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TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF HOLIDAY FAMILY PORTRAITS

September 13, 2016 /

TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF HOLIDAY FAMILY PORTRAITS

In prior years, we’ve had clients rush in to sessions stressed and exhausted, squeezing in that essential portrait session before the Holidays. Thinking… “What should they wear?”… “What if he doesn’t smile?”…”The shoes I ordered her haven’t arrived.” Some clients find the idea of holiday family portraits more stressful than fun.

Our Philosophy: Since the beginning of Je Revele, we have decided that the Fine Art of Family Portraiture was about documenting your family’s story over time and brought to life in a way that lasts forever.

holiday family portraits

As our clients begin to book their holiday family portraits this season, our goal is to demystify the process and redefine the portrait-taking experience in our new Castle Studio or neighboring park. We’ll show you how to avoid the lines and shop easily online at our favorite stores; how not to sweat the details; How to kick back, relax and enjoy some “down time” in our Castle studio or in a neighboring park. All the while, your children will be having a blast with us in their session.

We will help and guide you to ensure your sessions are memorable and enjoyable for you and for your children too.  First, we start with a phone pre-consultation to customize your session and help you prepare. Second, we start our holiday sessions on Columbus Day in October giving parents the chance to have their holiday cards mailed for Thanksgiving. We also book through early December and offer expedited turn-around.

Timelessness and authenticity is important to all that we do. We like to offer our clientele these 5 tips to create something truly spectacular and enjoyable:

  1. WARDROBE STYLE

Avoid trendy clothing and bold patterns that may go out of style in a few years. Instead, opt for classic or even historic-inspired looks that can help you create an image that will be as loved in 5 months as it will be in 20 years. Some of our favorite places to shop or draw inspiration for children’s wardrobe include:

holiday family portraits

  1. COLORS & PATTERNS
  • The viewer’s eye will be drawn to pops of color. The child wearing the boldest or lightest color (like white) will in most cases draw the most attention.
  • Red makes a hint at “holiday” but works all year long. Red always makes a gorgeous pop of color in photos. When the tresses are stark and the skies are grey in November, the child becomes the centerpiece of the image, as shown in this image below.
  • Patterns are nice, but we like to avoid pattern clashing (the plaids and florals). If more than one child is in the photo, avoid the patterns and opt for solids or subtle small patterns.
  • Contrast (like ivory skin next to a dark green velvet) looks equally gorgeous as monochrome (light skin and hair wearing a winter-ivory).

(This portrait of Niko and Pietro is one of my all time favorite holiday family portraits)

  1. DON’T SWEAT THE DETAILS!
  • I have a friend who simply WILL NOT book her holiday family portraits until she has the perfect socks and shoes. She waits until last minute and then rush-prints her cards. The truth is, the image rarely notices the socks and shoes (old, new or otherwise), and we don’t want it to. If your child were not the most important element of the image, it would be US doing something wrong.
  • My son’s tie was crooked and his shirttail hung out of his pants in last year’s holiday card. But I LOVED that. It was authentic…because his shirt is almost always hanging out.
  • We always get the call about the last minute bruise, scraped knee or facial blemish days before the shoot. It won’t matter. These elements can easily be removed in our post-production retouching process to complete your holiday family portraits.

holiday family portraits

  1. RULES NEED NOT APPLY
  • We ALL want well-behaved children. But sometimes, they DON’T, or they WON’T. That’s OK. Some of our best images are from sessions where the parents considered their children’s behavior challenging. What parents may see as incorrigible, we see as opportunities to capture expressions, energy and independence. The photo shoot is NOT the place to enforce discipline, but rather make it a fun experience where “anything goes”. We’ll let you know if we need your help reining them in, but that’s a rare occurrence! Because in reality, it’s a blast for the child and us when we work one-on-one.

holiday family portraits

  1. KICK BACK AND “FEEL” THE HOLIDAYS

For holiday family portraits at our Castle studio, we want you to feel the hospitality of an exquisite home. It’s a special place that allows you to take a breath, experience its history, and soak in the comfortable space we have created for clients. While we’re photographing your child, you’re free to relax on the couch with a glass of wine or a hot cocoa, enjoy our signature homemade Panini, read a long-neglected book or magazine, or listen to music. Our photo sessions should be as enjoyable for you as they are for your children. While we’re making art, you can focus on the art of being YOU (even if just for an hour).

holiday family portraits

We hope we’ll get to work with you and your family this holiday season! If you haven’t done so already, please call our studio to book your holiday family portrait sessions. Be sure to ask about our special holiday-season promotions. We’ll be looking forward to hearing from you!

Natalie

Je Revele Fine Art Photography Studio & Gallery specializing in boudoir photos in New Jersey

433 River Road  |  Highland Park, NJ 08904 |  Studio: 732-964-3773                                                     

Website:  www.jerevele.com |  Blog: www.blog.jerevele.com  | Boudoir blog: www.newjerseyboudoirphotographers.com

LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeRevelebyNatalieLicini   

International Award Winning Photographer

Custom Photo Gifts | New Jersey Photographers

December 12, 2012 /

Happy Hanukkah to all our friends and clients.  With just 13

days till Christmas have you finished shopping?

There’s something special to gift your family during the holidays at Je Revele.   Give the gift of memories you can cherish forever.  Gift certificates are a great gift.  This time of life for your family is perishable, and escapes us in the blink of an eye. The finest of art is what is real and beautiful in your life. We aim to create an experience that treats family art with such reverence.

Whether we’re photographing our clients in the studio, or at their homes we have something for everyone each month.

This art piece of Vincent is printed and anxiously awaiting arrival in its new home.

These digital hand-painted images are akin to an oil painting or charcoal etching, with approximately ten hours of intricate artistry applied to each image. Following this special handcrafted process, we print these specially commissioned images on museum-quality watercolor archival paper, to instantly turn your home into an art gallery. And as easily as they grace your mantle, we can replicate them to gorgeous holiday cards for you. It’s like sending a small painting in the mail!

If you’re interested in planning a special portrait call us at the studio anytime (732) 964-3773.

~Natalie

Christmas Gift Giving Philosophy | New Jersey Photography Studio

December 5, 2012 /

Every year, parents are faced with the question “What do we get our children this year for Christmas?”  Some kids write a letter to Santa, others receive surprises, yet with the passing of each Christmas, parents admit their children receive too many presents.  One of my gorgeous clients Kathleen who has five children under the age of ten, said this year, she’s keeping it simple. She’s getting each child five gifts:

A want, a need, a wear, a read and a gift from Santa.

It was brilliant and so simple.  I read further about this on the internet here: http://simplekids.net/gift-giving-philosophy/

You could get your children:

  • something they WANT
  • something they NEED
  • something to WEAR
  • something to READ

Kathleen added a gift from Santa.  I think 5 gifts are plenty.  As a kid growing up we didn’t have lavish holidays.  I’m going to try to adopt this philosophy myself.

The holidays are for spending time with those you love. Life is too short, enjoy every minute.

Wishing you and yours a very merry and happy everything.

~Natalie

Holiday Portraits | New Jersey | TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY PORTRAITS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

October 15, 2012 /

TAKING THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY PORTRAITS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Every year, we see clients rush in to sessions stressed and harried, squeezing in that essential portrait before the Holidays. Oh no! What should they wear?”… “What if he doesn’t smile?”…”The shoes I ordered her haven’t arrived.” Some clients find the idea of portraits more stressful than fun.

Our philosophy has always been that art and memory making should be a source of joy, for these are milestones of your life. We want our sessions to be as joyous and free flowing for you as they are for your child.

As our clients begin to book their family portrait sessions this holiday season, our goal is to demystify the process and redefine the portrait-taking experience in our new Castle Studio. We’ll show you how to avoid the lines and shop easily online at our favorite stores; how not to sweat the details; How to kick back, relax and enjoy some “down time” in our Castle studio. All the while, your children will be having a blast with us in their session.

Timelessness and authenticity is important to all that we do. We like to offer our clientele these top 5 tips to create something truly spectacular and enjoyable:

  1. WARDROBE STYLE

Avoid trendy clothing and bold patterns that may go out of style in a few years. Instead, opt for classic or even historic-inspired looks that can help you create an image that will be as relevant in 5 months as it will be in 50 years. Some of our favorite places to shop or draw inspiration for children’s wardrobe include:

  1. COLORS & PATTERNS
  • The viewer’s eye will be drawn to pops of color. The child wearing the boldest or lightest color (like white) will in most cases draw the most attention.
  • Red makes a hint at “holiday” but works all year long. Red always makes a gorgeous pop of color in photos. When the tresses are stark and the skies are grey in November, the child becomes the centerpiece of the image, as shown in this image below.
  • Patterns are nice, but we like to avoid pattern clashing (the plaids and florals). If more than one child is in the photo, avoid the patterns and opt for solids or subtle small patterns.
  • Avoid the “matchie-matchie”. Years ago, the whole family in white shirts and jeans was considered “edgy”. Now, by today’s photo style trends, it may start to look dated. We like to keep photos looking like real life (but maybe just a little extra special). Similar but varying color tones looks great (like jewel tones, pastels, or varying shades of whites.)
  • Contrast (like ivory skin next to a dark green velvet) looks equally gorgeous as monochrome (light skin and hair wearing a winter-ivory).

3. DON’T SWEAT THE DETAILS!

  • I have a friend who simply WILL NOT book her session until she has the perfect socks and shoes. She waits until last minute and then rush-prints her cards. The truth is, the image rarely notices the socks and shoes (old, new or otherwise), and we don’t want it to. If your child were not the most important element of the image, it would be US doing something wrong.
  • My son’s tie was crooked and his shirttail hung out of his pants in last year’s holiday card. But I LOVED that. It was authentic…because his shirt is almost always hanging out. In my opinion, Natalie captured that perfectly the image featured here.
  • We always get the call about the last minute cat-scratch, scraped knee or facial blemish days before the shoot. It won’t matter. These elements can easily be removed in our post-production retouching process.

4. RULES NEED NOT APPLY

  • We ALL want well-behaved children. But sometimes, they DON’T, or they WON’T.  That’s OK. Some of our best images are from sessions where the parents considered their children’s behavior poor. What parents may see as incorrigible, we see as opportunities to capture expressions, energy and independence. The photo shoot is NOT the place to enforce discipline, but rather make it a fun experience where “anything goes”. We’ll let you know if we need your help reining them in, but that’s a rare occurrence! Because in reality, it’s a blast for the child and us when we work one-on-one.

5. KICK BACK AND “FEEL” THE HOLIDAYS

When you’re at our Castle studio, we want you to feel the hospitality of an exquisite home.  It’s a special place that allows you to take a breath, experience its history, and soak in the comfortable space we have created for clients. While we’re photographing your child, you’re free to relax on the couch with a glass of wine or a hot cocoa, enjoy our signature homemade Panini, read a long-neglected book or magazine, or listen to music. Our photo sessions should be as enjoyable for you as they are for your children. While we’re making art, you can focus on the art of being YOU (even if just for an hour).

We hope we’ll get to work with you and your family this holiday season! If you haven’t done so already, please call our studio to book your session. Be sure to ask about our special holiday-season promotions. We’ll be looking forward to hearing from you!

Cate & Natalie

Click here for our website www.jerevele.com

HOLIDAY PORTRAITS THAT YOU CAN DISPLAY YEAR-ROUND

October 12, 2012 /

HOW TO CREATE HEIRLOOM STYLE HOLIDAY PORTRAITS
THAT YOU CAN DISPLAY YEAR-ROUND

This is the time of year that our studio phone begins to ring like sleigh bells and a flood of holiday portrait inquiries start pouring in.  And although it’s a little too early to start Secret Santas, we’ll let you in on another secret… The best holiday portraits aren’t actually holiday portraits at all!

Consider the amount of time you take to prepare the kids for a holiday photo shoot. Dressing them, grooming them and coaxing them, in between school, soccer practice, and party schedules. Or for some, the nap time, feeding time, diaper time. Getting to the appointment can often feel like an accomplishment in itself! The holiday rush need not to apply to your portraits.

Yes, the children look absolutely adorable in their Santa-inspired “couture”.  But can it hang on the mantle all year long? Will you want to stare at that furry-trimmed collar in the sweltering heat of summer?  Won’t you want to really stand out in this year’s card pile with something spectacular?  Let’s leave Santa at the Mall, and instead make some art together.

Natalie and I believe that each year is a critical milestone in your child’s life. This time of life is perishable, and escapes us in the blink of an eye. The finest of art is what is real and beautiful in your life. We aim to create an experience that treats family art with such reverence.

The holiday season fills children’s hearts with excitement. It’s their gestures of discovery, wonder, anticipation, and innocence that really shows their young character. As photographers, we find amazing joy in a child’s eyes.

That’s why this time of year is the greatest opportunity to create your Family Heirloom Portrait.  These timeless fine art pieces make a beautiful moment come to life through a museum-quality display in your home. (Not to mention the impression they’ll make for everyone on your Holiday Card list!)

To share our signature Family Heirloom Portrait style with you, we’ve “displayed” a few favorites from past years here. And with our new Castle Studio, we’re anticipating this year to be OVER-THE-TOP-incredible in our classic old-world setting!

These digital hand-painted images are akin to an oil painting or charcoal etching, with about 6-8 hours of intricate artistry applied to each image. Following this special handcrafted process, we print these specially commissioned images on museum-quality watercolor archival paper, to instantly turn your home into an art gallery. And as easily as they grace your mantle, we can replicate them to gorgeous holiday cards for you. It’s like sending a small painting in the mail!

Now through November 20, 2012, when you commission a signature Fine Art Heirloom Portrait by Je Revele or Heirloom Castle Collection Image Box, we will offer up to 50 complimentary holiday cards with your order!  Please call the studio ASAP to reserve your session 732.964.3773. We look forward to hearing from you!

Natalie and Cate

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