~Jump Start Your Business~

Who hasn't dreamed at one point and time about starting your own business. Doing what you love & being your own boss. But where do you start, do you just jump right feet first & learn while you go--or do you research & study to prepare before you begin?
Either way, I have to share a fabulous way to Jump Start Your Photography Business & the wonderful Crave Photography is offering the most awesome set of goodies to get you going.

(see more of my work at Valerie Russell Photography)

So here is what goodies you can WIN--

-Your choice of a 50mm 1.4 Canon or Nikon lens

-A One-on-One online mentoring

with Crave Photography

-A Business Marketing Set of your choice

from Crave Design

So are you excited yet?!! Well you definitely should be---because it is SUPER

simple to enter.

Just click on Crave Photography-Business Jump Start Giveaway

and it will take you right there--so what are you waiting for--GO!!
Who loves you...oh this girl does.

Good Luck!

{Maya & Sophie/ Newborn}

I am sure you feel the excitment in the air when I was contacted by Nikkole to do a newborn session with her beautiful twin girls. Yes, twins--my second set this year & both have been newborns!! I have been blessed multiple times...with multiples (2 sets of triplet families & 2 sets of twin families)...so LOVING it!!
 To add to my excitment, the weather that day was going to be gorgeous...and it didn't fail me! So I wanted to try (always with the momma's permission first) an outdoor newborn photo session.
Momma agreed..yay! She arrived with the beautiful bundles of cuteness & grandma to help as well. We set up a beautiful spot right in my yard...spread the quilt out on the grass & began our session.
As I have learned with any session...with multiple children in general, usually you will have one cooperating & the other...well not so much. This is where you learn to "go with the flow"--don't over stress, don't freak out--just relax & enjoy taking as many pictures as possible--patience is your friend & you will be rewarded.
And true to my words--I was rewarded--with a beautiful day, beautiful baby girls, a beautiful session & beautiful pictures!!

{Wardrobe Wednesday}

Welcome to "Wardrobe Wednesday"
Where you can get some helpful hints & ideas for "What to Wear" at your next photo session.

Fall is in the air & so are Fall Mini Sessions. I am seeing so many studios offering Fall Minis & it seems to be one of the most popular.

I already have bookings for my Fall Mini Sessions, but clients are always asking :"What should we wear?".

So here are some helpful hints/ideas:

 

- Weather: watch the weather, see what the temperature is going to be the day of your session. You don't want to be under-dressed & chilly or over-dressed & too hot.

Layers can help in both situations:

-layering your clothes, gives you not only more options, but also helps you be better prepared for any type of weather.

 

-Comfort: Truely this is the #1 rule I follow by.

Who would really want to sit through a photo session in uncomfortable clothes?

Definitely not me & this also goes for those kiddos, kids tend to be less agreeable & slightly more cranky if they are wearing something that they are not comfortable in.

In turn, this stresses out Mom & Dad---making the whole photo session experience "less then fun".

Think "Casual Cool Comfort"--the 3 C's

Jeans are a great neutral (goes with anything) & the whole family can wear them.
Button up shirts are great for the guys (big or little) & can be paired with a sweater or sweatshirt in cooler weather--or rolled up sleeves with a tee underneath in warmer weather.

Add a tie for the big boys & well you have something even a little more "dressy"--but not over done!

Ladies, how about a cute tank or tee paired with a cardigan or jacket--then add a scarf or long dangling necklace for added "pop"!
Teens, lots of super cute clothes out there for you--we know you have style--so help Mom & Dad out!
Kids/Babies: Pair a cute tee with a little sweater, jacket or button up shirt--then add a cute hair accessory (for the girls) or a little hat (for the lil man).

With small kiddos--always bring at least 1 spare outfit--better to be safe then sorry.

-Colors: Its Fall what more beautiful time of the year.

All the gorgeous jewel tones of color, the perfect backdrop for gorgeous family photos.

I want you to take a moment to refer back to the picture at the top--this is a fabulous example of "matching"--but not being "matchy" (yes, I said "matchy").

Matchy to me is defined: As a family who all wears the exact same style shirt, the same color.
Don't be the "matchy" family--let my examples here help guide you!

 

 

Your Fall Session should be one to remember!

 

For more ideas, check out my :What to Wear Guide on Pinterest!!