April + family won my christmas contest and I was tickled to meet with them today to bring their session to fruition.  The kids thought it was absolutely hilarious that I was asking their parents to kiss – so most of these smiles are VERY genuine, because they’re laughing  at my request.   Cute! Right?

Here’s a couple to look at:

and she doesn’t like photos of herself, but personally, I think this is GORGEOUS.

“The finest clothing made is a person’s skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.”

~ Mark Twain
One of the biggest questions that I am asked of my clients is, “What do we wear?!”.  There are so many choices out there, and above all I want my clients to feel absolutely beautiful and comfortable.  That being said, what you wear can make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your portraits.  I’m not necessarily saying to go out and buy a new outfit.  These ideas and websites should let you look at your closet in a whole new way.  Some of my biggest suggestions are:

1. Don’t be afraid to try bright, bold and incredibly fun and unique colors!
2.  Accessories are your friend!  Chunky necklaces, color or textures scarves, cute hats and fun shoes (or no shoes at all!  Maybe some funky socks?) are all fab-u!
3.  Layers look amazing in photographs, as do different textures.
4.  Coordinate a family, don’t match.
5.  Little girls love tutu’s and pettiskirts, and they look great paired with a fun pair of leggings, a simple tank with a jacket and a fun beanie or bow.  You will forever remember how much fun your little sweetie had dancing around in her sweet and frilly outfit.
6.  It is always fun to dress boys in a button down shirt with a fun tee over it.  Boys also look so adorable in beanies or newsboy hats.
7.  Try to stay away from too much black and red. (unless that style is what you’re going for, of course!)  Try brightness and color!

There are so many more suggestions that I’ve been on the lookout for, for  “What to wear” every week.

Meanwhile, check out some of my favorite places for inspiration:

• The Children’s Place, Gap, Old Navy, Target
• finley and oliver fun and modern clothing for babies and toddlers
• dolce vita mia adorable headbands, hats and onesie sets
• sweet plume adorable outfits and absolutely elegant, one of a kind dresses
• Once upon a child
• forever 21

Hey guys!

Okay, I know with my facebook contest going on and everything, this might seem too busy.  But I am very interested in participating in help-portrait this year.  12/12/09

Normally, they suggest finding an organization and working with them, but I haven’t been able to do that thus far. (by all means, if you know an organization in need, have them contact me!)  Otherwise, that means that I need nominations from YOU, even if it’s yourself.  I just need a couple of sentences in comments, or email, about what’s going on in your/their life. Please email me at amber@ambertakesphotos.com.  I’ll take 15 minutes per session with each person who emails me about this. (as long as there is no scheduling conflicts)

This is for single mom’s that can’t afford christmas portraits this year, or families that have been suffering through lay-off’s…families with sick children, fathers, brothers, etc.  You get my drift.  Those who can’t afford it, but would really appreciate it.

(Although the help-portrait site is saying only 12/12, I’d like to extend that until Christmas.  I will have a limited amount of time and space in my calendar, but I’d like to fit anyone in who contacts me!)

I am in the mood for Christmas music.  My husband and I have been lying around watching Christmas movies all day, and I thought I’d share the Christmas joy with all of you!

I also want to know what your favorite Christmas song and movie is, so get to emailin’ and commenting! (email amber at ambertakesphotos dot com)

This weeks what to wear Wednesday is holiday inspired.  All styles can be found at Old Navy!

Article courtesy of mom*tog. (Thanks for letting us use your article!)

I get asked a lot by both photographers and clients what my policy is on letting my clients post their images to their blogs and facebook account.  I personally love it when my clients post their family pictures on their blogs, facebook, etc.  It shows me that they truly love their images!  I encourage my clients to “steal” their pictures from my blog to use on the internet.  Here are a few do’s and don’ts that you should think about when reposting your images:

1)  DO ask your photographer what their specific policy is on taking pictures off of their blogs.  Some photographers encourage it and some don’t allow it.  If this is important to you this is something you should ask BEFORE you hire your photographer!

2)  DO include your photographer’s name and website under the images (a link would be super nice!).  That’s just the polite thing to do

3)  DON’T crop out their logo.  Unless you have paid for the digital negatives don’t alter the files in anyway.  Most photographers use their blogs to advertise their work and do so as a courtesy to give their clients a sneak peek.  If a client crops out the logo then how will other people know who took the picture?

4)  DON’T edit the picture in any way.  Taking the pictures is only half of a photographers job.  The other half is editing.  If you think you can do a better job or want to edit out some of your wrinkles or use selective coloring please don’t show and/or tell your photographer.  That is super insulting.  If you don’t like your photographers editing enough to want to edit it yourself than maybe you need to find another photographer next year.

5)  DON’T try to print from the files on the blog.  For me specifically I know that the files I upload to my blog are too small to be printed in a 4×6 size.  It’s not cool to invest in a family session and then print the images off of the blog and not pay for prints.  Make sure you know how much the prints cost before the session to avoid sticker shock.  Same goes for scanning prints that you already bought.  Not cool!  Some of my family members are guilty of printing images off of my blog.  It makes me cringe when I see them FRAMED in their homes with my logo still on there!  To be fair, I’m also not great at emailing them the file when they ask for it

*I have been fortunate so far to have clients who are very respectful and thoughtful when reposting my images.  Love you guys!!

I am listening to Christmas carols and am in the mood to give some gifts to my faithful fans and friends who also like to photograph on their own! So here is the deal…

The prize:

The winner will receive a complimentary portrait session with me and a CD with high resolution images (value of $530).  The session must take place before February 1st and must take place in the Memphis Metro area.  I will also travel to Jackson, depending on scheduling!

The contest:

1. enjoy a little photoshoot with a child or children that is/are really close to you, you may also use a recent photo
2. send ONE favourite photo to my email amber@ambertakesphotos.com, the photos will be posted in a special album on my Facebook fan page.
3. if you are not yet a fan, become a fan of Amber Rhodes-Lapoint Photography on facebook.
4. send people (family, friends, colleagues, ex-classmates) to become fans of Amber Rhodes-Lapoint Photography and to vote for their favorite photo (which would be yours, of course!)

The winner will be announced on Saturday, December 19 based on the total number of votes entered for each image. Votes are counted as individual comments under each photo. Clicking the Like link does not count as a vote. Voting people must be fans of my fan page, votes from people who are not fans won’t be counted.

And inevitably the rules:

1. entries must be submitted by Thursday, December 10.
2. one entry per person
3. voting will start on Friday, December 11 and will end on Thursday, December 17
4. one vote per person
5. comments under a photo count as votes, clicking the Like link doesn’t count as a vote
6. you may vote for your own image
7. submitted images must be of child/ren under 18 years of age
8. photos taken by professional photographers won’t be accepted

Are you ready to play?

I got this idea from Shannon, who is a Knoxville photographer (TN, represent!), you can visit her blog post here!

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all doing well, what with Thanksgiving, black friday and Christmas coming up!

I have a sneak peek to post, a couple of days ago I did a mini-session with my good friend Jaie.

I’ll be posting my Christmas card options this week as well, so be watching out for them!

It has been WAY too long! My husband and I recently moved into our new house, we haven’t had an internet connection in nearly a month. I know, I almost died! (melodramatic, yea yea…)

Anyway, in my internet absence I have A LOT of updates to give you, and here is the first.

This is Crystal’s family, and she and her husband both blog on a regular basis. Crystal has ‘Boobs, injuries and Dr.Pepper’, and Chris has Mr.McKnob. I love Crystal and Chris, and their blogs! Their children were pretty awesome, too! ; -)

Here’s some of their photos: