What to wear 1st edition | Portrait Wardrobe Guide | Smithfield, VA

For most of my clients, the hardest part of family portraits is how to decide what to wear.  The clothing choices you make will have a huge impact on the final product.  I will be putting together these guides every week or so to make your life easier!

That said, there are a few things about wardrobe you should NEVER worry about:

1. Buying new outfits for everyone in your family.  Children especially will be more comfortable in clothing which is familiar to them.
2. Matching - your family doesn't go out to the movies in matching outfits, or church, or school, so why worry about wearing matching outfits for a photograph?
3. Frilly and fancy - Your family portraits should be a reflection of who you are! If you feel your best in a pair of distressed jeans and a t-shirt, wear it!

That said, keep in mind your session will be out of doors, on the ground, in the trees, and in general kicking back.   Be comfortable! If you feel comfy in your clothes, you'll look relaxed in your photos.

You will want outfits which are complimentary to one another, but absolutely express yourself!
I want you to love your family portraits and in order for that to happen, you need to love what you're wearing and how it makes you feel!

When planning your family wardrobe, pick one or two pieces you absolutely love, and move from there. If you have a beautiful turquoise cardigan you love, select dark blues, grays, greens, and blacks to compliment it.  Keep it simple and don't stress!  Remember I am here to help you - we'll have a pre-session consultation to cover wardrobe, location, and style.

Mom's outfit: Old Navy
Dad's outfit: Old Navy; shoes-Journey's
Sissy's outfit: Old Navy; shoes-Journey's
Bubba's outfit: jeans-Old Navy; jacket-Land's End; shoes-Journey's; tshirt-Target

P.S. if you do decide to use this as your guide for wardrobe, don't pay retail - check the websites for discount codes or coupons : )

DIY Photo booth props

After hosting the photo booth at the Girl Scout Samoa Soiree last week, I have had several leaders and photographer friends ask for the templates.  One of the templates I found at the Ruffled Blog, but I did freehand the conversation bubbles and neckties.

For those of you who know me personally, I try to make as much as I can myself.  That's two fold really, allowing me to keep prop cost down and giving me the freedom to customize the way I want.

Most commonly, photo booths can be seen at weddings.  Obviously, there are many different venues at which to stage one.  Black tie events, birthday parties, and baby showers are just a few suggestions.  Feel free to use these to create your own props, but please if you share the templates, show me some love by saying where you found them!

Here are a few photos of the finished props and me and my lovely assistant playing around with them.  Yes, I used a mustache as a unibrow.  See how versatile these props can be?!

Now go out there, get creative and have some fun!

Girl Scouts Samoa Soiree | {Westin Virginia Beach} | Event Photographer

Each year, Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast (of which I am a proud member!), hosts a black tie fundraiser to raise money to fund various Girl Scout programs in our area.  In years past, it was called Desserts First. This year, it was the Samoa Soiree.  Restaurants from all over Hampton Roads descended upon the Virginia Beach Westin with their tantalizing dishes made with Girl Scout cookies!  I was so happy to find out I could actually make dinner with cookies - that one fact totally made my night!  A panel of judges and the attendees voted for their favorites. I've listed the winners here below the pictures and included one of the recipes!
I was honored to have been asked to be one of the photographers for the event.  When asked, I was originally only taking your standard photo in front of the logo banner just like all the other major events.  But we all know how traditional I am, so I convinced the Girl Scout staffers to let me do a photo booth, cookie themed of course!
And oh how much fun was had!  All of these folks work so hard for the girls in our communities, it was so very nice to see them let their hair down and enjoy themselves!  Thank you Girl Scouts for asking me to be a part of your amazing event!

Here’s the rundown of awards:

Judge’s Choice

            Best Dessert: Nawab with Tagalong Mousse,

            Best Hors D’Oeuvre: The Westin with Samoa Masaman Curry Chicken, Sous Chef Jason Peller

            Most Creative Use of a Girl Scout Cookie: The Grey Goose with Ultimate Girl Scout Chocolate Cheesecake, Chef and Owner Dana Epstein

People’s Choice

            Best Dessert: Broken Egg Bistro with Dulce de Leche Cheesecake, Executive Chef Carson Boone

Best Hors D’Oeuvre: The Lucky Star at the Westin with Do-Si-Dos Chicken Sate with Asian slaw and sweet chili sauce, Executive Chef Scott Bernheisel

Here is the recipe for the Do-Si-Dos Chicken Sate with Asian slaw and sweet chili sauce:

1 box of Do-Si-Dos, cream removed and crushed the cookie part

3 eggs, whipped

1 cup all purpose flour

3 boneless chicken breasts cut into strips

24 - 6 inch skewers

Salt and pepper

1 bottle sweet chili sauce

Take strips of chicken and create skewers.  Toss with the flour, then dip into egg wash.  Shake off the excess and roll in crushed cookies.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 9 minutes.  Keep warm.

Asian Slaw:

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup oil blend

1 Tbsp sesame oil

2 beef flavored Ramen noodle packs

Splash of soy sauce

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 large bag of cole slaw mix

Mix everything together (including beef flavor packets), EXCEPT the noodles and slaw.  Whisk thoroughly until sugar is totally dissolved.  Then add in raw ramen noodles and slaw and toss.  Let sit in fridge for at least 2 hours, tossing frequently.

Enjoy!!

2012 Senior Rep Program | Senior Photographer | Smithfield, VA

Want to earn a free Senior Photo session?

Want to have some great profile pictures for Facebook or MySpace?

Want to earn free prints, photo albums, or cash?

Then the Senior Rep Program may be for you!!

Cristin Emrick Photography is looking for outgoing, active students interested in becoming senior representatives. I am looking for rising 2012 seniors (current juniors) to apply!  Applications are being accepted until March 15th, 2011 from anyone wanting to be considered as one of my reps. I will choose 2 students from each local high school. Both girls and guys are encouraged to apply!

Benefits of being a Senior Rep:

• One FREE mini session (30-45 minutes) in late March/early May.

• 25-50 personalized referral cards to give to friends and classmates with your name, your portraits, and our business information to hand out.

• Select watermarked, low-resolution files to share online at Facebook, Myspace or your blog.

• One FREE full senior session in August/September.

• For the parents - discounts on your print orders.

• A $50 gift card for the representative who sends the most referrals (other clients who have a paid session) with Cristin Emrick Photography.

What I ask in return:

• Be a current high school junior graduating in 2012.

• Be available to have one session completed before May 15th , 2011.

• Pass out your rep cards to friends and classmates (same grade).

• Tag all photos of you on my Facebook page. 

• Have your parent(s) or guardian sign a model release form.

• Use only Cristin Emrick Photography for your senior portraits (yearbook photo excluded).

So, what now?  Visit www.cristinemrickphotography.com and click the Senior Rep Program tab to fill out your application.