Whitney & David contacted me to shoot their engagement photographs. They wanted something that reflected their lives at the beginning of their relationship. After some brainstorming, we settled on the Washington DC Metro. The Orange Line to be specific. They both live and work in DC and the metro is something both of them see all the time. It was a natural choice.

The shoot was not without it’s challenges, however. Selecting a time of day that was not ripe with riders was the first challenge. The second challenge was actually meeting each other on time. All three parties were coming from different parts of the district and attempting to meet all in the same place at the same time via metro car. The challenge resulted in one reschedule, but we nailed it on the second try.

These photographs were shot on the DC Metro utilizing almost entirely natural light and the occasional help of a speedlight when necessary.

Here’s what’s going on.

1. There is a new website coming. The current website, while functional and attractive is beginning to feel a tad out of date in its design. Additionally, it doesn’t load as fast as it could and the blog really isn’t optimized for viewing new photographs. The new design is lighter, loads faster, and is designed to give bigger previews of images. Not to mention it looks awesome.

2. There are new people. Some new bodies have begun working with us and we’d like to introduce them. But that takes time which otherwise may have been given to the website. Deepest apologies, but it will be worth it.

3. There are new products. Coming shortly after the new website are some changes to our wedding pricing structures, and more importantly, to the products. There is an incredible new option coming, but again, it takes time. So sit tight.

We promise, we’re still here, alive and well. Updates are coming soon.

These photographs were captured in the morning time around 9:30am at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. We utilized entirely natural light.

These photographs were taken in Washington DC around 6:30pm utilizing all natural light.

These photographs were captured in Annapolis, MD utilizing entirely natural light.

People almost always ask the same question when it comes to portraits—especially family portraits: “What do I wear?” Well, the answer to that question is never really cut and dry. And, in fact, the question actually inflates itself to something much more important: “What can I do to get the best pictures possible?”

Over the next few weeks, I will be detailing some tips to help you come to your portrait session relaxed and comfortable, and most importantly, ready to help create something special. In this post, we’re going to discuss clothing, which can has a bigger influence on your photographs than you might think! So, without further adieu, lets get started.

Picking Your Colors

Selecting the colors for you, you and your spouse, or you and your whole family, can seem a bit mysterious for some people. Here’s a few tips to make things easier.

1. Avoid extreme blacks and extreme whites. While excellent images can be captured in dark blacks and bright whites, the greatest versatility comes in colors that fall between that spectrum. For example, instead of white, try beige. Or instead of black, try dark grey.

2. Green is a no-go. If you’re shooting outside, avoid dominant use of the color green. When wearing green and shooting outside, it can be easy to get lost in the setting. In addition, light bouncing off the shirt will often leave a green glow on faces which is generally not desirable.

2. Avoid overt coordination. You know the pictures where the whole family is wearing white shirts and blue-jeans? While they have their place, and some great photographs have been taken with that style, these images have a tendency to miscommunication people’s personality and therefore lower the lasting quality of the images. We believe natural is best, so let aesthetic diversity flow and avoid too much blatant coordination.

3. Go for printed fabrics. For women, blouses and shirts with prints can be an excellent choice, and offer the opportunity to coordinate in more meaningful ways. For example, if you choose a shirt with a blue, green and brown print, have the other people in the portraits choose clothing that makes use of some of those colors as well. The results will be a subtle and pleasing coordination that doesn’t call so much attention to itself that you get lost in the image.

Stay Casual, Stay Comfortable

For most portrait sessions, casual is the way to go. Here are a few places this becomes especially important.

1. Couples. When it comes to natural interactions between couples, mirroring an ordinary situation goes a long way. This means don’t dress up like you’re going to the prom. Stay casual. Think about what you might wear on an afternoon date, or out to the movies.

2. Teenagers. Teenagers usually have their own style, which sometimes seems weird to us (and in 10 years, probably will to them also), but their fashion is often a big part of a teenager’s identity. If you want your pictures to be authentic, allow teenagers to use their own fashion sense to help design their outfit—but keep a close eye. If the fashion trend is too extreme, the photographs won’t age well.

3. Children. Don’t over-dress your children! Children are already going to be on guard. Usually they’re out of their element and somewhat nervous about the stranger with a giant camera. The photographer’s report with the child is extremely important in capturing great pictures of them. Keeping them comfortable and casual will help them to let go and have fun with the photographer. But most importantly, this will also mean more natural and longer-lasting photographs.

Keep Things Timeless.

Fashions change constantly. There’s no way around that. In 25 years, when you look back at these photos, you will undoubtedly see a difference in the fashion. But, by keeping things neutral—in a fashion sense, timeless—the photographs will age much better. If you choose your outfit based on all of the hottest trends in fashion, you run the risk of your photographs becoming a joke with time. Allow yourself to infuse some modern trends into your outfit, but keep the best of it timeless. Your photographs will age more gracefully and when you look back, you may know they era they came from, but at least they won’t make anyone laugh.

These photographs were taken between 5:30 and 6:30pm utilizing entirely natural light.

But, the shoot was far from awash. The photographs that emerged were beautiful, and in the end didn’t need the help of the cherry blossoms.

These photos were shot between 9:00 and 10:00am utilizing entirely natural light.

The best of luck to this soon-to-be happily married couple!

These photographs were shot on an overcast weekday afternoon with a Canon 5D and Canon 70-200mm 2.8L lens attached.

Father’s Day 2010 is on June 20th, So there’s plenty of time to get him a gift he’ll love and won’t have to do yard-work with! To make the decision even easier, here are some Father’s Day specials. Give something that means a lot, but costs a little.

Sessions are just $99!

These aren’t trimmed down, thinned out sessions. These are full, 1 hour, on-location sessions including all the standard goodies. One included 8×10” print, two 5×7” prints and with this special offer, 16 wallet sized prints! The only thing we trimmed down was the price.

Father’s Day prints are 20% off!

Book your Father’s Day session and get 20% off any additional prints you choose order. It’s easy and there are no strings attached. And, as usual, there is no obligation.

You choose the gift!

With this offer, you choose how to give the gift. Either use the portrait session and give him the photographs as a gift, or give him the session itself as a gift. He can use it for whatever portraits he likes!

Take advantage of this great offer today. Call 410-417-8206.