Why It's Important to Coordinate Your Photographic Artwork with Your Home's Decor

One of our FAQs is "What should we wear?" and "Do you have a place you like to photograph at?".

OK.  There's matchy-matchy, like back in the 90s when it was very popular to wear white button down shirts and blue jeans, and either barefoot or birkenstocks, and be photographed at the beach, or on the white background at the mall photo studio.










Then there's complementary, like when your daughters love the color purple and you get them dresses for their session that are really pretty, and go really well together, in a purply sort of way, in a field of lavender.






Now there's coordinated, which means we take into consideration, many things, such as your lifestyle, your decor style, and the colors in which you decorate your home, and your favorite places in which you feel most connected.

For instance, if a family had a light and airy farmhouse style of home, then I would suggest wearing fabrics that are natural colors, like creams, tans, greens and blues, in cottons and other natural fibers, and then photograph them in a beautiful field with which they are well-acquainted, at 7 am when the light is pure and clean.  I wouldn't suggest them dressing in vibrant, jewel tones and photographing them in front of modern architecture at 5 in the afternoon.

If a couple had really quirky tastes, with colorful splashes everywhere, then I'd suggest photographing them at their favorite county fair, wearing fun colors and photograph them about an hour before sunset, when the lights start blazing on, the sky looks great, and it's very festive.

If I worked with teens who played string instruments and their parents had a very traditional home that is quiet and peaceful, I would get permission to photograph them at their favorite art museum or local conservatory, and have them dress in dresses and suits in soft colors to enhance that tranquility.

If a mom approached me with very energetic children who were being "unschooled", then I'd ask her what some of their favorite activities and places to visit are, and choose colors in their home that work with that theme.

As you can see, no two families are the same, so neither should their photographs be. 

We believe, so strongly, that everything that goes into a photography experience and artwork should represent that family, exactly.  We believe that artwork that shows a family who they are, where they are coming from, and where they're going, can create such an impact on that family, every day.

Let's face it, we're humans who are visual beings.  We are affected by our environments.  When our homes are tidy and clean, it affects everyone in such a way that they behave a little bit more carefully with keeping it tidy and clean.  When our homes are cluttered, this environment tends to make everyone pretty cranky.

Purposeful photographic artwork of your family does the same thing.  The impact of symbolic artwork of a family reminds each member that they have a place in the family, they are loved, and they are (fill in the blank).  What does it mean to siblings in middle school, whose mom and dad just divorced, and they come home every day to an empty home, because mom is now working full time... and they see photographs, every day, on the wall greeting them as soon as they walk in the door, to remind them of how very much their mom loves them.  To remind them to never give up.  To help them on the hard days when they miss the former chapter of their lives before the divorce.  To actually feel their mom's love as she sacrifices precious time with her kids so that they have a home and a good life.  To know their mom has their backs all of the time.  That despite their new normal, they can depend on their mom.

Do you want an experience like this, to help you and your loved ones remember who you each are, where you are all coming from, and where you're headed?  Erin and I will help you through the experience, every step of the way, with the location for photography, choosing colors and styles of clothing, and finally the emotions that you want to relive again and again for years to come. 

It's definitely a different experience, but one that we know will impact your family for years to come.  Call us today at 240-766-8966 for your first, complementary discovery call, to see how photographs of your family can impact your life.


 *Please note that the photographs used in this blog post are stock photos.  Thanks.

I Won a Gift Certificate! What's Next?

What is a Gift Certificate Competition?

Every once in a while, here at HBP, we love to celebrate relationships by offering competitions.

A competition is different from a contest.  A contest is usually a drawing of some sort.  A competition is based on specific content, and here is where you get to share your heart, and tell us what you love most about people like,

                                                                 Your family

             Your siblings

                                                        Your parents

                    You and your partner

                                                                         Your children

                                                                                                        You!

Wait, what?

My team and I go through the entries and choose the very best one for the grand prize winner.  A winning entry might go something like this:

My sisters and I grew up together with a lot of love in our home.  We are now separated by miles due to marriages and careers, but we get together every summer at the shore.  I’d love to celebrate the fact that we are now all in our 40s with a photo shoot so that we can remember how awesome we are!

Sometimes, the competition is very specific.  I’ll look for families who never get to spend quality time at the dinner table any more due to kids at sports, mom and dad pursuing education and careers, all the while juggling visits to Grandma’s house every 2 weeks.  That’s just one example of so many!  All of the entries should be themed around something in this statement that resonates with the person entering the competition.

Next, we’ll go through each entry, and choose the ones that make our hearts sing.  Then we’ll decide on and call the grand prize winner, and the first place winners as well.  Together, you and I will discover some really wonderful things about who you want to include in your session.  We’ll also talk about what your gift certificate covers, and how you can use it.

Our session is going to be unlike anything you’ve experienced before with a photography session.  Together, we’ll have fun, we’ll savor the moments, and we’ll soak it all in.  Every little bit.  Because your session is about those moments that we create together, so that every time you look up at your artwork, you’ll relive those moments and feel those same feelings again and again.

Next is our party!  We’ll get together at your home with a Premiere and Design Party, where we go over your photographs and put them together in designs that are meant to impact your lives every single day!  It’s the first time you get to relive those moments from our session, so having everyone, present,  who was photographed is important.  It’s a beautiful part of the experience because it gives you just a quick taste of what’s to come soon after!

Finally, the moment arrives for our second celebration:  when I come to your home and deliver your artwork to you!  This is like Christmas morning, where your anticipation bubbles up and you feel like a kid again, as you can’t wait to open your artwork!  Having everyone there for the delivery is also important, because experiencing this together is a bonding moment, as everyone soaks the artwork in.

We think that this is the perfect way to celebrate relationships, and are certain that you think so, too.  Keep your eye out on FB for our next competition, and start thinking about what you might say to get that winning entry!