san jose family photography: what we do to make our babies laugh

i was warned. landon does NOT like to smile for anyone besides mom and dad, so getting a picture of all three of him, while he was smiling, might be tough. i love a challenge, and even more, i love to make babies smile. not just smile, but belly laugh, giggle and squirm smile. and i have no problem making a fool out of myself to get those smiles if needed. lucky for me, neither did landon's mom and dad. i'm not sure who was laughing more either, him, or the three of us! the brown's mini session was an energetic one, with more laughing than i had done in quite a while! 

thank you kristin and matt, for showing me such a fun afternoon, and for introducing me to ducky! i think i might need to add him to my arsenal of secret weapons! 

 

i know this last one is a little soft, we'd lost most of our light, but i had to get ducky on here too! 

san jose family photography: sassy runs in the family

i always love photographing siblings. seeing the way they interact with one another, how similar they are, even when they don't think so, and just the connection that they share. it makes my heart happy to see sisters who, despite a significant age gap, get along so well. 

thank you girls for being so cute, and having so much enthusiasm for your photo shoot! i can't wait to see you girls again! 

and to miss maddie, i hope your arm heals quickly!

one year anniversary special!!

i want to say thank you to the 78 families and friends who enlisted me to capture their families memories in my first "official" year in business! i was going through some of the pictures from the early months, and amazed myself at the progress and style that i have developed over the time! in the beginning, yes, i was still experimenting trying to figure out who i was as a photographer and what style photography i wanted to capture (and boy did i have some fun with photoshop in some!).  never was i unhappy with my images, i just think my technique has improved, my style is more uniquely mine, and my ability to envision and create a scene in my head has definitely improved! 

so in honor of my first year, i want to offer my past clients a discount of 25% off a the price of a regular session + an 11x14 print from your session, and to any new clients, 20% off the price of a regular session. 

You must contact me before Nov 25th, 2010 to ensure you receive the discount!!! 

So Cal friends: while i am booked up for the rest of 2010, your sessions must be booked between january9th- february 28th, 2011. 

NorCal friends: as soon as i have my next dates figured out for heading up there, i will start scheduling. (most likely mid january) Please email me that you are interested! 

kymvitar.photography@gmail.com

again, thank you to all who have supported me, challenged me, helped me grow, been my guinea pigs, taught me, listened to me ramble, coached me, humored me, and most of all, loved me and my growing business. without each of you, i wouldn't be here!! 

long beach, ca newborn photographer: oh, the joy of boys!

baby boys are notorious for bodily malfunctions. why else would they sell peepee teepee's? luca stayed true to form, and christened not just his mama, but his daddy too! i don't normally start a post about mishaps, but seriously, it was the funniest thing to see (i only laugh because i have been there, numerous times, having two boys of my own!)! welcome to the club! 

luca was an itty 15 days only when i was lucky enough to come photograph him, his sister frankie, and his mama and daddy. they welcomed me into their home with open arms, and allowed me to be part of their family for a couple hours. it had been a few months since i had seen them during their last family session, and i was excited to hang out in the LBC! i needed my belmont shore fix! 

while they are all still adjusting to being a family of 4 now, it was precious to see daddy holding his little man, watching a college football game. i'm sure that will become a saturday morning tradition in their home. and big sister loves to check for stinky diapers. we'll see how long that will last though! and mama, well she is glowing from the love and happiness that her family brings her! 

 

 

inspiration for what to wear for your session

it never fails. as soon as i have locked in the date of a session, the next question is almost always: "what should we wear?!" i love answering the question, because i can come up with all sorts of fun outfits. but that doesn't mean that they will fit your family, children's or fiance's tastes ("a blazer? on him? i can't even get him out of a t shirt"). while there are no rules per say, of what to wear, i can always give suggestions. 

1. coordinate, but don't match. if you all show up in the same shirt, i will laugh. and then post your session on awkwardfamilyphotos.com. promise. instead, pick one or two coordinating colors, and let each person choose which they like.  in their style clothing. it's ok if your son wants to be in a t shirt and jeans, and you want your little girl in a cute little dress, as long as the colors work together. it makes everyone much more comfortable and happy, and in return, you get better pictures because your kids are happy with what they are wearing. 

2. don't go for too busy of patterns or colors. one person in a vivid pattern, ok. but two people in vivid patterns makes for a very distracting photo. dress everyone else in solids or low contrasting stripes. 

3. don't go overly trendy. unless you intend on redoing your photos yearly (which really, i wouldn't mind!), don't dress too trendy in your photos. you want to be in something classic, that will withhold the tests of time. but of course, don't avoid all trendiness, you want your personality to shine through too. but just think if you will be embarrassed showing your future daughter-in-law these pictures in 20 years from now! ha!

4. have a back up outfit in case the weather changes/ someone gets dirty/ or it just isn't working. cute sweaters/jackets for everyone should be thought out as well for the fall. we never know just how cold it will get as the sun goes down. or even by just stepping into the shade. especially for the little ones, we want them warm and cozy so we don't have little cranky monsters! and since we can't predict accidents, have a spare pair of pants and shirt incase someone decides to take a roll in the leaves, and they turn out to be wet, or if she just isn't happy sporting the tights and skirt idea any more. 

5. have fun with what you wear! seriously. there is no need to be overly stuffy with clothes. i'm going to make you sit on the ground. i'm going to make you play around and have fun. i'm going to make you look your best, in your best, but i don't want you worrying about getting dirty! i will watch out for overly dirty areas and make sure we avoid them, but sometimes, the best places for pictures are off the beaten path. 

here are a few inspiration boards to check out: