Behind the Scenes - What a dog session is really like! {McKinney Photographer}

So you may have seen some of our pet images around the web.  People comment to me all the time on how adorable they are and how talented I must be to get these dogs to look so cute.  Well...some of it is skill, some of it help, and some of it is just dumb luck.  I thought I would let you see what it is like behind the scenes of some of our pet sessions.....

Do you remember Pixie and how adorable she was?

 

Well....here is what happened behind the scenes.....

 



 



 Then there was the adorable Oscar that stole so many hearts....

Lets just say that any pictures of that boy were almost a miracle.  He did not want to stay still or to be alone for that matter.  I was exhausted when this session was over.

Finally, do you remember sweet little Horus?

Well, I adopted him myself and I think he was harder to work with than any of the shelter dogs.  I was just SURE he would be obedient and sit nicely for me.  Nope...he wanted to do whatever he wanted to do.  Let's see...he would only stay in the chair if he had a treat with him, but then we got the tongue sticking out pictures and the "searching for the treat" pictures.  So then I lay down on the floor and would pop my hand up with the treat and try to snap the picture while simultaneously removing my hand before the shutter went off.  You can see how that went (although his expression kills me every time I look at it). Then there was the jumping out of the chair shots. 

But...in the end, I got a sweet picture of my baby.  And by the way...his name is now McGee (Yes...as in Timothy for all you NCIS fans out there)

So there you have it....it isn't glamorous, but it sure is fun!  Please be sure to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter; and tune into McKinney's 97.5 KLAK every Wednesday morning at 8:05 to learn about the next sweet furry friend who needs a home!

Aimee



Learning to Fly! {McKinney Children's Photographer}

Today is Kite Day at my children’s school.  When my youngest son was in kindergarten, he had a 5^th grader assigned to him on Kite Day to help him fly his kite.  I went back and looked at the pictures from that year and I just love the joy on his face as he tries to get his kite in the air.  He was so excited that the 5^th grader had helped him and remembers it to this day.

 

 

Well, today my son is the 5^th grader and he was partnered up with a sweet little preschool girl. (Her mother and I might have manipulated that pairing since we are friends, but I will neither confirm nor deny that possibility)  I can’t help but reflect at how quickly 6 years have gone by.  He is no longer that little boy completely innocent and trusting of everyone.  He is still a boy, but he is different now – his personality has come to the surface and he knows exactly what he wants to do and how to do it. I wish I could have attended kite day today to see him interact with his partner – how he will help her and encourage her and make her laugh – just like his partner did with him 6 years ago.  Thankfully their teachers sent me some images from this morning.

*Photo credits go to Laura Clow and Lana Hamilton

 

So I got to thinking, the 5^th grade boy that helped him is now close to finishing high school.  I know his mom is wondering where the time went as well.  As much as I want to hold on to my children, I know I need to let them go and become the men God has called them to be.  So I guess that Kite Day has shown me a tangible vision of letting our children go – so that like the kites, they can fly!

 

Wardrobe Wednesday - The Color of Teal! {McKinney Wedding Photographer}

So, you are getting married and want to have fabulous engagement photos?  After you have secured that amazing photographer (hopefully us :-)), and picked the location that inspires you, the most important thing you can do is choose your outfits.  Often, couples will show up in something really cool and trendy - cute in person but sometimes not the best choice for photography.  When choosing your outfits, you don't want to wear anything that will draw attention away from you and your forever love.  Bright whites, heavy prints (especially if both of you are wearing a print), and bold color blocking will draw attention to your clothes and away from your faces and ultimately your connection. 

You can stay trendy and still keep the focus on you!  Here are a couple of suggestions for these crazy fluctuating temperatures as winter fades into spring....

Ah, teal both bright and melancholy, energetic yet relaxed. This popular color looks fabulous in front of the lens, especially set against cloudy skies and barely emerging leaves. It also looks fabulous on just about everybody, making it a wonderful choice as the star of your outfit.

 

 

 

 

Sheepskin - Warm, comfortable, subtle sheepskin evokes the best part of cooler weather. Incorporating sand tones into your wardrobe adds a calming, natural touch. Sheepskin accents like boots and slippers provide wonderful texture to your images and keep your toes toasty!

 

Congratulations on your engagement and enjoy your pictures!

 

Aimee

 

Ben - McKinney Christian Academy Class of 2014 {McKinney Senior Photographer}

It's hard to believe that Ben is already a senior.  I met his family 5 years ago when my kids began attending McKinney Christian Academy - he would have been in 8th grade - the same age my oldest son is now.  The older I get, the more quickly time passes.

Ben is a fabulous young man - gifted academically and athletically.  He is also polite, kind, and loves Jesus!  Ben made the Dallas All Star Football team this year and received a scholarship to play football next year.  I know his mom has a mix of emotions - pride in the man he has become and sadness at the fact that he will soon be leaving home.

These are just a few of the fun images we captured at his session....

That moment something unexpected stops you in your tracks.... {McKinney Photographer}

One evening last fall as I was leaving the studio to go home for the evening, I was greeted by this amazing sight.  It was as if God painted the sky right before me.  I just happened to have my “real” camera with me as opposed to my iPhone which sadly captures many of my family’s memories.  I had to stop and capture the beauty that was before me. 

I am not one to stop and look at nature.  My poor husband knows this better than anyone.  When we were on our honeymoon in Canada and driving through the mountains he kept “oohing” and “ahhing” over the majesty of our surroundings.  When he noticed I wasn’t doing the same, he asked me about it.  I promise this was my response: “When you have seen one tree, you have seen them all”.  After his stunned silence I realized that I may be needed to rethink that just a little bit.

I still am not someone who is captivated by nature for the sake of nature.  I will never be a landscape photographer.  I can’t think of anything more boring.  I do love to use nature to frame a beautiful portrait – but the end result is still about the person and not nature.  Still, even this immune to natural beauty photographer, was stopped dead in my tracks.  I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful sunset before and I know I haven’t since.

I leave you with God’s masterpiece painted just for me that night.  I have not enhanced the colors in any way.  This is how it looked that evening in person.

I leave you with Numbers 6:24-27 to think upon as you look at the splendor of the sky:

²⁴ The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;

²⁵ The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious to you;

²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

 

 

It's my first birthday and I get to do what to the cake????



First birthday sessions are always such a treat!  It is such a fun and busy age, and they aren’t too “cool” to wear cute things that mom likes!

Sweet Tate came in for his session a couple of weeks ago.  He began the session by falling out of a chair and hitting his head.  What a trooper though!  He bounced right back and cooperated like nothing had happened. 

The Superman cape and blanket had been a special gift.  Tate played right along and became a little superhero that stole our hearts.

I love the tie and the hat for this cake smash session.  Tate got right into it and enjoyed playing the frosting.  I love that his mom let him crawl right through the frosting.  He may not remember that day when he is older, but we made sure that they have the memories with them forever!

Wardrobe Wednesday {McKinney Senior Photography}

I have been very negligent in keeping up my blog – but no more!  We have committed as a staff to make sure we post several times a week – but not just from our photography sessions.  We want to create a blog that is helpful for you – with tips and trends and inspiration…and yes…behind the scenes of some of our sessions. 

Wednesday will be Wardrobe Wednesday – where we will give you tips for dressing your best for senior or family or maternity portraits or just to keep your kids looking cute! 

 As the Class of 2014 prepares to graduate, we are starting the Spring Senior Portrait season.  If you haven’t scheduled your portraits, NOW IS THE TIME!  Here are some fun ideas for senior portraits...

 

Springtime Fun

Coral and yellow seem to be everywhere this spring – and they look good together mixed with neutrals to balance them out.  Two cute pairings for senior pictures this spring or summer: 

Coral and yellow solids form the base of the outfit, allowing interesting jewelry and accessories to create added detail. A flowy skirt adds a whimsical touch. Canvas accessories and shoes keep things casual. Natural fiber fabrics, such as cotton or linen, help to keep you cool in the warm sun!

 

Pink Lemonade

Ah, pink and canary yellow stripes the classic summer outfit! A relaxed ruffle hemmed

Shirt with stripes is slimming and comfortable. Brightly colored cropped pants are playful and comfy to wear. Muted tans and greys for accessories make sure not to draw too much attention away from you, and a wide brimmed straw hat keeps you cool and looking fabulous! Flowy, stretchy fabrics feel wonderful and look great on camera.

 Don’t want to break the bank?  Just pick out a piece or two in these fun colors for warm days and mix them in with what you have.

Until next Wednesday.....

Aimee