Capturing large families encompassing several generations is an important but not easy feat. Lots of group shots to fit different segments of the family in and try not to let it get too boring. I think this family did a great job of keeping it fun and we got some variety within the shots.

I especially love the cousins shots:

And sisters shots:

All the girls and Grandparents:

This is one of my favorites – Sky’s look is so real and pretty!

After watching tutorial earlier this week of a photographer who did a session in a forest I wanted to take my girls over to the nature center for some photos. I broke Andrea’s tips against matching outfits, but I couldn’t resist these Missoni for Target dresses and I love them set against the natural background. Oh and there may be more in store for these dresses in a larger version too! I just had to share a little peak as I am loving these. Anyone up for a session in the nature center?

Our tiny neighbor is about to turn ONE, so we took some photos to commemorate her cuteness. This family lives just a couple doors down from us and it has been so fun to watch Cordelia grow into the most adorable little one year old. I love all the props they brought for the shoot, such great additions to the photos.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the latest. I have a couple of spots left for shoots before the holidays so shoot me an email mirandashanti@gmail.com or give me a call to get something scheduled. 310.308.5575

I would like to introduce my very first guest blog post, yeah I’m getting fancy! My good friend Andrea was nice enough to share some tips for dressing your family for your next photo session.

Hi there, I’m Andrea from Four Flights of Fancy, a lifestyle blog where I write about my favorite things, including food, fashion and of course family.  I was so excited when Miranda asked me to guest post about choosing outfits for family pictures because I feel like in the last year or so I’ve finally figured out what works for my family, and I hope some of my tips will in turn help you.

Miranda is the real expert on photography trends, but it seems like in the last couple of years the trend has really swung away from black and whites and more towards color prints for family portraits, which makes me really excited.  It means more room to have fun with your wardrobe choices!  The first couple of years we took family portraits, we only took black and whites which left me a little perplexed as to what to wear.  Let’s look at a couple of pictures and see some examples of what not to wear.

For some reason this year I thought matching striped sweaters would be just perfect for the girls and matching vests for the boys.  For the most part this is a decent family photo right?  And most people would think it’s a cute enough picture, but to me, all I can focus on are those darned striped sweaters Taylor and I are wearing.  They just blare out to me and I have to look at this portrait hanging on the wall every time I walk down the hall and all I think is “why did I think matching striped sweaters were a good idea?”

Lesson learned here, wear outfits that you can bare to stare at for the next 10 years and that you’ll get use out of after your portraits.  Something too bold, too matchy-matchy, or too busy will just distract you for years to come.  And by the way, none of us ever wore those sweaters or vests again, which was sadly such a waste.

So last year we started experimenting with color and I don’t think I’ll ever go back now.  Color portraits and lots of color and/or patterns in our outfits.  What I did when planning for this shoot was work everything off of my blouse that I already owned and I loved so much.  We chose a plaid shirt for my husband in a similar shade of orange, and he’s gotten a lot of use out of that shirt too.  Next I chose simple thermal shirts for the kids in pops of orange and aqua and paired all our tops back to denim of some sort.  The orange leggings my daughter wore under her dress add a fun tie-in as well.

Lesson learned here, don’t be afraid to mix prints, patterns and have fun with colors.  When choosing colors, pick 2-3 colors to mix up; anymore than that gets too distracting.

Last year Miranda took another set of photos for us set against a simple white background for a look we’d never done before.  I wanted the photos to reflect the warmth and cozyness of winter so my son and I both wore super cozy, complimentary (not matching!) knit sweaters.  I paired mine with a plaid shirt underneath, which complimented my husband’s.  And my daughter wore a sparkly fox shirt in a shade of taupe, which blended in with the color palette, but didn’t clash or look too matchy-matchy.  The only thing I might have done differently if I were to re-shoot this is for my son and I to not wear the same color of sweater.  Perhaps dressed him in chocolate brown or gray even.

Lesson learned here, have everyone dress in the similar fabrics, styles and colors of the season.  It’s okay to mix and match different textures and fabrics as long as they all blend in together and reflect the same mood or season.  The knit and cotton work together here because they all reflect fall or winter.  Had my husband been wearing for example a linen shirt, the whole balance of the textures would have been thrown off because linen is typically a summer weight fabric.  In addition, had my daughter been wearing a short sleeve or tank top, it would have looked strange since my son and I were wearing heavy knit sweaters.  You would look at this picture and question whether it’s winter or spring time.

I hope you’ve found these tips helpful and useful for planning your family’s wardrobe for your next portrait session.  If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.  Thanks Miranda for having me!

This was the first of 3 photo sessions for me this weekend, the beginning of the busy season – FUN! What a difference a year makes, last year we had a hard time getting the kiddos to look the same way and sit still. This year we got some great shots with everyone looking and even smiling.

Hi friends it is time to schedule your photo shoots for your holiday cards. If you would like to schedule a full session (1 hour) please email me:  mirandashanti@gmail.com or call me 310.308.5575 to schedule your shoot at a location of your choice. I am getting booked up already so lets get something on the calendar fast! If you are interested in mini shoots the details are below.

Mini shoots are 25 min. sessions and I generally book several back to back so timeliness is kindly appreciated!

Saturday October 15th Location TBD
AM sessions 8:00 – 10:00 on the half hour start times

Saturday October 15th @ Gum Grove park in Seal beach
PM Sessions 4:00-6:00 on the half hour start times

                          Sunday November 20th Outdoor location in LBC with gates, doors, interesting background choices

PM Session 3:00-4:30

Saturday December 3 Park location

AM session 9:30-11:00

Mini shoot investment:

$50 for the session which will include 6 images on a CD
and you can buy the CD of the whole session for $25. If you refer 3
friends who book a mini or full session you can get the CD for free.

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to email, call or facebook
me. By the way have you liked my facebook page?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Shanti-Photo/10142869329

Things to start thinking about What oh What to wear, don’t just think
of outfits for the kids, if you don’t like the way YOU look you won’t
like the photos. Need help? Stay tuned to my blog for ideas from my
fashionista friend Andrea of Four Flights of Fancy

PROPS! Sometimes props can make for a fun photo, an old chair, a big
funky ornament, a sign that says Be Merry. Get creative as these can
make for great additions for more unique photos.

You met Liam earlier this week and now I have their family photos to share. We did two locations complete with outfit changes down to the shoes and glasses – love it! We got some really nice variety using a couple of spots and the break for the little toddler and change in location seemed to help as well.

Here are some of my favorites:

This shot above is so perfect! The lighting is great, mom and dad smiling and looking fab and the perfect pose for a two year old, looking up at something way more interesting than me. I often photograph families with small kids and there is nothing harder than trying to get that staged family photo with toddlers. This family and many others I work with let their kids be kids and I am lucky enough to spend some time with them to capture their family moments.

Liam is going to be a big brother in a couple of months and I can’t wait to meet the new addition to the Jones family!

On to our second location which was a new one for me, and I am very pleased!

Thank you for stopping by to check out my work, please contact me sooner rather than later for holiday sessions – time to send out those cards will be here in a blink.

Miranda 310.308.5575

I haven’t yet edited all the Jones family photos, but I have to share this little series of Liam – isn’t he the cutest!

These were taken in sequence; I don’t know if we even discovered what he was so interested in but I love the expression. Not to mention the little vest!

I love this location we tried out, more urban with lots of interesting doors, plants, fences, and building facades that look great in the photos. I had such fun with this adorable family and will share some more later this week. Thanks for stopping by!

Well I’ve returned from a fabulous trip to Idaho and got back to work last weekend taking some photos with a great family. We met at Terrenea up in Palos Verdes and took these down on the little public beach.

Libby is just the cutest, such personality!

They even look adorable upside down!

I may be biased since I too have girls, but really is there nothing sweeter than a Dad and his adoring daughter? Omar, Molly and Libby I had such fun capturing the love in your family.

I had so much fun taking photos of Mr. Knox, not only is he the son of some of our closest friends, he is such a cute smiley guy! What a little champ he was letting me snap away without any fuss. He is 5 months now, but here are some photos I snapped when he was just a couple of weeks old – my how he’s grown!

And now so big, alert and happy!

Knox is half Texan, so we of course had to get some photos of him on his longhorn rocker!

And in his cowboy hat.

Knox is lucky enough to have a phat nursery designed by Andrika King of Nursery Notations.

Taking baby photos in the nursery is great so when you frame them and put them up they coordinate perfectly.

Lots of Love to you Knox, I look forward to watching you grow.