Lisa Phillipson Photography » Atlanta Family and High School Senior Photography

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napcp charleston

I am preparing and packing today as I leave for Charleston, South Carolina early in the morning.  I’m headed to the National Association of Child Photographers (NAPCP) retreat for lots of education, inspiration and (hopefully) relaxation.

I found these pictures from my last trip I took to Charleston a couple of years ago with some girlfriends.  By the look of it, this must be from my horrible Canon powershot that I do not recommend anyone purchasing.  I guess I did not have my beloved iPhone yet?  These pictures were taken on a wonderful walking tour I took.  I wish I could remember the name of the man who led it.  I am going to try to find my way back to Amen Street and hope my memory is right about their fabulous hushpuppies and blood orange martinis.  I know one thing.  The weather is going to be beautiful (again) and I will have better pictures this time.

Follow me on Instagram to see what fun we are having! @LisaPhillipson

napcp charleston

green clothing atlanta family

Green Clothing Ideas

Green Clothing: I hope you had a great green St. Patrick’s Day.  It is always this day that I learn how little green people have in their closet.  You will see me in green all the time – I love it.  And I often dress my children in it as well.  I love the pairings above with the bright pink added in.  I think I might try adding that instead of red the next time I photograph all three of my children together.  Add in my next favorite color, navy blue, and it is perfect (for me).

Try adding green in to your wardrobe and portrait pictures.  These particular colors especially remind me of Easter.  You can find this color scheme in all the stores right now so it will be easy to find!  Emerald Green is the color of the year for 2013 so go for it even if it is just small pops of bright green in a scarf, purse or other accessory.

green clothing atlanta family

green clothing atlanta family

First Lost Tooth Atlatna Child Photographer

“You will lose set number one, And when you do, it’s not much fun.  –Dr. Seuss

First Lost Tooth

Our Little Miss lost her first tooth last week.  It was a milestone for her…and me too.  The dentist told us in December the bottom ones were loose and would be coming out soon.  I was truly shocked. You would think I would know this was coming with my third child?  I just want her to stay little forever. I told our dentist that I wanted to cry but would save it for when the first top tooth came out.

Real life pictures here for you from me.  She had a wet head, Christmas nightgown and ready for bed – I grabbed my camera with the 100mm lens that I use for little bitty newborn pieces and parts to capture that tooth before the tooth fairy took it away.  Unfortunately, for the fun moments after taking the tooth picture I only had that lens but I made do and love them just the same.  Take pictures of your memorable family moments however you can, with whatever camera you have (and whatever bad light you have!).  The memory and emotion of it is what makes it so special.

You may not know this (my kids do) that the Tooth Fairy is only guaranteed to come the same night you lose a tooth if you lose that tooth before 3PM.  There are cut-offs and she has to plan.  That is just the way it is.  Luckily she came that night and left what my boys have always received, a Gold Dollar Coin.  The next morning my sweet little girl cried and cried when she found it.  I felt terrible (not sure what she was expecting).  She told her teachers at school that all she got was a penny.  She just lost her second tooth and believe me the Tooth Fairy was quick to leave a real dollar bill to avoid any more tears.

First Lost Tooth Atlatna Child Photographer

This was said during the laughs and tickles above:

Kate: You’re my favorite!

Dad: Thank you!

Kate: I was talking to Mommy!

Haha – I had to document that.  My children are all about fun-Daddy (with good reason) so it was particularly funny (to me).

I posted these pictures not just to share my incredibly sweet (and sometimes sassy) little girl but also because it reminded me how I am just like the other Moms that have panicked when those teeth are about to come out.  I have had many sessions with 5 year olds to catch them while they still have that cute little smile.  You just don’t ever want to forget it.  Honestly, a lot of times at 5 or 6 the smiles are a bit different even if the teeth haven’t fallen out yet.  Mouths are bigger and the teeth start spacing out.  I think year 4 is a great age to photograph a child.  They have come out of toddlerhood but haven’t quite become a big kid yet.  You can get an awesome portrait of them and they are still adorable.  A great age all around!  — Kate is 5 and a half in these pictures and her top teeth/smile look about the same.  As you can see the bottom permanent teeth are on their way and pushing the little ones out of the way. The baby teeth definitely needed to come out weeks ago. (sniff)

First Lost Tooth Atlatna Child Photographer

“But then you’ll grow set number two!

32 teeth, and all brand-new.
16 downstairs, and 16 more
upstairs on the upper floor.

And when you get your second set,
THAT’S ALL THE TEETH YOU’LL EVER GET!”

–Dr. Seuss

Our Family Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist

Spring Color Trend Atlanta Photography

Today was gorgeous in Atlanta and gave us a big taste of Spring.  So, before tomorrow when we flip around the temperature from 64 to 46, I have some colorful inspiration on what to look forward to this Spring. Waking into almost any clothing store you will be able to find colorful jeans with bright pops of color.  Go bright and bold this Spring.  Look for not quite neon colors but ones that are bright and clear.  Emerald is the color for 2013 (that makes me happy)!  I’m also very happy to see some color scenarios using grays and yellows. (visit my Gray and… Pinterest HERE)

Designer, Rachel Roy, created a Spring line of clothing with “a new balance pairing aquarelle pastels with vibrant pops of color — the contrast of Amethyst with Soft Shell, Bloom with Hibiscus, and Flax Linen with Candy Pink creates the emotion of unbalanced beauty.” Her favorite must-have item is a jacket in Limeade which I hope I am lucky enough to come across.

Try throwing an economical pair of colorful jeans into your existing wardrobe.  My favorite places to shop for them would be Gap, Old Navy and The Loft. It is fun to stay on-trend without breaking the bank.  If you aren’t bold enough for the pants there are plenty of bright and colorful jackets that will go with your existing jeans.

Spring Color Trend Atlanta Photography

It is the perfect time for Senior Portraits. I love for my High School students to have timeless outfits that will never grow old for their Senior Pictures.  I also encourage doing something really fun and representative of their last year of high school.  My sessions include lots of variety and is a really fun experience. I expect to see many ice-blue jeans and other colorful outfits soon and can’t wait!

Happy Spring to you – even if just for today!  ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ (The Groundhog) did not see his shadow this year so we are definitely going to have an early Spring! (right?)

What to Wear Wednesday: 2013 Color Trend Report | Check out www.pantone.com/spring2013 for more information and ideas.

Spring Color Trend

what to wear spring coral

It is Wednesday so I guess that makes this a What to Wear Wednesday post.  It has been so cold this week! I like the above color scheme because they are appropriate for this time of year and also have a pop of color to carry us in to Spring.  I’m ready for Spring weather now! Change the coral to red and it is perfect for Valentine’s Day.  Note the thick textured sweater and ruffle skirt which are great for family portraits as they just add another layer of interest to a photograph.

I attended ImagingUSA this week.  It is the largest annual convention & Expo for Professional Photographers hosted by the PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and lucky for me it was in Atlanta this year.  I spent 3 days in educational classes full of info and inspiration.  I feel a bit overloaded and overwhelmed (and exhausted) but am looking forward to the new year and all it holds.  I was able to view in person the latest and greatest products the industry has to offer.  I have lots of new and exciting products I am going to carry this year especially for my Seniors.

I am inspired by a lot of people that don’t specialize in what I do and really enjoyed getting to hear many of them talk and share what they do.  Just a small group of my favorites are listed here in case you are interested.  The first was Robin Layton and you might want to check her out especially if you are into Pet Photography.  She doesn’t specialize in that either but has a new book and video out that you will love.  She has a very impressive resume but seems to have stepped away from a lot of it to follow what her true passions in shooting are. Matthew Jordan Smith and Brian Smith (no relation) had similar messages of following your own passion and always having personal projects to work towards.  It is easy to say that when you are very successful but they have all the years of hard work to back it up which I can appreciate.  It is always fun to hear Zack Arias talk on any subject and he didn’t disappoint.  I love his candid way of telling it like it is; Our industry is very difficult and…get over it.

Below are some of my Instagram pictures taken during the show.  I am fortunate to have several photographer friends in the Atlanta area you will see and have also included pictures of our get-together last week.  We shared info and made good plans for 2013.  Some of us specialize in different things but always have something to share that is helpful and inspiring.  I always say being a photographer is mostly an individual sport so getting the chance to work with other people in the same boat is really fun and encouraging.

Bottom Row: Seniors Ignite! (John Pyle & Jennifer Tori at the ICELIGHT booth);  One of my Senior Rep Cards was featured by a pro Lab; Models/Entertainment(?) at the opening party.

 iPhone

 

What to Wear for the Holidays

Christmas is often the time when extended families are together.  I get a few requests every year to photograph families that have finally all come together for the Holidays.  It may be the only time it happens all year.  Whether your family portrait this Christmas is by a professional or on your own, it will really make a difference in the overall look if you take the time to coordinate the color scheme of your group.  Use this picture as a visual to have a clothing basis of creams, dark grays or black and tan.  Add a few pops of red or any bright color to tie it all together.

Click the above icon or here to see my Pinterest board of What to Wear.  Get lots of other clothing ideas for families that belong to other people as well as my own stuff.

On a more personal note, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I don’t cook much during the year and I make up for it the days leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If you need me, I am in my kitchen.  It is exhausting!  Pinterest has opened up a new world of things to try but I have one go-to cookbook that I always use.  It is my Nana’s Calling All Cooks  cookbook that I inherited years ago after she passed away.  I can’t believe I actually found it on Amazon!  I highly recommend this book.  It has good ole Southern recipes straight from Alabama.  It has the kind of stuff you will find at any church potluck.  Mine is a little more special than what you will find at Amazon because it is falling apart and full of flour and sugar.  The page with my favorite dessert, Four Layer Chocolate Pie, has chocolate on the pages from when she used to make it for me.  I know she made it for me more times than I can count.

Thanks, Nana!

You can find more of my favorite recipes (or what I love the idea of making) on this Pinterest Board.  We have cookie exchanges coming up so yesterday was dedicated mostly to cookie making from scratch.  I think store-bought Oreos are just as good (to me).

Happy Holiday Baking AND Happy Birthday to My Mom today!

Mental note: now that I found Calling All Cooks  online, I will have to buy it for everyone next Christmas.