Last Minute Holiday Mini Sessions | Twin Cities, Minnesota Child & Family Photographer

OMG…  November is right around the corner!!

Have you been meaning to set up your family photo shoot for months and feel like you’ve run  out of time?

Are you wanting photos for your Holiday cards?

Were the kids’ school pictures just terrible this year and you really want a great photo of their cute little faces to hang on the walls?

Or maybe your parents ask you for photos every year for the Holidays and you’ve decided that this is the year you’re going to make their dreams come true!

Whatever your reason is for needing new photos, I’m here to help!

This year I’m offering in studio mini sessions and they will be held on November 5th and 12th, and there is still room!!!  My studio is located in the Northeast neighborhoods of Minneapolis.  

As always, mini session are fun, fast 20 minute photo shoots.  This year the session free is only $50.  That’s half the price of a regular mini session!!   And you can add digital files, albums, prints and even holiday cards to your session! (Which FYI, I recently learned that my holiday cards are better priced than Minted, Shutterfly or Tiny Prints!) Think one stop Holiday shopping… you’re welcome!

Follow this link to sign up for your appointment today! Holiday Mini Sessions

See you soon!

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Michele is a lifestyle portrait photographer in North Oaks, Minnesota.  She photographs children and their families both on location and in her studio in Northeast Minneapolis.  To schedule your next session with Michele please visit mQn Photography | Twin Cities Photographer or e-mail michele@mqnphotography.com

Choosing the Ideal Location for Your Family Photo Session | North Oaks, Minnesota Photographer

 

Family photos are timeless and if you are looking to update your family portraits or take some for the first time, you might be wondering about what location to use for them.

But before we get started I’ve got a special surprise at the end of this post!  I’m taking part in a blog circle with some photographer friends of mine.  We’re linking to each other’s posts, so you can check out what they’re up to. This month, I’m linking to a fabulous lifestyle photographer in Connecticut, who’s sharing some recent head-shots she photographed.   Find the link at the end of this post.

Now on to some things to consider before choosing a location:

Comfort

A family photoshoot is where you get to smile, laugh and be yourselves. If some of your family members are shy then you might not want to choose a very public spot. 

Personalities

What makes your family unique? Choose a location that fits in with who you are as a family. Do you enjoy spending time in your garden or on a couch reading books? Perhaps you spend lots of time outdoors and on camping trips? Your location should speak to your personalities.

Convenience

Take each member of your family into consideration. What are their ages and needs? If you have two toddlers that might need to use a bathroom at any time, then a remote spot is probably not the best idea.

Family Photoshoot Location Ideas

Below are some ideas of where you could arrange your photo session.

At Home

Sometimes the best shots can be taken right at home. Get your family outside in the garden or setup your living room for a classic look and feel.

In the City

For a more modern feel to your photos you could get out in the city and take a few photos next to an interesting building or in a funky alley way.

In Nature

If you’re looking for a calm, natural setting then choose an outdoor location. Parks and forests make for beautiful backdrops.

In Studio

If you’re looking for a more private setting where you can use props and backdrops, then a studio setting might be more for you. Studio photos will also give you the option to take more posed, structured photos.

Oh and don’t forget to follow along the blog circle.  There’s a group of six of us this month, and next up is my friend Dacia from Connecticut.  Click here to check our her blog post: Lifestyle Photography in Norwich, CT

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Michele is a lifestyle portrait photographer in North Oaks, Minnesota.  She photographs on location or in her studio in Northeast Minneapolis.  To schedule your next session with Michele please visit mQn Photography | Twin Cities Photographer or e-mail michele@mqnphotography.com

Generations Fall 2017 | North Oaks Child & Family Photographer

Autumn is here

Fall 2017

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Michele is a lifestyle portrait photographer specializing in children and their families.  To book your fall session with Michele please visit mQn Photography | Twin Cities Photographer or e-mail michele@mqnphotography.com If you would like to get on Michele’s e-mail list to hear about special sessions and discounts e-mail above and simply write SUBSCRIBE ME!

6 Ways to Always Look Fantastic in Photos | North Oaks, Minnesota Family Photographer

Photography tips and tricks to help you look your best.

From school yearbooks to friends’ weddings, we’ve all been in front of camera at some point or another and if you’ve recently looked at a photo with disdain then this post’s for you. If you know that you’re going to have a lens pointed in your direction in the near future, below are six simple ways to get better results.

1. Get to Know Your Face. This applies to professional photoshoots as well as every day photos. Take time getting to know your face, how to smile naturally and which side or angle of your face you like better.
2. Easy on the makeup. While an evening out is a different story when it comes to makeup, if you’re having headshots, family or maternity photos taken, go easy on the makeup. You want some basic coverage but don’t overdo it. You should also only stick to accentuating one part of your face so choose either your eyes or lips but not both.
3. Facing the camera. Your photographer will help you when it comes to posing for photos but in general you shouldn’t be facing the camera head on. Positioning your body at an angle always makes for better photos.
4. Controlling your chin. Photos where your neck is elongated and your chin is pushed slightly forward will lift your face and give it a more angular look. You might want to practice this beforehand in order to get used to it.
5. Pick your outfit carefully. Put some thought into what you’ll wear to your shoot. Pair bold designs and patterns with solid colors to avoid too much distraction. You should also pay attention to the fit and shape of your outfit. Make sure it compliments you and that you feel comfortable.
6. Use lighting to your advantage. This is something that your professional photographer will be an expert at but the right lighting can mean the difference between that wow factor and disappointment. Avoid standing directly under a light as this will create weird shadows on your face. This is something we will help you out with because we are experts so take our advice when we suggest a specific time for photos.  If shooting outdoors, the best light will be 15-20 minues before & after sunset.  Unless it’s an overcast day, we will always try to get you in full shade so that the lighting isn’t dappled or causing weird shadows on your face.

As much as the above tips will help you during your professional photo session, always remember to have fun and relax as this will do wonders for your photos.

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Michele is a lifestyle portrait photographer in North Oaks, Minnesota.  She also has a studio in the northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis that she uses when she’s not on-location.  To book your next session with Michele please visit mQn Photography | North Oaks Family Photographer   or e-mail Michele at michele@mqnphotography.com 

 

 

 

 

How to Prep for a Photo Session with Your Pet | North Oaks, Minnesota Pet Photographer

For many people, pets are furry members of the family. It comes as no surprise that they want to include their pets in their photos. Including your pets in your photo session does require a little extra preparation but it is certainly doable.

Below are a few tips to prepare you for your photo session with your pet.

To make this work, you will need to get your pet to sit still and behave. Pets can get very excited when new people are around so let your pet become acquainted with your photographer beforehand. Bring treats and toys that your pet enjoys so that you have something to use to grab their attention if necessary.

Keep a leash or harness ready, just in case. Even though your pet might be well trained, it never hurts to be prepared. You may also want to arrange your poses so you can hold onto your pet securely without it looking like you are hanging on for dear life. Your photographer will help you with this.

If you know that your photo session is going to take some time, give your pets the chance to take breaks, walk around and drink water. You won’t be able to force a pet to sit still if they are thirsty or agitated.

As a pet owner you probably know how perceptive your animals are to energy and emotions, so it’s important that you are relaxed when you get to your pet photo session. If you really want to keep your pets relaxed too, try and arrange your photo session in a place where your pet will feel most comfortable such as your garden or a park.

For the best results, try and work with a photographer that has previously worked with animals. This will help make the process of photographing your pets even more enjoyable.

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Michele is a lifestyle portrait photographer who enjoys and highly encourages you to include you pets in your photo sessions.  To book your next session with Michele whether with your pet or not, please visit mQn Photography | North Oaks, Minnesota Photographer or e-mail Michele at michele@mqnphotography.com