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.

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:

• Chasing Fireflies http://www.chasing-fireflies.com
• LaBella Flora http://www.labellaflorachildrensboutique.com/
• Janie and Jack Special Occasion wear janieandjack.com
• Crew Cuts Special Occasions http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/dresses/specialoccasion.jsp?navLoc=left_nav
• Kidsformal.com
• woodensoldier.com
• Ralph Lauren Special Occasion for Kids http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=12574038&cp=1760783&ab=ln_children_cs8_specialoccasionshop
• Strasburg Children http://www.strasburgchildren.com/stores/default.asp
• Tuesday’s Child http://www.tuesdayschild.com
• Zara Kids http://www.zara.com/us/en/kids-c270095.html

2. 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)

3. 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.

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 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.

5. 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).

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

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International Award Winning Photographer