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Below are some shots we were able to get when given a little extra time with a local girls basketball team.

Here are just some of the beautiful portraits we captured that day.

As we go into the holiday season, we always try and think of ways to give back. This year we thought we would try to not only support one of our favorite charities, but also give back to the families that support us. So, we are setting aside 10 30-minute Family Portrait Sessions one Sunday every month until the holidays and we’ll waive the $75 sitting fee when you bring a Toys for Tots Donation. We are hoping this will inspire some of you to give a little back…and help to get your holiday photos done early. The dates include: Sept. 25th , Oct. 23rd, Nov. 13th and Dec. 4th. Remember there are only 10 spots available, so please call the studio at 203.488.5170 today if you are interested in booking one of these dates for your family.

We all know that getting your family or group together for a formal photo session can be next to impossible. So when you actual do get the chance, preparing ahead of time can be as important as the photography itself. In this post I want to share some general guidelines and suggestions to help families be relaxed and look their best, so we can achieve some memorable results.

Coordinate, don’t match. If you are planning a portrait with multiple people, coordinate your wardrobes ahead of time. Encourage everyone to wear a solid color from the same color family, for instance, a shade of blue.

Keep it simple. Choose simple garments that are consistent. Clothing is secondary and should not detract from the focus of the photograph: the people in it. Jeans or khakis and a white or black shirt are always a good choice.

Avoid patterns. Avoid large, bold patterns and bright colors that draw attention away from the face.

Dress from head to toe. Some of your portraits might be full length, so be sure that your shoes and socks are appropriate to your outfit.

Darker is better. Soft, natural make up is best but apply it a little darker like you were going out for the evening. Even in outdoor portraits, if your makeup is too light, your face may tend to look washed-out.

Timing is everything. Schedule your portrait session around your child’s naps and feedings, so that he can enjoy the experience. Try and arrive 10-15 minutes before your session. Use this time to relax and enjoy our studio before the camera starts clicking.

Make it personal. Bring along some personal props – maybe some hats, or toys that showcase your family’s personality. If your child has a special blanket or favorite doll, bring it along. Not only will it probably make them more comfortable, but it might just make for some sweet photos.

It’s all relative. If you chose to bring a pet, they should be fed, rested and well groomed before a photo shoot. You may even want to choose a collar or accessory that matches the color scheme of the rest of the family.

Keep them happy. For families with small children, bring along necessary items to help keep your child happy and clean, including diapers, wipes, drinks and snacks.

Relax. And finally, the best suggestion I can give is to relax, enjoy, and just be yourselves.

To give you some inspiration, check out this video of some of our favorite family portrait sessions. With every family portrait session we shoot, we create a custom slide show just like this one for your family!

If you don’t have that perfect place in mind, we wanted to give you some inspiration. Here are our top five favorite locations:

 1) Stony Creek Village and Trolley Trail, Branford, CT: This location has a great variety of water and trails, a trolley bridge and my favorite a graffiti wall.

 2) Branford Point, Branford, CT: In my opinion, one of the best beach spots on the shoreline for photos. There are two beaches, various trails, and depending on the time of year, beautiful gardens.

 3) Downtown, Guilford, CT: Guilford has so much unique architecture, small alleys and of course the green. At this location, we can create many different looks all within a short walking distance.

 4) Old Atlantic Wire and MIF Buildings, Branford, CT: This is a personal favorite of mine, but it has to be right for you. They are both run-down, abandoned factories with lots of brick and vintage architecture. It also sits right on the Branford River.

5) Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT: Filled with water views, beaches, and boardwalks, this location will provide us with plenty of different backgrounds to work with. Because this is such an expansive outdoor location, we may find it difficult to utilize all it has to offer. Please be aware there is a small admission fee.

There are also so many locations we haven’t had the opportunity to shoot at yet. Here is just a few. Maybe you would like to be the first?

 1) Yale University, New Haven, CT: I had my own engagement photos taken here. This iconic campus, located in the heart of New Haven, is not only filled with gothic architecture, but is surrounded by city life and activity.

2) Lighthouse Park, New Haven, CT: This location features trails, beaches, a carousel and of course the famous lighthouse.

 3) East Rock Park, New Haven, CT: This park is located at the summit of East Rock, more than 350 feet above the floor of the Mill River, creating a fantastic city backdrop.

I will start out with my nephew Andrew…I finally went through some of my personal pictures the other day and found some fun shots of Andrew who just turned one in August.

The weather forecast wasn’t very good, but we decided to tough it out anyway and it turned out great…the park was empty and it didn’t rain a drop…a very good time.