The post Northern Virginia Fall Family Photo Inspiration appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>It’s that time of year again! Time to get those fall family photos on the calendar. I know it’s helpful to see some real-life fall family photos, so I hope you enjoy this Northern Virginia fall family photo inspiration session!
I think these family photos are a great inspiration for a lovely fall session. Their outfits complement the deep greens of the tree farm so well. I also love how playful the images are and feel like they really capture the different personalities in this sweet family.
Here are some great recommendations for color palettes to use when dressing for your fall family photo session. It seems daunting to choose outfits for the family you love enough to have photographed, but stick with what stands out to you and remember that your photographer is here to help!
If you’re looking for a place to start…choose one family member’s outfit first and build from there. If there’s something you know you would love to wear, like this neutral and chic shirt dress for mom, then commit to that piece and build the rest of the family around it.
No matter what, make sure you feel comfortable and confident in what you wear for your session. That, paired with a calm and open mind will ensure some beautiful family memories are captured!
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]]>The post Favorite Color Schemes for Spring Family Photos appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>While I’m always here to make suggestions, the “best” shades depend on your personal taste, the style of your home, and, perhaps, what items you already have in your wardrobe that you can use for the session.
From there, I recommend:
Of course, another important consideration is what shades speak to the season. As we step into spring, many people are scheduling their family sessions. (This tends to be a less busy time than fall and the weather is milder than the summer and winter months.)
From light and airy to bold and inspired to playful and colorful, there’s that “just right” color combination for every unique family. Here are my top 6 color schemes for family photos this spring.
One of the more sophisticated color schemes for family photos, this palette feels elegant with just a touch of drama. Go for bolder jewel tones, like deep purples, magentas, dark greens, and navy shades, but keep it springy by mixing in lighters neutral like white, cream, or even khaki.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: This is the perfect time to showcase a flowy, floral dress for Mom. Just be sure to balance patterns and textures with simpler options for other family members.
Light-and-bright tones are always a springtime favorite — and it stands to reason. These fun, casual shades invoke “summer farmer’s market” vibes. From rich berry tones to bright pinks and light blues, you can use these colors to create a palette that feels just as fresh.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: Don’t go too matchy-matchy with your color picks. You want it to look like you casually put these shades together — not like you picked out the same outfit for your entire family!
It may not be summer yet, but it’s never too early to take it to the beach! (At least with your color choices.) I love combining light and neutral shades like seafoam greens and pale blue with creams and grays for a serene color palette that blends beautifully with neutral and vibrant backgrounds.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: Remember that going too light tends to wash people out when choosing color schemes for your family photos. Instead, opt for a few warmer shades or deeper hues to keep your photos from looking all the same shade.
Take a look at THIS DRESS. We are loving this one and think it would be perfect for a beachy neutral feel!
Some shades are just made for the warm-weather months, and this is one of them! A fun and playful color scheme for family photos, this mix of blues, pink, and peach tones is the perfect way to capture the spirit of spring and summer.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: These shades really pop against both light and dark backgrounds, so be bold in your setting choices. (You really can’t go wrong!)
More than just a nod to summertime, an Americana-themed red, white, and blue color scheme for family photos is always a bold choice — and one of my favorites. The stark contrast of the bright colors makes your family the star, no matter what background you choose.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: These shades can look theme-y if not planned appropriately. Rather than incorporating every shade into your palette, choose 2–3 and don’t over-accessorize.
THIS DRESS would be so precious for a little girl with this color palette!
Sometimes the scenery speaks for itself, so opt for a color scheme that lets the natural landscape shine through. A blend of neutrals in the same tonal range is always a smart choice that will look classic, put-together, and never go out of style.
Perfect for:
Expert tip: If your family has fairer skin tones, you can still go neutral, but choose shades like tans, ivories, and champagnes to bring more warmth to the overall image.
Whatever color scheme you choose for your family photos, remember to keep it simple. Start with a neutral base and build from there, incorporating some new items (if you feel like shopping) without stressing out or spending too much money on outfits for the whole family.
And most of all, don’t overthink it. While I’m always here to recommend color schemes for spring family photos, you should pick what you really like and what reflects your family’s unique style at the end of the day. Just be yourselves, and that authenticity will shine through!
THIS DRESS would be the perfect off white neutral and is great for someone with or without a bump!
So, are you ready to schedule your session? Let’s connect today to get you on the schedule. And don’t forget to explore our Petite options — perfect for those in-between moments when you don’t need a full photo session.
If you’re planning a newborn session soon, check out some of my favorite newborn photo color palettes here!
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]]>The post 5 Reasons We Love Spring & Summer Family Photos appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>I know that fall is a popular time of year for photos, but the irony is that I actually prefer to to take photos in the spring/summer! I’ve been thinking about why that is. I’ve come up with a few reasons that I think are pretty good ones to do Spring and Summer Family Photos.
I just love the wardrobe options sooooo much more in Spring and Summer for family photos. The softer color palette compliments most home decor better. Whites, soft blues, soft pinks, and even subtle floral patterns are absolutely perfect and will fit into the overall feel of your home better than the deeper earth tones or primary colors of fall. If you’re curious, we have some recommended Spring and Summer Family Photo color palettes HERE!
Weather is more predictable (and warmer) for family photos in the spring and summer. After later March, it’s normally fairly safe to assume that temperatures are going to be at least warm enough to do photos outside in the afternoon without a coat. Sometimes in the fall, we are blindsided by a VERY cold day, and that isn’t fun for anyone! And I’m really not a shoe person, which means bare feet or simple sandals for the win! Speaking of sandals, I think these sandals would be perfect for mom for family photos, and these sandals if you have a little girl that wants something similar to mom.
I know that Spring brings the end of school, sports, and all the accompanying events. But is there any time of year that feels crazier than the fall as we prep for the holidays?! Fitting in those family photos in the fall can be really tough and therefore more stressful.
Since fall is the most popular time for family photos, taking yours in the Spring will be sure to make them stand out from the pack. It can be really refreshing to look at someone’s holiday card and see greenery, flowers, and soft colors. At that time of year we are used to seeing a lot of bold primary colors and earth tones!
There’s something really refreshing and poetic about looking at your family photos and seeing life in the trees, the grass, and maybe even flowers around you. These things that the Spring and Summer bring are so beautiful in photos! And, when we get to those cold fall and winter months where the trees are bare…you’ll see your photos hanging on your walls and be reminded of warmer times
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]]>The post Virginia Baby Photo Session Inspiration appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>It’s no secret that I love newborn sessions…just feel yourself relax as you look at these squishy sleepy cheeks! His mama chose to go with a handmade blanket and hat for some images, followed by some very classic and simple cool neutral options as the inspiration for this baby photo session.
Babies start to really show off their big personalities around 6-8 months, and it is just so much fun to capture those moments in photos! I love getting to see a baby as a squishy newborn, and then get to know them a bit more as they grow.
If you’re as jealous about his hat as I am…here’s where you can get a similar one!
I must also mention how fun it was to have big sis join us for these photos! I always recommend adding siblings in for a few shots if we can during the baby session. If you want some tips on including big siblings in photos with your baby, click here!
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]]>The post Best Places to Take Fall Family Photos Near Northern Virginia appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>You’ve finally booked that family photo session. (Yay!) But now you have to pick a location. SO many things go into picking a location for your fall family photos, but the good news is that there are a lot of great options near Northern Virginia!
Before you get too overwhelmed, keep one really important thing in mind: Ultimately, where you take the photos isn’t as important as you might think. Family photography is all about connection, personality and your relationship with your kids. So pick a location that creates the least amount of stress for you to ensure you’re as relaxed as possible when you get in front of the camera.
Something really important to consider is your kids’ ages when selecting a location. For example, Urban areas might not be as good for young kids who want to run around freely. The specific needs of your family is something you’ll want to keep in mind before selecting a place to take your family photos.
Be sure to lean on your photographer for their personal recommendations. They will have great ideas of locations they’re familiar with that will work well for your family.
One more important thing to track- many locations in the Virginia/DC area require permits. This may feel like a deal breaker; however, if you’re put all this time and energy into coordinating a photo session, buying outfits, having hair and makeup done, then spending a bit more to take the actual photos at the location you love and fits your visions is money well spent. Just be sure that you or your photographer are clear on permit requirements!
Here are a few places near Northern Virginia that I recommend for fall family photos!
Gardens can be a great choice because they offer a lot of variety in the landscape scenes and even offer cute architectural elements like paths and walkways, stairs, arches, etc. Most have florals and greenery through late fall, although some gardens have year round greenery. These might be some of the best places to take fall family photos in Northern Virginia!
Some that we love:
All of these locations require permits that vary in price.
There are plenty of quaint, urban locations that are perfect for family photo sessions, even within DC. Parking can be more of a headache than some other options, and you may have to contend with crowds and other people. But if you have older kids or a smaller family, these locations can be great options!
If your family is full of nature lovers, this is a great option. Most parks and trails offer lovely scenic options any time of year and are real show stoppers in the fall. Most will require a bit more walking to get to the “iconic” spots for photos so these are generally better for a more casual look.
Wineries and breweries have some of the best scenic views in Northern Virginia with lots of open space. A benefit not to be minimized is how nice it is to have a bathroom accessible for smaller children. They are often pet friendly, and you can treat yourself to a post-session celebration beverage!
This is a category again to consider the permit requirements and/or advanced reservations. With the historic mansions and grounds near Northern Virginia, you get a large variety of scenery and locations, so even if you’ve been photographed here before, your session can look totally different year to year. You get well groomed and manicured grounds with architectural elements from the historical house, walkways. Often they will even have a pond or water feature!
I have two favorites here in Northern Virginia!
These places like the memorials and monuments in DC are iconic for a reason, and it’s because they’re lovely and full of meaning! They provide gorgeous backdrops for photos. Keep in mind that permits are almost always required for iconic landmarks, and you will be contending with crowds, traffic, and parking.
In some ways, the most obvious choice for your fall family photos is your own home! It’s full of sentimental value, familiar to your kids, and will provide even more amazing memories for your family.
If you’re looking for some tips on how to dress for your session, click here to get our Style Guide! Whatever location you choose, with the right wardrobe and a willingness to have fun and trust your photographer, your fall family photos are bound to be beautiful. If you haven’t chosen your photographer yet, you can check out our advice on choosing the best photographer for you here!
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]]>The post What to wear for Fall Family Photos Loudoun appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>The best options totally depend on your taste and personal opinions. You want to make sure the colors you choose compliment everyone’s skin tones and the overall look and feel of your home (since you’ll want to print these photos!), but here are just a few suggestions of some color palettes I’m loving lately for fall family photos this year!
This is a classic and safe fall color palette. It will work in almost any setting and you’ll find pieces in this color scheme fairly easily!
Pro tip: Put one parent primarily in a more neutral tone and one parent in a color, then you can also add some color for the kiddos!
This rust colored maxi dress would be a perfect choice for mom for this color palette!
If you’re more inclined towards neutrals or picking out complimenting colors sounds like too much stress, there’s nothing wrong with going for some sophisticated neutrals!
Pro tip: Careful not to have the majority of everyone’s outfits be dark. Add in some tasteful light neutrals to keep the variety in your fall family photos!
I love when clients go for a strong pop of yellow! Yellow will feel like a timeless choice and goes with really any season, so will look lovely on the walls of your home all year round.
Pro tip: For fall family photos, go for a deeper, warmer yellow (think golden!) and avoid a cooler or more summery yellow.
I would call soft blue and gold tones old faithful. They work for most skin tones and in most scenarios!
Pro tip: Having one parent wear a pattern gives you something to pull other tones or colors from and grounds the whole family’s look!
Here’s a lovely option for a soft blue dress for mom.
There’s absolutely no rule that says you can’t go for a bright color in the fall. Coral is a great color that you can really use all year round. It adds extra interest to your photos!
Pro tip: When adding a bold, bright pop of color, stick to only having one print in addition and keep the primary parts of the other outfits neutral.
Whatever fall family photo color palettes you end up gravitating towards, just be sure that you feel comfortable and confident! And always feel free to run your ideas by your photographer. Because they look at colors together all the time, they’ll have good ideas about what will look good!
In case you’re an over-achiever and already planning ahead for spring photos, here are some of our favorite spring color palettes.
Still need to reserve your fall family photos Loudoun county this year?
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]]>The post Leesburg In Home Newborn Photos appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>I recently took the sweetest Newborn photos of sweet baby Luca in his home near Leesburg. Because his parents have been clients of mine for a little while now, documenting their family continues to be such a joy. You’ll see in these photos just how incredibly excited his big brother is that Luca has joined the family! These are images that I hope they will treasure forever. And, I think they are made even more special by doing them right there in the home where they will grow up. You’ll see just how sweet baby Luca is, and it’s so obvious how much he is loved already!
There are so many good reasons to do newborn photos in your home. One of the best ones is getting to include your furry friends in the memories!
Have you ever seen a more excited big brother? I can’t stress enough how special it is to document these early days between siblings. These are memories they will cherish forever thanks to the photos!
I really loved the dress this mama chose! It’s simple and pretty. And, it’s also loose fitting and friendly to someone who had a baby just a few weeks ago! It was perfect for these Leesburg in home newborn photos. My favorite place to recommend for similar dresses for your maternity or newborn photos (or any photos, really) is Morning Lavender. They have a lot of similar options!
If you are expecting a baby early next year, listen up! Now is the perfect time to reach out and become a part of our baby membership. This membership offers photo sessions of each milestone in your baby’s first year, from maternity to their first birthday, and everything in between. Contact me here to learn more! Having this really important year in your life and the life of your children documented is truly one of the best decisions you can make.
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]]>The post DC Maternity Photos appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>Kelli and Bo have been longtime clients of mine. I worked with them for their engagement photos and some boudoir images for Kelli. She always has a clear vision for her sessions and I love making it come to life. We did her maternity photos in DC. This was a unique session that I love!
Kelli wanted something different for her maternity photos. She didn’t want traditional images or even images that screamed “maternity.” Instead, she wanted to create an intimate portrait of her and Bo’s relationship pre-baby and their love of enjoying a night out on the town. So we came up with the idea of them getting glammed up at a swanky hotel in DC.
We split the photos into 2 parts – we documented the getting ready portion, followed by photos of them around the hotel. It is the Old Post office building which is now slated to become a Waldorf Astoria!
For her wardrobe for the getting ready portion, Kelli borrowed from our client wardrobe (a perk for all of our mommas)!
I used non-traditional maternity posing to bring a more editorial vibe to the images. Lots of movement and interaction. The images were created to tell a cohesive story, perfect for pulling together into an album.
For the “ready” part of her wardrobe, I helped Kelli select a sequined black dress to bring in texture against Bo’s black suite. She wanted to feel feminine, yet also a little glam. I think that’s exactly what she got! This dress is a great option similar to what Kelli wore.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box for your maternity session. It can be personal to YOU and it doesn’t have to look like everything else you see out there. Work with your photographer to create the narrative you want to convey. In case you’re curious, we’ve shared some tips for choosing the right photographer for you.
Kelli and Bo welcomed their son Lon earlier this Spring. She wasn’t sure she would become a mom. As she put it, “I didn’t really have a vision of what motherhood would be like, because honestly, I never dreamed of being a mother…it wasn’t a priority for me. Now, I have this little man looking at me who is THE priority and has rearranged my life in a way I could have never imagined but it is very much welcomed. He is worth it.” I’d wanted to be a dad for well over a decade and so far (only 3 months) it’s been fantastic.
Bo said that “after 8 years of marriage, Kelli and I finally decided to quit stalling and try to start a family… it’s been exhausting at times, but when your son looks up and smiles at you with unadulterated love, it makes even makes changing the poopy diapers worth it…I look forward to every morning so I can seeing his chunky smiling face and hearing his gleeful baby laugh.” Keep an eye out for a look at their newborn photos coming soon!
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]]>The post Choosing a Photographer For Your Family Milestone Portraits appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>The sweet family featured here have been clients of mine since their first child was a newborn. They now have 3 little ones, and we have photos of each milestone along the way. It’s so special to me to watch their family and their children grow. And how cool is it that they have photos of each one of their babies that match!
Here are some things to consider when choosing a photographer who can grow with your family.
Do you want a photographer who just specializes in babies, or someone who photographs and has experience with kids as well to photograph them as they grow? If you are someone who wants regular family portraits to document the years, hiring a photographer who will include older siblings in newborn photos means you can document the entire family when new babies are born.
Do they have a studio space that will accommodate your newborn and your older kids? Are they willing to shoot on location, like at your home? This is something you’ll want to consider when choosing the photographer that’s right for you. This family has done all 3 newborn portrait sessions in my studio in Leesburg, which is how we got such consistent photographs for all three babies!
As a side note, aren’t the bows on these girls so cute? I love this company that makes matching bows for baby and big sister!
Do they shoot more candids or posed shots? A mixture of the two? Do their photos have a more traditional and timeless look, or are they more modern? Can you envision hanging these portraits in your home and having them as generational keepsakes?
If you’re looking for the consistency of having one photographer document all of your family’s biggest moments and milestones, are you comfortable investing a little more? Remember: these memories only happen once, and you can never get them back. No pressure, right?!
So be sure to do your research, ask the important questions, and think carefully before making the big decision about which photographer will document your family’s milestones.
It’s never too soon to start researching the best photographer for your family milestone portraits. If you’re looking for more information on starting with a newborn photographer, I have some tips here!
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]]>The post Tips for Including a Sibling in Newborn Photos appeared first on Michelle Lindsay Blog.
]]>Adding a newborn to your home is such a sweet time. When you schedule your newborn photos, you’ll want to consider working in older siblings as well! These images of your children together will be ones that you’ll treasure forever.
Here are a few top tips for including siblings in newborn photos.
There are so many great reasons to do an in studio newborn session…there’s No pressure to clean and tidy your home- the last thing you want to do with a newborn. You’ll have curated scenes that are simple and put all the focus on you and baby. And as far as your older kids go, a change of scenery can be really good for them!
I find that when I have toddler to early elementary school aged kids in front of the camera, it’s easier to keep them focused and attentive when we are at my studio versus when they are in their own home. At home, they have access to all the toys, snacks, etc. But in the studio, they will be more focused on what they are there to do, which is pose for some photos with their new baby brother or sister!
Easier said than done, I know… but as much as possible, try to schedule your session at a time that works with their nap schedule. If you know your little one tends to be happiest right after a nap, take that into consideration! Starting the session with a rested and happy kid definitely makes a difference.
While a lot of the session will be focused on baby, we want to make sure we let your big kid(s) have some special photos too! Doing some with just them and mom or dad, and just them and their baby sibling will make them feel really special and that they’re an important part of these photos.
If that means a little bit of bribery, so be it. Bring along activities that your toddler will sit still for. A book, music, a tablet, whatever it takes! From there, just take a deep breath and let go a little bit. I highly recommend bringing a neutral toy that will look nice in the photos, like this Wooden Camera Toy. Another great off camera option are these Clip On Stuffed Animals, which can be clipped on their tablet or somewhere else off camera to draw their attention.
Let’s face it…toddlers and babies don’t always mix! When it comes to taking photos of newborns with siblings, my advice is this: It’s okay to embrace the chaos. In fact, I encourage it! Remember, all you need is 1/125th of a second to get a good shot, so chances are you’ll catch plenty of “perfect” moments.
If you’re looking for more information on booking newborn photos, we have a whole blog post about it here!
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