What to Wear to Your Family Outdoor Photo Session | Sarasota Family Photographer

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​Next week, I’ll be able to photograph again.  Yay!  Outdoors only for now. So, you may be wondering what you should wear to your outdoor photoshoot.
 
There is no absolute right or wrong answer to what to wear.  However, there are certain choices that will allow your images to look fabulous!
 
Read on for my suggestions:

In a previous blog post, I wrote about what extra safety precautions I was going to take when taking photos of you, your baby and/or family.  That was when all of this was just beginning and before the stay-at-home order was in place and I could no longer photograph.

Now, that we are getting prepared for the lockdown to gradually phase out and photographers will be allowed to photograph again, I wanted to inform you of additional safety precautions I will be taking at your photoshoot.

I want to ensure that you and I both take the maximum care and precautions to protect all of us as much as possible.  Please take a few minutes to read the guidelines below:

In-Home Photoshoot

• I will remove my shoes before entering your home
• I will wear a face mask and gloves
• I will wash my hands after entering your house and/or use hand sanitizer
• If I am photographing a baby, I will limit my handling of your baby as much as possible
• I ask that we all remain at least 6' away from each other
• Only immediate family being photographed will be allowed

Outdoor Photoshoot

• We will remain at least 6' away from each other
• Depending upon the outdoor location we are shooting, I will wear a face mask, if deemed necessary for protection, i.e., if we are in a park and other people are out and about that may be near us
• Only immediate family being photographed will be allowed at your photoshoot

For your part, please follow the steps listed below to ensure my well being as well as your own:

• I ask that no one living outside of your home has visited your home within the 48 hours prior to the day of your photoshoot
• Please cancel your appointment within 24 hours if you have experienced any of the following symptoms:
  • Fever, cough, dizziness, lack of taste/smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue (not from lack of sleep)

In the meantime, I hope you get a little chuckle from my photoshoot with Little Miss Clorox - it's their first pandemic!

Thank you so much!  Stay safe, stay strong!

Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book a future session when restrictions are lifted or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Future Session" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

This is for all you mamas-to-be out there ready to give birth during this quarantine time.  I want to extend my support by sharing with you some tips on how you can take your own Fresh 48 photos since professional photographers aren't allowed at this time.

You can easily take these with your iPhone or other smartphone.
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1. Whether you are giving birth in the hospital, birthing center or at home, turn off all artificial lights
2. Position baby close to a window.  Natural light is the best.
3. Don't forget to take all the tiny details - feet, hands, face
4. Take photos at all different angles - above, side, head
5. Make sure you get in some of the photos with your baby, too.  Have the father or nurse take them.  While you're at it, have the nurse take a few with you, the father, the baby and any siblings.

After the quarantine has been lifted and photographers can work again by it being safe to come into your home, I can take your newborn photos, even if baby is a little older.  That's the beauty of lifestyle photography.  You will have the first priority to get on my schedule.

For now, rest, relax and cherish these last days of pregnancy.

Please feel free to share this with any of your pregnant friends so they can have these tips as well.

Take care, stay safe, stay strong.

Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. During this quarantine time, you can book a future session now.  Contact Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click "Book A Future Session" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

​Are you going a little stir crazy? Children driving you nuts? Disappointed you can't get professional photos taken right now?

​I have the perfect solution. I just wrote up a quick guide explaining an easy 4-step process of taking lifestyle photos yourself on your phone! Whether you are single, a couple or have children, I have prompts for all.
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Interested? Request the guide by clicking the button below and I'll send you the guide right away.

Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. During this quarantine time, you can book a future session now.  Contact Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click "Book A Future Session" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Cara Soulia in Boston started The Front Steps Project to bring families together, yet separated during this quarantine time.  I knew I had to do something for my own small community as well to help get us through this crazy time in our lives. I called mine, "Front Door Project" because our houses do not have porches or steps.  However, I did photograph one of my friends who lives in a different neighborhood that did have front steps.  :-) 

I posted what I wanted to do on our community's private Facebook group.  I also asked some friends.  I used my 24-70mm lens and zoom lens.  I stood on the sidewalk to take the photos, which allowed me more than 20' of safe distancing.  This was a great way to get out a little bit for some fresh air and to meet some of my neighbors I hadn't met yet.

These were just quick, five-minute shoots and were a lot of fun and FREE!  I only asked and encouraged my participants to donate to my favorite charity.  

It was so touching to see families come out, smile and enjoy a little bit of togetherness.  All the families seemed to really enjoy taking these five minutes of just being out, smiling, and being silly to document this time in their lives.  Even their fur babies were included.

I hope and pray everyone is doing well. Stay home, stay safe, stay strong!  This too shall pass.

Enjoy this little slideshow of my Front Door Project.

Since I mainly photograph newborns, safety has always been my number one concern when handling babies.

Now, with the outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19, safety is upfront and center right now.  As your photographer, I just wanted to let you know the extra steps and precautions I will be taking when photographing you, your baby and/or family.  


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• We will reschedule your shoot, if necessary, if myself, you or anyone in your family has a fever or respiratory illness.  
• I have the benefit of working from home, so I am not frequently out in public.  Especially now, I will limit my exposure to crowds.  When I am out in a store, using a public restroom, etc. I always use a sanitizing wipe to wipe the cart and use a paper towel to grab the handle of the bathroom door when leaving.  I've done this for years, but it is very important now.
• I will always wash my hands thoroughly before I pick up my camera.  If we are doing the photoshoot in your home, I will wash my hands as soon as I enter your home.  If the photoshoot is outdoors, I will wash my hands thoroughly before I leave the house.  I will use hand sanitizer in front of you and again when I leave.  Upon arriving home, I will wash my hands again.  As you have read and heard, washing hands for at least 20 seconds is the number one defense against this virus.  
• As I only do lifestyle sessions, the only equipment I bring inside your home is my camera equipment.  My camera and lenses are wiped down before I walk into your home and when I return back home after the photo shoot.
• When we first greet each other, I will fist bump or bump elbows instead of shaking hands.  I will resist the urge to hug anyone.
• Instead of using my hands to handle or position a baby, children or adults, I will be very conscious to not touch any of my subjects.  I will do my best to guide you with my words.  If necessary, I may show you pictures of how I would like you to position yourself.  

Until this outbreak has passed, I want to err on the side of caution and be extra vigilant in protecting you, my clients, as well as myself.

May we all take the extra precautions as necessary and pray a vaccine will be developed sooner than later and the virus will be eradicated soon.

​Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands!

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

I love deep eye contact as well as natural smiles.

Besides my lifestyle newborn and family sessions, I also offer boutique school photography at local schools in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, Florida for preschool up to elementary age students.  

I never force "say cheese" smiles.  I talk to them, listen and ask questions that will capture their personality in that moment.  That's real connection.  I love to capture natural smiles, silly faces, not looking at the camera at all faces.  These are the true, raw emotions I love to capture.  If they don't smile, they don't smile.  Sometimes, those are the best photographs.  I photograph who they are, at that particular moment frozen in time.

Having their portraits hung on your wall (especially showing their unique personality) is a fantastic way to show them you love the different individuals they are.

Preschools, Elementary Schools, Homeschools - I offer very affordable unique school photos.  Easy online ordering and I donate 10% of net proceeds back to the school!

If you are a parent or guardian reading this blog and are interested in this type of unique school photography service for your child’s school, please direct your school administrator to my web page here or click the button below for more information.  I would be happy to meet or chat with them about my unique approach to school photography.

​Lifestyle is truth.  It is reality.  It can be a mess sometimes.  It can be beautiful sometimes.
 
Photography has changed so much over the past several years from having to be that perfectly posed, forced “fake” smiles to reality – real connection, raw emotion, natural and authentic smiles.  Those “perfect” portraits were probably very stressful for you, especially if you had little ones trying to get them to sit still, smile when asked or keep their “Sunday Best” clothes clean and wrinkle-free before the photo session.
 
In today’s world, more and more photographers are getting away from those “perfectly posed” photos to real life photos.  Mostly, photographed in your own home – where you and your little ones are most comfortable. Those are moments you want to remember.  What your house looked like at that time.  How your nursery was set up.  What your older children’s rooms looked like – messy or clean.  Families want to remember what they were doing together as a family – playing, cooking, whatever.  Why have another portrait of everyone standing stiff and smiling at the camera.  Why not showcase your real life and invite others in to see your family, just the way you are.  Everyday life.  Those kind of photographs will capture real moments you had interacting with your family as you spent time together.  Those kind of photographs will mean the most to you, your extended family and friends for years to come.  
 
That’s why I have begun to move away from very structured and posed photography to a more real portrayal of family reality.  With just a little guidance and some prompts, I can capture your real and true lifestyle. 
 
You may think your home is too small or isn’t in showcase condition.  Doesn’t matter.  It’s your home.  Your comfort zone.  Your happy place.  You don’t need to have everything necessarily in its place, such as, pillows perfectly straight, the bed “hotel” made.  Your home is reality and there is beauty in reality – capturing your family as you honestly are.
 
These lifestyle photoshoots are very relaxed.  You can be in your jeans, a dress, barefoot – whatever makes you and your family comfortable.  Laugh, play – feel completely at ease, and definitely no forced smiles.  The day of the photoshoot may be capturing the good, the bad and the ugly.  But, that’s okay.  Those fleeting moments were real - ones you won’t get back from that particular time in your life.  Get away from that “picture perfect” Christmas card photo.  Show your family and friends you are human – showing the natural, the connection, the emotion – doing the things you love to do together.  
 
We are not perfect, so why should your photographs try to show you are?  I used to think that way, too, but now I love showing reality in photographs, reminding everyone that life is beautiful, just the way it is.

Are you ready to capture your newborn and/or family showcasing your real life?  Click "Let's Start a Conversation" button below and let's make this happen!

I do photography because I absolutely love to capture babies and families in the moment.  For as long as I can remember, I have always loved taking photos.  I always wanted to have photos to look back on, to remember what I was doing at the time, how I looked (which sometimes I may not want to remember what I looked like) LOL, where I traveled, etc.  I especially love to take photos of my family.  I love looking back and recreating the memories we made, what we looked like, what we were doing, where we were.  Having photos of my own family is so very important to me.  I think that's why I started making photography my profession, albeit later in life, but it's never too late to do what you love, right?

Now, I want to create memories frozen in time for other families.  From maternity, Fresh 48, newborn to families.  Priceless!  I want to create and show the connection and emotion of what's happening at that time.  So, when they look back through their album or enjoy viewing their wall art, they will be taken back to that moment in time and feel the same love, emotion, comfort and contentment.  Or, they may feel sadness or grief because the photo includes parents that may have since passed, but they are so glad they had photos with them so they could remember and show future generations.  

I especially make sure that mom and dad are in the photos.  It is so special to be in the photos with your children.  Think how as they get older, how much they will love seeing you with them years from now - remembering the emotion, the laughter, the silliness, the comfort and, most importantly, the love you shared.

This is why I do photography.  

Let's start creating those memories for you and your family.

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography. If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book A Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309. We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.

From the very beginning, I have always traveled to the client's home for their session.  To be real, when I first started, I didn't have the resources to rent, let alone own a studio of my own anyway, so to the homes I went and still do.  

Now, that I switched from strictly posed to lifestyle photography, home is where the heart is.  I wouldn't even want a studio now.  Even though studios certainly can be set up like a room in a home to make it feel "homey," to me it still isn't "real."  I love real, authentic and the intimacy of being in the client's home; in their own environment where they are most comfortable and love the best.




Additional benefits of having the session take place in your home:
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1. You don't have to pack up everything to come to a studio.  No long commutes.  You get to stay right where you are and I come to you.  No worries about forgetting to bring snacks for the children or extra diapers.
2. Each and every family member will be really comfortable in their own home.  No outsiders staring at you watching the session.  Children tend to me more comfortable as this is where they live and are usually excited to show a "stranger" (me) their rooms.  This tends to allow them to get comfortable with me faster in their own environment.
3. You will have items you may want to include in some of the photos right there on hand in the home, such as a book, chair, and even your fur baby.
4. Finally, the session could include your own special space.  We may be in your bedroom, nursery, children's rooms, living room and maybe even the kitchen.  This is a great way to create that connection between everyone in your most comfortable and happy place.

Ready to make that connection in your most comfortable and secure happy place?

​Patti specializes in lifestyle Maternity, Fresh 48, Newborn and family photography.  If you are ready to book or chat about your photo session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Let's Start A Conversation" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309.
​We only take a limited number of clients each month. Will you be one of them?  We hope so.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.