I’ve gone ahead and written this article to give you some tips for preparing for your spring session to ensure your day is stress free and flawless for your spring session. Listen up!

 

1. Wear layers. Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. We suggest wearing layers — tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.

 

2. Location is a big deal. You better believe we’re going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those bud popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let us know. We have a nice list on hand, ourselves.

 

3. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family’s outfits. Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. We recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting.

 

4. Speaking of accessories: wear them! Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.

 

5. Time it right. Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you’ve already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give your photographer a call when the time is right.

 

6. Incorporate props. Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.

 

7. Really think about your footwear. Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that’s comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots.

 

I hope that these tips for preparing for your spring session helped you get ready! If you have any questions, just fill out the quick form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

-Jen

Kristen + Brucie // Mommy and Me Photos

Kristen wanted Mommy and Me photos with Brucie, her son, so she booked a session in February of this year! I was super excited to work with Kristen and Brucie because I got to try out a new location.

As an artist and an overall creative person, I think its important to grow and push outside of our comfort zones to create better, more beautiful art. And I’m so glad I did that this time!

I met Kristen for their Mommy and Me Photos at the Smokey Mountains Welcome Center on Georgia Road right outside of Franklin.

I definitely think I will be photographing sessions there again because of how nice the area was, with plenty of parking and lots of open shade which makes for gorgeous lighting!

Brucie was super adorable and loved on his mama a lot for these sweet Photos!

If you are interested in booking your own family photography session, you can find all pricing information here. Feel free to contact me with the form at the bottom of this page if you have any questions!!

Now on to Kristen and Brucie’s Mommy and Me Photos:

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions, just fill out the form below!!

-Jen

Ally’s Quinceañera Photography Session

Esther, Ally’s mom, booked this Quinceañera Photography session with me! At first, I wasn’t sure how diverse of a session it would because there are only so many poses you can do in a dress!

But once we got to shoot the Quinceañera Photography session for Ally, it just molded into one of my favorite sessions to date!

Ally attends Macon Early College High School and she wants to be an oncologist when she grows up!

She loves sports like cross country and soccer. She also danced when she was younger!

Plus, she as five siblings!! (Ally is number 4). I honestly don’t know how her mom keeps up with everything! I struggle with just my three kids and a business :).

Kudos to you Esther, you are my hero!!

If you’re interested in booking your own Quinceañera Photography session (or any other type of session) you can find pricing information here!! Or you can contact me with the form at the bottom of this page :).

Here are Ally’s gorgeous photos!!

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions about booking a session, or any other general questions, just use the form below!!

-Jen

Erica + Charlee // A Mommy and Me Photography Session

This super sweet pair met me at my absolute favorite session location for a gorgeous mommy and me photography session in the trees!

The cool thing about this mommy and me photography session is that it was the first time I had shot a photo session early in the day!

As a photographer its all about the light and I adore the ‘golden hour’ light of the evenings, but as a mom myself, I really need to be able to shoot earlier in the day so that I can spend a bit more time with my kids in the evenings – which I’m sure you can relate to!

So, I *made* myself shoot this mommy and me photography session earlier in the day and I am now TOTALLY in love with mid morning shoots.

I think that growing in our trades is important and I am having a super proud moment right now seeing how this session turned out!!

If you’re looking for a family photographer, I would love to chat with you about a session! You can get all the pricing information here. Let me know if you have any questions by completing the contact form at the bottom of this page!

Now on to this amazing mommy and me photography session:

 

Thanks so much for visiting today! If you have any questions about booking your own session, or something in general, send me a message below!!

-Jen

Asheville Family Photographers

I know that you’ve been searching through the hoards of Asheville Family Photographers trying to decide which one is right for your family. Here are few steps to make sure that the photographer you choose for your Asheville Family session is exactly what you’re looking for!

1. Start with Referrals + Reviews. Reviews are a great place to start when it comes to finding the right photographer. Someone that is highly rated, is typically going to be a better fit. You can see all of Its Jen Again Photography reviews on the Facebook Page. Plus, there are some listed at the bottom of this page.
2. Find the Right Style. Every photographer shoots shoots and edits differently. Make sure that the Asheville Family Photographers that you are considering have a gallery that is consistent with what you are looking for. See my gallery here. 
3. Ask to see a Full Gallery. Ask to see the full gallery that was presented to a past client. Make sure that the quantity is what you are expecting, that the style is consistent throughout the full gallery and that they are something that you would be happy with. I would be happy to send you a gallery of a session consistent with what you are looking for. Just contact me here. 
4. Consider the Cost. Cost for photographers can vary exponentially due to the nature of running a photography business – every photographer has different overhead costs. Just make sure the Asheville Family Photographers you are considering are priced within your budget. See all of Its Jen Again Photography pricing here. 
5. Understand the Policies. Make sure that the photographer has a contract that clearly outlines everything from whats included in the price, the cancellation policy, what happens in bad weather, etc. Email me here for a copy of my contract.
6. Hire Someone Licensed + Insured. Make sure the Asheville Family Photographers you are considering is legally registered as a legitimate business, and has liability + equipment insurance. This is kind of a no brainer as to why you need it. Just in case anything (or anyone) is broken or damaged during a photo shoot. I am happy to provide a copy of my insurance. Just send me an email here.

Considering hiring Its Jen Again?

See the Gallery Here // Get Pricing Information // Contact Me to Book

Tips For Your Upcoming Session:

How to Prevent Fake Smiles – Kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. To avoid this, here are some tips on how to eliminate fake smiles.

Stress Relieving Tips – Family pictures are great – they help you create and remember fond memories of your loving family. However, this day can get very stressful, and we want to ensure this doesn’t happen. If you’re stressed it will show, and we want your photos to be gorgeous. Here are some tips you can use on picture day to help you relax.

Why Bribery is OK – Even after you’ve coached your child for the past two weeks and the entire car ride leading up to the session, your kiddo still just isn’t having it. You’ve tried all of the usual tricks and nothing is working. Sounds terrible, right? Well, I’m here today to save you from this nightmare, and help you prevent this from even happening. Behold the power of bribery…

Preparing Your Husband – For some of us, preparing our husbands for the family photo session is as exhausting as preparing the kids. If your husband is happy-go-lucky about photo day, that’s excellent. If you’re dealing with someone who’s reluctant, however, then here are some things you can do to help.

What To Wear – Not sure what to wear to a photo session? Here are some tips lined up by season to get some ideas rolling. Remember, comfort is key! Uncomfortableness can lead to sour faces in your photos.

Including Pets – If you are planning on family photography with pets in your session, we are more than happy to have you do that. We love furry friends and are always pleased to add them into our sessions! Here are some things you should remember to bring to ensure everything goes smoothly.

How to Eliminate Fake Smiles

As an Asheville Family Photographer (and a mom of 3), I know that kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to avoid the gritted teeth and bug-eyed forced smiles during our session.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Make a list of things that your child thinks are funny and send it to me prior to the session. This way, I can be prepared and add these things into my bag of tricks.
2. Also give me a list of icebreakers for your child. Tell me the kinds of shows they watch, music they listen to, friends’ names, favorite story, etc. This will give me something to talk to them about, and will help them forget they’re in front of the camera.
3. Practice phrases at home to see which ones evoke the best smiles from your child. (Please, oh please, avoid “Say cheese!” unless that really works for you child.)
4. Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, we can ask them to tell us a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they tell it to us.
5. If there is a song that your child loves, load it up to your phone and bring it along with you, or be prepared to sing it for them during the session.
6. Prepare a bribe (such as a toy, a trip to the zoo, etc.) and show it to them, or remind them of it, during the session.

If you are looking for Asheville Family Photographers, I’d love to chat: See The Gallery // Get Pricing // Contact Me

Stress Relieving Tips

Family pictures are great – they help you create and remember fond memories of your loving family. However, as an Asheville Family Photographer, I know that this day can get very stressful for us moms, and I want to ensure this doesn’t happen. If you’re stressed it will show, and I want your photos to be carefree. Here are some stress relieving tips you can use on picture day to help you relax:

1. Take some deep breaths. Deep breathing is a common relaxation method. It can quickly calm your stress level and you can do it anywhere. Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth, counting slowly in your head while letting it all out.
2. Laugh. Laughter is a great way to release tension. It will also help your family relax to get some genuine smiles. Have everyone pretend to laugh and they will feel so ridiculous that they will actually laugh. This will ease everyone into relaxation mode.
3. Count down slowly (in your head) from 10. Take a deep breath between each number. If you’re still feeling super stressed, start the process over, back at 10.
4. Distract yourself. If your family isn’t cooperating and you are getting stressed, suggest that we play a game or take a walk. This will let some of the energy out and also give us some good interacting photos. You can also distract yourself by going to your ‘happy place.’ Try to take yourself out of the situation you’re in and let your mind wander.
5. Trace your hand. Take your finger and trace a figure eight on the palm of your opposite hand. This helps relieve stress and muscle tension.
6. Give lots of XOXOs. Not only will these make for cute poses, but one of the most effective ways to relieve stress is to hug someone or to kiss them. Gather your family in a big group hug, or give your husband a kiss and let your worries melt away.

I hope that these stress relieving tips for your photography session work well for you! Let me know if there is something that I should add! 🙂

If you are looking for Asheville Family Photographers, I’d love to chat: See The Gallery // Get Pricing // Contact Me

The Power of Bribery

Picture day can be a very, very stressful time if you have children. Finding the right outfit and a date that everyone is available on already causes you a headache. Once you have that down, though, everything is smooth sailing. You have prepared everything to be perfect, and then A Even after you’ve coached him or her for the past two weeks and the entire car ride leading up to the session, your kiddo still just isn’t having it. You’ve tried all of the usual tricks and nothing is working. Sounds terrible, right?

Well, I’m here today to save you from this nightmare, and help you prevent this from even happening. Behold the power of bribery. I know some people frown upon this, however, they probably haven’t tried to get a two, six, and 10-year-old to sit in one position together, look at the camera, and smile. It’s no easy task! As an Asheville Family Photographer, I’m going to give you the green light and tell you that it’s OK to bribe your kids for the sake of good photos.

We have a very limited amount of time to get all of the photos that you need, and I don’t want you to be stressed out or feel crunched for time because little Timmy is having a meltdown, is hiding behind his hands the entire session, or sticking his tongue out at me. So, I welcome bribery with arms wide open.

Every child is different when it comes to bribery. They all have different personalities and like different things. Some children are motivated by candy, others cash. You just have to find out what works best for your child.

Here are some suggestions that I’ve noticed have worked.

• Candy or fruit snacks
• Dinner at their favorite restaurant after the session
• Later bedtime
• That awesome toy they’ve been drooling over
• Extra TV time
• A sleepover with a friend
• Cash
• Extended play time
• They don’t have to eat their vegetables that night at dinner
• They don’t have to do chores the next day
• Give them back a privilege that’s been taken away the last time they were in trouble

While these aren’t the only options, I thought I’d give you a starting point to brainstorm your own ideas to help get your child to cooperate.

If you are looking for Asheville Family Photographers, I’d love to chat: See The Gallery // Get Pricing // Contact Me

Preparing your Husband for your Photo Session

For some of us, preparing our husbands for the family photo session is as exhausting as preparing the kids. If your husband is happy-go-lucky about photo day, that’s excellent. If you’re dealing with someone who’s reluctant, however, then here are some things you can do to help:

• Especially if this is your first session together with the family now that the kids are mobile, let him know how the session will go and discuss your expectations. Also, if you have to bribe the kids, communicate this with him so he can help remind them of the bribery.
• Warn him that the kids will probably be crazy or freak out and that he should prepare himself for that. Let him know that it will still be fine and to try not to get overwhelmed or worried.
• Let him know that the more helpful he is in getting himself and the kids ready, the less stressed you will be and the less chance of an argument between you arising.
• Remind him that the session is only one to two hours and then it will all be over. This way, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and can stick it out.
• Give him the stress relieving tips we have in this article. Click here.
• If your husband is being difficult, bribe him to cooperate during the session as well. If it works for the kiddos, it may very well work for him!
• And most importantly – remind him that you love him (and that he loves you, and that’s why he’s cooperating with this). Tell him how much you appreciate his support and cooperation in this, and how pleased you are going to be with the finished photos.

If you are looking for Asheville Family Photographers, I’d love to chat: See The Gallery // Get Pricing // Contact Me

What To Wear To Your Session

As an Asheville Family Photographer (and a mom of 3), I totally understand the headache of finding coordinating outfits and deciding what to wear to your session. I am 100% happy to go over outfits with you, send suggestions, or anything else you need to ensure that your photos are everything that you dreamed of!

Winter

Winter’s cold, sure, but it makes for some seriously stunning photographs. Snowflakes, snowmen, white canvases, glittering icy trees? It’s a photographer’s veritable wonderland! Here’s how to dress to take advantage of that winter wonderland.

• There’s bound to be lots of white, so really punch things up with splashy colors. Think bright red, navy, yellow, green. Any color that really pops against white is a go.
• On that same note, don’t hesitate to play with prints. I love seeing gingham, polka dots, stripes, etc.
• Really bundle up and play up the winter factor. I love seeing fur-lined boots or hats, oversized chunky scarves, adorable gloves, etc.
• Do wear a couple layers underneath to ensure you stay warm. Double up on those socks and throw on some long johns, if you must!

Fall

Fall is all about bundling up in lots of layers, enjoying the shift from hot to cool, and soaking up the sun and autumn foliage. Here are a few tips for choosing outfits for your fall family session:

• Choose colors that won’t clash too much with the fall leaves. Instead, stick with a neutral palette with colors that blend seamlessly into autumn’s spectrum: earthy reds, burnt oranges, creamy nude, etc.
• Layer up! Don’t hesitate to throw on those scarves, cardigans, blazers or hats.
• Wear shoes that fit the season. Think riding boots or comfy, fur-lined boots. Loafers and flats can also work perfectly.

Summer

It’s hot outside, but fear not. Here are some cool wardrobe tips to make sure your summer family photo session is a hit:

• Wear light fabrics that let you breath, but still look polished. It’s OK to show some skin, too. Shorts are good, as are tank tops.
• Really play up the summer accessory factor. I’m talking sun hats for the ladies and big sunglasses for all.
• Colors such as blush, nude, and other pastel shades will play to the light and airy feel of summer.
• Choose shoes that are comfortable and summery. Dressy flip flops or sandals, loafers, open-toed pumps, even sweet sneakers on your kiddos.

Spring

The birds are chirping, the buds are blooming, and the snow has officially melted. That means it’s time for your spring family session. Here are a few wardrobe tips to ensure the whole gang looks smashing:

• Play up the fact that it’s spring. Have a necklace with a butterfly pendant? Perfect! An insect-printed tee? Yes, please.
• Channel the colors of spring. Seriously – look out the window for inspiration for your family’s color palette. Greens, pinks, yellows, beige, khaki, and blues all work exceptionally well.
• Layer up! Spring can be both warm and cold at once, so come prepared. We love spring scarves, light cardigans, vests, etc.

If you are looking for Asheville Family Photographers, I’d love to chat: See The Gallery // Get Pricing // Contact Me