The M Family | Kansas Family Photographer

 A sweet, new addition to this family! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from this sweet family session!

Interested in a session? Contact me today to schedule!

The D Family | Kansas Family Photographer

 I loved everything about this session! It was a beautiful day, beautiful light, beautiful family...just beautiful! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from one of my favorite families!

Interested in a family session? Contact me today to schedule!

Miss A...North Central Kansas Photographer

I just love photographing this sweet girl who happens to be my oldest niece. I just love her to pieces and she has been my oldest daughter's idol since she could open her eyes:).

Interested in a session? Contact me today to schedule!

Miss A...Kansas Photographer

The P boys...Newborns...Kansas Newborn Photographer

Only a few months behind still on blogging, but one session at a time, I will get caught up (maybe). Either way, whether it is a recent session or a few months ago, I don't want you to miss all the cuteness! I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from our studio session.

Ready to schedule a session of your own? Contact me today!

Thanks for looking:)

Savannah Sevens...Commercial Photography

I just had a blast photographing these girls in these seriously cute clothes! The girls modeled around 30 outfits to show off the new spring line of clothing for Savannah Sevens Western Chic clothing boutique (yes, that means that I am behind on sharing these but I'm sure you can find it in your heart to forgive me...I'm a busy girl these days). It was a hot and windy day but these girls kept glowing with beauty and elegance all day long! I am pretty glad the photographer was not photographed because I was seriously not looking very beautiful...haha. We bounced around to 4 different spots and I have to give a HUGE thank you to the landowners who allow me to photograph on their land! I couldn't do what I do without you!

Here are just a few of my favorites from the day! I hope you enjoy!

Now scheduling for the remainder of 2015...please CONTACT me today to schedule your session!



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5 Camera Activities To Do With Your Kids This Summer...Tutorial Thursday

School is almost out for the summer for my kids and I don't know about you, but I'm excited to have them around more but also thinking I need to be prepared with activities for them. I have a few ideas that involve a camera. It doesn't have to be a fancy camera. In fact, if you only own a fancy camera, you might want to invest in a "play" camera for the kids. You have to be willing to let them use it and hold it. I recommend setting up a folder on your computer to download their images so that you can select the best for printing and use. It is also a fun way to see their progress.

1) GO ON A PHOTO WALK
This is a super fun activity to get outside and out in nature with your kids and with a purpose. Go out together and take turns with one camera or take two cameras and compare your images when you get back. It is fun to see the different perspectives. Print your favorites and put them in an album or hang the best in their room.

2) PLAY PHOTO SHOOT
This one is especially popular at my house since I'm asking for their help a lot with different set-ups, lighting and locations. But, this time let the kids be in charge. You can take turns being the photographer and being the model. Let them dress up and choose the spots and the poses. The results are always a scream:)

3) GO SEARCHING FOR SMALL STUFF
Turn the macro button on your camera (it is the flower symbol). If you don't know how, find the manual for your camera and search for the macro settings. Or, use a macro lens if you are a DSLR owner. Go around the yard taking pictures of flowers, bugs, interesting textures or whatever catches your kiddos eye.

4) UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Open a whole new world with underwater photography. You can get a Fujifilm Underwater Film Disposable Camera from Amazon.com for a little over $9. Or, if you want a digital option, you can get a GoPro HEROfor $130 on Amazon.  Fun in the water, plus fun with cameras!! A WIN, WIN!
Images by the talented Kim Bear of  The Wild Child Photography

5) EXHIBIT AT THE FAIR
Let your kids take lots of pictures throughout the year and summer and keep a folder for them on the computer. When it gets close to fair time, sit down with them and pick out their favorite keepers to print and exhibit at the fair. If you are in 4-H, your child will get a chance to sit one on one with the judge and hear some great information on what they did well and what they can improve upon next time. If you are not in 4-H, enter them in Open Class! It is great to participate in your county fair and they will receive a ribbon for their efforts!

Get your kids shooting and having fun with photography! And, be sure to PRINT lots of images for them to keep...that is the best part of it all!

Thanks for stopping by and I hoped you enjoyed this blog post! If you would like to see more, please enter your email address in the space at the bottom of the page to receive notifications. Also, please follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sarahhellerphotography .

The S Family...North Central Kansas Family Photographer

What a fun family session. We bounced around the big town of Hunter and got some great images! These boys are busy little fellas so they kept me on my toes:) It is always a game for me to see if I can stay one step ahead of little ones. I keep a bag of tricks and kids are always curious what all might be in there. Be prepared to play, love, and laugh during our sessions!:) I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites.

 Ready to schedule a session of your own? Please contact me today!

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BRRR...Monday Moment

The weather can swing from unseasonably warm to frigid within a few days in Kansas. For example, Wednesday, January 28th we had a high of  72 F compared to Sunday, February 1st with a daytime high of 15 F and 30 mile/hour winds...BRRR!! It was snowing and blowing and it was beautiful (if you weren't outside in it! HA). I decided to brave the weather for a few minutes and go and find the horses. Well, my husband was two (or more) steps ahead of me with that idea and so they came up to eat before I really had a chance to get very far. And, I think I'm glad I didn't get very far because I was regretting my idea about 5 minutes into it. I know, I know, what a wimp! I'll own it. Here are a few shots from a burr-chilly day in Kansas!

From the comfort of my window:)

Glad to be facing the south with the wind at my back!

My very own mountain man! Thanks for giving me the job of household chores:)

Good thing they have thick hide and lots of fur! BRRR!

Thanks for looking:)

Storyboards...Product showcase

Today's product showcase...Storyboards! The options are nearly endless with these. The most popular sizes I have made are 11x14, 16x20, 10x20, 16x16 and 20x20. They are a fun and creative way to display your favorite images. They help tell a story using more than one photograph and they are custom made to include quotes, names, or the year. One of my favorites that I have hanging in my house is the storyboard of a tea party my girls got to do. I designed it to fit behind an old window and mounted it on sturdy backing so I could attach it to the back as a solid piece. I have received many compliments on it:)

To order a storyboard from your session, you can either email me first to start a proof or you can order the storyboard size you want and pick the images to include with it. Just make sure to select the storyboard print and not the regular print in the list of print products. If you need a custom size or don't see the size you want in the list, just let me know. Storyboards are the price of the regular print + $15.  I recommend contacting me first, however, so we get it all ready and then you can plop the final proof in your cart.

Do you have a personal project with which you need assistance? I am available for individual design projects!:) Please email me at sarahhellerphotography@gmail.com to discuss your project and receive a quote.

Here are a few examples of some storyboard options:

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Tutorial Thursday...What to Wear

Oh, what to wear, what to wear???? Outfits can really elevate a photo from looking more like a snapshot to a photo that belongs on the wall...BIG.  So, today we are going to break it down to the basics on what to wear for your next photo session.

First, I want to discuss babies. I believe that a lot of times less is more for babies (newborn-9 months). Babies have the softest skin and the cutest little wrinkles and folds and they photograph wonderfully semi-naked or naked and posed in a way that does not reveal their privates:) The older the baby gets, the easier they can handle a full outfit and not look like they are being swallowed. That said, of course, an outfit here or there is fine too but it has to fit well and not be the least bit large on them. I love handmade knitted hats, pants, diaper covers and wraps. Dainty hair pieces look adorable on little girls. There are so many possibilities but try to keep it simple so the image is still about the baby.

Here are a few of my favorite places for baby shopping:

locally:
Cotton Bottom Baby (cute cloth diapers!)
Simply Baby and More

online:
Zulily
Goodnight Mouse
Just Josie
Pipers Posies
Moonlight Little Knits
Baby Bloomz Boutique

Next, let's move on to individuals and groups. Here are five things to think about: personality, color, layers, texture, and accessories.

PERSONALITY
Does the child's personality suggest loud colors or soft and gentle tones? For example, if the child is more introspective and shy, perhaps soft and muted colors, ruffles, and/or lighter fabric will fit them best. If the child is very outgoing with a larger than life personality, perhaps bolder colors and an outfit with more texture, denim, and boots is appropriate. Also think about the location you are going to be in and decide what feeling you want conveyed...soft and gentle? or loud and exciting! In the dead of winter when everything is brown, I like to add more color.

COLOR
For an individual color is a little easier. You can pick a piece of the outfit whether it is a shirt, skirt, or dress with a print and layer with another solid piece. I like to get several options and piece it together on my bed or floor. You'd be surprised sometimes what looks good together. Try it on too! Fit matters:) I like to play with this color wheel to see possible color combinations http://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator . I also like to look on Pinterest and get "What to Wear" inspiration there. I have some ideas started on my board: http://www.pinterest.com/shphotographs/ . For a family, pick a few colors and pull from that solids and prints on each member of the family to create a cohesive blend. I usually like to keep the simpler outfits for the parents and let the kids have the more trendy and unique with more color and pattern. Another thing to keep in mind are the colors in your house and, in particular, the space you will hang the pictures. For example, my walls are all white (I didn't want any more decisions to make while we were building...call me crazy, but that is the way it was:)), so I decorated with color everywhere else including the portraits on the wall.

LAYERS
Layers help to create dimension and interest in the outfit(s). This can mean a vest for boys, a shirt under a button up shirt or sweater, a scarf for girls, or a cute little jacket over a shirt. You can pair leggings with a skirt and/or put sweater socks sticking out the top of a pair of boots. For families, some outfits can be more simple than others to show variation and balance.

TEXTURE
Try to incorporate different textures into your clothing. I recommend chunky knits, embroidery, denim, buttons, lace and/or ruffles. Texture and layers look great in photographs!

ACCESSORIES
Don't forget to add those accessories into your outfit too! Hats, scarves, jewelry, belts, and cute boots or dainty flats, etc. Accessories can really finish up a nice look!

Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for kids and adults:

locally:
YOUR CLOSET- start there:) SERIOUSLY!
Consignment shops
Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale
Old Navy
Marshalls

online:
Persnickety Clothing
Vindie Baby
Thredup
GAP
Ruche-  women's
Anthropologie- women's
Hautelook
Joyfolie

I hope this was helpful! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Please share with a friend and click the Join button below so you don't miss out on new posts!