Rebecca Keeling Studios » Blogsite for Rebecca Keeling Studios Photography + Cinema-Inspired Video

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New Product Spotlight | Portrait Albums

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect portrait album for quite awhile.  Actually, that’s an understatement.  I’ve been searching for a fabulous portrait album for like, three years, or more.  It may seem a little silly in this world of everything-under-the-sun-exists-at-your-local-superstore, but it’s true.  I’ve sampled many different album companies only to be left feeling disappointed and realizing that I may just have to settle but knowing that I wanted more for my clients.  Now, we ADORE our wedding album company, Finao.  They are the cat’s meow.  I don’t know what that actually means, but I know it’s good.  REALLY good.  But, for our portrait clients I’ve wanted something a bit different.

Enter: MADERA BOOKS.  It was like the angels were singing in that conference room at the Amway Grand during the HER Creative Conference last fall when I met the owner of Madera Books.  I knew I had met my match!  They were beautiful, modern, perfectly crafted.  I recently got my sample album in the mail (just shy of their 2 week turnaround time guarantee) and I was thrilled, to say the least.  The albums come in their own little storage box, inside a beautiful drawstring mesh bag, of a coordinating color, I might add!  The custom cover features an image from the session, while the interior lay flat, gutterless pages allow the design and images to flow uninterrupted right across the spread.  We will be offering these books in an 8×8 and 10×10 size, perfect for engagement or bridal sessions, a parent album, a sign-in guest book (pages are able to be written on) at your wedding, or especially to compliment our Baby Steps program as a year-long keepsake from all of our sessions together!  The 6×6 size album comes with our boudoir collection.  Ask me to see the album when we meet but I have to warn you, after holding it in your hands you won’t want to go home without ordering your very own! :)

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Bradley | Hampton Roads Newborn Photographer

As I photograph more and more newborns, I find myself moving more toward a lifestyle type of session, where a majority of the images are of the family in their home, snuggling together in the rocking chair in the nursery, family pets, and familiar surroundings.  It just seems so natural and real.  I still love the images of baby with their cute little props and beautiful backdrops, but there is nothing more beautiful than capturing those fleeting moments of newborn love from mom and dad.  Bradley is one of my Baby Steps babies, so I get the huge privilege of watching him grow all year long.  Can’t wait to see you guys again soon!  xo

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Wardrobe Wednesday | Lifestyle Newborn Sessions

Amazing new post by the fabulously talented Jean Smith, taking the time to guest post for us this week!  Lifestyle newborn sessions are really my favorite part about photographing new babies.  Just seeing the love between that new little family all wrapped up and surrounded by their home together, baby’s nursery, snuggling on the couch; it just makes for an absolute perfect setting.  Here Jean gives new parents some suggestions on coordinating a wardrobe with baby.

It took me a long time to get in a groove with newborn sessions. My newborn sessions used to be a combination of forced poses, crying babies, and a lot of frustration on my part. I almost wanted to give up when I had a “light bulb moment.” I realized that my niche is not posing babies perfectly. My niche is capturing the baby naturally, along with the relationships and interaction with family members.  So, I started shooting how I loved to shoot and newborns became one of my favorite types of sessions.

However.

With the exit of solid backdrops and formal poses, solid white or black shirts and jeans on family members no longer worked with my lifestyle look. I wanted a soft and natural feel with the focus on Baby, but with Mom and Dad being an important part of the image.

So what should Mom and Dad wear to look natural, and still compliment the baby and image?

What about siblings?

And what about Baby?

Let’s start with Mom and Dad, since they are the most important “props” baby may have. First and foremost, we want Mom to feel beautiful and flattered…as she did JUST have a baby (and we all know how we feel right after we had a baby). I suggest short or long sleeves to flatter, or perhaps a cover up (like a cardigan sweater). Light colored, solid tops are soft and still flattering to Mom. I LOVE when Mom opts for a long dress…preferable solid, or with just a light pattern. It adds such a softness and whimsy to the images with a newborn baby. Dad can wear a solid shirt complimentary to mom’s color of shirt. A subtle pattern on dad’s shirt is also cute, and adds interest…like a striped button down shirt.

If siblings will be in the images, it is best to go with siblings in solid, neutral colors (ex: oatmeal, white, grey), so that the focus can still be on the baby.

And for Baby? I prefer the baby to be naked for at least some of the session. It is one time in his/her life that it is ok to be nude, and it is just SO. DANG. CUTE. It is also fun to get a variety of images by using scarves (or other wraps), thin blankets, or diaper covers on the baby. By dressing family members in solid, neutral colors, you can put the focus on Baby by swaddling him/her in a colorful wrap, or maybe a cute, lightly patterned blanket. I educate parents NOT to use newborn outfits, as they are usually too big and tend to drown the baby and cover their face when holding or posing him/her. However, if the baby has a special outfit from Grandma, friend, or someone else special, then by all means, take a few shots! If parents want an outfit for the baby, then solid and snug fitting outfits look best on newborns.

Oh, and bare feet are the BEST!!

Newborn sessions can be simple, or they can be fashionable. Both are beautiful. It just depends on the style and look the parents are going for. Just remember…simple, solid, and neutral work best for newborn sessions and help keep the mood soft with the focus on the baby.

Mom: Dress (Old Navy $25), Cardigan (Target $24.99)

Dad: Shirt (Old Navy $22.50), Pants (Old Navy $29.50)

Boy: Shirt (Old Navy $16.94), Shorts (Old Navy $19.94)

Baby: Hat and Diaper Cover (J Crochet Shop on Etsy $24.99)

Girl: Dress (Old Navy $19.94)

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Newport News Marriott at City Center Wedding Photographer

I could not be more excited to share this post with you today.  Even if all the world was drizzled in Starbucks caramel syrup!! :)  Gregg and I have been working so hard to get to this moment where we are able to offer our much deserving wedding clients a bit more than just our photography services.  Last wedding season was our first adventure into the land of DSLR video and while we were very happy to be there, we knew there was still something missing.  Sound.  Yep, the sound of the bride & groom declaring their love in their vows and their friends and family telling funny, personal, and deeply meaningful stories of the couple during the reception toasts.  Things that still photography just can’t capture.  Things that they will never be able to remember on their own.  And so, we are just THRILLED to be where we are today to be able to give this extra little gift to our wedding couples.  Brooke & James, thank you for choosing us to share this amazing time with you both.  Your Busch Gardens engagement session is one we will never forget.  We have loved every minute of getting to know you both and can’t wait to see what’s next in your lives together!  xo, R&G

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Beautiful Bridals | The Hermitage Museum & Gardens Photographer

There is nothing more stunningly beautiful than a bride in her wedding dress.  Doesn’t matter the weather or the location…the happiness that radiates from her face when she has her make up and hair all done just right, slips into her dress, and sees herself for the very first time is like nothing else.  It’s finally real.  All of the planning and stressing and scheduling just melt away and for those few hours, she is no longer the wedding planner, she is just the bride.  Brittany was all of this and more at our session together at The Hermitage Museum in Norfolk.  The day was windy and a bit chilly and overcast, but it didn’t stop her from showing off that gorgeous bridal glow!  So glad to get to share some of her images with you after we celebrated she and Bryan’s wedding a few weeks ago.  Happy Wednesday!

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cindy - May 2, 2012 - 3:08 pm

beautiful photos of a beautiful bride rebecca!

Diane Johnson - May 2, 2012 - 6:33 pm

This is the most beautiful bride ever. I am so glad that she is my daughter in law. She is the best. These are great pictures.

Donna Barham - May 2, 2012 - 7:32 pm

Rebecca, we had such a good time that day. You would never know the weather was not co-operating. The pictures are stunning and can’t wait to see the wedding pictures.

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