San Fran November Mini-Session Round Up::Embarcadero
Hi there sweet (once like a spark) family! From time to time, we offer really sweet mini-sessions in our cities around the country – these are quick 30 minute sessions on specific days at specific locations with our amazing photographers. It’s a GREAT way to get in with our crazy-talented photographers and get some quick photos of you and your loved ones….we realized we never get to showcase just how beautiful these mini-session photos are, so voila! Here’s a round-up of some of our favorites from our early November session date at the Embarcadero in SF with our SanFran photographer Michael…..Enjoy, and make sure you take advantage the next time these are offered in your city! xoxo
Beth + Keven :: A Virginia Engagement & Family Affair
We’ve got such an adorable engagement session from the beautiful rolling hills of Virginia to show you all today. Beth and Keven decided that for their e – sesh, they really wanted to include Keven’s two boys (Ronan & John Mark) to make it a true family affair. B + K’s session is the perfect example of how you can really personalize an engagement session to be tailored to who you and your fiance are as a couple. Ten times out of ten (…see what we did there?) the photos from more personalized engagement sessions shine above the rest! The more personal it is, the more comfortable you and your fiance will feel and look in your final photos! We had our extraordinarily talented photographer and OLAS founder, Cali, photograph B + K with their youngsters while enjoying some true family time all together out in the Virginia countryside. She captured their loving and joyous spirit alongside B + K’s clear love for each other, seemingly effortlessly. Not to mention that the light captured in this shoot flat takes our breath away. This little family is guaranteed to make your heart smile, and we can’t wait to witness this same joy at their wedding in October! We love you B + K! x’s & o’s
Baby Madelyn::Newborn Session
You guys all know that we do a lot (and I mean a LOT) of weddings and engagement sessions. What might not be quite as obvious, though, is that we also shoot everything else under the sun – families, graduating seniors, expecting mothers, and our favorite…..newborns!! When Lauren and Daniel asked our amazing photographer Jen to come out to their home to take photos of their baby girl Madelyn (when she was just a few days old!), we all jumped at the chance. Who doesn’t love spending time with such an itsy-bitsy little thing in her uber-adorable nursery, and snapping some amazing photos along the way? Check out the photos below, and soak in beautiful Miss Madelyn….and the feet. Oh, the feet! If you’re interested in a session for your family, babies, etc. email us at letschat@oncelikeaspark.com! xoxo
The Hart Family::Atlanta::Why Family Photo Sessions Are Important
The precious Hart family has come to us multiple times now for family photos, and this adorable bunch absolutely melts our hearts every time. The Hart’s contacted us to shoot another family portrait session now that baby #3 was on the way, and we can’t help but feel all warm and fuzzy looking at these amazing photos. Here at (once like a spark) photography, we believe in the power of photos….especially family photos. We hear from people time after time after time who wish they had more photos taken of their family over the years, and we can’t emphasize how important we believe that family photography is. The Hart family has got it right, and makes sure to schedule family sessions consistently, and we ABSOLUTELY recommend doing the same. Read why below, and then contact us at info@oncelikeaspark.com to get your session set up!
1 – Time moves quickly, and photography allows you to press pause. – We hear from people a lot who tell us that they always intend to schedule a family session, but that life gets in the way. Putting it off a day becomes a week becomes a year, and suddenly she doesn’t have that snaggle-tooth grin anymore, and his baby curls have grown out. This is the only time in your life that your family will be just the way it is now. As sad as it can be to think about sometimes, he’ll never be three and she’ll never be five again (insert your kids ages here). You can’t recreate these moments later – so NOW is the time to do it.
2- Photography sessions don’t have to be a big ordeal anymore. – Sometimes we hear from clients who get stressed about family photos, or think they need to put a huge amount of preparation into their session. Folks, the days of forced portraiture are over, and we literally want to capture your family just as they are on your favorite days together. Family sessions aren’t stressful, and most of the time just include going to a beautiful place and letting your kids do their thing. A more natural, relaxed session lets us capture the essence of who your family truly is.
3 – You’re providing a gift for your children in the future. – Although your 7 year old may not appreciate these photos now, you can be certain they’ll be some of her prized possessions when she’s an adult. Most of us would give anything to have a record in photos of a tender moment with our mother, a silly playtime with our siblings, or a warm embrace from our father. Scheduling a family session is about more than hanging photos on your wall – you’re providing a beautiful gift to your family in the future.
4 – Photos are about more than paper. – I can’t say it better than this post from a photographer, who had this letter hand-delivered to her doorstop.
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How To Prepare For Your Portrait Session::Susie::Atlanta
Happy Thursday OLAS loves! Today we wanted to talk a little bit about how best to prepare for a portrait session. We had some amazing, AMAZING inspiration from Susie’s seriously adorable portrait session with Jen (one of our uber talented southeast photographers). Jen did such a beautiful job capturing all of Susie’s fun personality (and gorgeous red curls)! Ok, so a few quick tips:
1. Wear something cute (of course!), but more importantly, wear something you are comfortable in! Nothing kills confidence faster than wearing an outfit that doesn’t make you feel comfortable in your own skin. Sure you want to look stylish – but make sure you don’t sacrifice feeling at ease for fashion, because it WILL show in your photos! Susie wears this easy belted white dress and cowboy boots, paired with a pop of color necklace that looks both relaxed and fun (the killer combo!).
2. Bring items to the shoot that are important to you and showcase your personality. Susie’s fun personality is really highlighted in her photos, which is what makes them so beautiful! Just by bringing big & bright flowers, a few favorite books, a and colorful blanket, she was able to give us all a little look into what makes her happy.
3. Have FUN with it!! It’s not everyday that you get to have your portrait taken, so enjoy it! Don’t be afraid to be silly – usually the very BEST shots come from the “off moments” when you’re not even trying to pose for the camera. Come to the shoot prepared to have a little fun and let our crazy talented photographers do the rest :)
The Wonderful Wade Family!
This is the second time that (once like a spark) has had the pleasure of capturing the gorgeous Wade family in a fun family session! Terri and Kevin are business owners in the Atlanta area, and their three kids are so cute we can’t even stand it! Big sister Margaux is clearly in love with little sister and brother Maddox and Knox (who are twins!), and they are clearly in awe of their cool older sister
And we love that the shots of Terri and Kevin could easily be from an OLAS engagement shoot!
Carla met the Wade family at their beautiful Atlanta home, and then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring nearby parks. Climbing jungle gyms, picking flowers and just playing around, these kids (and their adorable parents!) know how to take some great pictures! Last year, Terri worked with Ashley (one of OLAS’ co-owners) on putting together a stunning display of photos for their home–a mix of gallery wraps and framed portraits, and we think it’s safe to say they have some amazing choices for this year’s additions!
We are so glad you’re part of the OLAS family, Wades! Here are just a few of our very favorites – Happy Monday, OLAS chickadees! xox
(And remember: if you’d like some great family portraits for your family wall, be sure to contact info@oncelikeaspark.com!)