BOO CREATIVE

Hi friends! So glad you are here today and I’m even more excited to welcome you to my brand NEW launch – family photo styling! Consider me your new family photo stylist, helping you curate the right outfits so you can step into your next family photo shoot with confidence and walk away with lasting memories knowing you got it right!

This has been in the works for quite some time and I’m finally happy to be sharing it with all of you. Style has been a part of my life from a young age – I’ve always appreciated a good outfit! I believe how you present yourself not only boosts your confidence but also transforms how you feel.

To continue with this exciting launch, I want to introduce you to two of my favorite people – McQuaid and Shay Boo (husband and wife), known as Boo Creative. They have 8+ years experience capturing and creating content for both videography and photography. With a degree in marketing and years of experience in production, they are able to cultivate and create a variety of distinct products through Boo Creative. Their collective creativity sets them apart when it comes to documenting the most important moments of your life.

Both McQuaid and Shay are the creative force behind my styling launch video that some of you may have already seen on my Instagram. If you haven’t, I thought it would be fun to share the experience! The video takes you behind the scenes of a family photo shoot here at our farm (outfits styled by me) – with the Benavidez Family. It was such a fun time to not only work with the family on their outfits but also to see everything come together so beautifully on video. I hope you feel like you are right there with us!

I also wanted to give YOU some tips and tricks for your up-coming family photos on how to get it right from the photographer’s perspective. And with that, I had a chance to interview McQuaid and Shay and what they have say includes some good advice you’ll want to remember as you plan for your next family photo shoot. The Q & A below highlights how to create unique and memorable family photos, which is what we are all after in the end – right?!

Q & A

Q: What are your three tips for capturing family photos that stand out, are authentic and also memorable?

A: Great Question!

Tip 1 – Get to know the family
Whether it is over emails or chatting while shooting, it is so important to understand who exactly you are shooting. It not only helps them feel comfortable but it also helps you understand how to pose and place them. It also can make for high quality authentic photos.

Tip 2 – Learn to pose
Families come in all shapes and sizes and having an understanding of who you are shooting ahead of time can help you develop a list of different poses that you can have ready so that you don’t have to think about it come crunch time. It’s important that your poses are unique and special and not repetitive. It is however a good icebreaker to start with simpler poses!

Tip 3 – Manage/Love Children
I personally love kiddos and their energy. Working with my wife who does the primary shooting, gives me the opportunity to connect and “manage” the kids! Kids have so much energy and often it is uncomfortable for them to be standing still for long periods of time. The important thing when kids start to get fussy is that you as the photographer smile and let the parents know it is ok and that we can spend some time moving to a new spot if need be! Keeping the parents calm helps the situation resolve a little quicker usually!

Q: Planning for an outdoor photo shoot? What are some things the family should keep in mind?

A: Shooting outdoors can be fun and adventurous! It can also bring some challenges along with it. Families should keep in mind to wear clothing that is comfortable. Being aware of the weather and terrain of the location can help them choose outfits that are comfortable and in turn help them be comfortable in front of the camera!

Q: How important is the location to the photo shoot? Should you make the location unique to your family? If so, what makes a good location? 

A: Location is super important! It offers a unique experience for every shoot. Before every shoot we like to ask if the family has a preference on location. (Waterfront, field, city etc.) Most people do not have a specific preference so we turn to our long list of beautiful locations. A good location offers both shade and sun lit areas. We prefer beautiful vegetation and a variety of scenic spots. A good location also offers easy foot travel so that the whole family can access it without wearing themselves out.

Q: Any opinion on clothing choices to stay away from if you are doing an outdoor shoot?

A: Each photographer has his or her own preference. We prefer subtle colors that are not too bright and accent our editing presets well! Ultimately we want the family to be comfortable.

Q: Thoughts on props, like blankets or “extras” as part of the photo shoot? 

A: Props are good and bad. We often love to use blankets and mirrors but the tricky part comes with lugging them around during the shoot! They can definitely add a creative touch to the shoot.

Q: What are your favorite family photo sessions and why? What made them unique?

A: I love the sessions where at the end of it we feel like we made a personal connection with the family. I always talk about how I want the relationship to be the most important thing. Because from there it is much easier to get high quality photos. Laughing and smiling go such a long way in photos and when they come very naturally it makes it easier for everyone. My favorite shoots are when the people are having fun and it feels like we are just all hanging out together. The experience is a huge part of what we value and we are confident enough in our skills to give them something they will love.

Q: How do you make the photo session fun? Tips for keeping things positive and enjoyable?

A: I myself love to make people laugh and feel at ease. I love the comfort level to come first and the photos to come second.

Q: What times of day are ideal for photo sessions that are outdoors? What works well for Spring, Summer or Fall? 

A: We can make most times during the day work, however our favorite time is golden hour in the evening. The weather is not too hot or cold and the lighting is just something you can’t beat any other time of the day. Fall is usually a time of the year where any part of the day would work. The lack of harsh sun helps the shadows not be as apparent.

If you are local to Minneapolis and are looking for a new photographer, make sure to consider Boo Creative for your next family photoshoot. You can check out more of their portfolio on Instagram at @boocreative.life + @boocreative.business and also get in touch on their website here.

TAKEAWAYS

1 – Consider your location ahead of time! Do you have a favorite family spot or a place that is simply meaningful to you? If you are feeling stuck, ask your photographer for their recommendations. Knowing your location is key to having an idea of the style of clothing you intend to wear.

2 – Have fun! Finding a photographer who makes it fun, and works well with your family is extremely helpful when trying to capture what I call “authentic magic” during the photoshoot. If you are looking for a new photographer, pay close attention and ask questions to get a sense for their photography style and how they approach the shoot.

3 – Time of day and lighting can make all the difference! Knowing what part of the day you plan on shooting will be helpful as you think about what type of clothing and what colors will work best.

So . . . are you inspired for your next family shoot, but still feeling overwhelmed by what to wear? I hear you! My advice – don’t wait until the last minute, finding yourself stressed with shopping or worse, having nothing to wear. Let’s get in touch, so I can help you create something beautiful for you and your family!

I’ve got you covered whether you are looking for outfit inspiration or have a budget in mind. Learn more about my pricing and packages here and let’s start planning! Don’t hesitate to reach out with additional questions at info@natalieellis.com

Let’s get you styled and ready to go!

-Natalie

(Looking for more style/fashion posts? Explore more here!)