Gorgeous photographs (with genuinely happy children) does not have to be so elusive!

Tip 1 Hire an actual professional.

That’s right, it cannot just be your neighbor who has a “bigger camera” than yours.   You’ll know a professional photographer by the consistency of quality images across their website. (Heads up! Facebook and instagram don’t count as a website).  A true pro will have many years in business.  And a bona fide professional will not do business ‘under the table’.  They will be insured and legal (so they do charge sales tax).  They’ll also be very focused on whether you are completely pleased, not just whether they got paid!

Tip 2 Find a photographer who understands how to light.

Believe it or not, stepping outside into a beautiful sunny day does not automatically mean you have “good light.”  This subjective term, “good light” really means light which is flattering on the subject.  A lot plays into flattering light: the direction it comes from, whether it is hard or diffused, and the color temperature top the list.  Seasoned professionals understand this, and years of experience has taught us how to “see light,” where to look for it, and how to modify it!  So even on a pretty day, the ambient light still needs to be modified to best flatter any portrait subject. Look for photographers who do this consistently, and without employing the low hanging fruit of an on-camera flash, which is terribly unflattering!

Tip 3 Consider their specialty.

It’s kind of a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none situation.  If you have a young family, your best bet is to choose a photographer whose main gig is child photography.  Just like I don’t shoot weddings, many wedding specialists don’t jive well with small children.  Much of the ‘professionalism’ in our industry has to do with how we are with people, not just the gear we own or the education we have.

Tip 4 Sync your styles.

I think all of us would agree Claud Monet was a brilliant painter, however not everyone would select his art, or any impressionist painting to showcase in our home.  It is simply a matter of preference.  Even when the subject is your family, styles between different professional photographers vary quite dramatically.  Even if your best friend had a wonderful experience with her very talented photographer, you might have a different style.  So vet their website, and communicate your preferences with whomever you choose.

Tip 5 Don’t break your back trying to select outfits that match.

Some of the nicest images I’ve made have been quite rebellious against the idea of perfectly matching.  If you insist on some coordination across wardrobes, (I’m looking at you, Type A moms), try choosing analogous colors as your theme, or a variety of muted colors. You’ll find that when you don’t pigeon-hole yourself into an exact color, your options open up.  If you’ve already booked your photographer, bounce the question of what-to-wear off him or her.  I know that I recommend slightly different color schemes depending on where we have chosen to shoot.  And you can look around at wardrobe color schemes online for hints too, like here!

Tip 6 Breathe a bit.

If you’ve done tips 1-5, then now you get to relax a bit and trust whom you hired!  Professional photographers do not expect their clients to know the best places to shoot, or times of day to pick. Nor do we expect you to be the one to produce genuinely happy expressions on your children’s faces.  That’s our job!  Your photographer probably will actually enjoy listening to your preferences, and making recommendations.  So hire your favorite and open up to him or her about what will make this year’s family pictures a dream!

Look at that!  Once you hire an experienced, legal professional, who knows lighting, who specializes in exactly what you need, and whose artistic style fits your own, all you need to do is breathe a bit and pick some colors!

The post Are really gorgeous family photos as elusive as you think? appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.

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.

Six years! WHAT? 😯 I was very surprised to see I’ve photographed the covers for Lexington Family Magazine for that long!  It really has been a privilege.

Katie Saltz, (Deputy Editor, Marketing and Events) and John Lynch, (Editor), do a fantastic job and I’m happy to help make LFM shine!

And just recently, I was photographer, as usual, but also PARENT TO THE COVER MODEL!!

A bit about the cover model experience

At LFM’s yearly Camp Fair, one of the cool things they do is have a photography booth where ANY child can be photographed to be a candidate for a cover model.  A bunch of models are chosen from that fair, and the rest are chosen throughout the year by LFM staff and me.  Last month my very own daughter got to be on the cover!

The whole experience was so fun!  John had been saying for some time, “Hey when’s Cori going to be on the cover!”  😆   Together, we settled that she should be on March’s cover.  Being a Spring-themed cover, shooting outside was ideal, but alas, January scarcely has anything green outside!  In her genius, Katie suggested shooting at Michler’s.  They’re a florist, greenhouses, and garden design located near downtown Lexington.  They were so gracious to allow us to shoot there.  (John never likes for the cover to be old, impersonal, or outdated, so it’s important that we shoot the upcoming covers relatively shortly before their debut.  Also, they pride themselves on not using stock images of porcelain children who no one knows.  These are real, Kentucky kids!)

I chose a casual, fun little dress for Cori, and fixed her curly red locks in to two big pom poms.  John was at the shoot this time, in Katie’s stead, and the whole thing took all of 15 minutes for me to make a photograph that was cover-worthy.  Cori had fun giggling and posing for me.  I will say I understand parents’ stress when they’re nervous if their kid will cooperate, or not.  AND if they’ll somehow find the only mud puddle within a mile and splash in it right before shoot time.  Never the less, Cori was just as cooperative as the other kids, and she found no mud puddles, so it was a success!

Fame for a month

Perhaps more fun than the shoot itself was the random attention Cori got after so many different people from around the community recognized her on the cover!  I was getting texts from everyone saying, “I KNOW HER!”  And if that’s not cute enough, her friends at church were asking for her autograph!

I felt like a huge dork stopping in the middle of the busy Kroger entry way to snap this pic of Cori with the magazine, but who could resist when you hear a loud, boisterous, “Mommy look! That’s ME!!!”  I have to admit, embarrassment in the moment aside, I was beaming too!

I know our story isn’t unique.  Every kid (and parents!) who get recognized on the cover of a magazine walk a little taller!

Pardon my iPhone snap in this picture at the left.  I promise I use my “real” camera on shoots!  😆

When its YOUR KID’s turn

Obviously in a magazine shoot, I shoot more than just the cover.  I usually make nearly 100 images.  In that body of images there are bound to be dozens of cute ones that mom and dad don’t want to let go un-loved on my hard drive only to be forgotten.  They should be enjoyed by the kiddo’s family, right!?

Absolutely.  So there is a special collection available to cover model clients.  Find it HERE if your kiddo was a model for LFM!

The post Getting to be a cover model for Lexington Family Magazine 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.

Lots of moms struggle with this daunting question of what to wear for family pictures.  I hate that this is topic can feel burdensome.  I want to help.

Photography is largely about flattery, and showing our best.  That’s why we own hairbrushes, makeup, and irons.  It’s the way we take care of ourselves and put our best foot forward, visually speaking.  It’s also why I retouch all purchased images.  That pimple Clinique didn’t hide, Photoshop will.  So our CHOICES of what to wear is no different.

White tops and jeans, black shirts and khaki, and everyone wearing a different color, are/were popular because a) its easy to communicate. You can just tell your sister the simple instruction, and it takes little explanation.  And b) It’s not complicated to pull off. Who doesn’t have at least one black shirt.  Admittedly, both reasons are appealing, but we need to elevate the look just a bit.  Truly stunning photographs of families happen when we apply just a bit more effort.  Fortunately, with Pinterest you can browse color pallets and land on an idea that fits your style, and your home colors.

Have a look at This Pinterest Page and find Boards showing the neutral look, and the look using brighter colors.

SKIRTS AND HEALS HEADS UP

Standing in front of the mirror, you’ll probably look amazing.  Skirts are flattering, feminine, and slimming, and high heals elongate your legs.  Problem is, they are very limiting with posing.  (And that’s fine; I just want you to know ahead of time.)  If mom wears a skirt, obviously I pose her carefully and formally; not to casually. No criss cross apple sauce.  Other than keeping her standing, using a chair is nearly a must for a person in a pencil skirt.  It’s just a bit limiting.   There’s another funny thing with skirts and dresses.  Moms seem to have a tricky time relaxing and having fun. Its as if there’s a distracting self consciousness that keeps her from being in the moment.  That distration is more of a problem than any posing hurdle I have.   Bottom line.  Be comfortable in what you wear. You be you.

LOCATIONS MATTER

It matters VERY much WHERE we are shooting.  Some locations lend themselves to certain colors, and some have a very casual feel.  I never want to flippantly select a location without hearing from my client about her end game.  Is your perfect family shot going on display in your formal living room adjacent to the baby grand, or in the den above the cozy fire?  So let me in on your wardrobe plans if you’re on the fence.  I’m sure I’ll have an opinion.

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

So hypothetically, Say this is your home… which set of outfits below would you say would be most successful in this space?   That’s the idea behind choosing outfits to work with the space in which your beautiful wall portrait or canvas will be displayed.

check these images I snagged off Pinterest…

All of these sets of outfits are great, however, to me it is clear that one has the edge for this particular living room.  I encourage you to take your space and when you know a portrait will hang proudly on the wall, let that be a guide to your wardrobe selection.

The post what to wear 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.

The DIGITAL Collection $225

• three high resolution digital images
• high resolution digital copy of the LFM magazine cover layout
• permission to print
• permission to post to social media

The PRINT Collection $199

• 8×10 of the cover image
• 8×10 of the magazine design layout
• two 5x7s of the cover image
• two 5x7s of the inside image

Of course clients are welcome to any other prints or products.  We recommend a Coffee Table Book, which includes 20 images from the model session, or an 11×14 wall portrait of the cover image!  It’s up to mom and dad what fun extras to take home!

LFM Cover Model DIGITAL Collection $225

LFM Cover Model PRINT Collection $199

Coffee Table Book  $400
11×14 $135
8×10  $50
5×7 $40
4×6 $35
*5x7s and 4×6 have much narrower aspect ratios and I do not recommend these for cover design layout prints.

Much more options are listed on the Investment Page.

Read up on what are HIGH RES, and what are LOW RES digital files:  Digital Files

Contact me!

Please call me 859-685-8516  or  shoot me an email robin@lexphotographer.com  to place an order!

The post Collection for LFM Cover Models appeared first on Robin Allen Photography.