Clothing Optional

Unfortunately, unless you're under the age of two, clothing is not optional. (Atleast for your portraits. With me.)

It's an important decision picking what the wear for a portrait session. In addition to investing your time and money into getting your photo taken, you want a beautiful product that can be used to adorn your home in years to come.

• Timeless: Photos are meant to be displayed over decades and not subsequently concealed in a covert operation to hide your short-lived affinity for 80s-inspired styles. (Yes, I'm wearing them too, but they will eventually go away.) Stick with classic clothing choices that won't come back to haunt you. Don't stray from your signature-style.

• Simple: Stay away from busy patterns, bright neon colors and loads of accessories. They can be very distracting. Simple patterns and bold colors photograph well.

• Comfortable: In the cooler weather, layers looks great. They're very interesting to photography and look fantastic. In the warmer weather dress light. If your toddler is hot and dressed in foofy frilly clothes that make her itch, she will have a meltdown sooner rather than later. Comfy kid=happy kid.

• Colors: As mentioned before, stay away from ultra-bright colors. I really can't stress this enough. The colors reflect on the skin and can make you look green, orange or pink. The exception for this would be darker skintones. Brighter colors tend to compliment rather than detract from a more tanned subject. Some photographers prefer to stay away from black and white, but I like them both. Black gives a very modern and chic appearance, whereas white is more crisp and classic. Primary colors look great too. And by all means...if your child has beautiful blue or green eyes- match!

• Coordination: Matching isn't for everyone, but no one is above coordinating. Make sure your colors compliment eachother. Stripes, polka dots and duckies clash. Prior to a photo session, I suggest laying out all the outfits on a bed so you can see how they look together.

Most photographers, myself included, offer a phone consultation. Take advantage of it! Experience gives us a great eye for color and outfit ideas.

Lugo Family Portraits

I've known Jamie Lugo professionally since I moved out to Philly in 2004. I was delighted when she expressed interest in having her family portraits taken at the Art Museum; an area that holds many fond memories of her childhood in Philadelphia.

I met with her family on a very steamy, sweltering summer day in June (the forecast had called for storms, but the day was clear and curiously windy given the heat) and my God are they a stunning bunch: Jamie, Tom (her husband), Adrian (son) and Pilar (daughter). The dynamic was fun and engaging, which comes with them being a very tight knit family. There was joking and friendly heckling throughout the session and laughing as Adrian gave his sister a very unwanted hug near the fountain. (Although, I suspect she may have secretly enjoyed it.)

A-dor-able.