Sarah Borchgrevink

November 1, 2017

Family, children

Five Simple Ways to Create Variety in Outdoor Fall Family Sessions

Sarah Borchgrevink

November 1, 2017

Family, children

Five Simple Ways To Create Gorgeous Fall Family Sessions Full of Variety, Vibrancy and Love

Adorable Outdoor Fall Family Photography in Houston TX

Greetings, friends! Good afternoon to you! Thanks for clicking over to my blog to see some awesome simple tips on how to create variety in your family sessions, particularly outdoors in a natural light setting. As a Houston photographer, I can tell you that sometimes it's easy to feel "stuck" during a session. This is probably the first time you've met the family and you are a stranger to their children. However, I have been working a newborn and family portrait artist since 2013 and have accumulated much knowledge through trial and error. These are helpful tips I've found to work for me and my own business model. I hope you enjoy reading!

Selecting a great location that's inspired by fall

So: in Houston, we have two seasons: hot and hotter. We also sometimes get hot and muggy, too! The best time to take outdoor family photos in Houston is always the fall. This is when we have a slight reprieve in the warm weather and it may be around 85 or 90 degrees, which is essentially a cool front for us! When working with your clients outdoors, select a location that is timeless, classic, and not distracting to the viewer. This session will become a treasured family heirloom; pick a spot that will look forever stunning upon the walls. Avoid places that have random signs or buildings that do not work with the aesthetic. For this particular session, I chose Telge Park, located in Northwest Houston, during golden hour, which is right before sunset. Here's a helpful map just for you:

Make Sure Your Camera Settings are spot on

In order to create vibrant family sessions full of variety, you have to have the correct camera settings. You are the boss of your camera. Your camera is simply a tool that acts as your paintbrush. Your location is your canvas, and the light is your inspiration. I always use camera settings that are appropriate to my subjects, such as moving children. For sharp, crisp, and lovely family images, I like to use my Mark iii camera body as well as a Canon EF 135 F/2.0L lens. I typically will keep my settings at about ISO 800, shutter speed 1/640, and f/stop (aperture) at around 2.2 - 2.8. Sometimes I'll also shoot wide open if all of the subjects are on the same focal length. The wide aperture gives you a creamy, gorgeous background that's compressed and also makes sure that your subject "pops" from the background, too. Your camera settings need to reflect the movement, light, and final look of the images you're looking to produce.

Make a list of all combinations

During a family session, there is so much more than just family photos. As a mother, I can tell you that it is wonderful to have many options to consider when hanging the photos. For instance, my final gallery comes with 35 retouched digital files for my outdoor family photography sessions in Houston, TX. I may take around 200 clicks, but during this time we cover many poses and options. Some of the family photo combinations you might consider are:

3-4 family set ups showcasing everyone
Dad with the children
Mom with the children
Children together
Individual photos of the children

Keep the session moving without pauses

By having a consistent shot list in mind, you will achieve two things: first and foremost, you'll have a ton of variety and each image will stand alone without looking repetitive. You'll also be able to keep the session moving very quickly. For example, I often do a full family session in about 25-30 minutes. There are no awkward pauses or fumbling; over the years, I have learned how to keep things fun, fresh and focused. If something is not working, don't let the client know you're displeased. Instead, move on and make a mental note you may need to return to that combination. Also a great tip is to find out if there are any images Mom does NOT want. To explain, she may not need an image of her with each child, but would instead prefer a photo of all the children with her. I can tell you, a Mama wants to be surrounded by her sweet babies. I would not hang an image of one child without including the other. That's just me. :-)

how to pose families during outdoor family sessions

how to work with children during photography session

Keep Everyone Involved and Up to Speed

Communication is key! In life, so many mishaps can be avoided by simply communicating with your family clients. During the session, relay to them what is going to happen. Before the session occurs, they should truly know what to expect, but as you're working, don't be afraid to say, "Hey, Mom and Dad: after this we're going to move on to kids as a group." That way, everyone knows. I might also say, "Mom, would you mind sitting next to me and helping to sing a song the children love?" By keeping your clients involved, effectively communicating, and making sure everyone knows what's next you will be able to have a great deal of variety simply by keeping things running smoothly.

For example, after the family photos for this session, Mom also reserved time to do an outdoor cake smash inspired by all things pumpkins and fall for her own little one. See his one year photos and how he is such a sweetheart! By keeping his parents involved, they knew when the pumpkin pie smash would take place and how to prepare for this so baby would be happy.

Thanks so much for stopping by to read 5 simple ways to create variety in your outdoor fall family photography sessions! You may also be interested in reading about the following:

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Houston. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including North Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Conroe, Willis, Montgomery, Humble, Kingwood, Porter, New Caney, Waller, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Pearland, Hempstead, Richmond, West University, Rice Village and Porter TX. Connect to chat with Sarah today! Please consider booking your session at your earliest convenience in order to secure your appointments on the calendar.

Sarah Borchgrevink

October 30, 2017

children

The Cutest Pumpkin at the Patch | Ben Turns One with a Smash

Sarah Borchgrevink

October 30, 2017

children

Houston Baby Photographer, Sarah Borchgrevink Photography, offers adorable outdoor and natural light first birthday and cake smash sessions. Check out Benjamin's one year session!

Benjamin Turns The Big One with a Fall Inspired Pumpkin Pie Smash

Hi, friends and happy Monday to you! I'm excited you're here at my blog. If you've stopped by, you're in for a treat because today's sweet blog post chats about the cutest little pumpkin in the patch, aka Benjamin! He is a Baby Plan Membership client of mine meaning his parents commissioned me to photograph his newborn, sitter, and one year birthday photos. I adore working with these clients as they're especially near and to me.

A few questions I often am asked are where do cake smashes take place, what's included, and how to book. I'm honored to assist you! To begin: cake smash sessions take place either in my Houston Newborn & Baby Studio or from an outdoor location list I've curated over the years.

For cake smashes, I provide simple props like a vintage high chair, buckets, boxes, crates, etc. Anything super specific to your theme or decor is provided by parents. You're welcome to go as simple or festive as you like. In this case, for instance, Ben's parents chose to do the cake smash after his first birthday party so they brought decorations from his fall inspired October birthday party.

If you have a little girl, you may be interested in reading about the following:

Whimsical and Shabby-Chic Baby Girl First Birthday Session

Fall Inspired Outdoor Cake Smash Session

As you can see from the detailed images below, Ben's parents provided some super adorable details, such as home made baked pumpkin pie (that smelled so delicious!) as well as a banner with his name and a cake topper. They also provided the pumpkin. At the photographer, I brought the barrel and the high chair.

Before the actual smash, however, I really like to spend time with baby taking some individual portraits of him. This is when we show off their first birthday milestones, such as walking, if they are walking at this time, standing, clapping, etc, and of course those adorable contagious smiles that parents love so dearly! It's so fun to see little one again, especially when you're a baby plan client, because I've been documenting the first year of life since newborn.

fall inspired baby cake smash with pumpkins

For this session, we used a great location in NW Houston called Telge Park. Because it is fall and the busiest time of the year for photos, we found a quiet little spot so it worked out nicely! We also shot at sunset so baby could have a long afternoon nap. A tip I always share with my baby clients: choose a time for your session in which baby is most happy. My sessions begin early in the morning or later in the evening, so this is an important factor for having a really great session!

September Birthday Photography Session Ideas

After individual images of little one and the detailed shots of their decor and themed set up, we move on to the grand finale: the smash! One of my favorite parts of this Houston Cake Smash and First Birthday Session is the pumpkin pie. There's something super endearing about keeping the season in mind; his mom made the most adorable pumpkin pie. Ben was a little unsure of the pie at first, however, I was completely in love with his sweet toes, long lashes, and his beautiful grins, so he kept me busy at this part!

Outdoor Cake Smash Photography Houston TX

Cake Smash and Baby Photography in Houston

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog to read about Ben's first birthday and cake smash session! I hope you return soon to see more adorable sessions I've had the honor of photographing. You may also be interested in seeing the outdoor family photos we took with his parents before the actual smash took place. :-)

Sarah Borchgrevink

October 28, 2017

Newborn

Newborn Photography Poses through Unique & Cozy Wrapping | Allison

Sarah Borchgrevink

October 28, 2017

Newborn

Newborn Photography for Houston Babies by Sarah Borchgrevink | Using Unique Wrapping to Create Posed Sessions

Allison at 2 Weeks Fresh and New | Wrapped Mini Collection

Greetings and howdy to you! My name is Sarah and I'm a Houston Newborn Photographer located in NW Harris County. My newborn portrait studio is the perfect place for your brand new baby because I have everything you need for gorgeous baby portraiture. Today's blog post is going to chat about how to pose newborn babies through cozy and unique wrapping styles.

Before we get started, however, I invite you to check out the following post as these may interest you:

Please allow me to introduce this darling baby girl! Her name is Allison and she visited when she was just over 2 weeks new. My newborn sessions do take place in the first 18 days life. While I adore all of my clients and look forward to meeting you, I was especially excited to work with Allison because her mother is a dear friend of mine. I first met her mom at a playgroup when our kiddos were a little younger. Over the years, I've really enjoyed getting to know her sweet mama and when I heard she was pregnant, I eagerly awaited the arrival. I may also check out all her Instagram baby posts because her daughter is simply stunning!

Allison weighed a little over 8 pounds when she visited and has copper hair, a button nose, and the most gorgeous skin tone. I cannot help but feel blessed I was able to capture this time for her parents. Her session features all things adorable wrapping and through these styles, we're able to achieve stunning newborn portraiture.

Posing Baby Through Tootsie Wrapping

The tootsie style of wrapping is a favorite of mine because it's creative, unique, and really allows us to see those adorable little toes you spend hours kissing, ha! As a mother myself, I understand how you simply cannot stop taking in all the gorgeous details about your brand new baby, such as their little toes or hands. This wrap is a great way to pose babies because it can be done via the bean bag or in any variety of floor props. For this particular session, I pulled a white washed bowl that has much character; it's full of chips and is well worn. This lends a vintage tone to the images, since I adore for the photos to have a classic quality to them. I use a precious cream bump blanket, white organic wrap, and stunning cream, gold, and light tan headband for baby's textured items. When placed against the barn-wood style of rustic floors, the set up is truly stunning because of contract. I love the way the light fills baby's face. The tootsie style of wrapping is a must have for any posed newborn session!

Here's a quick tip for having more variety in your sessions: pair the bowl with a flokati rug to achieve two set ups in one look. This makes the session a little smoother and quicker. After all, when you have 1 hour with parents, you want to make the most of each set up. You could even swap out the headband for a classic knit bonnet, too! The options are endless.

Wrapping Baby and Using Bean Bag

Another cozy and sweet way to wrap a newborn baby is by having their adorable little legs out and curled up, just like the womb! I usually do this in the beginning right after the parent posing portion of the session. You can use a variety of colors, textures, hats, headbands, etc. here.

This wrapping style is also helpful because sometimes baby is still awake. Every baby is different; some are more alert than others. By wrapping this little one, I was able to keep moving through our session and not waste any time. I also take this opportunity to capture detailed shots of baby's feet. The closer baby gets to 18 days, the more alert and awake she is. This means you have to find ways to keep baby content and happy. Cozy wrapping is a fantastic way to have an amazing newborn session because it allows you to move through the session without baby looking uncomfortable or having flailing limbs.

Potato Sack Wrap: My Favorite Way To Pose Newborns

Okay, so the potato sack wrap is one that I L-O-V-E. Literally. It's my favorite. You can achieve SO much with the wrap! You can tuck baby in, put them on bean bag, put baby into floor props, put baby into bucket, the ideas are infinite. If I could only do one style of wrapping when posing the newborns, this is the one. I cannot stress how important this wrap is, too, because it practices newborn safety. By keeping their feet wrapped up, it makes them a perfect little ball and you can place their hands under their cheeks, perhaps delicately upon their face, or even sweetly underneath their chin. Either way, it's the perfect wrap and I cannot tell you how much I love doing it.

Keep on scrolling to see all the fun ways to use this wrap from bean bag, to bucket, to floor props.

Unique and Best Newborn Photography Wraps

Thanks for stopping by to see Allison's session and how I use creative, unique and cozy wrapping to achieve stunning newborn portraiture in a short amount of time. I hope you visit again soon!