Nicole & Kids {family}

Here's a special one for sure!  After having to call off their session last week because of the ice storm, I got to shoot for my cousin and her three kids.  While it still wasn't ideal - at 34 degrees - it went so well!  These three kiddos were so good and did exactly ask I asked!  Then, they would throw their coats on for a minute while we set the next shot.  We only shot for about 10 minutes and they were all keepers. 

How cute are they?

 

Here's Adreanna, the oldest of the three, who was a little nervous about getting her picture taken:

 

And here is McKenzie, one of the twins, and probably the most comfortable in front of the camera:

And Kaleb, twin #2, who wasn't too interested in looking at me, let alone smiling:

 

 

Nikki works very hard to be such a good mom to these three and I sure am proud of her.

 

   I'd say they love her for it.

 

Before we rushed back into my car to warm up, I caught mom trying to weasel a smile out of Kaleb and I captured what turned out to be some of my favorite images I've ever produced:

 

 

Nikki & Dawson {couple}

This is easily one of my favorite shoots!  For one, they turned out so well since these two (and a shaggy half) are such good models, but this just so happens to be my best friend & her husband.  To make it even better, we got to shoot at my parents' place and found some awesome new locations.


Check out Madonna's reindeer antlers!  She looked directly at the camera for every shot!

 

 

And antler-free: 

 

Got some gorgeous sun flare:

 

I love the fall colors in these last few:

 

Alvidrez {Family}

I was so excited to photograph this family, one that I have known for quite some time.  The twins and I had played softball together since grade school, and I have already had the pleasure of taking photos for V's gorgeous little family (see the photos in my Children and Families galleries at www.photographybymeganalyse.com).  This is the largest group I have ever photographed, and we got to shoot at what is probably the best location in town.  Good thing there were so many of them to help lug all my chairs & junk the quarter mile down the trail!

Here they are all together, 3 generations:



And then we did every possible different family combination! :)

 

Grandparents & grandbabies

All the kids:



 Uncle and his niece & nephews:

 

 

 V's Family, A's Family:

 

And these two were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary!

 

 

 

Just the kiddos - love this one!  They were so ornery, it's a miracle they all looked at the same time!

 

New baby!

 



 

She was just waiting for a picture to be taken of just her. Adorable!

 

 

This little man started walking since I last photographed him!

 He just walked straight up into my lens & kept eye contact the whole time!

 V's family walking the trail...a good trick for candids:

 

 And a quick candid of dad & baby:

 

What to Wear for Your Family Photos

So, you've booked your family photo shoot.  What the heck are you all going to wear?!  While it can seem a daunting task - or an unnecessary one to some - planning your family's outfits for pictures is both simple AND important.

Nothing can ruin family photos more than horrible, clashing outfits.  Most families don't have lavish designer wardrobes or the disposable income to go out and buy new outfits just for pictures.  That's fine - you don't need to!  Dressing your family for pictures is simple and whatever you have in your closets - if planned correctly - can come out looking amazing.  Just follow these suggestions:

1. Don't wear brands, screen prints or patterns.  Think simple, solid colors.  If you have more than one pattern in the shot, it becomes very unpleasing to the eye, and a screen printed t-shirt or a big Under Armour "X" is tacky for this situation.  The focus should be on you and your faces, not your shirt.  If ONE or maybe even two people want to wear a pattern, that is okay and can even be a great accent, provided the two patterns are the same and the colors coordinate with everyone else.
2. Again - think solid colors.
3. No hats - especially ball caps.
4. Don't all wear the same color.  A FAR better way to match is to wear different colors in the same color family or create a nice color scheme.  Read on for color schemes that I have personally designed for your inspiration!
5. Try to avoid black & white - especially as main colors.  If you want neutrals, go for grays or browns.  Blacks and whites create bigger challenges in post-processing (i.e., editing) and are much more difficult to expose for properly. "Middle neutrals" (gray) will look much better!
6. Dress for the season.  Don't show up sleeveless or in hot pink for a winter photo shoot. 
7. Layer - and differently.  Don't all wear shorts, or all wear jackets, or all wear scarves, etc. etc. etc. Change it up.
8. Try to avoid tennis shoes.
9. Choose either casual or dressy - for the whole family.  You can't have mom & dad dress to the nines while the kids have shorts & t-shirt on.

This simple list can easily be followed without spending any money!  Even t-shirts can look nice as long as they are a solid color.  While it's easy & brainless to match by all wearing the same color, remember - the better way to match is by coordinating colors in a family or scheme. 

 I have provided some examples below to help you plan.  Please use this as a resource and share with your friends who have family photos coming up and need some inspiration!  Enjoy.