Planning your little ones 3,6,9, and12 month pictures? How about those toddler and preschool pictures? Do you have a plan?
Here is some ideas to think about when planning your picture session.
1. Timing. If your little one takes naps on a schedule be sure to plan around those times. Also make sure to plan around a time that is not a normal meal time for your little one. One more thing make sure that you don't plan your photo session right after a trip to the doctor. You want this to be a comfortable fun event for your little one.
2.  Theme. make sure you bring along an outfit or two ( especially depending on the age) that will go with your theme, accidents happen and it is best to be prepared. If these are milestone pictures you may want to use  similar themes or backgrounds to really make the growth of your little one stand out.  You could go with an overall theme like playtime, birthday or Holiday as well to add a little fun and sweetness to the pictures. Be sure to discuss this with your photographer before hand.
3. Outfits. I do not suggest to many outfit changes as this can stress out your child. If this is family photos you could go with a color theme for your outfits. This can be visually appealing. Also if you know your photographers ideas for background or settings you could chose an outfit that will compliment the theme of the setting for your photo session. Such as a white T-shirt and jean overalls could be really cute with a toddler pulling a wagon with a few teddy bears in it outside in a park. If this is a milestone picture you could chose an outfit that can grow with your child and be used to show how much your little one has grown. One last thing on outfits for your photo session. Chose outfits that are comfortable for your little one to be in. This can help to make the whole experience more enjoyable for you and your little one.
4. Props. Your photographer will probably have props already and a few ideas for your photo session, but if you have a special heirloom or a specific item you want to use be sure to tell your photogapher before hand if at all possible. You could use a simple prop in your milestone pictures. Especially if it is an item special to your little one like a favorite teddy bear. This can also make your photo session more relaxing and enjoyable for your little one.Also make sure all of the props are safe and are being used in a safe manner. An example of this is would be propping up a barely able to sit up alone infant in front of wings on a stand (safe) on a cement floor with no padding under or around the baby (not safe).
5. Weather. Be sure to plan around the weather in your area. If it is summer and it gets extremely hot in the afternoon then plan your photo shoot to be in the morning before the heat or indoors if later in the day. Reverse that for winter. Also check with your photographer when scheduling any outdoor sessions about the ability to reschedule if there is inclement weather on the day of your photo shoot. Especially if you booked off of a special they were running.
6. Photographer. There is no need to just grab the first photographer and go. Take the time to look around. Ask some of your friends if they have a photographer they like. Look on places like twitter, pinterest and facebook. Many photographers who post on these places will have pictures posted from other sessions they have done so you can get an idea of their work ahead of time. Find out the cost up front and what that includes. Many smaller photographers run deals and specials that are just as economically priced as your in store photographers( except maybe Walmart). Also remember many smaller photographers will be more capable and willing to take the time to help you achieve some very one of kind pictures at a pace that can be more relaxing than at some of the bigger places. A smaller photographer may have fewer props or backgrounds ( or the programs to fake them) available. So talk to your top picks of photographers ahead of time to see what they can offer you.Also if you have shy child you might ask if you can set up a time for your child to meet the photographer ahead of time so your child has the opportunity to be come comfortable before you put them in front of the camera.
7. RELAX . have fun. Enjoy the time and memories you are literally making. Don't stress out over getting that perfect shot. Your little one will sense your stress and it will make the whole thing a miserable event for everyone involved. Trust your photographer who will use all their abilities to get that perfect shot for you. Also some of those not so perfect shots turn out to be more special and meaningful than the planned one. Allow your little one to be themselves. Don't push them to hold something or do something they simply don't want to. They will still give you that perfect smile when they are relaxed and having fun too.


Well thank you for reading.
 
Preparing for any big event can be very stressful and planing a wedding is no exception. So when you are making your plans be sure to plan in some rest and relaxation for yourself and your soon to spouse and don't forget to do this for the two of you regularly after your big day.  Plan these times to be time for just the two of you with no discussion of your wedding, family or any other stressers. Plan something that is something that is for both of you to do together that is a neutral activity. This may even lead to a new hobby for the two of you to do together.
                Here are 10 date night ideas to inspire you whether you are planing your wedding or have been married for years. 

1. Dinner out - that's it just dinner out. Just spend an hour or more eating and talking with each other. This is a perfect way to reconnect.You can do this one with out breaking the bank by sharing a meal, watching for specials at your favorite places or even just going to McDonald's.
2. Hit your local mall - find a seat and sit and visit while people watching (pick out the couples that makes you  think you two) or walk around the mall like a pair of goofy teens taking pictures of the two of you through out the mall. This can lighten the mood and give you both a good laugh.
3. Go for a walk - Stroll through your neighborhood, at your local park or at perhaps even a city lake. Walking can help relieve stress and gives you two time to talk and just hang out.
4. TV time - Sure you watch TV all the time but take a night to make a deal of it. Pick a movie you both like, make a pallet in your living room, grab a ton of snacks and snuggle up.
5. Dinner and Dancing IN - sure sounds silly but really it can be so much more fun than doing it out. Plan a fun dinner and set up a space for the two of you to get your grove on after you eat.
6. Backyard Party for two  - mix up couple of your favorite frozen drinks and some appetizers. Set out the lawn chairs and plug in the radio to play your favorite music. Then just sit back, relax and enjoy the company.
7. Catch a show - Visit your local museum or go see the new ballet. Get a little dressed and make a night of it.
8. Go ice skating.  - sounds cliche but this is a lot fun and can bring out a lot of laughs especially if you both are capable ice skates
9.   Go for a shot - visit your local gun range together. There are usually lots of experienced people happy to help you and even if you have no desire to carry a gun it will be a time together you will be unlikely to forget.
10. Puzzle night - grab your favorite drinks and snacks, pick out a puzzle and sit around the table visiting and building the puzzle together. When the puzzle is all done. Glue it together as something to remember the fun time together.
 Well have fun and Thank you for reading.

 
To start all my RSS feed fans and website fans you will want to actually come to my blog site so you can see all the pictures.  I am so blessed to be a Stay at Home Mom who also runs her own business. My business really is a family ran business. Everyone pitches into help from top to bottom. My DH (support and brainstorming partner, booth builder,helper and blog/website checker), me ( the owner and brains) and all of my kids ( models,inspiration and helpers). This week I had made some new items for my etsy/website, which meant pictures of the new items. I thought I would give you a peek behind the scenes and show you some of my little helpers assisting me take some pictures.
This is what you see on the website, Etsy, Pinterest and other places.
      The following pictures are what you won't see thanks to some editing. The weather was perfect this week for pictures and one of my bushes is actually flowering so I had a very nice little spring backdrop.                    
   
                                             So outside we went and the fun began.

Note the little head
Experimenting with an idea Lizard had
Lizard is a great helper and picture taking really opens up her creativity and gives her an outlet for it. I love to let her throw out some ideas and to try them out. I feel it will help her see that mom takes her thoughts and opinions seriously.

                             Little  Coyote loves  being mommies little model even if the item isn't
                             quite her size. Yes that is a Halloween shirt. She loves the color and the bats.She was also picking flowers ( The flowers on my poor confused bush and weeds) for mommie whilst I was taking pictures.

                              Sunny Bunny is a perfect little model and helper. Her little smile is as sunny as
                                 her name. She couldn't resist jumping in and having mommie taking some
                                   pictures of her too. She is always one of my biggest helpers.She was helping to also entertain Coyote while I was taking "boring" non-kid pictures.

                       These last two pictures show how we started. We started with taking pictures against a black back drop ( no I don't have fancy little set up yet but I do have child laborers haha)and by the end they had taken the camera and where posing mom for pictures.   I love these moments because not only do I get some work done but I also get some bonding time with my kiddos in also.  Thank You For Reading.
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