Blog - Sweet Solstice Photography LLC- Colorado Family and Portrait Photographer

Creative Gender Reveal Ideas

July 25, 2022July 25, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

Andrew and I recently found out the gender of our baby and it got me thinking of fun and creative gender reveal ideas! Being a photographer, I wanted to take photos to send to our friends and family once we found out. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with an excited text to friends and family that reads, “It’s a…”. We just wanted to send something fun with the news! 🙂

A couple holds a bunch of pink and blue balloons behind them as they go in for a kiss during their gender reveal photoshoot.

If you’ve browsed Pinterest, or any other social media platform, you may have seen pink and blue smoke bombs or confetti poppers. Both of those options are really fun ways to reveal the gender of your baby, but there may also be plenty of reasons why neither of those are for you. So, perhaps you could give some of these options a try:

1. Photos with Letter Balloons

This was my favorite option, so this is what we chose for our own gender reveal. The balloons were easiest for us to use in photos, especially when I have the camera set on a timer and am running from the tripod to the shot in heels. 😉 While confetti poppers and smoke bombs have a WOW factor, they also have a short lifespan. With balloons, you don’t need to buy in bulk to get lots of variety in your posing. Balloons have a longer lifespan, which gives you time to relax while transitioning from one pose to another!

A couple stands forehead to forehead and hold a balloon that reads, "It's a Boy" during their gender reveal session in Colorado.

A couple walks together, looking at each other and smiling while they hold a balloon that reads, "boy" during their gender reveal session in Colorado.

A couple stands close to each other side by side and hold a balloon that reads, "It's a Boy" during their gender reveal session in Colorado.

2. Play Darts with Paint-Filled Balloons

Fill some balloons with pink or blue paint and play darts! Just be sure to attach the balloons to a sturdy surface that you WANT to get paint on. Black balloons are great for this option because you can’t see the color of the paint through the balloon, so it really will be a surprise when the balloon pops!

3. Have a Tasty and Colorful Treat

Is there a SWEETER way to reveal the gender of your baby than colorful cupcakes? If you love to spend time in the kitchen baking up a storm, you might make these yourself if you already know the big secret. But, if you want to be surprised too, purchase from a local bakery and have a friend or family member order pink or blue filling—or ask your sonographer to write down the gender, place it in an envelope, and give the envelope to your baker.

4. Light a Gender Reveal Candle

Say you do want to know the gender, but not at the doctor’s office. You can sit at home with your partner, sip a hot cup of tea, and find out if you’re having a boy or a girl in a cozy and relaxing environment. As the candle burns, the color of the wax will change! Now, where do you find one of these? Etsy! (P.s. This is a fun gift to ship to the grandparents-to-be if they live out of town and wouldn’t otherwise find out in person!)

5. Give Your Dog a Gender Reveal Dog Toy

If your furry and loyal companion loves ripping apart plush toys, this can be a fun, and funny, way to find out what you’re having. The toy is filled with pink or blue stuffing and gives your pup a chance to participate in the excitement! If this sounds like the right choice for you, just pop ‘gender reveal dog toy’ into the Etsy search bar. 🙂

Whether you have a party or not, find out with friends and family or privately, be sure to celebrate and have fun! Your pregnancy is such a special, and short (even though it doesn’t always feel that way), time in your life. I hope these creative gender reveal ideas help you find the right announcement for you! And, be sure to take pictures! You don’t have to hire a photographer to document those memories—but if you do, I would love to help you. 🙂 If you would like to inquire about a gender reveal or maternity session in Colorado, you can fill out my contact form here. And if you want to follow along on social media, click the social icons below. To get the latest updates and exclusive offers, you can join my mailing list at the bottom of my home page. Keep scrolling to see more images from this sunrise gender reveal session in Colorado!

A man stands behind his wife with his hands on her pregnant belly as she places her ands on his and looks back at him and smiles.

A pregnant woman looks back over her shoulder and smiles off camera with both hands holding her pregnant belly.

A couple holds a bunch of pink and blue balloons between them as they smile at the camera for their gender reveal photos in Colorado.

A couple looks at the camera and smiles while holding a balloon that reads, "It's a Boy" for their gender reveal photos in Colorado.

Three Reasons to Book an Extended Family Session

July 11, 2022July 11, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllc1 Comment

I recently had the opportunity to work with this beautiful family and I couldn’t be happier with their images. Within 90 minutes we had sunshine and rain (and both at the same time), but they were great sports and the show went on! At this session, someone mentioned to me that they had been intending to do an extended family session for a long time, but then never got around to it. They kept saying, “we’ll do it when…” and then that ‘when’ came and went—and the photos didn’t happen. Until this year, when each of the kids pitched in to book a session for their mom for Mother’s Day. Their story is a very common one! But, it got me thinking and I came up with three reasons why it’s a great idea to book an extended family session. Keep reading below to find out what they are!

Photo from an extended family session where the grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids are holding hands and walking toward the camera while smiling.

1. The whole family will have an excuse to get together!

Coordinating schedules can be tough, especially if you have a large family. You may even be able to count on one hand the number of times your parents, siblings and their partners, and your siblings’ kids have all been together. If the last photo you have together is YEARS old, it may be time for an update. After your session is over, you can follow up with other fun plans, like dinner or ice cream!

Grandparents pose with their kids and grandkids while they all smile at the camera during an extended family session.

A husband hugs his wife from behind and she holds onto his hands while they smile at each other during an extended family session.

A young, adult man smiles at the camera for a close up during an extended family session.

A mother wraps her arm around her son's shoulder as they smile at the camera during an extended family session.

A set of grandparents hug their their three grandkids and smile at the camera during an extended family session.

A husband faces away from the camera while his wife stands at his side facing toward the camera. She holds onto his forearm and they smile at each other during an extended family session.

A young girl kisses her little brother on the head during an extended family session.

2. There’s a new addition to the family.

Welcoming a new baby into the family is a great reason to schedule an extended family session. But, this probably shouldn’t happen right away. 😉 Once the parents of the new baby are settled into a routine and feeling up to it, plan a session together and update your family photos to include the newest member! Grandparents LOVE having photos of their grandbabies—but they’re not the only ones! Aunts, uncles, and cousins enjoy looking at photos of the whole family too!

A mother and father smile at the camera with their four adult children during an extended family session.

A family of 10 stands under clear umbrellas while it rains during their extended family session.

Photo from an extended family session where four adult siblings are laughing with each other.

Four siblings pose together with their kids and spouses smiling at the camera during an extended family session.

3. If not now, when?

Let’s be honest, there are times in life where “it’s just not a good time”. Many, if not all, of us have uttered that phrase at one point or another. And if it’s really not a good time, fine! Give yourself grace. Sometimes we go through seasons where we just don’t have the capacity to handle more than the bare minimum. But, if you’re not in that place, what’s holding you back? Your kids will only be this age once. You’ll only celebrate your parents’ 40^th anniversary once. And so on! It can take lots of planning and coordination to get the whole family together. But it’ll be worth your efforts!

If you’re ready to book your next extended family session (or another type of session), don’t hesitate to reach out! I would be happy to help. 🙂 If you want to get the latest updates and exclusive offers delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for my email list at the bottom of my home page! If you would like to follow along on social media, click on the icons below. Thanks for stopping by!

Close up of a young boy's face as his dad holds him upside down and he laughs during an extended family session.

A dad sits his young son on his shoulders while his son is laughing and smiling at the camera during an extended family session.

A wife stands in front of her husband while their arms are extended and fingers interlocked right before they go into a hug.

A husband hugs his wife from behind while they both look at the camera and smile.

Tips for Your Pregnancy Announcement Photos

June 10, 2022June 10, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

Our Story

This is such a fun blog post for me to write because Andrew and I just announced our first pregnancy last month! Keep reading to hear our story and I’ll share some tips for your pregnancy announcement photos. 🙂

We always knew we wanted to have kids, but it was a nebulous idea with no timeline. After realizing that there will never be a perfect time to start a family, we figured we were as ready as we were ever going to be. We decided in February that we would start trying for a baby. But, I knew it was possible we wouldn’t conceive right away.

Infertility is a painful struggle for many. My parents struggled to conceive me and my brother; they tried for a baby for seven years! After undergoing fertility treatments that were unsuccessful, my parents eventually gave up and started considering adoption. Part way through the adoption process, both my mom and dad felt like adoption wasn’t the path for them. So, they put things on hold and decided to wait. After seven long and emotional years, and one miracle later, my mom became pregnant with my brother. After my brother and I were born, my mom was ecstatic to have a third positive pregnancy test. Unfortunately, it was a chemical pregnancy. With that being said, I learned early on that anyone can face the heartbreak of infertility and loss.

In March, I took two pregnancy tests a few days before my period was supposed to start. We had tickets to see Hamilton with my in-laws and they wanted to go out for drinks after. I felt completely normal and expected that the tests would be negative, but just wanted to be sure before going out. So, on a Thursday morning, I took the tests and left them in the bathroom for the required three minutes. I came back to find two pink lines on each one! Even though I knew it was a possibility, I couldn’t believe that we had conceived so quickly! I went on to take several more tests within the next week before I fully accepted it. But, you’ll be glad to know I just had water with dinner after the show. 😉

Two positive pregnancy tests- pregnancy announcement photo.

Fast forward to our pregnancy announcement photos and the tips I have for your session!

There are lots of fun ways to announce that you’re expecting a baby. Being a photographer, I knew that I wanted to announce with photos of us and was excited to include photos of our first ultrasound. At our appointment, I expected to walk away with a few printed photos of our growing baby only to find out that my OB offers digital images and video, but no prints. And if you’re newly pregnant and just had your first ultrasound, you may have just had the same realization (depending on your OB’s policies). But fear not! You can still use your ultrasound images in your pregnancy announcement photos.

There are pros and cons to that model. It’s great that you can save the images on your phone and have them with you wherever you go. And the videos just melted my heart. I watched the baby’s heartbeat and movement over and over again, and that has been such a gift! And let’s not forget the trees that are saved! But, if you’re like me, you may also have been a little disappointed that you didn’t get the classic prints. I had a vision for our baby announcement photos in my head and they included the prints. But, such is life! 🙂 So, to make it easier on myself in the first trimester, I decided to keep it simple and use my phone in the photos instead of worrying about printing the ultrasound images. Now, let’s get down to the tips!

Pregnancy announcement photo with the couple blurred in the background while caught in a kiss and the focus is on the phone they are holding, which shows an ultrasound photo.

1. Think of the props you want to include in your session ahead of time and make sure they are ready to go in a place where you won’t forget them.

The list of props you can use to announce your pregnancy is extensive, but here are several popular ideas: ultrasound photos, pregnancy tests, letter boards, onesies, and baby shoes. You can pick just one of these props, you can pick all of them, or you can pick a few of your own—there are plenty of shots we can get with just a couple of props. The most important part is making sure that the props you pick show up to the session with you!

2. If you use a phone to display your ultrasound photo(s), make sure the screen is not cracked and turn the brightness up to 100%.

While editing can be great for removing small imperfections, like a few specks of dust, it is less likely that I will be able to make your ultrasound photo look like what you saw on the screen at the OB’s office if your phone screen is shattered. During our session, you will also want to make sure that your screen is as bright as it can be, that way we can see a nice, clear picture of baby!

Pregnancy announcement photo with the couple blurred in the background smiling at the camera while the focus is on the phone they are holding which shows an ultrasound photo.

3. If you plan on using a felt letterboard in your pregnancy announcement, run a lint roller over it before your session and be sure to double check your spelling!

Those little pieces of lint and dust likely won’t catch your eye during your photoshoot, but they will show up in the photos. The fewer pieces of dust I need to edit off of the letterboard, the sooner you’ll receive your gallery! 🙂 Also, do a quick check of your spelling before the session and then check again. Some spelling errors are discreet and tough to catch at first!

4. Take a break from the props and get some shots of you and your partner.

And if this isn’t your first baby, include your other child(ren) as well! Soon you will have a new family member to gush over. But in the meantime, document what your life is like now. Even though exciting things are ahead, you don’t want to forget the present moment either.

A husband holds his wife close as she smiles and looks over her shoulder.

A couple is caught in a kiss in a field while the sun glows behind them.

A man stands facing the camera and smiling with his hands in his pockets while his wife stands at his side holding onto his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder.

Whether your pregnancy announcement will be coming up soon, or if it’s still a dream for the future, I hope these tips are helpful! If you are currently searching for a Colorado-based photographer for your pregnancy announcement photos and feel like I may be a good fit, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can send me a message here! If you would like to follow along on social media, click on the icons below to connect with me!

Family Photos at the Lake

April 22, 2022April 22, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

The water was calm and smooth as glass while the sun cast its golden glow over the lake. In other words, it was the perfect evening for a family photo session in Colorado! I met Jordan in 2021 when I did her first set of family photos. She and her family were such a joy to work with the first time, so I was pleased to hear from her again earlier this year to schedule her second photoshoot. For her first session, we met in Golden where we had beautiful views of the mesas and historic buildings. This time, we picked a location on the water’s edge that was both breathtaking and serene.

A mother and son sit on the beach of a Colorado lake and pose for their family photos.

A mother hugs her son around his shoulders while both smile at the camera for their Colorado family photos.

A mother kisses her son's cheek while he cringes.

A Boston Terrier Mix "smiles" at the camera during a family photoshoot in Colorado.

A woman holds her dog and looks lovingly at him.

Jordan and her son, Degan, have a beautiful bond and their sweet pup, Dilly, completes the trio. Each of them was a dream in front of the camera and they were also an adventurous bunch! This mother and son pair were such great sports getting their feet wet in the ice-cold, late-March water for a couple of shots.

A woman stands in a lake in a tulle skirt as she looks back over her shoulder.

A woman poses in a lake in a tulle skirt.

A mother and son pose in a lake while the son is laughing and cringing because his feet are cold.

A mother and son pose in a lake for their family photos.

Jordan loves to cook and is also making a difference in others’ lives through human resources, and Degan is a talented musician. Their sweet pup Dilly loves being close to his family and enjoys finding twigs and sticks to chew on! Together they’re taking on the world and it was an honor to capture this moment in their lives on camera.

A mother and son laugh together as they're holding their dog and their dog looks directly at the camera.

A mother and her son laugh at their dog as he picks up a twig and chews on it in their family photos.

A mother, son, and their dog sit close on the beach of a Colorado Lake as they smile at the camera.

A mother and son walk their dog along a beach at a Colorado lake as the smile at the camera.

A mother and son look at each other and laugh as they walk on the beach at a lake in Colorado.

The glow of the sunset catches a woman's skirt as she swishes it back and forth.

Looking for your next set of family photos in Colorado? Don’t hesitate to reach out, I would be happy to help! You can follow me on social media by clicking the icons below and you can join my mailing list at the bottom of my home page.

Mini Sessions vs. Full Sessions: Which Is Right for You?

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

Your favorite, local photographer is offering mini sessions and you can’t decide if you’re going to book a full session or if you’ll book a mini session while they’re available. Below you’ll find advantages of both types of sessions to help you decide which is right for you! (Keep in mind that the offerings mentioned in this blog are what I typically offer at this time, not what other photographers are offering. Offerings vary by photographer.)

Advantages of mini sessions:

Mini sessions typically last 20-30 minutes and you’ll get 7-10 images. You will also only pay a fraction of the full session price! If you’re not looking for an extensive gallery and are on a budget, mini sessions are a great option.

Do you have young kids? If so, mini sessions might be your bread and butter for family photos until they’re a little older. Kids aren’t always thrilled about taking family photos. If you can shorten the experience for them, it could be a win-win situation. You get the photos you want, and they can get back to playing faster. 😉

If we’ve never worked together, mini sessions also give you a chance to see me in action without committing to a full session. You’ll get a glimpse of what a session with me would be like and the photos you get will be your own personal sample of what I deliver.

Advantages of full sessions:

Mini sessions are only offered a couple of times each year (if that). I do not offer mini sessions in my regular packages. So, what does that mean for you? It means that you won’t be able to book the session whenever you want. The dates, times, and location will be announced, and if it doesn’t fit into your schedule, you’ll miss that round of minis. Full sessions can be booked throughout the year in any season, and you’ll have a say in your session location!

What kinds of personalities do your children have? Are they bubbly and outgoing? Or are they quiet and reserved? If your child takes awhile to warm up to other people, you might get better results from a full session. Giving them more time to get to know me will allow us to coax them out of their shell slowly, and hopefully, we’ll get smiles before the sessions is over! 🙂

If you’re looking for a larger gallery with more variety, a full session would be a better option for you. Full sessions range from 60-90 minutes and offer more flexibility. We can walk around the session location to find different backgrounds and have more time for different angles.

Do you want to include your pets in your family photos? Then I would recommend a full session. It can be tough to get animals to look directly at the camera (especially when everyone else is also looking at the camera). The more time we have when it comes to working with animals, the better!

I hope that information helps you decide which type of session is best for you! To book your session, head on over to my ‘Book Me’ page!

Want to follow me on social media? Click the icons below!

Sunset Horse & Rider Session

January 11, 2022January 11, 2022by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

In 2021, I loved all of my sessions and clients, but this particular session was one of my favorites. I really enjoy horse and rider sessions, so when this client’s mom reached out to me to book a session as a gift, I was thrilled! The client and her family were so gracious, kind, and were a joy to work with. On top of all that, the weather for this photoshoot was PERFECT. I could not have asked for better conditions! There was no wind, we had a thin layer of clouds that disappeared in time for sunset, and the temperature was mild. If you’re also considering bringing your horse to a session, keep reading to find out why you SHOULD!

1. Horses add variety and visual interest

Horses add a lot of visual interest to the photos because there are so many poses and detail shots that would not be possible without them. For instance, you can ride your horse, lead your horse, kiss your horse on the nose, and the list goes on. Some of my clients like to change outfits. For this shoot, the client brought two (one casual and one formal). We were able to get different poses that fit the style and function of each outfit. If you don’t want to change outfits, that’s OK! Bringing your horse will help add the variety that a second outfit would bring to a non-equine session.

2. You love your horse

Horses and riders spend a lot of time together and have a special bond. It makes sense that you would want to include your horse in your session! Just like with family (or other pets), it’s nice to have photos together that you can hang on your wall or put in an album. Years from now, you’ll be happy you have some images to look back on!

If you are thinking about taking photos with your horse, DO IT! You’ll be so happy you did. And don’t forget to bring some of your horse’s favorite, attention-grabbing treats!

Bonus Tip:

If you would like to take pictures on your horse in a dress, make sure to test the lining of the dress. Although the top layer of a dress may be flowy, the bottom layer could be tight. You want something that either has a loose liner that will lay nicely when you’re on the horse, or you want a dress that has a top layer that is not sheer. That way, if the liner of your dress is bunching up, you won’t be able to see it under the top layer. 🙂

How to Have a Stress-Free Family Mini Session

December 21, 2021December 21, 2021by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

From a client point of view, mini sessions can be stressful. You’ve booked a session with a photographer you may not know, and you have a short window of time to get everyone in your family to cooperate. Mini sessions are a whirlwind! It’s your turn to begin your session, then next thing you know, your time is up and the next family is getting set to start. So, the big question is: how do you maximize those minutes in front of the camera and keep your cool? Keep reading to find out how to have a stress-free mini session!

Photo from a mini session where three young girls are sitting on a couch. Behind them, their parents are kissing. The two older girls are covering their eyes while the youngest is looking directly at the camera.

1. Give yourself more time to get ready than you think you need and arrive to your mini session early.

This might seem obvious, but it’s easier said than done. When you’re trying to look your best and help other family members do the same, time can get away from you! Because mini sessions are generally booked back-to-back, and you will likely only have fifteen or twenty minutes for pictures, it’s important that you’re at the session location and ready to go before your time slot begins. If you give yourself and your family plenty of time to get ready, you can give yourself a buffer for travel time to make sure you’re not late for your session if you run into traffic. It’s better to be at the session location waiting to start than to cut into your session time or miss it completely.

2. Don’t stress.

This advice can be impractical and unrealistic sometimes. Your baby might be crying throughout the whole session and there’s nothing you can do to make them stop. This is a classic case of expectations vs. reality. Your session might not go as you had planned, but if you’re stressed, you’ll see it in the photos. The baby usually takes a break from crying and offers a small smile when you’re least expecting it–keep smiling so you’re ready if that moment comes. 😉 They always say, “the days are long, but the years are short”. Or something like that. You won’t have a crying baby forever—hold onto that moment while it lasts, even if it’s not ideal. Just do the best you can to help your child smile and don’t lose your sanity in the process.

3. If your kids are old enough to understand, offer a reward after the session and lay out the timeline.

Some kids enjoy photo sessions, and others hate them. Either way, if they know a treat is coming after the session, they’ll be more likely to cooperate to get their reward. In addition to their reward, let them know how long the session will last. It’s easier for kids to be still and follow instructions when they know it will only be for twenty minutes. If the session seems indefinite to them, they will be less likely to cooperate.

I hope these tips help you rock your next mini session with your family! Follow me on social media for more session tips and keep your eyes on the blog for future content!

Tips for a Smooth Senior Photoshoot

December 20, 2021December 20, 2021by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

I LOVE taking senior photos! Senior year is an exciting time for parents and students—it’s the culmination of the years of hard work, and the nostalgia sets in when both parents and seniors realize they’re about to have the last of their high school experiences and will soon be moving on to new stages of life.

Some seniors look forward to their senior photos and spend lots of time in preparation while others dread being in front of the camera and are only participating to please their parents. No matter which category you (or your student) fall into, I’ve put together a list of tips to help you get the most out of your photoshoot!

1. Be aware of your yearbook deadline when scheduling your session.

From my personal experience, I find that many schools in Colorado have a deadline around the middle to end of October during the student’s senior year. Be sure to check with your school as the deadline can vary from school to school.

The prime time to take senior photos is the summer before senior year. In Colorado, the weather is nice and warm, and the evenings are mild and beautiful! But the weather isn’t the only reason you may want to consider a summer session. After each session, your photographer will then edit your photos and you will want to factor the editing time into your timeline. The turnaround time for your photos will vary with each photographer and will depend on their workload and lifestyle. When planning for senior photos, give yourself extra time so you’re not in a rush to get your photo submitted for the yearbook. (Tip: the turnaround time should always be stated in the contract your photographer provides. Be sure to look for that when booking a session so you know when to expect your images.)

2. Plan for outfit changes.

The minimum amount of time I offer for sessions is one hour. One hour might not be a lot of time for a family with young kids, but it can be an eternity when you’re the only person in the shot and you only have one outfit… and no props. Planning for multiple outfits gives you more variety in your gallery and gives you more options in case you decide you don’t like your original outfit as much as you thought. I’ve found that 20 minutes in each outfit works well for my clients. They can take 10 minutes to change into their next outfit and still have another 20 minutes in their second ensemble. For sixty-minute sessions, I recommend two outfits. For ninety-minute sessions, I recommend three.

Bringing a few accessories or small props can also add a lot of visual interest to your images. A hat or jacket can go a long way in changing up an outfit with minimal effort. Props can also be a lot of fun! Keep in mind that many open spaces and parks in Colorado do not allow photographers to set up large props, so think of something you can hold in your hands, like a bouquet of flowers or a football. In addition to your outfits, props can add variety to your photos and help tell your unique story!

3. If you’re interested in multiple locations, consider scheduling multiple sessions.

I’ve had seniors who are happy with one location, and I’ve had others who are interested in two separate spots that are one hour apart. These are your senior photos and it’s a special experience in your life, so if you want multiple locations, go for multiple locations! But, make sure your expectations are realistic.

The best light for outdoor photos occurs during the two golden hours each day. Golden hour takes place in the hour after sunrise (starting just a little bit before sunrise) and one hour before sunset. If you want ideal light for your photos, but your locations are far enough apart that we can’t travel between them in that time, you may want to schedule two separate sessions at each spot.

4. Relax and have fun! 🙂

Your senior session is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fun part of senior year. Don’t take yourself too seriously and give yourself permission to have a good time! I find that the seniors who are willing let their guard down and try unconventional poses (like running barefoot in a skirt on a hiking trail) enjoy their session the most and are blown away by the photos in their gallery.

I hope these tips help you prepare for your senior session and make for a smooth and easy process! Be sure to follow me on social media for more session tips and to see more images from my sessions. Click on the social media icons below to find me!

How to Prepare for a Photography Session with Your Dog

July 16, 2021by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

If you’re like me, your dogs are family members! They add so much joy and fun to your life, and you couldn’t imagine it without them. So, you want to include them in your family portraits because it just feels right.

If that sounds like you, keep reading because I’ve compiled tips and tricks to help you have a successful and fun session with your furry friends!

Location, location, location!

Like humans, dogs also have physical and emotional needs. Some dogs struggle with fear and anxiety, some are hyperactive, and others are reactive to other dogs and/or humans.

When choosing your location for your family photos, it’s important to take your dog’s needs into consideration in the process. It can be tough to get dogs to sit still and look at the camera. When we accommodate their needs, it will increase our chances of getting some great shots!

To reduce distractions and make your dog more comfortable, consider a location that is not highly populated and maybe even schedule your session on a weeknight when locations are not as busy.

Food, water, treats, oh my!

It’s important to bring water for your dogs to keep them cool and comfortable. Sessions typically last an hour to an hour and a half. In the heat of the summer, most dogs enjoy a nice, refreshing drink about half way through the session and at the end, but every dog is different. I recommend having a bowl with you that can be available for the duration of the session.

Whether you give your dogs normal kibble or something special and scrumptious when it comes to treats, just don’t forget the treats at home! 😉 We can use the treats to coax your dog into a sitting or laying position for some cute photos!

Squeaky Toys!

Nothing gets a dog’s attention like a good squeak. In addition to treats, their toys can also get them to look at the camera.

You’ll want to assess your dog’s behavior in this instance. If a squeaky toy will cause your dog to run toward the camera and out of the shot, then it might be best to leave the toys at home. But, if your dog will stay put for a little bit and is intrigued by the toy, that can benefit you!

Every(puppy) poops!

Bring poo bags.

The parks I shoot at require that you pick up your dog’s waste, and it keeps the park nice for other visitors! Let’s leave the locations as we found them (if not better)! 🙂

One final, and important, tip: be patient. Your dog might want to take in the environment by seeing the sights and smelling the smells. We may have to take a lot of photos at different angles to get one good one, but if we are patient and flexible, we will get the shots!

Keep scrolling to see more from Peter and Kallista’s session with their sweet pups, Winston and Clementine.

Dreamy Mountain Engagement

July 2, 2021by sweetsolsticephotographyllcLeave a Comment

In May of 2021, I had the honor and privilege of taking my brother-in-law’s engagement photos. I photographed a couple’s session for Kyle and Ceacy in February of 2021. After the session, Kyle sent me a text telling me that he wanted to propose to Ceacy in the mountains in May and was wondering if he could put me and my husband, Andrew, up in a lodge for the weekend and have me shoot their engagement session the day he proposed.

I was thrilled that he asked and couldn’t say anything other than yes! Fast forward a few weeks and I’m on the phone with Kyle setting dates and making plans. Andrew and I even got to take a fun day trip to the mountains with Kyle to scout locations and talk about his vision.

Back in October of 2020, Kyle and Ceacy took a short trip to the mountains and stayed in a lodge for a few days. They had to cut their trip short because of wildfires burning nearby, but Kyle knew he would go back and the next time, he was going to pack an engagement ring.

The night before Kyle proposed, Andrew and I drove up to the mountains late at night to make sure Ceacy would be asleep by the time we got there so the surprise wouldn’t be ruined. As we were unpacking the car, Kyle met us outside and was beaming from ear to ear. In all the years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen Kyle filled to the brim with so much joy and anticipation. After we got settled, Andrew and I set our alarms for an early morning and we listened to the calming, mountain night sounds as we drifted into sleep.

The next day, we got up and got ready early to make sure we were ready to move as soon as Kyle texted to let Andrew and I know that he and Ceacy were going to the spot where he was going to propose. While Kyle and Ceacy were gone, we snuck into their room to set up the flowers, chocolates, and wine that Kyle left with us.

After the room was set up, Andrew and I waited impatiently.

About a half hour after he and Ceacy left, Kyle texted the family to let us know that she said yes!

Andrew and I got to tag along on their afternoon celebration and document the day for them. After they had a romantic dinner on their own, we met at a nearby lake and took the dreamiest mountain engagement photos!

Kyle and Ceacy, the two of you were made to be together! You complement each other and add joy to each other’s lives. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else that weekend and I’m honored that you wanted us to be a part of such a special occasion.

Keep scrolling to see more photos from Kyle and Ceacy’s engagement day!