Blog
The holiday season is upon us and you’re looking for gift ideas…
Looking for timeless holiday gift ideas? This is the perfect time to give “the gift of photos” to your friends and family. Get sentimental this year with personalized presents from your photo session! We offer a wide selection of products. Check out these ideas:
- Accordion Book
- Digital Playbook
- Acrylics
- Photo cubes
- Canvases
- Metals
- Prints
- Albums
- Holiday Greeting Cards
- Keychains
- Photo boxes
For more information on these products, call or email us at and let us know which products interest you!
Some people shy away from winter sessions because, well, it’s cold. But winter sessions make for some of the best timeless portraits, so don’t write off the frigid months.
Here are 7 tips to help you prepare for a winter session:
- Stay flexible! Those white winter days after a lot of snowfall can result in some seriously gorgeous photographs. Indiana is unpredictable with the forecast so booking two months out probably won’t work. Let us know you want a winter session so we can contact you as we keep an eye on the weather!
- Really play up the winter accessories when planning outfits. Think cozy knit scarves, colorful coats, adorable boots, mittens and more.
- For families – plan the day out so that nobody gets fussy or too cold. A bribe of hot chocolate after the session goes a long way. Also make sure that everyone’s dressed warmly.
- Don’t be afraid to have fun in that snow. Snowball fights? Snowman building? Angels? The possibilities are endless and this should be all about having fun!
- Choose colors and prints that pop. An all white background is absolutely beautiful, but having that pop of red or that flash of gingham can really make for a gorgeous photograph.
- Pack the necessities. Noses tend to run in the cold, and glasses can fog up. Bring tissues, hand-warming packs, clean clothes and hot beverages to keep everyone perky throughout the shoot.
- Because it can be really cold, note that a shorter session may be in order. Make the most of your photos by using every single second to the max, especially at the beginning of the session when everyone’s still warm and spirits are particularly high.
You can find more fashion advice and tips by accessing all of our blogs here: Kishel Blogs
Choosing the Right Accessories for Your Senior Portraits
You’ve got your outfits planned and know exactly what you’re doing with your hair. Now it’s time to consider your accessories, which can make or break your outfit. Here are four things to keep in mind:
- Don’t let the accessories wear you. Too big or too bulky can overwhelm
your face and body, taking away from the overall image. This is about you! - Choose accessories that mean something to you. Maybe you want to
wear a ring your mother gave you, or those earrings that always earn you compliments. - Try not to choose anything that’s heavily ornamented. In a few years, ultratrendy items can look really, really dated. Funky and fun are just fine, of course, but be thoughtful in your decisions.
- Make sure your accessories all work well with your outfit. For example, a
thin belt may flatter your figure more than a thick belt. And those dangly
earrings may look best with your hair up, while the studs look good with
your hair down. - Get a second, and third, opinion. Wear everything you plan to put on for
your session day, and you can always ask for someone else’s advice. Take some pictures, ask your friends and family if they have any suggestions.
You can find more fashion advice and tips by accessing all of our blogs here: Kishel Blogs
MakeUp and hair you can leave to a professional for your session!
We are often asked why we use MakeUp Artists, and how they can really benefit a session, especially for our seniors. There are many reasons why we choose to work with a MakeUp Artist. We want to make you feel like a Kishel glamour model! Using one of our skilled artists adds a special element that you don’t get every day. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a little pampering?
Most importantly, they also help you look your best! Even though we’re sure you do an excellent job with your makeup on an everyday basis, when it comes to photo shoots, you have to apply your makeup a little differently to make your best features really pop on film. You may not put on enough makeup normally to please the camera, but may put it on too heavy when trying to get it right for your session.
We choose to hire a professional so you don’t have to worry about it! Part of the Kishel experience is to allow you to be as stress-free as possbile. We want you to just sit back and let them work their magic. They’ve done this a million times before and know what looks best on camera. Cameras are very technologically advanced and pick up everything. Even things that may not be noticeable to the naked eye. Our skilled MakeUp Artists know what to look for, what to enhance, and what to cover.
MakeUp Artists also know which shimmery shadows will photograph weird and what colors to avoid for photos. Some things that look good in person tend to look strange on camera. They know what eyeliner to use to make your eyes pop instead of hiding them in shadows, and they’ve got the 4-1-1 on photography makeup. I prefer to leave this matter in the hands of the professionals. This service can definitely be added to any session for a reasonable fee!
The sending and receiving of holiday cards is a festive tradition dating back to the 1840’s!
Today, holiday photos are more likely to be posted on your Facebook newsfeed, instead of receiving a personally mailed card.
The best part about mailing out holiday cards is that it allows you to reconnect with friends and family. After such a chaotic 2020, we all understand how important this is more than ever! Our lives are beginning to pick up and we know you will start to get fairly busy, especially with the upcoming holidays.
Here are a few reasons why sending a holiday card is a great idea:
- Receiving a holiday card by mail is way more personal. In the age of social media, we tend to alway share the same images for everyone to see. There is nothing more personal and special than receiving a physical card in your mailbox. It truly shows that you took the time to share something personal with them.
- If you can’t be together for this season, it’s the next best thing. There is no doubt that 2020 has kicked our butts has put a damper on everyday life. If you cannot physically celebrate and spend the holiday season together, a personalized card may just be the next best thing.
- Freshen up your family archive of memories. If you are overdue for a new family portrait, sending a holiday card is the perfect excuse! Consider framing special family photos to be able to enjoy all year long after the holidays have ended.
- Holiday Cards easily spread holiday cheer. Receiving holiday cards in the mail is an instant festive mood booster! With colorful holiday pictures and phrases, cards are an easy way to decorate. You can use cards to decorate trees, mantel displays, and even hanging garlands.
Don’t worry we have got you covered! We will sit down with you to custom design a unique and timeless holiday card you will cherish for
years to come!
Ready to schedule a holiday shoot? If you’ve already had a photo shoot and would like to have holiday cards custom designed, let us know!
Fall sessions are the most popular for your next Kishel portraits!
Nature will be doing “its thing” during your fall sesson with all those vibrant colors! You can really play up your wardrobe with fun fall accessories too in the crisp weather.
See below for fall session tips from Kishel Photography to help plan for a smooth fall session…
- Make use of accessories and clothing that play up the “autumn” feeling. For example, opt for leather boots, cable knit scarves and comfy cardigans. These look amazing on the whole family and can really bring a picture to life.
*Tip: neutrals do really well in the fall against all that foliage. - Timing Is Important! Start paying attention to that shift in weather as summer melts into fall. Once the leaves start changing, call to get your session scheduled. Fall sessions are one of our favorites, so chances are I’ve got a session ready for you! Take advantage of scheduling early with Kishel to get your preferred time of day.
- Location Is Everything! If it’s autumn, you better believe the Kishel team is playing outside in the gorgeous weather! We have a lot of locations, some EXCLUSIVE to our clients only!! We are also open to your suggestions.
- Plan for a mid-afternoon to early-evening session, when the light is just
gorgeous! The days are shorter in the fall, so we need to plan accordingly to get that infamous golden hour light. - Play in the environment. You know Kishel loves to have fun whenever we can! Chances are there are leaves on the ground or a few buds lingering around. We may have you throw leaves up into the air or something similar. Remember, this shoot is all about capturing your family bond and having fun, so let loose and get into the season!
- Wear comfortable shoes and accessories. Since we’re going to be outside, we’ll probably do lots of walking. If those boots look amazing, but kill your feet, feel free to rock them and bring a back up pair of shoes for comfort on the sly ;)!
Senior Pictures are a big part of your senior year, and because of that, we want to help you make your photoshoot the best it can be. We have listed a few helpful tips for any guy or girl to prepare for your upcoming senior photoshoot.
Girls:
- Have the hair stylist show you some easy styles you can do during outfit changes to switch it up a bit.
- Practice your makeup the week leading up to your session so you can get it just right the day of. We do offer professional makeup artist services with several of our packages. This is something we strongly suggest you look into for your session.
- Apply some makeup over the area (not too heavy) and leave it at that. We offer basic retouching, which includes blemish removal; so don’t even worry about it.
- Get a manicure the day before or day of your session to ensure your nails look their best. Don’t forget that the color needs to match all of your outfits. For this reason, and to keep a clean appearance, we suggest going with the French manicure or just a clear coat of paint.
- Practice a nice natural smile and cute poses in a mirror or send us over some things we can talk to you about that will help you relax – your favorite movie, your boyfriend, etc.
- If you are doing a session with your BFF or BF, don’t forget to coordinate an outfit with them so you guys don’t clash.
Guys:
- Don’t forget to bring matching socks and shoes for each outfit if one pair won’t go along with all of your outfits.
- Get a good night’s rest the night before so you can look well rested for your session.
- Get your hair cut about a week to a week and a half prior to your session.
- Don’t forget to shave away any stubble from your face and neck prior to your session.
- Practice a nice natural smile in a mirror or send us over some things we can talk to you about that will help you relax!
Both:
- Choose two to three outfits to wear during your session and lay them out so they are ready to go. Make sure they are clean and wrinkle-free.
- Also, don’t forget to pack any accessories you’ll want for each outfit – jewelry, scarves, headbands, etc. Bring matching socks/tights, and shoes for each outfit if one pair won’t go along with all of them.
- While you’re at it, if you plan on bringing any props – your ballet shoes, favorite book, softball gear, skateboard, football, guitar, etc. – go ahead and lay that out as well. If you are going to bring your car or truck to the session and want it to be in photos with you, be sure to wash it the night before/day of your session.
- Get a good night’s rest the night before so you can look well rested for your session.
- Get your hair cut about one to two weeks prior to your session. Don’t drastically change it from your normal style in case you don’t like it.
Thinking about a summer family session? Summer gives us such beautiful and bright colors: with outfits, flowers, natural lighting, props, etc. We also know it can definitely get hot and uncomfortable out there too. So here are five ways you can make sure your summer family session goes off without a hitch!
- Dress appropriately! Summer means hot and humid weather, which can lead to sticky bodies. Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that don’t weigh you down. As for shoes, sweet flats or loafers are a great option.
- Think about your hair! If you or a family member’s hair reacts to humidity like the majority of us, opt for a hairstyle that won’t leave you feeling insecure. For example, a pretty braid or an updo is a good choice. Or you can wear a headscarf, or use a little extra product to keep frizz at bay.
- Pack necessities! When packing your photo shoot necessities, we recommend bringing the following items: Lots of water for all, a snack (especially to help bribe the little ones), sunscreen, water mister/portable fan, makeup for touch ups (a setting spray is super important if you have it).
- Get creative with session ideas! Summer offers a host of activities that lend themselves to amazing photo sessions. We’d be more than happy to shoot a really creative -or themed – session with you. We can talk this out at your consultation appointment.
- Rest assured knowing we won’t let you overheat! Sometimes it’s hard just to walk outside when it’s scorching outside, but know that we’re going to have an amazing shoot. We’ll spend lots of time in the shade, dive into the cool A/C when we can, and we will never push your family into staying longer than they can or want. Most of our favorite locations offer shaded areas as well so we can definitely take breaks when needed!
We are always ready to help you with any questions, thoughts, ideas regarding your family sessions. The more answers we come up with together, the smoother your entire session will go. This just means – more fun for everyone – and we’re the lucky ones that get to capture those special moments for you!
Do you prefer a wall with 1 wall portrait or a wall filled with a collection of images?
Posted on July 15, 2020
0 Now that your family session or senior session is complete, it’s time to decide where you are going to put your photos! Read through this guide before your viewing appointment with Amanda to help with ideas on what to do with your images!
Large Portrait: Hanging one large portrait draws attention to a focal point in the room, like a fireplace or above the couch and sets a more formal tone. Large portraits are ideal for life changing events or milestones that capture the true essence of that time. It makes a grand statement but with a minimalistic approach.
Collection: Great for showcasing multiple images, like a family session. A collection is absolutely ideal for smaller or narrow spaces like a staircase or hallway where the images follow the eye and can be looked at up close.When hanging photos on your wall (framed, metal, or canvas) you can choose to hang a group of photos in a collage to change it up.
You can send us a photo of any room where we use an amazing program that allows us to custom design your wall art. This is a great tool for us – and You – to visualize sizes and a custom designed layout to best fit the room!
Compare the two rooms below to see what type of look you might be going for!
It’s almost time for your session and you are trying to decide on a location… Here are some things you’ll want to think about:
1. Keep in mind the décor of your home. Is your personal style bright and bold but your home is more vintage themed? It’s not ideal to have bright colors on a canvas on your wall because it doesn’t go with your rustic décor. Make sure you coordinate your outfits and locations to match the décor style of your home. You also will need to coordinate the colors with the walls of your house so they don’t clash!
2. If you have a rustic home, studio portraits don’t typically look good unless you put them in vintage type frames to make them fit in more.
3. If you have a more modern home, studio photos will more than likely be your best option.
4. You can also choose to have a lifestyle session done inside your home. We will come to your house and take photos of your family in your own personal environment. These are beautiful and will look great in your house because they match perfectly!
