Family Picture Time

Every year we, as in the six of us, get all dressed up and pose for the camera.    While we were in Houston, we were lucky to have one of Houston’s finest capture our family.  Luckily, she likes me and could squeeze us in.

Taking family pictures is always a big project.

I spend weeks planning and preparing our wardrobe.  Because I also take pictures for a business, I know how important it is to get the colors and style just right.

I also have a very small budget.  I am here to tell you that you can still look great on very little money.

How do I decide?

First, I start with inspiration.  My living room colors were my inspiration.  I wanted our family picture to look like it was made for our family room.

Plus, those colors will look great on our Christmas card.  Yes, we have already taken our Christmas Card picture.  I love it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You only have to wait six more months.  I can cross that one of the list.  It is so nice to have something done for Christmas in June.

After I pick the colors, I like to think about the style that I am going for.  I wanted sophisticated woman, meets rock and roll.

Once I decide on the colors and style I keep my eyes open.

I ran across these gold skirts for the girls at old Navy in their clearance section; and beautiful gold shoes for Tessa’s feet.  I knew some red and black would seal the deal. 

Stella already had a black shirt.  I bought some red trim flowers from the Lob, and sewed it on.  I also made her a headband.  Tess already had this great black sweater, so I thought a flower pin would add just the right amount of red. I also made that out of the trim and a little hot glue. A strand of mother’s pearls also makes the outfit.  I made her a couple hair clips, and wa-la; the girls look hip and sophisticated.  In photography, the littlest details really do make all the difference.

I knew I wanted the boys to wear ties, but I had a hard time finding what I was looking for.  It was time to break out the sewing machine and make my own.  I found the tutorial here.  If you don’t sew, you could always search etsy for someone who does.  We already had white shirts and jeans.  I chose to have them wear their sneakers instead of dress shoes.  I like the look it gives.  Just the style I was going for.

 

Luckily, my husband had just bought this black shirt.  I can’t resist a man in designer jeans and boots so that completed his rock and roll look.

I am always the one that needs help.  I have a hard time picking out something for myself.  I knew I wanted a dress, and when I found this one for $8.00 on clearance at Target; I snatched it up.  I made it my own by adding a red tie.  I knew red heels and a red necklace would finish it off; so I hit the Goodwill.  Guess what, I found them both for $5.oo total.  My total outfit came to $13.00.  I painted my fingernails red to complete the ensemble.  I do believe that the details really make it.

Krysta did such a good job at capturing our family.  This picture says it all for me.

THIS IS OUR LIFE!!

Once we got home, I couldn’t wait to print them.  This is another way that you can help make your pictures look there best.  Pick a quality printer.  Walmart is not going to do your pictures justice.  I love mpix.com.

I couldn’t wait to see what they would look like in our house.

I love how the colors match.

What do you think?

I hope this helps you when thinking about your own family pictures.  The colors, style, printing, and of course the photographer you pick really do effect the outcome of your pictures.  You can have a part in making your images look even better.

For more photography inspiration visit me here, or Krysta here.