Tips for Great Family Photos {Fort Worth Family Photographers}

Picture this, you walk into a friend’s living room and your eye is drawn to the happy family picture hanging over the mantel. And you’re thinking, That’s a great family portrait, I wish I had a picture just like that of my family! The portrait is light-filled; the family is smiling and their individual personalities are shining through. Are you ready to take the plunge and get a family portrait of your own? When is the last time your family was photographed together? Don't put it off, before you know it, the kids will be grown and out of the house. Schedule your family photography session today!

Here are a couple of tips for getting the most out of your family portrait session.

Eating and Nap Times


If you're planning a family session with kids, make sure that they not only have a full tummy before the shoot, but that you bring along some "un-messy" snacks such as Cheerios, apple juice, etc. I find small children tend to do better in the mornings but afternoons will work as long as they have had something to eat and a nap. Planning around naptimes is highly recommended, if not necessary with little ones!

Relax


I am not a traditional style photographer. My style of photography is fun, I like to engage the your family in activities that let their true personalities show through. I’m not there just to capture a see how they’ve grown image. I love goofy smiles, giggles, and silly faces. You may see me crawling on the ground, kidding around, and being silly and you'll end up with genuine expressions that capture your family's true personalities. Having said all that, I will of course, take a few more "posed" family pictures for the grandparents, (they love ‘em!) and usually some individual pictures as well. I mix it up a lot during a session and you typically have around 50 pictures in your gallery.

Clothing Suggestions


I think the most common question I'm asked is "what should we wear"? The answer depends on your family and the style of photo that you want. Do you want something candid and fun? Then you may want to consider something more casual and outdoorsy such as jeans and white or neutral shirts and bare feet. Not a fan of the "matchy-matchy" outfits? Then consider clothing for each family member that has the same tone, not necessarily the same color. As always, stripes, bold patterns, and large logos on your family's clothing will be a distraction from your family's beautiful faces. If you are unsure about your choices or how they will photograph, just give me a call. Many families choose to bring a change of clothes to mix things up a little, especially if they're planning for individual portraits of their children as well.


As always, if you have questions, post them in a comment here, or call the portrait studio.

Bluebonnet Portraits {Fort Worth Photography}

Bluebonnets are expected to be especially prolific this year because of our record rainfalls and this spring's show of Texas' state flower will most likely be the best since 2007.

Wildflower Center officials have spotted clusters of bluebonnet rosettes ready to flower near Brenham and also noticed the wildflowers almost ready to bloom near roadways between Marble Falls and Llano.

Usually, bluebonnets begin to peak in Central Texas in late March and they'll peak in North Texas in mid-April.

We've got years of experience making beautiful portraits of families and children amid the bluebonnets. Our photographers at this Fort Worth based photography studio, can guide you on clothing choices and are happy to help you plan ahead to ensure you have a gorgeous wall portrait of your children to treasure. Bluebonnet pictures are a Texas tradition, timeless in their beauty and sure to be appreciated by all.

Call our studio to book your appointment as there will be limited availability for our clients in Keller, Southlake, Colleyville and surrounding areas.

What to Wear at your Photo Session - Newborns {Keller Baby Photographers}

For newborn sessions, two key wardrobe questions significantly affect your resulting images. First, what will the baby wear? And second, what will we wear? That’s right, mom and dad . . . you’ll be in some of the photos as well, even if just as a “backdrop” to the star of the show.

Newborns are absolute perfection when they wear nothing at all! For variety and some fun pops of color, I also like to use the swaddling blankets you have at home--that also gives the baby pictures a personal touch.

There are few things as stunning as skin-on-skin shots of a newborn and the proud parents. Dad can be shirtless for some shots, as can Mom, or she could wear a strapless bra or tank top. Images for this type of shot are generally closely cropped. Also, long-sleeved black shirts for Mom and Dad provide a sophisticated, dramatic “backdrop.”

Babies - The Documentary {Keller Baby Photographer}

Babies' Documentary

One of my blog readers passed this along and I viewed it...adorable! I think its coming out this spring so this "grandma" will have to check it out for sure. I love how the directors were quoted as saying "You can't direct babies!"...too true and why I love photographing them so much. You never know what they'll do but it will always bring a smile to your face!

The photo above is one of my baby portraits from the family lifestyle session talked about in the previous post, used as an illustration for this post.

Lifestyle Photography {Southlake childrens photographers}

A wonderful way for Fort Worth area families to preserve childhood memories is to schedule a lifestyle portrait photography session. I travel to your home for this particular photo session and we'll use indoor, natural light photography, photographing your family in both casual and lightly posed picture styles. Kids jumping on the bed, your daughter playing with her dolls, mom and dad reading them a story... beautiful, elegant, naturally creative pictures are some of the best ways to keep those memories forever!

Cathy Zaragoza Photography also offers a "day in the life" photo sessions. This type of photography offering consists of several hours spent with your family capturing in portraits in a variety of your family's indoor and outdoor activities.
Our Dallas and Fort Worth photography studio includes a beautiful hardbound coffee table photo book to remember the day when you opt for this particular photography session. Our photographers typically serve Southlake, Keller, Colleyville, Grapevine, Trophy Club etc areas, although it should be noted that we do travel and or meet with clients at locations throughout Dallas and Fort Worth for fun and friendly photography sessions. Email or call us for more detailed information about all our portrait sessions.

The Keller family whose images are posted here, scheduled their lifestyle photography session during the latter part of winter which was great, the weather didn't even matter because it was an in home photo shoot...we captured some beautiful moments and memories.

Bella Ballerinas {Dallas / Fort Worth Photography}

I'm showing this recent portrait of my beautiful little Miss G and her cousin K. We were seriously overdue for some photos and as they both just finished their ballet classes I wanted to take their pictures in their tutus. I just know these photos will be special to them throughout their lives. Aren't they beautiful?

Miss G is not doing ballet next year to devote more time to tumbling so this was her last performance. I just think little girls are so adorable with their little toddler bellies and ballerina slippers lol. Grandma, being the sentimental, gushy person I am, has kept the ballet slippers. I guess that's why I became a photographer, I love to keep those memories! Either that or Clean House is going to come calling in a few years and make me get rid of some of these "memories!"

The Allie Farris Trio {Fort Worth Headshot Photography}

I am so behind on getting my sessions edited and blog postings done so I apologize to Allie and the guys! This is a wonderful trio from Denton that I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing perform last September when they were the opening act for Del Castillo in Grapevine. I was very excited to get to photograph them and we finally got to do that in January. Allie is just a gorgeous girl and the guys were so sweet (and talented!). I took my second shooter Robert along with me and it was so much fun...I love when I get the opportunity to photograph musicians, a nice change of pace for me. I am almost finished with your session guys so here's a little sneak peek in the meantime.