Chaos Reigns Supreme and the Residents of the Van Klaveren Clan Love it
This is how Jenna described their life as if it was a headline.
You know when you talk to someone for the first time and you just click? Well, That's what it was like for me the first time I spoke with Jenna. I felt like we had been friends for years!
I must be honest when Jenna called and said she wanted to shoot in the studio because she loved how it focuses on the people and their connection rather than the surroundings I was so excited! I love photographing in the studio for this reason, especially with young kids. No more pleading to sit still. No smiles are necessary. I let it happen fast and naturally. IT’S. ABOUT. FUN! Remember the expressions, the excitement, and the crazy. This is THEM.
Video of my showing what I bring for an in-home design consultation
Together we plan exactly what we are photographing for. We do this with an In-home design consultation. I personally went to their home where Jenna and I talked about how she wanted to live with her images.
Jenna was more interested in enjoying walking by the images of her super cute family than getting likes on social media. Every day she wanted to take in the heart-swelling images of her daughter. To feel the joy on the hard days. To give her daughter the knowledge that she is spectacular and that the images of her deserve a place of importance in their home. She wanted people to walk into their home and be greeted with what ultimately is the greatest gift of her life. Jenna wanted art designed for her home that was of her family.
So we got to work! Ok, so it's more fun than work!
During the design consultation, Jenna told me she loves more organic colors and muted tones. like gray, creams, soft blues, and muted greens.
We talked about other design elements in her home and made a plan for moving some artwork and other items so the space would work better visually and function better for their life.
We also discussed how in the future she might be changing the wall color to be similar to what she has in the master bedroom. So while coming up with a design plan we kept that in mind for the clothing to be worn and the wall art finishes.
Since she likes more organic colors and finishes we decided that her wall art should be white wood framed art.
For clothing, we decided on grays and creams. I know that these items will look amazing on her walls and with the wall color change in the future.
It's Important To Me To Make Kids Feel Special
Before arriving at the photo session I learned a few things about their cute daughter.
I have a questionnaire that clients fill out so I can make sure the experience is tailored to them, especially for the littlest clients.
That way I could make her more at ease. Her favorite snacks and drink were available to her.
I also had music playing from her favorite t.v show. It's important to me to make kids feel like they are special and that we are going to have fun.
She Love the show "Bluey" so upon arrival she was met with the theme song and Annie's Bunny Gram cookies.
I also learned so insider information one of the items I learned was that she loves to read. Which came in very handy during the photo session.
Another important detail was to have her bring a stuffed animal and blanket she loves that will be special to her but also look nice with the clothing options.
They did just that and these also came in very handy during the session. It was so cute how she "tucked In" the stuffed animals for bedtime.
We Let Her Take The Lead
When photographing kids, the knowledge that they really are in control helps my photography sessions to be more enjoyable for everyone.
I have a loose photography plan before we start but I'm not married to it.
This sweet little lady didn't want to do what we asked and that was ok. We let her take the lead.
I put down my camera grabbed a book and she decided to sit on my lap (with her parent's permission) and have me read to her. After reading the book she took it from me and sat down and started reading it herself.
I picked up my camera and photographed her doing what was natural to her. These images ended up being her mom's favorite. Typically when this happens the true spirit of the child comes out.
And this creates the most memorable sweet images that tug at your heart as a parent.
It filled me with warm fuzzies to see her loving them too
After the session was over I got to work curating a gallery of 30-40 Images for the family of the best of the best images. Once I was done fully editing all the images I had Jenna come to my office and view the images a slideshow of the images set to music on my large t.v. I will be honest when Jenna cried during the slideshow because she felt so much emotion towards her daughter and husband I teared up myself. I loved her session and it filled me with warm fuzzies to see her loving them too.
Since we spoke about her art needs before the session we already had a game plan for what art she needed and where the art was going to be placed so this part of the session wasn't hard it was fun. I showed her a couple of wall gallery options that would work in her space and I also showed her the first draft of the album she really wanted. (This option was a no-brainer since her daughter loves to read.) She and I both knew that time spent as a family looking through a book that featured them was going to bring years of loving memories.
Once we were done I sent Jenna home with her beautiful image proof box with the proofs from her session along with her digital files. Since I knew she really wanted this item I had it already for her to take home. When I spoke with her later that day she told me she shared the slideshow with her mom and her mother cried even more than her. And that meant the world to me.
I think that people have a negative association when the words "studio session" are uttered. People assume all studio sessions are very posed and stiff without much connection between family members.
This type of studio session is modern and timeless at the same time. It's photographed on clean seamless backgrounds and the dynamic between family members is ever-present. it captures each person as an individual.
Then family members walk by this type of session. hanging on the wall their heartstrings are pulled. When having a hard day it puts things into perspective. "I love these crazy people they are why I have an amazing joyful life".
Julia, LOOOves to Read, So naturally she needed an album!
When children are small they adore looking at picture books. Julia is no exception, so getting an album that featured her was a no-brainer for Jenna. When I delivered their art order Jula sat on Jenna's lap and curiously opened her bag.
Juila, Looking through her book for the first time
The next day I received a text message from Jenna delightedly telling me "When Julia woke from her nap the first thing she said was "Julia, Mommy, and Daddy snuggle and read Julia's book"? She is talking all about the pictures".
This is so wonderful to me. Julia will always remember snuggling with her mom and Dad reading the book that starred her and her family. And way in the future, she will be able to share it with her own kids.
I can't wait for what the future hold for this beautiful family
Lovely Words From This Wonderful Client
Courtney is AH-MAZ-ING!! She made me, and my family, feel so comfortable with the entire process (even though we don’t love having our pictures taken!). From the very first phone call through installation, she was always available to help us have the best session and finished product possible!! She really captured my family so beautifully, I was so eager to have wall art back from our session. I was thrilled at the quality of her products, as well, which look and feel very high-end and long-lasting AND the sweet touches she surprised us with when she delivered our photos. I was so happy with the outcome, but what was even more surprising was how much fun she made the entire process!! She truly is great at what she does, and I can’t wait to have another session with her to capture my growing family and have more art of my family in our home!
If you loved this post you will also enjoy the following:
How to Show Your Children They're Valued: The Importance of Personalized Wall Art
professional-portrait-photography-and-interior-design-a-match-made-in-heaven
whats-old-is-new-again-the-magic-of-printed-images-and-hand-written-letters
If you are interested in working with me to design your photography session visit this webpage and fill out the contact form
0 Comments