I really like the ability to grow with my clients — I watch little ones grow up and I am always seeking to develop as a photographer.  Jenn was first a friend and a convert from the department store photo shop.  She gave me a chance when little K. was just born, and has stuck with me since.  I love that she says things to me like “you nailed it” or “I have to set up a special Krissy fund” because she knows the value of her portraits and wants to invest in them and subsequently her family.  Another great thing is that she now trusts me to run with my vision.  Jenn booked with me for November, in July, so we had plenty of time to plan and make it great.  I had a solid jumping off point for the vision and pitched it to her in August.  She loved it, and I started picking up props.  About a month beforehand, I went over to her house and helped piece together the wardrobe.  I knew the general feel she wanted so I went from there in pulling things from closets.  I also was able to help so that she didn’t need to go buy all new outfits, just one pair of shoes because the ones I picked were too small.  So that was great.  We also combined the Christmas card/holiday portrait experience with annual birthday portraits for the older girls but I’ll post those in a bit.  I always would encourage someone to make the most of their time, and with the preparation beforehand we truly did that.

So the theme: nice and simple, Happy Birthday Jesus.  I think the most fun I had preparing the props was making the cake.  I loved that.  First I started with painting the tiers, then I added glitter, then it needed some ribbon, and then the berries, the raffia and hydrangeas to play off the manger and Christmas colors, and finally a baby Jesus made from a berry for His head and then hydrangea petals to wrap Him in.  And all under the star.  I love my stars at Christmas.   Finally the morning of the actual photos arrived–I had really hoped for late afternoon light, but it wasn’t going to work the best for all four of the kiddos– so we went with the morning and I think it worked out beautifully.  I also have to mention that my daughter K. came and did a magnificent job assisting me and even having a few ideas with the props.  She is always begging to come and Jenn was more than okay with it.  All in all a lot of fun– for me and the S. family.

 

And then, for her home we did a great wall portrait of the black and white image above, on a standout mount so that it is ready to hang on the wall.  We also did a special “gift” that will go out every year at Christmas.  She said she wanted it to be like a gift, so I ran with that and designed this storyboard with a gold mount that is meant to be displayed on an easel: