A big congratulations goes to Johnny (and his mom Amy) for rallying enough votes to win the photo shoot.  I can’t wait for our session.

We got rained out of our first attempt at shooting Madison’s 1 year portraits, but luckily, we came up with an even better, and even more fun location for the make-up session.  Canyon Creek Ranch.  Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. (And I’m holding myself accountable for taking Grayson there when he is old enough to get on a horse!)

I had a lot of fun with you guys, so thank you Renee and Jason, for being willing to follow me and my crazy antics. I think the photos we got were worth every mud covered shoe!

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To book a family session with Meg, please email Meg@megsextonphotography.com

Little Mia was 11 days of perfection. She tolerated costume changes, location changes, and even a few diaper changes all without making a peep.

We had a few seconds in between rain storms, but I could help but take a quick few outside.

And this is almost the same photo – but I just love it in black and white. So I’m sharing both!
 

Thank you S family for letting me capture sweet baby Mia.

To book a newborn session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

A little cliché?  Perhaps.  But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand New
   I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
   Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling).   If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.
3. Matching
   No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks.  In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t.  If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.
4. Stressful
   No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory.  This is supposed to be fun.   If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous.  I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph.   I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

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If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple  belted shirt – I’ve got good news.  You don’t have to decide.   Bring lots of options.  Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car.  When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results.  Trust me.

Now take a deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model  you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet?  I totally can.  OMG, you look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session.

(used with permission from the amazing Phoenix photographer Jeanette LeBlanc)

Sophie and her husband are Bay Area Natives and flew all the way back to California just to see me. (Ok, I fudged that just a little bit. They were back in town to see their families for the holidays…) But I promise you, I was just as flattered that they picked me for their family photos. As I’m sure you can tell, there is some serious style happening in this family! I had so much fun watching little Izzie come out of her shell and really have a good time wandering around the Stanford Campus. There is just something about a little girl in her sunday best running around in the leaves that makes me giddy.

Thank you Sophie for letting me drag two Cal Alums through the Stanford Campus. I’m sure that was hard for you!

To book a session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

Sheila contacted me a few months ago to set up a shoot when she was back in California for the Thanksgiving holiday.  (Can you tell I’m behind on my blogging!?)  She has a close family and they all wanted to take pictures.  It was a blast.  And, thanks to Sheila, I now have a lovely new location in Palo Alto.

Thank you all for braving the cold with me!

Isn’t she just a ham?  I’m CONVINCED this one is going places.  With a personality as big as hers, she’s bound to succeed!

Speaking of tardy sessions, I think Katie’s session was almost a month ago…

I had so much fun shooting this session. Seriously, it was a blast. Katie initially contacted me to shoot her family along with her brother and his family a few months ago. I just had a feeling that it would be fun. First of all, Katie is hilarious. Her sense of humor clearly shows through when she writes and I couldn’t wait to meet her. Let me just say, she didn’t disappoint! Secondly, we have very similar hair cuts. So, she gets extra points for being so cool and trendy. I just think there are some people you just click with. As an added bonus, I got to meet her family and their little boy W. He was a doll and pretty much the polar opposite of little S. I love watching the family dynamics at work.

Thank you both for dragging your families out to come and spend some time with me.  And I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get your session on the blog!

How hilarious are these pictures. S is a bulldog and she wasn’t going to take any little boys in her space! And while she may be trying to push W out of the frame, she does it with a smile. I still crack up thinking about it.  She’s nothing if not a ham!

My favorite part of the shoot, was that T brought her little girl out to Clayton to the very spot where she and her husband were married.  T’s face lit up when we got there. I love when my clients pick meaningful locations for the pictures.  I think the emotional attachment always shows through. 

Thank you T for spending the afternoon with me!

To book a session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

My favorite part of the shoot, was that T brought her little girl out to Clayton to the very spot where she and her husband were married.  T’s face lit up when we got there. I love when my clients pick meaningful locations for the pictures.  I think the emotional attachment always shows through. 

Thank you T for spending the afternoon with me!

To book a session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

But really, I should have known that anyone who names their child Grayson is one of the coolest people on the planet. I mean, I did. So, I swear it’s cool.

Our day couldn’t have been more fun. And for all of your East Coasters with you perfect fall colors – I have now found a solution! Grapes. Perfectly fall colored vineyards are the new West Coast solution to seasonal colors. I love it.   (Although, Domain Carneros is gorgeous any time of year!)

I’m pretty sure J should model.

Thank you D family for spending a Sunday with me. (And trusting me when I asked you to stand new the stinky wood!) I had a blast!