A Fabulous At Home Family Shoot in Tempe

I love shooting outdoors. As much as I have learned about studio shooting, nothing beats the gorgeous Arizona lighting at a location full of visual interest and diversity. I had the opportunity of working with the oh so sweet Garnero family, taking their family portraits right in their own backyard and home. From the moment I pulled up to their house, I knew it would be a special session. They live in a tiny little historic district nestled into downtown Tempe, in a home they renovated a couple years ago with a HUGE killer backyard filled with all kinds of treasures. Their children, twins Davie and Niko were two of the smartest, yet friendliest 5th graders I've ever been around. And man, were they just naturals at being photographed. Pam & Ed were as gorgeous of subjects as their kids, and even Frank the Tortise and their chickens joined in the fun. I must admit that this was my very favorite family session to date, and I hope to see more of this lovely family in the future. 

Visit pamanded.rosemary-watson.com to see more of this amazing at-home family portrait session.

Meet The Walker Family

I was lucky enough to take some gorgeous photos of this lovely family over the weekend, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! Their three girls had a blast running around ASU's campus searching for "The Secret Garden" that we took a ton of photos at! Here's a little glimpse into our day. 

Annie told me that ASU has a lot of meaning to her family since her & Scott (her husband) met there, Scott just graduated with his PhD in History this month, she worked in the Child Development Lab, and the two older girls have both gone to preschool at the CDL. It was the perfect place to capture some memories and it was her youngest daughters 1st birthday, so we were even able to take some fun birthday pictures in the middle of the family photos. Thanks so much to Annie & Scott for a wonderful photo filled day!

Family Photo Week: Props For Your Family Portraits

I just love using props for photos- they add such a fun dimension to the visual and can reflect on the memories that you want to savor for your family. They are all so versatile as well- mix & match and layer different props to create some really unique family portraits! 

1// Balloons via Marci Judkins Photography 2// Quilts via Sloan Photographers  3// Toys via Beth Jansen Photography 4// Furniture via Kristine Woolf Photography 5// Fruit via Laura Winslow Photography 6// Bicycles via The Sweetest Occasion 7// Chalk via Kelly Hampton Photography 8// Books via Julie Paisley Photography 9// Letters via Lucketts Store 10// Glitter via Pinterest 11// Games via Aubrey Rene Photography

{Balloons} Get a big bunch of oversized balloons in different colors and give each child their own. Then the parents can hold the big bunch together! 

{Quilts} If you have a family member that loves to sew (like I do), grab your most special handmade quilt or blanket and bring it along. You can use it as a hanging backdrop, a floordrop, folded to prop babies, or make into a makeshift tent! 

{Toys} I love this idea so much. Grab the bear your husband had as a child, a car that your son will not put down, a special sock monkey you got at your baby shower- your children have so many toys that this one is easily accessible and will remind you forever about their favorite playthings. 

{Furniture} This one is a bit harder, since it requires lugging around furniture, but the effect is fabulous. I love vintage or handpainted furniture, especially special pieces from your own home that you'd like to capture. 

{Fruit} Watermelon in the summer, apples in the fall, oranges in the winter, and buckets of berries in the spring! I love incorporating natural elements in shoots, and fruit is fun and worst case scenario- your child gets hungry and you toss them an apple to much on to prevent crabiness. Cute photo & happy child = a win! 

{Bicycles} Another tough one if you have a bunch of kids and have to tote around a bike, but such a great prop, especially if your family enjoys bike rides. Better yet, bring all the kids bikes and have them ride around for some really fun photos!

{Chalk} This one is so easy! Bring some sidewalk chalk and create some impromptu art anywhere to use as a floordrop. Or, you could even have the kids color some creations for some creative memories. 

{Books} Love love love this idea. Bring your children's favorite, your favorite, stacks to prop a baby on- you could even theme a whole shoot around a book! I this great idea for a shoot with a "Caps For Sale" theme, with a family dressing to match the color scheme and all wearing hat! 

{Letters} You can get big oversized letters at JoAnnes or Hobby Lobby and paint them in any color you choose for a fun prop. Give everyone their first initial, spell out a word together, get one giant letter for your last name.... so many great ideas. 

{Glitter} Sparkly & fun, kids love it, artsy effect- all my favorite things rolled into one cheap prop. Just make sure you do this last- it gets messy!

{Games} I've done a fun couples shoot with Scrabble before, but any game your family likes to play together would be fantastic! Twister would be great, jenga, poker, even simple games like Red Rover or Duck Duck Goose would produce some totally fun family photos. 

What are some other props you'd like to use in your family photos?

Family Photo Week: What to Wear for Family Photos

I have some wonderful family photos coming up for some sweet friends of mine, so this week will be dedicated to Family Portrait Ideas.

Today's post is all about choosing the perfect outfits for your family portraits. This is the question I get asked the most- What should we wear? I've come up with 4 cardinal "rules" to help you plan the perfect Family Photo Wardrobe

Source: everythingfab.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

I'm pretty sure everyone knows this, but when YOU think you look good, you feel good. When YOU are uncomfortable with how you look, you feel bad. That means, if your husband absolutely hates wearing a tight button up shirt or tie; or if you are wearing a dress that you feel is cut too low or is too tight around the middle or keeps sliding up; it's going to make you entirely focused on what you don't like. Dress in something you enjoy wearing and what makes you feel like a million bucks in, not something you liked on the hanger but weren't in love with when you put it on. People photograph a hundred times better when they are relaxed and having a good time, and it's very hard to relax when you go into a session not feeling comfortable in your clothes.

Source: designmom.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

Children grow like weeds, so if your son has a favorite shirt he wants to wear everyday; or if you have a vintage dress for your daughter that your grandmother passed down to her, have them wear those keepsakes in the photos! Another great idea is an outfit you were wearing on an important day, or shirts that have a specific meaning. The family I'm taking photos of this weekend are wearing ASU t shirts for some of their photos, since the parents met at ASU, the dad just graduated with his PhD, and the girls go to preschool there.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Rosemary on Pinterest

What are you going to so with these photos? Are they being used for Christmas cards, or are they going to be hung up in your living room? Will you be using any for graduation announcements or will they be  used as a header on a blog? Each of these things go along with specific color schemes, so you may want to dress accordingly. If they are for Christmas cards, and you've found a great design you love that is aqua & red- stick to that palette and stay away from burgundy and forest greens. If your living room is painted bright yellow and has all black furniture (like mine), it would be a good idea to stick to a neutral wardrobe palette. If your child is graduating high school and you want to use the photos for his purple and gold announcements, dress in complimentary tones. And if your blog has a heavily patterned background, stick to solid colors so the outfits don't clash with your blog.

Last but not least, if you want to add interest to your photos bring along lots of different layers and accessories to change up the photos. Cardigans and funky jewelry are super easy to throw extras in and when everything coordinates its easy to mix and match for lots of different looks. Hats, ties, watches, shoes, and jackets for men are great extras to bring along to layer and mix around. 

Eye candy by shezzie featuring handcrafted necklaces

I'll be sharing lots of wardrobe sample in the future, as well as introducing a very special guest that will help walk you through the overwhelming task of collecting the perfect photo ensembles- stay tuned!

A Girl and Her Dog

Since Mother's Day is around the corner, I've been trying to get some shots of my kids that I can pass out to Moms, Mother In Laws, and Grandmas that have been begging for some, for like ever. It's embarrassing the lack of photos I have of my own family, you know, being a photographer and all. I took my little Penelope out with her best dog Frannie and snapped away- I think I may have a couple wall worthy ones.

Penelope is a girl who is one with Nature. Whether it be playing in the dirt in the garden, or swinging in the fresh air by herself, or her infatuation with horses & dogs; she is a free spirited little pixie who's mood swings may get to be little much, but when she's happy, she's HAPPY.

Maybe it's a middle child thing. I should probably get this Drama Queen in musical theater STAT.

Brand Launch Special Offer

To kick off my new blog, website, & facebook page launch why don't we offer all our friends & family a sweet deal for May, yes?

Please email me at rosemary@rosemary-watson.com to book your session. Mother's day is rapidly approaching so if you are wanting to give your mom some new family photos hurry and email me this week!