​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.

When I first started my photography business, I wanted and thought everything had to be perfect with regard to posing babies.  I thought they had to lay a certain way, wear certain things, be wrapped, be placed in some type of prop, and be posed in usually unnatural type of poses.  Even though, I never perfectly posed in a way that would bring harm to them as safety was and still is always my number one concern when photographing babies.  

However, earlier this year I started seeing more and more natural, lifestyle type of photography that really opened my eyes and thoughts that photography doesn't have to be perfect to create beautiful, lifelong memories for families.  What really turned me around was when I purchased an online lifestyle newborn photography workshop.  After watching and studying that lifestyle type of photography, I absolutely fell in love with it and began to totally change my way of thinking and realizing it was okay to photograph babies and families in their own natural, real-life environment capturing true raw emotion through connecting with each other, with very little guidance from me.

What an overwhelming burden that was lifted from me.  No more cumbersome and sometimes heavy props to pack up, unload, set up and then load back in.   No more "perfect" posing.  It was such a release and a freeing feeling.  Now, all I need to take with me is my camera.  

Since making the change to lifestyle photography, I have been updating my website and have been removing most of my previous posed images and replaced them with a mom looking down on her newborn or children making muffins in the kitchen or playing cards or just babies just as they are.  I am a proponent of baby-led posing now.  

Photographing lifestyle in the home is just so easy, natural, relaxing and fun.  The switch from posed to lifestyle was really a no-brainer.  It's the best decision I have made in my photography business.  It just opens up many more doors, for example, adding families.  Previously, I was only shooting maternity and newborns and sometimes the mom and dad with the baby, but not really the entire immediate family.  Now, it's just so much more comfortable knowing no one has to look perfect, no one has to be put in stiff poses and no more staring straight into the camera and saying, "cheese."  In fact, it will be rare if I ask you to look at the camera.  If I am just photographing the baby at the time and your toddler comes running and jumps on the bed, that's great!  I'll capture it.  That is real life, raw emotion and, most importantly, connecting with one another.  

Lifestyle is more like a storybook rather than a book of stiff poses.

Are you ready to create your own storybook?  Great!  Click on the button below now so we can get started on telling your story and creating an heirloom of your visual history that will be passed down from generation to generation.

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The beauty of lifestyle photography is capturing your family and newborn in a very relaxed, natural state in the comfort and security of your own home.  No posed setups, props or formal posing.  Your baby is in charge.  I just want them to be comfortable, happy and safe. I don’t have crazy expectations.  I will capture images with baby-led posing with and without mom, dad and siblings and just a little direction and guidance from me, your artistic director, will capture the raw emotions of the moment.

Booking your session is as easy as picking up the phone.  Here's how to do it:


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What to do: 
​Get in touch with me any time during your pregnancy.  Upon receipt of the non-refundable retainer fee and executed agreement, I will schedule in your due date.  This way, at least it’s on the books.  However, as we all know, babies decide their own timeline, so your baby may arrive earlier (or later) than expected.  That’s okay.  However, I must be notified within five (5) days of your giving birth so we can finalize your appointment date when your baby is between two - four weeks old.  If you are having a scheduled delivery, we can schedule your newborn session ahead of time.  If you just had your baby and would like to have professional newborn photos, contact me immediately to set up a session time and I will do my best to fit you in.

When to book:  
The ideal time I like to photograph newborns for lifestyle sessions is when your baby is between two - four weeks old.  Waiting until they are two - four weeks old allows baby to interact with mom, dad and any siblings.  The baby can be awake and/or asleep.  I use the natural environment of your home to capture these fleeting moments.  

Where session takes place:
I will photograph your newborn in the comfort and security of your own home using natural window light.  Please do not stress yourself out by cleaning your house getting ready for your session.  You just had a baby, after all.  Your job is to feed, comfort and love on your baby.  Upon arrival on the day of the session, I will take a quick tour of your home to determine which area will have the best window light.  This could be your bedroom, living room, and/or nursery.  A window facing north gives the best natural light, but no worries if your area doesn't have a north-facing window.  If we are in the bedroom, just remove clutter from the nightstands so they will not be in the photographs.  Bedding should be simple and white, if at all possible, as white reflects the light wonderfully.   

Time commitment:
Lifestyle newborn sessions will take approximately two hours.  

Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and lifestyle Newborn photography.  If you are ready to book or chat about your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book Your Initial Phone Call" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309.  DreamWorld Photography is currently booking through June 2019.  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.

Displaying your photography art portraiture is unique because it is your family - it is custom and personal only to you.  It's a beautiful way to showcase your visual history.  

But, you may have no idea on how to display this beautiful artwork on your own walls or tables.  Your space could be limited and you don't want what everyone else has.

To help you with this, here are five creative ways to display your art portraiture:

1.  Hang it up in unexpected places - A beautiful framed artwork hanging on the center of a bookcase looks beautiful and interesting.  A guest bathroom is a great unexpected place where guests will be sure to see a gorgeous portrait of your newborn and/or whole family.  Transitional places, such as, hallways or office nooks are some other great unexpected places to display smaller pieces.

2.  Overlap - display several pieces on shelves and overlap them giving them a trendy look

3.  Mix framed with unframed - no longer are we the society that has to have everything matchy, matchy and all the same size to look good.  It is perfectly fine to mix framed and unframed artwork in the same area of space.  It creates depth and gives an interesting look.

4.  Place on floating shelves - this allows ease in changing up the artwork every so often to give the room a new look often.  You can mix up the sizes and display them however you want

5.  Coffee table display - not the most creative, but it's definitely a space saving tool - think albums, glass image boxes, folio boxes

Additional ideas:  You could even have your favorite image made into a Christmas ornament or even coasters.  Calendars might be another idea to give as an annual gift to the grandparents.  Jewelry is a popular way to have your children with you at all times either on a necklace, bracelet or keychain.

In the whole scheme of things, it really doesn't matter how or where you display your photos; it only matters that you do!  Your family and friends and generations to come will love seeing these printed photos.  They may never see them if they are stuck on your computer or kept on a flash drive never to see the light of day.

DreamWorld Photography will assist you in planning your displays if you decide to order additional artwork, other than the album that is included in my all-inclusive pricing packages.  I can create and show you wall mockups so you can get an idea of exactly how your photos will look on your walls.  All you need to do is ask.  I am at your service.

Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and lifestyle Newborn photography.  If you are ready to book or chat about your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book an Appointment" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309.  DreamWorld Photography is currently booking through June 2019.  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.

Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Digital Photography

This was my official last posed newborn session.  Since at the time I photographed Baby Hannah, I was transitioning into lifestyle newborn photography, which is what I offer now.  So, my client graciously allowed me to take some lifestyle shots along with the posed to begin building my lifestyle portfolio.

Baby Hannah was a doll.  She slept beautifully through most of her session.  She was very laid back, easy to move around and even gave us some smiles.  Mama had to only feed her once.  That hair, too!  

​Thank you, Baby Hannah!  

​I have the best job ever!

Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and Newborn lifestyle photography.  If you are ready to book or chat about your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the "Book an Appointment" box below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309.  DreamWorld Photography is currently booking through June 2019.  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. ​​​​​​​

Baby J is in the house!

I photographed this beautiful babe back in January.  It's hard to believe I get to photograph babies for a living.  Each one is so different and unique.  This baby girl makes her mama proud and look at those blue eyes!  Just gorgeous!

This is my next to last posed newborn photography client.  If you read my blog from last week, you know DreamWorld Photography now offers lifestyle newborn photography.  I can't wait to begin photographing babies and families in the more relaxed, natural state of lifestyle photography.  Love, love, love it!  You will, too.

Lifestyle Newborn Photography | Digital Photography

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​I am so excited to announce DreamWorld Photography will be transitioning into Lifestyle Newborn Photography!
 
What does this mean?  As with my posed newborn photography, your photo session will take place  in the comfort and security of your own home, but lifestyle newborn photography is a more natural, comfortable way of photographing your newborn, with mom and dad as well as any siblings.  No posed setups, props or formal posing.
 
Instead of me specifically posing your baby in props or on posing bags, lifestyle sessions will be very relaxing and baby-led posing with a little guidance and direction from me, your artistic director, to capture the raw emotions of the moment.
 

​I recently took a workshop on lifestyle newborn photography and the more I have seen lifestyle newborn photography, the more I have fallen in love with it.  I absolutely love the natural poses and capturing your baby in his/her natural state rather than trying to get them curled up in certain poses.  Don’t get me wrong.  I loved doing the posed newborn photography, but believe it is time for DreamWorld Photography to embrace a new style and lifestyle is it!

Also, with the lifestyle sessions, I will have a new pricing structure where these sessions will be all-inclusive.  Meaning, you will pay one price that will include the time and talent of the photographer (me), the session itself, high-resolution professionally edited digital images as well as a premium leather album with 20 gorgeous images designed by yours truly.  In addition, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional art portraiture for your walls.   

​Ready to book your lifestyle newborn portrait session?  Click below.

Patti specializes in Maternity, Fresh 48 and Newborn custom photography.  If you are ready to book your maternity, fresh 48 and/or newborn session with Patti at DreamWorld Photography, click the button below or call Patti directly at 941.405.3309.  DreamWorld Photography is currently booking now through April 2019.  Due to the timing and nature of maternity, fresh 48 and newborn photography, 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. ​