Muscles and Munchkins

I've always kept families on my blog anonymous, but not this time!

Meet Hollie (if you haven't already) and her family.  She has really made a difference in my life over the past year and now we've become friends.  I can't really begin to express how special she is, but if you start following her, musclesandmunchkins.com (Facebook, Instagram, emails etc.), you will begin to understand why.  About a year ago, all I knew about myself was that training for half marathons kept me in shape.  I couldn't work out with body goals in mind nagging at me and driving me crazy, but when I was training, I had my mind set on doing my job to prepare for a race, and the end result paid off.  All I really did for exercise was run.  Don't get me wrong I enjoyed it thoroughly and still do, but I now know there's more out there for me both physically and mentally!

Hollie completely changed my "Fitness" way of thinking.  Not that what I was doing was bad, it was just that she opened my eyes to more.

She has made me accept my body for what it is and to love it for what it can do.  She is a firm believer in that everything is YOU vs. YOU... and that's totally how I've always worked best.  I love that phrase.  Hollie has shown me that becoming STRONG for the sake of being strong, is in itself a great reward.  She has taken the focus off what I look like, and rather even more towards what I can DO.  She has shown me the importance and benefits of strength training AND a healthy attitude about myself.

I met her when I started her workouts at Cornerstone Lutheran Church about a year ago.  Although I almost threw up twice during this first workout, I ALSO almost cried (WHILE PLANKING) as she read scripture and prayed with us.  It might sound crazy, but I think I needed that.  This spiritual aspect is typically reserved for her church workouts, but it's always there in her attitude when she's teaching.

If something isn't adding up with your day to day fitness plan, follow her... you won't be disappointed.  She doesn't sell anything and she does not work for anybody.  She is Hollie, a personal trainer who motivates, helps, doesn't judge, is very real, and will NEVER ONCE comment on how a women should look.  She will never say during her workout, "let's get those arms tank top ready".. but she will say, "You can do this, think about what your body has done in this life!" or "These are the arms that lift your children!"  After she sold me with this unique attitude, I got to know her and realized she was a really cool down to earth chick and I thought, We need to be friends... stat.  

Her kids are adorable and awesome and yes all under the age of 4!  She was pregnant when I met her, worked out until she was about to go into labor, and started back up a few weeks postpartum.  She's smart and sensible though, I promise, but yes, she's also BADASS (although she'll NEVER let on about that).  She's not competing with anyone but herself, just as she teaches us to do.  Her husband seems pretty darn awesome too.  They were perfect to photograph.  My face hurt from smiling and even laughing out loud when I went through their pictures.

Thank you for reading!  There was no way I could post her pictures without giving her a shout out!

Here are my faves!

are you laughing??

Goldilocks

As I edited this family session, I kept thinking "and they shall call her Goldilocks!" in my head.  That blonde hair is well on it's way.  She is SUCH a doll.

This session was close to my heart.  I've seen my kids establish friendships in preschool and maintain those friendships as they start elementary school.  Mom here, was my best friend in PRESCHOOL.  Our moms established a bond like no other and our entire families are still close to this day.  Of course I worked in a session for her in Columbus OH!

Think about that as your drop off your kids at preschool or set up playdates with their little friends and as you socialize with the moms of your kids friends.  You never know!

The BIG Wardrobe Question Answered!

Here goes...
My most frequently asked question:  "What should we wear!?"  *The stress.  The agony.*

After a client and I set a session date, I usually hear something like, "Ugh.  Now to pick out all of our outfits!"

If you have asked me this question you CAN NOT be embarrassed by this post because you are the norm!  If you are thinking, she is writing this because of me, you are wrong, I am writing this for so so so many of you.

What you wear does have a bearing on how good your photos turn out, but not always for the reasons you would think.  Here are MY photo shoot wardrobe guidelines.

1. You Need to Feel Good in Your Clothes
Do not choose an outfit because it's "in".  Choose something for YOU, for your body type, that you look in the mirror and feel not only that it flatters you, but that makes you feel pretty.  This goes for color too.  Pick a color that compliments your skin, eyes and hair.

2.  Dressy or casual?
My #1, also applies to how dressed up you are.  If you don't feel like dressing up, don't!  It's not a big deal to be in jeans.  However, fancy can be JUST as great.  Wear what you are in the mood for and maybe do something you didn't do the last time.  Shake it up a bit.  My family has always been super casual.  This year I may wear a dress.  I want my family photos to have variety over the years.

3. How do I begin?
If you are a mom, I always say "a family photo is only as good as the mom looks".  I know you have a huge input in the images you display so it does not hurt to focus on yourself first, then your spouse if applicable, and finally your kids (I mean come on kids are kids.  They are typically cute no matter what they wear!).  This is just a suggestion!  I love dressing my kids and I am completely guilty of choosing their outfits first... however, sometimes I'm not happy with mine in the end.

4.  The Basics of "Coordinating"
If you are being photographed alone, you can skip this step and be done!  If not, keep reading.  Once your outfit is chosen, see if your family members, significant other, spouse, children... whatever the case might be... would look good in any of the same colors.  Then, coordinate colors!  You do not at all have to be wearing the same thing (i.e. everyone in jeans or polo shirts) or the same colors... but you should all be wearing colors that look good together.  I photographed my photographer's family one summer and they all wore bright colors.   She wore a hot pink dress and her boys were wearing yellow, orange and blue and it looked fantastic.  Another extended family session chose the colors blue, hot pink, and yellow and it was amazing to see the variety work so well together.  (Both of these sessions are featured below.)

5.  Everyone Should be Comfortable.
Dress for the temperature as much as you can!  Wear less when it's hot out and layer up in the Fall!  It gets pretty, but it also gets COLD people.  Don't put your kids in those too tight shoes because they look good.  They may end up complaining through the entire session.  Make sure everyone's clothes feel comfortable enough to last through a great session.  An uncomfortable person is much harder to photograph than a comfortable one!

Here's some inspiration for you!   I find that my favorites include outfits with colors that are found in nature.   I love layers, accessories, and patterns!

The bambino's plaid was PERFECT.

One person in plaid helps coordinate everyone!

I had to show this cutie in a poncho... and navy always works well.

Sunsets and yellows.... mmmmm

If you could see better you might notice the kids outfits were plucked from the pages of Mini Boden!
Not a bad way to coordinate!  Order from a catalogue/clothing line that does the job for you.

Gray can be tricky, but it worked well for them on this rustic wood platform and grayish sky.  
I loved photographing this new family last year!

Not too matchy matchy and the little guy pops instead of getting lost in the crowd!

They're just so stinking cute... really.  Stripes were big in 2014.

This photo is old, but it's proof that even large groups can coordinate!

I love the browns and the pop of bright blue they all wore.

Don't be afraid of deep reds and maroon in the Fall!  It's timeless and always looks good.

My photog's family I mentioned.. she was prego with her 4th here!  He's 2 now! 

Screams holiday card, doesn't it?  A mom on a mission who nailed it.

I've often told this mom she's one of the BEST with photo wardrobes!   Layers, great colors, comfortable and warm!

I sincerely hope this helps!  Happy Fall and happy sessions everyone!