family portrait

This recent snowfall has reminded me of how quickly Christmas is coming.  What an exciting time!  What are some of your favourite traditions leading up to the holidays?  Between now and the New Year, our family receives an abundance of Christmas cards from family and friends.  I love reading their updates, hearing about what they have planned for the upcoming year, and most of all, seeing a family photo with the card.

Each year, your family changes; kids start growing up, and your extended family and loved ones want to visually experience those special transitions in your life.  One of the best gifts to give at Christmas is a professional portrait of your family.  Keep in mind that there is only a limited number of weeks until Christmas, and that family photos should be booked sooner than later!  Book an appointment today to schedule your shoot before spaces fill up.

Not sure what type of creative Christmas card you should do this year?  Check out these 101 Creative Christmas Card Ideas, and consult with your photographer about putting those ideas into place.

It’s not too late to book your Christmas photos!  Contact Miko Photography today to schedule your photo shoot before time runs out!  We want to make sure you have the perfect Christmas card to give to family and friends this year.

Have you ever received your child’s school photos and either you or they (or both of you) were unhappy with the proofs?  Maybe they felt uncomfortable with the way they had to sit, the photographer did not  make them feel at ease, or in general, they were just having a bad day on school picture day. Whatever the case may be, there is an alternative to those pictures that you can consider that will make both you and your child happy!

Each child, and family, is unique.  Let’s face it, school photographers do not have the time to really capture your child’s true personality and character by simply having them pose in a pre-arranged position.  This can often cause kids to feel tense, and not let loose to show their true smile and personality.

If your family is a homeschooling family, you may not have the opportunity for school portraits.  It is still important for you to capture your kids’ growing up years, and as a professional photographer, Miko Photography can help.

Do you want your photos to stand out and look different than they have in the past?  When you book individual or family photos with Miko Photography, we will make sure you get a beautiful portrait of each child that you can proudly hang on your wall or give to family and friends.  Contact us today, and we can discuss a special print package for each child!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this beautiful time of year!  With the leaves changing from green to golden yellows and oranges, there is a certain elegance that is portrayed in the scenery of our everyday lives.  Not only are these colours beautiful to look at, but they also make stunning backdrops for family photos.  Some of the best Christmas cards I have received were ones that included a family picture that was taken during the fall.

Need some inspiration for where you can take fall family photos?  Here are five location ideas for you to consider.  A professional photographer can help you find the perfect location!

In a park – Find a park with trees.  The leaves can still be attached or they can be on the ground; either way, the photos look great!  It makes it a lot more fun for kids when there are leaves to play in!

In a field – Wide open, grassy spaces can be great for group shots, or action shots, if the kids enjoy running around.  Corn fields are also fun locations to shoot fall photos!

By a river – The reflections of nature in the water create a beautiful backdrop for your photos.

At a farm – Live in the country or know someone who does?  Opt to take your photos in the country by a big red barn, with some horses, or simply along a wooden fence.

At a pumpkin patch – Some of the cutest photos are found taken at a pumpkin patch.

Where is your favourite place to take fall photos?  Let us know by submitting your response in the comments below.

Not sure what to wear for fall photos?  Check out this article for some tips.

Today I invite you to book your fall photos so that you can use them in this year’s Christmas cards!  Too book a session today, please contact us.

 

Have you ever dreaded a photo shoot simply because you don’t know what to wear, how to pose, or how to smile? There could be many reasons you don’t feel comfortable behind the camera, but we’d like to give you some simple tips to make you feel more at ease and confident for your next photoshoot.

Here are 10 tips:

10.  Watch what you wear
Just because you have that colourful floral blouse, doesn’t mean that is the best option for your photos.  Styles change, and although we want your photos to represent your personality, consider instead a solid-coloured shirt to suit your personality.  When you look back on that photo in a few years, you will be less likely to regret the outfit you chose.

Also, avoid stripes or crazy patterns.  V-neck blouses and dark colours are sure-fire slimming secrets.  Get a good fabric that follows your silhouette without being too clingy, and keep in mind that clothes that are too loose and shapeless will only make you look  bigger and sloppy.

9.  Avoid severe hairstyles
Do you want another picture like you had in the 80’s?  I didn’t think so.  Ensure you avoid messy, tangled hair when preparing for a photo shoot. While it’s often easy to pull back your hair into a ponytail, and there are so many classy updos, hair that is pulled tightly back can look very severe and harsh in photos.  We encourage you to let your hair down.  This will soften the curves of your face and also frame your face if you are in a busy setting.  You could also consider a partial updo, keeping it loose and maybe pull a few strands down so they give it some body and personality.

8.  Watch where you stand
A professional photographer can help you with this one.  Choose an interesting background.  It could be a pretty outdoor scene to stand in front of, or look for a wall with interesting texture or colours.  We love fall because the naturally beautiful outdoor settings makes stunning backgrounds.

While you want the scene to be interesting, try not to choose a location that is overly busy that will distract from the subject matter – YOU!

7.  Choose your light
If you are being photographed outdoors, aim for a time in the early morning or late afternoon to early evening (depending on the season).  The light is more flattering at those times.  If you are being photography in the middle of the day, find a shady spot for the best results.

If at all possible, avoid using flash on your camera.  If you can’t get around it, try covering your flash with a small piece of paper or translucent plastic for a softer result.

6.  Strike a pose
Whether you knew you were in for a photo shoot, or just spotted a camera-happy friend, there is good reason to be ready with a bit of a pose!

Ladies – we are going for an “S curve”.  Place your back foot angled almost 90% from pointing at the camera and place your weight on that foot.  Your other foot should be pointing somewhere in the direction of the camera which will naturally make your shoulders at about a 45% angle to the camera.  A slight bend in the front foot is also a nice touch and don’t forget to maintain good posture in your upper  body.  This pose will make you look taller and slimmer and though you may not feel it, relaxed!

5.  Make your arms look thinner
One of the main areas we are most self-conscious in when it comes to taking photos is our arms.  Here’s what you can do to make them look slimmer:  Give them a little big of an angle; a hand on the hip gives a nice curve and helps you avoid having your arms squished against your body.  The gap between your torso and your arms will show the curve of your body and keeping your elbows angled behind you will minimize the size of them.  A shawl can also help if you would rather not show your arms.

4.  Hide a double-chin
This may feel strange, but to hide a double chin, first straighten your neck, keeping your shoulders relaxed.  Then push your chin out and downward.  If you try this in front of a mirror you will see the difference!

If you can, have the person taking the picture be a little higher than you, maybe stand on a chair, so they are shooting down on you – a much more flattering angle!  For the best and truest image, the photographer should take  a few steps back and zoom in as long as they are able to get a good shot using optical zoom.

3.  The secret to a photogenic smile
Here’s a secret from the modeling industry:  Push the tip of your tongue behind the top front of your teeth.  This will avoid that stiff smile!  Your facial muscles will relax and also help you avoid a double chin.

Smile with your eyes – think of something happy and pleasant, and look straight at the camera.  Avoid the vacant, fake smile.  Your smile doesn’t have to be huge, just genuine.  If you’ve been smiling too long, your facial muscles will look fake, so stop and puff up your cheeks for a second before smiling again.

And please…even when you are caught off guard and possible would rather not have your photo taken…smile!!  It will be better than a grimace or a goofy look any day!

2.  Breath out
If possible, ask your photography to count to three before taking the picture.  Close your eyes and breathe in.  Then, just before the shutter clicks, breathe out, open your eyes, and smile.  Your face will look relaxed and your smile will be real.  Your body will also relax as you exhale!

1.  Hire a professional!
If you really want quality shots, you will hire a professional.  The tips we stated above are just starters.  A professional photographer will know so much more about the way you should smile, we encourage you to hire one today.

To book your professional photo shoots, please visit here. We would be happy to help you look your best in photos!