When I first raised the idea of featuring wardrobe suggestions for portrait sessions on the blog, I got lots of great feedback, but one comment in particular stuck with me. One of my female clients said she wished I would address different body types and discuss what clothes work best and why.

• Well, I agreed!

   

So for the next few rounds when it’s my turn to put together outfit suggestions for Wardrobe Wednesday, I plan on doing just that. I’m going to highlight each one of the four female body shapes – pear, apple, hourglass and rectangle — and discuss what to look for when shopping, as well as what to stay away from.

Because, lets face it: We’d all like to accentuate our best features and subtly hide the ones we’re not so fond of — especially when it comes to picking clothes for a portrait session.

PEAR SHAPE

Typically pear-shaped women have:

• A long or slender neck
• Sloping or narrow shoulders
• Narrow back
• Small to medium bust
• Defined waist
• Curvy hips and backside
• Full thighs and calves

 

It’s all about balance
Ideally, giving the appearance of wider shoulders and a bigger bust will help take attention off the widest part of the body and bring the eyes up to your face, neck, bust and waist. Overplay your upper body and give your lower body a slimmer, sleeker look by using color on top, wide necklines, accentuate your waist and wear dark colors on the bottom.

Tops
For pear-shaped women, think details when it comes to tops. Prints, textured fabrics, great necklines and bright colors all help balance your lower half. Tanks with cute ruffled sleeves or wide-set straps will help to visually widen the chest and shoulders. Look for necklines that are scooped, draped, come to a V, rounded or squared. Halter tops will also add width to your shoulders and get that balance mentioned earlier.

Undoubtedly there are going to be lots of options at almost every women’s clothing store, but when it comes to pear shapes, no one does it better in my opinion than Ann Taylor. All of the following outfits are from this fall’s Loft collection:

 

Pants
Look for pants that are flared or have a wide leg. This will help hide thicker thighs. Go for mid-rise dark jeans (the darker the better) and dark pants. This gives the illusion of a slimmer hips and bottoms.

Here are some great flared pants and dark-washed jeans perfect for pear shapes:

 

Skirts and dresses
When dressing up, try to achieve the same balance. Look for A-line skirts and loose-fitting, drapey fabric in dark, solid colors and subtle patterns. Dresses with an empire waist or a wrap dress that is tighter-fitting on top and flows over your bottom half is ideal.  

And you don’t necessarily need to be afraid of all-around color. The center example is a great option for pear shapes that really would play up your curves.

 

What to avoid
Stay away from body-hugging bottoms like tight skirts, skinny jeans or pants with a tapered leg.  Those clothes will only accentuate the widest part of your body. Also avoid straight, floor-length skirts. The skirt starts wide at your hips and gives you one, thick straight block of fabric all the way to the ground.

Avoid bold, bright colors and attention-grabbing patterns on the bottom, as well as high-waisted pants, which tend to make your hips look larger. Jeans with too many details at the top such as extra pockets or embroidery should also be avoided.

Also stay away from straight, shapeless jackets that stop at the widest part of your hips.

Thanks to Kelly V  @ http://www.kellyvphotographyblog.com for this Wednesday Wardrobe.

SENIOR REP MODEL SEARCH!!

Class of 2011

This is a SHOUT OUT to the Class of 2011! It’s not too late for SENIOR PORTRAITS.  After all, you will be a SENIOR all year-right??!!  I’m kicking off my SENIOR REP MODEL SEARCH and YOU could reap the rewards. We are looking for the motivated and outgoing who are involved in their school and community.

How does a FREE senior portrait session sound?   How about free prints?

DETAILS:

WHAT IS A SENIOR REP?     Each year I will pick a select group of high school students from Greene Central High School as well as other public and private schools from surrounding counties. Two lucky reps per school receive a FREE 90-minute portrait session ($150 value) in exchange for telling your classmates about the amazing services provided by Simply Fabulous Photography!  

SENIOR REP RESPONSIBILITIES?(ONLY ONE)     I will provide you with free custom-designed senior rep cards using photos from your shoot to hand out to friends, as well as free digital proofs. The rest is up to you! Is there a bulletin board in the back of the restaurant where you work?  Ask your boss if you could slap a card on there. Have a Facebook  page? Make a photo album and link to my website. The more you can promote Simply Fabulous Photography, the better for YOU!

WHAT DO I GET?     The chosen seniors will receive a free 1 hour photo session and a print credit of $50.00($200 value). That will include 1-8×10; 2-5×7’s; and 8 wallets. ( or you can use the $50 print credit to purchase whatever print sizes you want). You will also receive 32 metallic wallet print rep cards to pass out to others with our studio information. For every senior who books a session using your card, you will receive an additional $25 print credit and they will receive a $25 print credit as well (after their photo session is completed). You can use your credits immediately or save them up with each referral booked with us. If 5 seniors have booked and shot using your rep cards and you haven’t used any of your credits, we will bump you up to $200 credit.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU GET?     Many of you are on Facebook these days and want to share your images with friends. So, we will give you any image that we use on our blog and Facebook fan page so you can use them in your own personal galleries. Got another image that you love but we didn’t use it in our blog? Just let us know and we will send that image to you. The web size images will have our studio watermark.

WHEN IS SHOOT?     If you are chosen to be the Senior Rep Model, we would shoot your session as soon as possible so we can get to work recruiting others. The bookings we get from your shoot can be scheduled any time between now and March 01, 2011.

WHERE IS SHOOT?     YOU TELL ME?  We will work on location so we take advantage of natural scenery. Many seniors like to shoot at a park, high school athletic field and sometimes in their own backyard or home? Your pictures will not look like everyone else’s because you choose your own location. (I do have one required location – then we will visit a local setting of your choice).

ANY OTHER DETAILS?     Each rep will sign an agreement stating that you cannot be a senior rep for another photographer. You will also need to compile a list of five people you think would make a good 2012 reps (name, e-mail, phone) by January 2011.

READY TO GET STARTED?     I know! It’s an awesome opportunity, right? All you have to do is copy and paste the form below into an e-mail and send it along with a photo to cindy@Simplyfabulousphotography.com  or send the same info through a Simply Fabulous Photography Facebook  message.

Name:
Birthday:
High school:
Three words I would use to describe myself are:
Activities I’m involved in:
Here are some of my interests (music, books, TV):
Why you should pick me(be very brief):
I have a Facebook page (yes or no):
I have a part-time job at:

That’s it! And don’t forget to attach a photo with your e-mail!

Remember, I will only accept TWO students from each category/category, so what are you waiting for? Get that e-mail in NOW! I look forward to hearing from you!

A Simply Fabulous Wardrobe

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Wardrobe Wednesday {Special Guest}

I am so excited for this week’s installment of Wardrobe Wednesday because our special guest Stacie of Stacie Hawley Photography gives us five easy tips to prepare you for your child’s portrait session. So without any further ado, let’s get right in!

Stacie says “My favorite people to shoot, you ask? KIDS – of course!! They are so fun, spunky and full of personality. Even better, they don’t mind being goofy and crazy – they welcome the unusual – and they love to be unique. That’s why when I give style suggestions for kiddo shoots I always recommend these FIVE things.

• Go for the BOLD…
It’s all about the color and pattern! There is no better way to show off their bright shining personalities then through their clothes! Colors should be bold – not neon. Deep strong color is key. Also, patterns can be your friend. Thick stripes, large polka dots, and chunky plaid are all great! Just make sure to stick with one bold pattern per outfit.

• Three’s Company…
This is a simple rule and I have no idea where I heard it, but I live by it. It’s all about coordinating your colors. You wonder – how in the world do I know what color goes best with what? Ack. It can be very intimidating. I’ve been there. But don’t worry – breath – what I tell you next will free your mind. Are you ready… ANYTHING GOES TOGETHER. It’s true! Anything goes as long as the colors appear a few times throughout your outfits. For example, in the pictures below –so graciously borrowed from the miniBoden website (love their style) – you will see this rule used over and over again. Yellow, brown, blue, burgundy – WHAT? They can’t go together you say – oh yes my friend – they can!! Yellow appears in the jacket, tights, and hat. Blue appears in the tights, skirt, and jeans. Burgundy/brown appears in the shoes, tights, hairclip….etc. I usually suggest 2-3 main colors and then have them appear 3 or more times throughout the outfits. Easy Peasy lemon squeezy. Right?!!

• One Singular Sensation…
When building an outfit, pick one thing your child likes – this could be a hat, necklace, jacket, tights, boots, shirt, etc. – and build up. If it’s a hat, then look at it, find the colors in it, and then add to the outfit by following rule number 2. For example, I heart the little grey kitten shirt below. If I started with this, I could then build up my outfit using the colors within, which in this case are blue, red, and white. Adding a jacket, jeans, shoes, and then creating a complimentary look following rules number 1 and 2 leaves you with the completed look. Bravo miniBODEN.

• Layer Cake…
Now that you’ve got your colors squared away, just make sure to layer…layer…layer. Chunky layered looks add dimension and spunk – especially when you use various textures. Add a fun jacket, a sweater, a vest, a belt, a hoodie – well the list goes on and on. Just do it – I promise it will be just what the doctor ordered! Check out the cute kiddos below, layered to perfection!

• Comfort Zone…
Last but definitely NOT least – make sure all clothing is comfortable!! Kids want to be able to move and groove as they normally would, and as the photographer, I want them to too. When they feel comfortable in their clothing it shows, again letting their personality shine through. Then I can do my oh-so-fun job of capturing them dancing…jumping…laughing…being themselves – being kids.
Well – I hope this helps ya’ll!! Happy Kiddo Stylin’!!

All outfits can be found at http://www.miniboden.com. They are awesome for way cute kid fashion. Plus sometimes most of the times – they do the hard styling work for you – fancy that. Ha Ha

Posted in Uncategorized

A Simply Fabulous Wardrobe

A Simply Fabulous Idea of – What Not to Wear

08/11/2010

by Simply Fabulous Photography

“A Simply Fabulous Wardrobe” will be a  a regular feature on the Simply Fabulous Photography Blog. In this category of posts you will be given ideas on what to wear for your portraits, what not to wear, which props to use as well as many other ideas to help you look Simply Fabulous in your pictures. If you have specific questions, please post them and we will address them as soon as possible.

 Clients are always asking, “What should we wear for our pictures?”. It may be easier if we begin by telling you what NOT to wear.  Shannon from Shannon J Dodge Photography has decided to give you tips of what not to wear for this week’s Wardrobe Wednesday.  Here’s what she had to say:

“Over the years, there have been certain things that have stood out during photoshoots. Sometimes it’s been really evident during the shoot, and other times it wasn’t apparent until I started editing.  You want to look your best, yet be yourself, correct? So be yourself! BUT there are certain rules and regulations when it comes to classic and well put together ensembles for your portraits! That’s why I decided to put together a “What Not to Wear” segment for our Wardrobe Wednesday this week!

First up: Your entire outfit.

• It’s OK to coordinate your colors but, let’s leave entire matching outfits to little girls, shall we? Mix and match your colors and coordinate…it makes for much more interesting images!  Notice I mentioned the word color.
• Solids and small prints photograph best…beware of loud stripes or plaids. 

Next: Shoes.

• Shoes can be tricky, I know. They can make or break an outfit.  You want to be comfortable but please leave the Crocs at home! They tend to be an eyesore in photos. They are bulky and bright and they draw a viewer’s eye down to the ground. You want people to look at YOU not at your Crocs.  
• If you choose to wear sandals or flip flops, PLEASE do not pair them w/ socks. 

Finally: Details.

• Look at your nails. Is the polish chipping? Do you have on an obnoxious color that’s going to draw attention to your hands and only your hands? Neutral nails photograph best.
• How are your highlights holding up? Don’t forget to check your roots, girls!
• If you don’t normally have a tan, now is probably not the time to run and get a spray tan or lay out in the sun all day.  You don’t want to look like an Oompa Loompa or a lobster. 
• PLEASE check your bra straps. If you are wearing a tank top, make sure your bra straps are not visible. Wear clear straps or better yet, buy a bra strap concealer that converts your regular bra into a racer back bra…they are cheap and easy to find!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Booking a photo session is fun and exciting. Make the best of your photos by dressing your family ad Sorably and paying attention to the details!”

Thank you Shannon for these great ideas.

Give us a call or shoot an email to schedule your photo session with Simply Fabulous Photography!!

Cindy

My First Wedding!!

The Happy Couple

Wedding Day

Thank you Allyson and Matt for allowing me to photograph your wedding day, knowing that this was  MY FIRST WEDDING.

The Rings

  The Bride, Groom and their entire family were wonderful. We had loads of fun. One lesson I did learn on Saturday was: I have a lot to learn about photographing weddings. It was an exhausting day, especially with the heat, but it was still fun. Can’t wait to do it again!! Here a a few of the photos from My First Wedding. Let me know what you think.

Hi there and welcome…

 

Hi there and welcome to the Simply Fabulous Photography blog. This blog along with the Facebook page and the Simply Fabulous website will all be up and running soon. There will be alot to keep you entertained. In the meantime, please contact me by email or phone to schedule a session or contact me through either site with suggestions on  how to make these sites “Simply Fabulous”.