And these tend to look great with either solid or floral dresses and skirts. As for tights, I think these are best with pattern. Again, stripes and polka dots are a good choice. I am not crazy for white and pastel tights. In my opinion, it feels a little too formal.

And of course, bare legs and bare feet are as cute as can be. If she is standing, hopping, twirling, dancing and playing around this can be great. The tip for this is...if you want bare feet shots, make certain she has walked around with bare feet prior to the shoot. I can't tell you how many parents discover their child's distaste for getting their feet dirty during their photoshoot. Have shoes that will coordinate with the outfits in case this happens.

What I love about the Pretty Me line is that it doesn't look too "dressed up". My preference is to choose clothes for your shoot that look like your child. If they only wear smocked dresses once a year, then don't choose that for their photo shoot. You want to look back at the pictures and see "your" child. And the Pretty Me line has such a casual feel that just says "pretty little girl". I love that.

Here are some very cute little girls in their favorite dress-up attire.

Aren't they the prettiest fairies and princesses you've ever seen?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Chooka Boots...the coolest rain boots for kids ever!

Hey guys. I was having lunch today when I ran across an ad for Chooka Boots for kids. I thought they were so cool I decided to look them up. They have several different styles, so whether you like the Ed Hardy tattoo look or the cutsy cupcake look, they have something for you.

Her are a few shots I pulled from their website.

Image above provided by Chooka Boots

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. They have everything from cupcakes to camo to skulls. Really cool stuff. So, if you have a hip, urban kid, you should check them out at their website, Chooka Boots.

If you think you'd like to buy some of these super-cool boots so your little one can splash around in the spring rain, go to Western Chief to pick up a pair. And, if you're feeling brave, they have some for us big kids too!

Couldn't you just see your kid wearing these in your cool, urban photo shoot this spring?! We have the perfect city spot for it. It's a secret so you'll just have to book a shoot to find out where it is!

Well, I was writing this while uploading some prints to the lab. It is finished so I have to run now.

Here is a great shot of a beautiful girl we photographed recently. She's sixteen and FAB! She is going to be a star someday...I just know it!

I'll see you on Broadway! (Well, I'll be in the audience. You'll be on stage!)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

More clothing ideas for your child's spring photo shoot

Hey guys! Bill and I have been busy with a few shoots lately. Our shoot on Friday was a little newborn. He was quite the cutie! His mom mentioned she looked on our site, Studio193 for clothing ideas. She really liked the post where I actually put specific outfit ideas for a little girl. Only problem is...she has a little boy. So, I promised her I would put some specific ideas up for baby boys. I have to go through some sites I have listed in our "Where to find great children's clothing" post to get some ideas. I will do that very soon, so stay tuned.

For now, I have to talk about a FAB children's clothing designer for little girls I found a couple of months ago on Etsy. I have been chatting with her quite a bit lately. She is so nice! Not to mention talented. I love the pieces she creates but it's more than the cut. It is the pattern and color. It's the whole thing! And, she has some pieces with little birds on them. That is how I actually ended up finding her. I was looking for "bird" stuff for me and ran across her site.

Speaking of her site, she has an online store called Pretty Me. You are sure to love it!

Clothing ideas for your newborn's photo shoot!

Now, I am going to give you some really quick clothing tips if you are about to have a photo shoot for your baby. I will expand this in a future post but for now (and since we have been photographing so many little ones lately) this should give you a bit of insight.

If you have a baby that is not yet sitting up, don't do shirts/dresses/etc. with collars. These tend to ride up and obscure the face. This goes for jackets, coats or anything that has too much bulk near the face. If you are unsure, put the clothes on the baby prior to the shoot. If if rides up, pass on it.

We usually tell people to avoid pastels. However, with babies, this rule goes out the window. I think soft colors for newborns are sweet, just like they are. Here is an example of that. Well, she isn't wearing pink but she is surrounded by it, so it still counts.

Keep 'em naked. Well, they don't have to be entirely naked but almost is just as cute. Have an assortment of bloomers to cover their diaper and this works just fine. Here are some examples of this.

Have an assortment of soft, sweet blankets to cover the baby up with. Babies look cute all snuggled in. Keep the colors soft or neutral. Cream, white, pastels, these are all nice. See below.

Lastly, if you want to do clothes for your newborn photo shoot, keep it simple. Don't get too fussy with them. At this age, they are usually just laying there so the clothing just doesn't really show up that much.

Hopefully this will help you to plan what your itty bitty baby should wear during their photo shoot. Things change once they are sitting up but until then, these are great rules to go by. Just remember, rules are meant to be broken. Color, for instance, is just fine for tiny babies. Pattern can be nice too. Here are a couple of photos taken in the baby's crib with colorful and patterned bedding in the background.

Thanks for stopping by.

Clothing ideas for your baby's spring photoshoot!

Hey guys! We had a pretty busy week so I didn't get the new mall display up yet. I promise I will be working on that next week!

We had two shoots today and it was COLD this morning. The kids were running around completely oblivious to it. We did the first shoot entirely outside and, I have to say, they handled the weather much better than I did. I had on my huge puffy coat as if it were 10 below!

This evening we had an ordering appointment with some of our favorite people! We are planning her next shoot for the spring. She has been checking out our list, "Where to find great European Children's Clothing for your photoshoot" from our site. So, I thought I would help "LC" out and hunt down some cute clothes for her little one. Here are just a few suggestions.

She has already been looking at Boden. So that's a great start. She tells me they have free shipping and free returns right now so it is a great time to get some new pieces. I personally love the Sixties Dress for a mere $36!

I also love the Misha Lulu Hen Dress, Halabaloo Paisley Smocked Dress and the Splendid Littles Peacock Dress from Tutti Bella.

The Tea Collection from Cute Little Clothes is really nice too. I think the Bootcut Pant is perfect paired with Seion Tunic!

I should also mention a great sale on a 3 Pommes Grenadine Dress from Baby Vogue that would be great for a spring photo shoot. It's half off right now!

And, of course, one of my favorite brands Lola et Moi is a fabulous choice. This is the link to their spring baby collection, though they have great stuff for older kids too. So check that out. Little Luna Blue carries this line and they are currently taking pre-orders for their Spring/Summer collection.

And, don't forget about Target. They have a very cute little Yellow Polka Dot dress by Cherokee. It is a very simple, clean design that looks vintage! I love that! And you can't beat the price for just $9.99!

Lastly, Old Navy has some really pretty pieces for a steal! I adore the Bold-Stripe Dress. It's available in two different colors and is only $14.50. Also, the Mosaic-Print Tank Dress is fun! The colors would be great for anyone! And the Embroidered Animal Graphic Tee would look great paired with the Mixed-Print Skirt. The whole outfit would be less than $25!

So, LC (and anyone else who might be planning their spring photo shoot), here are several ideas that will be sure to give you plenty of cute items to choose from. I hope this helps!

If anyone else needs help choosing the perfect outfit for your next session, shoot me an email at dedra@studio193.com and I will try to pull some ideas for you too. Just consider me your own personal shopper!

Just remember not to let the clothes thing drive you crazy. I find that just letting the kids be kids makes beautiful photographs, no matter what they are wearing.

Now for todays pictures. Here is a BEAUTIFUL little girl we had the privilege to photograph.

Thanks for stopping by!