Not being the most trendy person out there I search the internet (so you don't have to) to find what the in styles are for 2025.

As a photographer, I usually recommend to my clients that a timeless look is the better way to go for your family photos. I want you to love seeing your images hang on the walls of your home for many years. I don't want you to look at them and think they look dated because of the clothing style. But I feel even more strongly that you images reflect who you are. So if you are one that keeps up with fashion trends then this blog post is for you!

As I go through these up coming trends there will be some you will love and some that will make you groan. Remember I just did the research, I didn't start the trends, so don't shoot the messenger.

The Pantone color of the year for 2025 is Mocha Moussse Brown. And I have to say I really love this color! It is soft and warm and inviting. I think it will do well all year. What do you think?

I have mixed feelings about most of the come back or continuing trends for 2025.

First up we have the return of the "skinny" jeans. Well, this is a good thing for me since I still have some in my closet, but a lot of people don't like them at all. 

Also back for another year are animal prints, especially leopard, peep toed shoes and boho style clothing. The good thing is a lot of people will be able to look trendy in clothes they already have in their closets. 

Other returning trends are plaid, strapless dresses, ruffles, asymmetrical dreosses, combination skirt and pants, flip flops and Oxford shoes.

Wow that's a lot!

So some of the news trends in 2025 are:

The Cropped Trench Coat

Elevated Activewear

Feminine Polos

Innovative Tank Tops

And using handbags less and utility type jackets to hold your items

I saw so many trend and it seems that they are all over the place and different websites are showing different things. I tried to showcase here the trends that I saw in more than one place. But I have seen everything from utilitarian wear to soft feminine from leather to lace and from skinny jeans to pant/skirt combo. So wear what you like! If you feel good in it, that's what matters.

And if you want a portrait session I will work with you and your style to get you images that you love! 

I love Christmas cards! I love sending them. I love opening them. And I especially love the unexpected. You may be thinking to yourself... oh cards are such a chore. But you know the feeling you get when you give someone a gift and you know they are going to love it? The gifts that you put the extra effort in? It is the same with your holiday cards. When you put a little extra thought in to the creation of the cards you send you will be excited to get them out to your friends and family.

I took a photographer's marketing class once that talked about sending "out of the box" holiday cards every year so that people will remember them and look forward to getting them every year. I took this to heart not only for my business but for my personal cards too. I know that I love when I open a Christmas card and see something totally unexpected. Then the next year I am thinking, ok what will their card look like this year?

Generic store bought cards for the most part are boring. If you are thinking that creative cards sound like a great idea but you haven't a clue as to what you want to do, that is where I come in! I always have ideas for something different and creative. It is kind of my thing. 

Do you have an old family picture you would like to recreate?

How about doing a bad 1980's JC Penny's photo shoot?

Or what about a composite? I can photoshop your family into all kinds of scenes!

We can brainstorm together to get the style that bests fits your family.

Every child is different. The thought of a visit with Santa can be exciting or intimidating. Here are some tips that will help prepare your child and you for getting the most out of your Santa Experience.

1. Start Preparing Early

Don't wait until the day before your session to start talking to your kids. Be sure to tell them step by step what to expect. They will arrive and may have to wait a minute or two for their turn etc.  

2. Talk about Santa

Talk to your child about their visit with Santa and let them know how all the kids are excited to see Santa! Help them to make a list of what they want Santa to bring them this year. Encourage them to ask Santa questions. I bet they have lots of questions about the elves and the reindeer. It is absolutely ok for them to ask. This encourages conversation with Santa! And Santa will have the answers!

3. Books and Movies

Read books about Santa and watch movies together. Talk about Santa while you are doing this. I know it is early to be watching holiday shows but this will help get them excited about their visit. 

4. Repetition is the key!

Children love hearing positive things over and over. The more you talk about Santa the easier it will be the day of your session. 

Again, planning in advance is always a good idea. Here are a few tips on what to wear for great images. I change my backdrop out almost every year. You are always welcome to ask me what it looks like in advance so you can plan outfits.

1. Will Your Child Wear It?

Always pick an outfit that your child is excited to wear. It is hard to get a smile out of a kiddo that is uncomfortable or unhappy to be dressed in something they don't like. You may not want to give them full authority to pick whatever they want, but you can give them choice and let them be part of the process.

2. Dose It Fit?

This may sound like a no brainer, but seriously try the outfit on your child before coming in to see Santa. Too big is easier to deal with than too small, but for great pictures your child's clothes need to fit.

3. Pajamas VS Regular Clothes

This one is totally up to you! I love both ideas. I would stay with a Christmas theme with the pajamas if that is what you decide on. 

4. Should My Kids Match?

Again, this is up to you. I would say that you do not have to match but if you have multiple children they should at least coordinate. You do not want one child in a Christmas t shirt and jeans and one all dressed up. Or only one out of three in a Christmas outfit. 

5. Should We Be Dressed Up?

You are paying a little more to have a private Santa photo session, they are meant to be keepsakes for years to come, so my answer would be that although you don't have to be dressed up, you should pick something nice. Plan what the kids are going to wear same as you would for picture day at school.

6. Dress Yourself Too!

I cannot state this strongly enough! Please make sure you are picture ready also. You may not want a picture with Santa, and you may not be in the pictures but if you have a child who may be shy or scared of Santa it might be the only way to get a good picture. Better to be prepared. And of course I will always do a family picture with Santa if that is what you would like!

Every parent or grandparent want that perfect picture of their child on Santa's lap. Sometimes that is just not going to happen no matter how much you have prepared or how excited they are prior to the session. But do not fear! Santa and I are prepared for this because it happens every year. We have lots of tricks to help.

1. Santa has all kinds of cool things with him that will engage your child, like books and magic tricks.

2. We can have your child hand a toy or present to Santa and that makes a super cute picture.

3. Your child can have a cookie with Santa.

4. The child can sit on a bench next to Santa or on your lap with Santa standing behind and out of sight.

5. Honestly, crying pictures can be really cute and fun to look back on. Do not stress! I will get great images for you.

As we get close to the Christmas season, a lot of parents are trying to decide between having their child's picture taken with Santa at the mall or booking a Santa mini session with a professional photographer. Considering that I am a professional photographer who loves the Santa mini session experience for my clients children and my own grandchildren, you can probably guess which side of the issue I am on. I am not saying there are not advantages to going to see the Santa at the mall, but rather there are more advantages to having a quality experience with Santa and having a photographer who will make sure you get the best images. 

You may decide to choose the mall Santa because it costs less and in times of high prices and the holidays right around the corner I totally get that. From my perspective you can't put a price on memories and having a fun and stress free experience is well worth a few extra dollars. 

Regardless of which Santa experience you choose, the tradition of seeing Santa is one that children have loved for generations. Pick what works best for your family and enjoy these precious moments with your little ones because they grow up fast.

Ok! Everyone get in the car we are going to see Santa at the mall! This can be a time honored tradition filled with long stressful lines of parents and children just trying to make it up to see Santa for a quick visit and get a candy cane. There are some advantages of going to the mall to see Santa.

1. Go anytime - As long as the mall is open and Santa is there you can go! If you are lucky and you get there at the right time you may not have a long wait. 

2. Cost - This is probably a more economical option. This is because their model is based on quantity not quality. And you should probably factor in the cost of any impulse buying while you are at the mall. 

3. Instant gratification - You get your photo that day! You don't have to wait but that also means you have limited choices in what you receive, you cannot reorder if you decide later that you want an extra picture for grandma and they do not offer custom made items.

The biggest advantage of having a Santa mini session with me (or any studio photographer) is the quality of the experience your child will have and the quality of the products you order. But here are some more advantages you get when you book a session with me

1. No Waiting in Line - Once you book your session with me all you have to do is arrive on time. We will be ready for you when you arrive. 

2. Time to Warm Up to Santa - meeting Santa is a big deal and although some kids will run right up to Santa and start a conversation, other may be a little shy and need a few minutes to warm up. Both are totally normal! We work with all kinds of feelings and Santa is very experienced handling all situations for the best photo results. Santa also comes prepared with tricks and magic to captivate his young audience. He will interact with your child and make their experience special.

3. Private Session  - When it is your session time, it is just your family with Santa, no one behind you expecting you to hurry. Your family can relax and enjoy your time. 

4. Certified Professional Photographer - I am a certified professional photographer with Professional Photographers of America so you can be assured that you will get amazing photos capturing your time with Santa. 

5. Attention to Detail - We do this every year and we are prepared way in advance. When you book your session you will fill out a short questionnaire which will help Santa talk to your child on a personal basis from the start. We will also give you tips on what to wear, how to prepare and answer any questions you have before your session. 

6. Same Santa - Although I obviously can't guarantee the same Santa every year, this is an important part of what I do. I want kids to look back at their pictures and see themselves with the same Santa. This helps keep the magic going a little longer. And Santa Carl is one of the best. He graduated from Santa school (yes there is a Santa school) he brings pictures of the reindeer, magic tricks and can answer any question your child has about Santa and his life at the North Pole.

7. Special Treats - Every Santa session includes special holiday treats and a special surprise for each child. Not only surprises the day of your session, but you child will also receive an letter from Santa in the mail after your session, saying how great it was to see them and a reminder to continue being good.

8. Custom Gifts & Cards - We offer custom made ornaments, books, holiday cards and more. Everything is ordered at a professional photo lab and is of heirloom quality so that your memories will last a life time.

9. Stress Free! - We want you and your family to enjoy this time and love your images! We will walk you through the whole process. All you have to do is show up, we will take care of the rest!

"Sharon is so great.  Her Santa pictures can't be beat and we love the family pictures she did for us last fall. She made ordering so easy."

                       ~ Amber B.

" Working with Sharon was magical. She has a great eye for detail, making wonderful photos."

                        ~ Patti C.

"Sharon is such a talented photographer. She always seems to capture the best photos of my kids. She takes her time and makes them feel comfortable. Highly recommend!"

                         ~ Amber N.

Today, I’m diving into the vibrant and dynamic world of event photography. Whether it's a wedding, corporate gathering, or a community festival, capturing the essence of an event requires a unique blend of technical skills, creativity, and an eye for detail.

The Heart of Event Photography

Event photography is about more than just taking pictures; it's about preserving memories. Each photograph I take is a snapshot of a moment that will never happen again. It's a way for people to relive their special occasions and remember the emotions they felt at that time. I love knowing that my work helps people hold onto those precious memories.

Understanding Your Event

Preparation is key to successful event photography. Before every event, I take the time to understand my clients' expectations and the schedule of the day. This helps me anticipate important moments and ensure I capture them. I always scout the venue beforehand to familiarize myself with the lighting conditions and layout. This way, I can plan my shots and be ready for any challenges that might arise.

Capturing Candid Moments

One of my favorite aspects of event photography is capturing candid moments. I believe that the most authentic and beautiful photos are those that aren't posed. During events, I blend into the background and observe the interactions and emotions of the guests. This allows me to capture genuine smiles, laughter, and sometimes even tears of joy. These candid shots often end up being the most cherished by my clients.

Being Discreet and Professional

Professionalism is paramount in event photography. I dress appropriately for the occasion and conduct myself in a manner that respects the event and its participants. My goal is to be as unobtrusive as possible while still capturing all the important moments. This approach helps my clients and their guests feel comfortable, allowing me to capture more natural and candid shots.

Post-Event Editing

Once the event is over, my work continues. I meticulously go through the photos and select the best ones for editing. My editing process involves enhancing the images while maintaining their natural look. I adjust the exposure, color balance, and sharpness to ensure each photo looks its best. The final product is a collection of beautifully edited images that tell the story of the event.

Event photography is a rewarding and fulfilling aspect of my work as a photographer. I take pride in my ability to capture life's best moments and create lasting memories for my clients. Whether it's a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, I approach each event with enthusiasm and dedication, knowing that the photos I take will be cherished for years to come.