Now that spring has sprung, you may be thinking of updating family photos or perhaps getting those senior pictures done for upcoming invitations. Well, North Metro Woman has been thinking about it too, so we interviewed the oh so talented photographer, Katie Todd, on how to get those gorgeous frame worthy photos.
Thanks for joining us, Katie, and for taking the time to help our readers. Let’s start with some tips for choosing the right outfits for an aesthetically pleasing family photo. Are there ways families can coordinate and still keep their individual sense of style?
“My pleasure! I always recommend wearing outfits that you feel amazing in and matching based on color family. Neutral earthy tones always look great. Sometimes it’s fun to have a casual outfit change but then also something more dressy to get the best of both worlds but still staying true to your own sense of style. There are some really cool and flowy dresses out there for the moms!”
What should a family think about when choosing where to take a picture? And do you have any favorite spots around the North Metro area?
“I like to ask families what they enjoy doing together or if there’s something in particular they really want for a background, maybe it’s water and the kids love playing in the water or maybe it’s having a great mountain background to really show off that we live in Colorado. One of my go to spots in McKay Lake during the summer and fall, there are really tall trees with some awesome colors during those seasons.”
Photo Credit: Katie Todd Photography
Besides lining up our crazy busy schedules, is there a time of day that works better than others to schedule family pics?
“Scheduling family photos can be challenging with little ones when their bedtimes are early. I do prefer to schedule photos about an hour before sunset, which gets hard in the summer since the sun can set as late as 830pm! If that’s not doable, we can work around the kids schedule and there are a lot of locations with more shade if we’re dealing with a super sunny day. But sunset is beautiful and we get that golden hour beforehand.”
Your photos look so natural and fun. How do you get people to relax on cam? What can people do to help themselves relax and look their best?
“First, I like to have a consultation before our session to discuss any concerns as a lot of people feel uncomfortable or say they’re awkward in front of a camera. Most people are not actually! I think it’s maybe some pressure we feel when a camera is being pointed at us. Once we arrive at our location for the session, I explain that we’ll start really basic and just get everyone looking at the camera for that traditional portrait and then we’ll start going into more candid moments. Which I basically let kids run the show. I’ve learned that pushing littles into anything doesn’t work and it’s a lot easier to let them lead and just interact as you normally would as a family. I have a lot of cues of things to do together but I like to let things flow organically.”
Photo Credit: Katie Todd Photography
What is your secret for getting all those amazing animal and baby shots? Are you feeding those guys treats? And where do you buy them? LOL
“LOL good questions! Treats come in handy as well as having a helper. Especially with pets, I recommend bringing someone who can help out with the pets so they can be behind me with toys or treats and also hold them when they don’t need to be in the picture. With babies having grandparents and their favorite toys helps too. They can normally get their attention behind me. So I can’t take all of the credit. When I’m solo, I use one hand with a toy and the other to take the photo! It is a bit harder though!”
Photo Credit: Katie Todd Photography
Last but not least, what are the latest trends for ordering family photos for your home? Are there products that you recommend once all those smiles are finally captured?
“Framed canvases are the coolest! And larger ones and doing two or three canvases next to each other on a big wall looks amazing! Sometimes doing all of them in black and white looks really cool too. I’m here to help with that after our shoot. I can put them together so we can get an idea of how they’ll lay out on your wall. Albums are also amazing to have, which I also create for my clients too! I do offer holiday cards, normal prints, frames, metal prints, and so much more!”
Thank you so much, Katie! We just LOVE your work!
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