Babies and children are precarious little things, aren’t they?  Newborns are completely baffling at times, babies can have unpredictable moods, and toddlers… oh dear. Looking ahead to children, tweens, teens, young adults… when do the temperatures actually level out?

Shoot day is not exempt from unpredictability.  If anything, it seems to be magnetic to Murphy.  “Anything that can happen – will,” or something like that.

I’m writing this on the heals of a few sessions that did not go how my clients planned.  Babies were oddly cranky, and toddlers flipped their lids.  The mommas were obviously very disappointed.  And what was particularly frustrating to them was that they did not know what caused this freak-out.  All of us involved honestly tried, but today was just not our day!   …This. Happens.  It just does. It’s no one’s fault.  But the important thing is we don’t just wallow in our bad day.  Nope, we start over!

I do not want that possibility that your kid could have a bad day to be a reason you mommas don’t photograph your babies!

Let me be clear… I don’t want the unknowns of “how will my kid do?” at any age be a reason you don’t have your children photographed.

So the pressure is OFF!

If you come to my studio and your baby is “just not herself” or your son “has never done this before,”  you can trust me that I will gladly reshoot your session on a new day and we’ll give it another shot.  ➡ No extra charge.  No stink-eye.

With 11+ years photographing children, I do have plenty of tips for you as to how we accomplish success, and I do hope you’ll take them to heart out of respect for my time, but even when you do, I completely understand kids are kids and life happens.  So grace all around!

Fine print (because to be clear is to be kind)

If on *the day of the session* you think your tot was just not himself, say the word and we’ll schedule another session to be shot within three weeks.  I know this is subjective, and I’d never really know if you’re pulling a fast one, but that’s the thing about my clients – you wouldn’t.  I have the best clients in Central Kentucky.

If your child has been up all night, is sick, had shots yesterday, or has some other reason that would cause a difficult session, please reschedule.  I will not be upset at all for rescheduling!  When possible, I would appreciate it if you would give me as much notice as you can if you’re rescheduling.  The quickest way to reach my is by calling… (859)685-8516 

Session fee is still due at the first session.  (First half of session fee is due at booking, second half at session time.)

Newborn sessions are not sessions that are reliant on the good mood of a newborn baby, since she’s asleep 95% of the time.  Baby’s siblings, however are the tricky ones.  I am happy to reshoot the part of the session that involves baby’s siblings if those children have a freak-out!

Please read my post about tips for a successful session.  Some are completely crazy, I know, but still.  In 11 years, there have been crazy things.  People differ on the best methods to coax children to the perfect smile.  The post is just a collection of my observations.

Breathe Easy

I want my moms and dads to breathe easy while you’re at my studio.  I want this ‘guarantee’ to be a safety net for you that just helps you to walk in a little less stressed.  I’m a mom too.  I know the pressure of needing perfect children, perfect hair, perfect attitudes can be crippling.  So the PRESSURE IS OFF.  😎

The post Pressure is OFF | Session Guarantee appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

14 Tips for a successful photo shoot:

For Kids

ONE | Avoid giving kids sugar of any kind prior to the session.

TWO |If you can help it, opt for not shooting right after school or day care.  Their busy day has a way of siphoning every last drop of cooperative attitude they have.

THREE | During the session avoid using food, candy, or a cell phone as a way of baiting our model into cooperation.  I want to save those as a last resort.  Reason being, if we reach for those tools first, we may never pry them out of their hands.

FOUR | In my own home, I find it very beneficial to give my daughter a detailed heads up as to what is getting ready to happen.  For example, “We’re going to have fun at Robin’s studio for an hour or so. We’re going to change our outfits a couple times, and when we’re done we’ll have a snack, and play outside on the swings for a few minutes.  Let’s make sure to cooperate the whole time and look forward to our treats after we’ve had a great session!”  …Something like that.  It seems small, and even over their head a bit, but personally, I regret every time I take my girls someplace and forget to go over what I expect of them!

FIVE | Don’t practice smiling.  Anyone knows FAKE from a mile away.  Especially you with your own children.  It would be unprofessional of me to rely on a kid’s ability to ‘say cheese’.  Instead we take our time and act goofy together.  Kids react genuinely to mom, dad, nana, and me acting like idiots!  😆

SIX | Think about what your kid likes… favorite songs, a silly teacher at school, a favorite friend, a silly song daddy sings, a weird dance mommy dances, being tickled, favorite books… and so on.  Talking about these are great ways to light your kid’s face up!  I say think about this NOW, because sometimes I ask mom in the moment what kiddo’s favorite song is, and she freezes! (I would too.)

For the record, this mom and dad (some of the coolest people on earth) did not fill their kid with sugar, this is just a hilarious shot that illustrates the topic

For Babis and Kids

SEVEN | If your kiddo is sick, reschedule for when they’re healthy.  Even if they’re not contagious, sick kids don’t have the endurance to get through a fun session.

EIGHT | Generally speaking, it’s helpful to bring the children already dressed in their first outfit.  This way we’re not spending the good mood window on changing clothes any more than we have to.  There are obvious exceptions of course.

NINE | Bring some favorite snacks for break time, which is usually clothing change time. This serves as a mental break for them and us, so don’t rush it.  If you’re stressed, don’t be, or certainly don’t show it to your kiddo.

TEN | Bring some of their favorite books, lovies, toys… whether they’re props or not.  Pack them in a concealed bag so kiddo isn’t aware they’re even in the building. IF we choose to get something out, we can do so right when our model is in position, and I’m ready to shoot!

For Baby

ELEVEN | Schedule the session for when your baby is well rested and well fed.  Right after morning nap is usually a successful time for most babies.  Feel free to feed (or at least top off) your baby when you arrive at the studio if you have much a drive to get here.  And keep in mind that when you choose a time to schedule, babies expend lots of energy in photography sessions, so nap time is usually moved up to right after the session.

TWELVE | During the session we all will need to avoid ‘going crazy’ as a way of capturing baby’s attention.  When we are constantly shouting, ratting toys, calling kid’s name, and otherwise being loud, it is inevitable that they’ll reach their mental capacity and melt down or tune us out.  I find it very helpful to keep the session pretty low key, and strategically change up entertainment as needed.

THIRTEEN | If your baby just loves nana, by all means, bring her!  At the same time if baby is so clingy to nana that she won’t leave nana’s lap for one second, then think twice!   If you are the person on whom your kiddo has a very tight grip, then by all means, have Daddy bring the kiddo to the session, or when you get here, you go make yourself scarce.

For Adults

FOURTEEN | Spray tanning, while it is a healthier alternative to UV beds, can lead to orangy skin, particularly noticeable around the hands. If it’s important to you to have a bronze tone to your skin, use only the best professionals. (Baby Belly Spa, located in Hamburg Pavilion, offers this organic service for preggo mommas!)

You DON’T necessarily need to reschedule for these reasons:

Bruises, cuts, and scrapes.  They’re all case-by-case, but in many cases I can very easily retouch these blemishes.  Please shoot me a picture of your little soldier’s battle wound and I’ll let you know if you should wait for it to heal, or if it’s in a spot that can be easily fixed.  robin@lexphotographer.com

Your newborn’s umbilical cord hasn’t fallen off.   Not to worry.  Most haven’t within 2 weeks.  Posing covers that up!

The post PARENTS: 14 tips for Baby and Child sessions appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

Obviously we want to document every little moment our babies grow, especially in the first year.  So here are the best “milestone” times to bring your baby in for professional photographs:

Newborn, of course!  Newborn babies are out most important client around here.  These tiny children are on tiny ONCE.  Cliche, absolutely, but so so true. Like I mentioned, my youngest is 10 months, but I honestly don’t know how that is possible.  I was pregnant with her like 10 minutes ago!  Of all the “regret” calls I get, the most popular lamentation I hear is a mom telling me she skimped on newborn pictures, and how she’d give anything to go back and get those done.  … I really hope you hear this next part: Newborns have a brief window of LESS than two weeks to shoot.  If you’re preggo, please read these posts before you camp out on this milestone post…. When to book a newborn shoot,  when we shoot the newborn session, and relational newborn sessions.

4 months.  Babies who have had daily tummy time by now are probably pushing up on their own. Their eye contact is strong and deliberate, and they respond to voices, and mom and dad making loving faces at them. This is a delightful time for mommy+baby, and daddy+baby relational shots.  This is also one of only TWO ages I photograph babies on the light table.  I usually don’t recommend photographing outdoors at this session. Studio sessions are safe and clean for these young babies.

7/8 months.  This time is probably one of my very favorite times to photograph a baby other than the newborn session. Usually by now babies have a better sense of balance and can sit up on their own without the need for a bobby placed around them.  Baby’s personality is developing quite nicely and interacting is usually pretty easy.  This is a great time to make a family photograph!  Babies can see across the room much better now, so when I am 10 feet away at my camera, they can see me and grin at my crazy peek-a-boos.  This session is the last widow for photographing on the light table.  Studio sessions are wonderful for babies this age, but now so are outdoor sessions, provided we have fair weather. (Clients who have reserved their outdoor session can go here to view my favorite locations to shoot.)

Annnd you guessed it, the one year session.  What a time!  In all likelihood, babies are pulling up and standing, and some babies are even walking! (My first didn’t walk until 15 months though. I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in dates.)  Actually, a baby who is NOT yet walking confidently is a bit easier to photograph since they’re not running away from us while we’re shooting!  This session has a lot of variety.  Different outfits, crawling baby, standing baby, sitting baby, family shot, AND, if mom and dad want…  CAKE SMASH!  By the very nature of how much these kiddos move around, variety is inevitable.

The above are typical great times to shoot.  It’s important to schedule your session according to baby’s development; not the age.  For example, some kids don’t push up like a pro until 5 months.  That’s no problem.  We’ll shoot at 5 months.  If we try to shoot too early, and baby isn’t ready, it’s likely we wont get as many quality images.

“When do I book my session if I don’t know when she’ll reach her milestones?”  Go ahead and book the session when baby is 4, 7, and 12 months.  I am happy to reschedule your session if the week prior, you see she needs a couple more weeks.

After baby has completed her first year, it’s tradition to make an album (if you haven’t already.)  We compile photographs from all four sessions in to a beautiful timeless book you will absolutely cherish.  You have heard the question, “if your house was burning down, what would you take with you?”  The answer is almost always, people, pets, and photos.  You’ll grab the albums of your children!  These are the kinds of things that get passed down when kids are grown.  If I were you I would not skimp on this one.

CONTACT ME to book your next session!

859-685-8516

robin@robinallen-photography.com

The post Baby sessions – newborn, 4, 7, and 12 months appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

I have tons and tons of props already, and moms love them, however, women today are uber particular.  Moms know what they like, and have a specific styles that fit her.  I can identify with that.  Perfectionism.  It can me marvelous because when we achieve our desire end result, the finished work is outstanding and totally satisfying. On the other hand, it is hard to relinquish that control. (Our poor families; they endure so much.)  At least this is how it is on some subjects.  Not all.

I have gobs of newborn hats and bows and wraps and fabrics and containers and and and… but I’m not so high on myself that I expect my clients to throw out their own opinions in exchange for mine just because I’m “the professional.”

SO HERE’S A GREAT SOLUTION WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK!!

I have partnered with a premier newborn prop boutique to bring within your reach some of the cutest newborn props available.

Step 1:  Go shopping at No. 2 Willow Lane.  Use promo code “RA18” and receive 10% off your purchase. (Thank you No. 2 Willow Lane for your generosity!)

Step 2:  Bring your props to your session and we create awesomeness.

Step 3:  You can keep these little gems as a keepsake for you… evidence that your baby really was this little once,

OR if you like, I will buy the props you no longer have a use for at half of what you paid.  I’ll buy up to $100 off you to lighten your load!  (Please bring your Willow Lane receipt!)    ….  No questions asked *as long as they are No. 2 Willow Lane props.*  I make this stipulation because I have seen Jen’s whole body of work and I trust her style and quality.  I cannot say that about just any prop shop out there.

Just a quick example of some of my favs…

Oodles more unique pieces are shown on the No 2 Willow Lane website.

Other relevant links for you if you are viewing this page:

When we SHOOT your newborn session

When you need to BOOK your newborn session

Family pictures with your newborn

The post Well Planned Props For Your Newborn Photo Shoot. appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

Each time I get to relieve some anxiety… Two babies isn’t much harder than one!  And in many cases, they’ve been easier!

A newborn baby’s most comfortable place to be is wherever it feels like their first home… the womb.  So, not only was the womb warm, so baby likes it warm; and noisy, so they like it noisy; but they were pressed up against their sibling for months on end, feeling them move, and be still; kicking and punching.  Their sibling’s movements are another element of what defines “home” to that baby!  Its quite amazing!  I’ve seen it countless times while posing twins… Baby A is a bit on the edge of sleep, or even stirring to the point of waking themselves up, when I bring their womb-mate and lay Baby B nestled right up against Baby A.  It’s as if they calm each other down, and their very presences pacifies each other.  You might think I’m crazy, but it has been instantaneous before!

Now, not all twins sessions are this perfect.  And babies still get hungry; they still need attention when they need attention.  But by no means does a twins session intimidate me, and I hope it doesn’t you either.

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See “When to Book your Newborn Session”  and “When We Shoot A Newborn Session” for relevant info!

The post Twin Newborns appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

Every *purchased* image undergoes  retouching to remove blemishes, mistakes and other unsightly things.  Many people refer to this as Photoshopping an image, or a decade ago I heard the term “airbrushing” a lot.  Some budding photographers say “editing”.  The point is, the images are cleaned up… Much like how you run the vacuum before your in-laws come for a visit.

So what blemishes would be addressed in retouching?…

If you would clean it up with makeup or a bath, that’s what needs retouching!  Snot, zits, acne, cradle cap, stork bites, flaky skin and bruises are obvious.  Crusties anywhere on the skin, red blotches, dark circles, eye boogers, and stray fly-away hairs are even more common.  Adults, even when they’re still young, have age spots and wrinkles.  …

The topic of wrinkles starts to get tricky.  Wrinkles begin to cross over from “blemish” to “character.”  I don’t ever remove character.  If I remove a person’s character, they quickly become “not them self,” and then I have over-retouched an image.  Over-retouching is always worse than under-retouching.  So many of these things are purely a judgement call.  This is a definite instance where I would ask, “would I want this “fixed” if it were me or my child or my husband?”

I am a plastic surgeon! HA!

There is also “plastic surgery” and “doing laundry”…  ‘Why YES, I’m happy to shrink your love handle,’ and ‘of course I’ll remove the spit-up from your shirt.’   ‘Dirt on you son’s khaki pants? no problem!!!’  If you ever have a question about what I might address, don’t hesitate to ask!

One thing retouching is NOT…  Professionally retouching an image dose NOT mean running an Action on a batch of images.  These are Photoshop presets that photographers can buy that do an auto-smoothing of skin.  Generally speaking it looks pretty fantastic on a screen.  But get these images in print, and you see the gross inadequacies. skin-smoothing quickly begins to look embarrassingly like you are now fake, plastic dolls. Yikes.

Editing is also not the same as retouching….  “Editing” is not an agreed upon term.  For me, editing means I cull the 200-400 shot images down to only the best, unique, 30-60 images. I then make sure all the images have the correct exposure and color balance (that’s light/dark and warm/cool), and I also crop. Cropping means cutting out the irrelevant areas of the image so the eventual print is well-composed.  From one photographer to another, “editing” can mean different things, so it’s a good idea to ask when they mean by the term.

Bottom line… As a professional, I make the continual judgement call to “help” what actually NEEDS to be helped.  Everything else, I leave it alone.  Less is more.

Portfolio Galleries

The post What is Retouching and Editing? appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

Some might assume that for great in-home images, the house has to be large and immaculate, with amazing window light in every room. While that would of course be wonderful shooting conditions, it’s not a requirement at all. I’ve photographed in tight, dark rooms plenty of times, and come away with awesome image every time. As a matter of fact, two of my very favorite in-home images were in the most cramped spaces.

This one was in a basement bedroom that might have been 6 feet by 8 feet. I even think that’s generous.

And this is an image where I stood in the stairs and shot against a fairly narrow wall as our background. All it took was removing a piece of wall art to borrow the blank wall behind it. It was perfect.

This one was made with me standing in a stairwell shooting the landing at the top if the stairs. Indecently, in the making of this one, we needed a particularly small piece of fabric to line the tiny drawer. I asked my client if she had anything with texture that was a neutral-gray. She brought me some choices, and I chose what was going to work best for the finished image. It was one of her sweaters. Most moms would never in a million years anticipate needing one of her winter sweaters to complete an image like this, so naturally she would never think to bring it to a studio session. This was a prime example of in-home sessions being so advantageous. We are able to make tailor-made images with careful selection of the client’s own colors and fabrics. That’s what makes shooting in-home awesome.

Of course the images where we can really enjoy spreading out make some of the most stunning images.

The only real requirement of the house itself, is that it is picked up.  You just never know what room will have that awesome potential for a great image, so having as many rooms ready-to-go is extremely helpful.

But there is one “requirement” you’ll need to know about up front…

The biggest thing that affects the success of a newborn session (other than the age of the baby) is the temperature of the shooting area.  It has got to be HOT in the area.  In my studio, the building is set to about 88 degrees.  It sounds insane, I know, but it’s imperative.  Newborns are used to HOT. 98.6 degrees was their normal for 9 months.  If we need them to sleep, and I do, then it is completely necessary that we mimic the womb wherever possible.  In-home sessions are a bit more expensive than a studio session, as you can imagine.  If the shooting space is too cool at all, even a warm 82 degrees (crazy, right!?) then it’s probable that our little model won’t sleep deeply enough to sustain newborn posing.

Space heaters might do the trick for very small rooms, but they don’t cut it as a general rule.  We can talk more on why that is when we talk.

I’d love to speak with you about your ‘why’ for shooting in your home.  Please contact me well in advance of your baby’s birthday to plan these special sessions!

See “When to Book your Newborn Session”  and “When We Shoot A Newborn Session” for relevant info!

The post In- Home Newborn Sessions appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

CAKE SMASH!

Just in case you are not familiar with the cake smash tradition, here’s the scoop…
Your sweet baby is turning ONE.  Where did the year go!?  (If this is your first baby, then you now truly understand the term ‘WARP SPEED.’) You have had a year of lonngg days but every day is full of a love you’ve never known, that is, unless this kiddo is not the first.

To celebrate her first birthday, she of course gets her own birthday cake!  But being only 12 little month old, her manners are non existant.  And THAT is where it gets oh so cute.  Baby investigates the cake, touches it, pinches the icing, smells its taboo aroma, and her curiosity finally culminates in a taste of that forbidden SUGAR!  The progressive mess inevitably follows.

The cake smash is incredibly entertaining for everyone in the room!

What a fun way to celebrate this milestone! Baby can smash dig in to the cake either in-studio or outdoors. I’ve done both, and they’re both awesome.

There are several good ways to display cake smash images, since these are the kind of images where you want like a hundred of them; just one won’t cut it.

• A nine series is the best way to show them off on the wall. (One of these is actually included in the First Birthday Collection!)
• A Coffee Table Book of your favorite 20 images is a fantastic way to show the progression from curiosity to complete mess!
• And of course a canvas for the baby’s room is an awesome option.
• And if we schedule the session in time, we can use your cake smash images to make the cutest, most personal thank you cards for your party guests!

Use bright colored icing so it really shows up when it starts to get everywhere!

➡ Heads up when you opt for a tutu for your little girl. Some girls have clearly expressed that they DO NOT like the scratchy tulle on their skin. SO, try it out a few days before the session, then if she hates it, try adding matching leggings underneath, or scratch the idea and go with an outfit that isn’t a bother to her.

 Here are a few cake shoppes near my studio: The Sweet Shoppe, Caramanda’s, & European Delights Bakery

The post Cake Smash! appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

The light table is one of the coolest things I get to shoot on.  It is what it sounds like – a table that lights up.  I can use my light table with babies who are pushing up like a pro (usually 3-5 months old), and babies who can sit up (usually 6-8 months).  The table offers me a unique, beautiful way to light baby’s eyes.

I can be a bit of a minimalist when it comes to props, although I do have some crazy exceptions, so my favorite way to to photograph babies on the light table is baby in their birthday suit!  I love the simplicity of the images when the baby isn’t all deck out in a fancy wardrobe.  … but then again!… I’ve also shot the ‘decked out’ version and it’s pretty cute too!  As always, mom and dad get to decide!

My light table requires a tad bit of set up, so let me know you want to use this and I’ll have it ready to go!

The post Light table appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.