(We posted this last Spring, but wanted to bring it back for this year’s Spring family sessions!)

Thinking of doing a family shoot this year, but nervous about finding coordinating outfits for a group? We’ve got you covered! All you need is one piece to get started, and it’s a breeze from there.

Stylists know that the key to group styling is a balance of colors, textures, fabrics, and patterns. This guide will give you an example of how to achieve this balance, while still keeping the group comfortable and stylish. We’ll give you one example here, but this concept can be applied to any season and any look.

All pieces shown are from J.Crew. Happy Shopping!

In just a few short weeks I’ll be flying across the country to teach at the Chic Retreat in Seattle, Washington!  I’m super excited to spend a few days immersed in photography with some amazing ladies.  Workshops are so inspiring, whether I’m teaching or attending, I always learn so much and leave feeling completely renewed.  Just last year I hadn’t ever flown alone, and now here I am, feeling like a real jet-setter!  One thing I’ve learned in the past few years from traveling with kids is that the more you plan, the lighter you pack, and the easier your whole trip will be.  For my upcoming travels, half of my suitcase will be full of props for my live newborn session, so I’m really thinking about how to reduce the other items I need.  Making everything coordinate is the perfect way to mix and match different outfits.  Wardrobe staples like skinny jeans and a blazer can be used throughout the trip and easily paired with colorful accessories.  Here are some of my top travel picks, in my favorite color … now I just need to convince Shaun that these are a reasonable travel expense!  ~ Heidi

Scarf:  Liberty London

Jeans: True Religion Stella Skinny Jeans, Nordstrom

Watch and Sunglasses: Kate Spade, Bloomingdales

Blazer, Tshirt, and Shoes: Jcrew 

Tablet Clutch: Brahmin (Meg’s new home!)

K is The Cameo Agency’s newest teen model, and she sure deserves that spot at the agency! She rocked her shoot with us, and was so fun to hang out with for an afternoon. Also- notice the SUN and warm weather clothing? She might have been a tiny bit cold, but this shoot proves that Spring is here, and Summer isn’t far behind!

Good luck with auditions, K! We know you’ll go far! ~ Mariah

Sweets + a sweet model = an epicly sweet shoot! Shoots like this remind me how much I love my job.    Sweet Indulgence called us the day before this happened and asked if we wanted to pop over to their shop for a quick shoot, and I had no idea that THIS would happen! We started out shooting the table of cakes and candy, then added in our bridal model to create a ‘fashion’ shoot to show off the stunning wedding cakes that Sweet Indulgence now makes. The tiers of lace in the background, her dress, and then the ruffles on the cake all came together for a vintage-elegant look.

Wedding cakes and dessert table: Sweet Indulgence

Bouquet: Flowers By Semia

Dress and Accessories: Couture Bridal

Lashes: Ch’i Spa

Makeup and Hair: Dion at Magnolia Salon

~ Mariah

This year, we’re offering two different locations for our Holiday sessions: Beach and Farm! We’ve put two different guides together to show you what will look best with our custom-designed holiday sets at each location. For those that chose the farm, here’s our guide for you! Get inspired, and excited for the best Holiday cards your family has ever seen!

For more information on our holiday sessions and packages, please head on over to the 2012 Outdoor Holiday Session Post. We can’t wait to capture your holiday memories!

This year, we’re offering two different locations for our Holiday sessions: Beach and Farm! We’ve put two different guides together to show you what will look best with our custom-designed holiday sets at each location. First is the Beach Guide, and tomorrow we’ll post the Farm Guide. Get inspired, and excited for the best Holiday cards your family has ever seen!

For more information on our holiday sessions and packages, please head on over to the 2012 Outdoor Holiday Session Post. We can’t wait to capture your holiday memories!

Little V is one of my Cameo Kids, a model and actress that has had quite the career so far! I photographed her very first comp card a few years ago, and she’s been rocking commercials and photoshoots ever since. It seems like every time I check back in with Cameo, she’s booked another job!

V needed an updated comp card that showed her range and new look as an older kid. She effortlessly switched between bohemian, rockstar, sporty, and classic looks. We also did a quick shoot at the end with her sister (just a tiny baby when I saw her last!), and her beautiful mom. Looking at these photos, is it any surprise she’s been so in-demand? I can’t wait to see where she goes from here!

~ Mariah

What does a shoot with a fashion stylist and personal shopper look like? Picture our studio transformed into a gigantic walk-in closet! We had at least 20 pairs of fabulous heels, suitcases full of outfits to hang, 15 shopping bags for props, and fresh-off-the-runway outfits for our model. It was like Carrie’s closet, only WAY bigger and more fun.

J is a personal shopper and stylist based out of Boston, and needed photos to compliment her brand-new website. At the shoot, I was impressed with her choices in wardrobe and jewelry- unexpected combinations of pieces and colors came together effortlessly when she put them on. Between her great fashion sense and some creative sets, I think we really showed how stylish and fun J really is!

Thanks for showing us style and grace, J! Enjoy your preview!

~ Mariah

Mariah, here! Heidi and I wanted to test out a few outdoor locations this morning, so we thought- why not do a maternity shoot while we’re at it? The weather was perfect, and we headed just down the road from the studio to a little spot by the bay. I love the location, and the reeds and water matched the pastel styling perfectly. We brought some Organic Bloom frames for props, that you may recognize from a certain gender reveal shoot!

Needless to say, Heidi, Shaun, and Giuliana made my job pretty easy, and I love the results.

- Mariah

Thinking of doing a family shoot this year, but nervous about finding coordinating outfits for a group? We’ve got you covered! All you need is one piece to get started, and it’s a breeze from there.

Stylists know that the key to group styling is a balance of colors, textures, fabrics, and patterns. This guide will give you an example of how to achieve this balance, while still keeping the group comfortable and stylish. We’ll give you one example here, but this concept can be applied to any season and any look.  This is a perfect way to play for our upcoming Outdoor Spring Portrait Special sessions!

All pieces shown are from J.Crew. Happy Shopping!