The Hattan family personalized their family portrait by sitting atop their own backyard pool waterfall … barefoot!

Just a few snaps to get some nice Mother’s Day gifts.

Black shirts with blue jeans let everyone be comfortable, while still giving a nice classic portrait look you’ll be glad to have on your walls for years.

Your outdoor portraits don’t have to be flowers or fall leaves.  Find a spot that fits your family’s unique style.

The pumpkin farm that is.  This adorable family are just a few of the great people that run Powell Pumpkin Patch in Louisburg, KS. I’ve known Logan (the dad) since we were in kindergarten, and he and all of his extended family do a great job at the patch. So, next time you need some pumpkins and some old fashioned fun, go see them (and tell them what a cute family they are)!

Yes, pets are welcome in your family portraits!  However, I suggest you containing them so that you can take a few without your pets as well.  While most of the time it works out fine with pets, like in this photo, pets (like children) can be unpredictable. The added stress of coordinating the extra family members can sometimes make grown-ups forget to smile.

I am often asked what kind of clothing to wear for family portraits, and while there are a few no-no’s, I usually tell people to wear something that reflects their family’s style and the type of portrait they’d like hanging on the wall.  Denim is a popular choice, and here’s a sample of a cool effect that can be done with the blues!