The Art of Family Portraits

When families come together and celebrate through photos it always warms my heart. It takes time to get a quality portrait put together. First you have to find a photographer with the style you like and then you have to decide on the location for the portrait. Do we take the standard indoor shot? Sure! Maybe spruce it up by going black and white? Or...do we think about the contemporary and casual look of an outdoor shot? If we choose outdoor than where? Some folks are lucky enough to live somewhere that lends itself to huge decision making when it comes to location. Should we do a mountain backdrop? What about that quaint creek? I know of a great grassy field!

Photographer? Check! Location? Check! Okay that's it right? Well, what about the outfits? OMG the outfits!!! This is always the most difficult part for even the most trendy family. Should we all match? Do we offset the baby? The only sister? The 100-year old Nana? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Narrow that part down and your on your way to portrait success.

Outfits? Check! Now we're cookin'. Off to the location of choice and ready to smile. Oh no, the smiles! What about those missing teeth our first grader has? She'll look just like a can opener! What about Uncle Bob? He always does that crooked thing with the side of his mouth. Then there's always the one family member who makes jokes the entire time and goofs around. You know the one. You get the portraits back and everyone is smiling (including the 4 month old baby and Grandpa even with his uncomfortable dentures) and that brother-in-law is crossing his eyes! Aggghhhhhh! How will we get through this ordeal?

Relax...it's your family. Family portraits aren't suppose to be perfect. We try. We strive to find the perfect location and the perfect coordinating outfits. Hair is clean and static is under control, but still we stress over getting that perfect shot! I agree, a family portrait should be nice, but remember it should represent your family and who they are at that moment.

Family portraits are made up of a group of people who may or may not see each other on a daily basis. Maybe your family portrait is taken yearly and you watch the kids grow within the frames on your mantle each year. Maybe your family portrait consists of two people but the person sitting beside you is the most important person in the world to you. Maybe it's just you and your best friend, who just happens to be your dog. Or, maybe your family portrait consists of loads and loads of family members who have flown in from all over the country just to spend a holiday together.

Whatever your family portrait looks like remember...it's all about who is sitting next to you on that particular day and who is smiling back at your when you look fondly through the photos years from now.

Don't forget: The photographer, the place, the coordinating clothing and the smiles are important but not nearly as important as the family you have created together.

High School Senior Portraits

High School Senior Portrait time is upon us and that means that many of the 2010 seniors are preparing to look their best. As deadlines for the yearbook approach, students are shopping for new dresses, jeans, jackets and accessories. Each year students try to out-do the "typical" shots from the year before and try and find new poses, new backdrops, and new clothing for their special shot.

As a photographer, my number one task to is find locations that are unique and diverse and that match my client's personality. Because who wants to look like last year's senior? Maybe some students do but most of the seniors I work with are looking for a shot that is unique to them. Recently I spoke with a high school yearbook staff member. He said that each year the yearbook staff look over the senior portraits that are submitted in early fall. They are always curious to see who will come up with the most unique shot and the one photo that defines the student and shouts out his or her personality. For me it's about having a great time with young adults. Who has more hope and inspiration then the high school senior? One last year of being a child and then off on their own to attempt that thing called "adulthood."

So seniors...make a statement!!! Find a location, pick your pose, put on that perfect outfit and for goodness sake smile...it doesn't all have to be serious does it? Okay...one or two serious poses for you mom and grandma and your great Aunt Marge but for the rest of the world...SMILE...you're a high school senior!!!!! Oh, and don't forget to give me a call to capture all that fun!

Melissa Spencer
www.mspencerphotography.com
303.483.5878

It's Great to be an American!

The Fourth of July brings friends together. Grills are pulled from backyards and become a community cooking surfaces. Children run around searching for something red, something white and something blue for decorating bikes and scooters. Laughing can be heard ringing through the air until the sound of firework booms and echos overpower voices. Skies darken the the show begins. It's a great day to be an American!

Krystal and Rickie's Wedding Day

A wedding is such a special day for the bride and groom but also for everyone else involved. This wedding was touching because every family member played a part in the "production."

A wedding is a time for friends and family to gather and celebrate the love of the newly married couple as well as the love of the family that is gathered together.

There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.
- I Corinthians 13:13

Krystal and Rickie's Wedding at the Red Barn in Marsdale Meadows

Meeting Ashton

School is out and I headed directly to California to meet the newest member of our family, Ashton. Ashton was born on May 6th and weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and was almost 22 inches long (he didn't get this from his tiny mom).

Ashton and my sister greeted me at the San Jose airport. Ashton was sporting his Peace Sign shirt for me as he knows how much I love this symbol. He indeed was at peace as he slept comfortably in his car seat/stroller. He slept through the baggage claim area, through the bathroom break I took as well as through the entire car ride home. What an angel.

As soon as we arrived home I had to get my hands on him so up I scooped him, bottle in hand, ready to feed! He laid peacefully in my arms, staring silently into this new and unknown face. After his bottle I introduced myself...he gave me a little smile (I am sure he's brilliant for being able to smile so young...he's only 5 weeks old). I took him into his beautifully decorated room were we spent some quality time getting to know each other through diaper and outfit changes.

During my visit I came to love this new little family member. His grandparents also visited during my visit, so although I had to share him it was a wonderful trip and meeting Ashton was one of the best things to happen in a long time. This is the first of many trips I am sure and these are only a splash of photos. I took over 300 photos during my week long visit and I am stocking up on memory cards for my July trip!