WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING TO A PHOTO SESSION IN BEND OREGON

The most common question I get from clients is 'what should I wear'? This is an important question as clothing does set a tone for your photos.
It is natural for clients to want or need some guidance as it can be overwhelming especially when it comes to family portraits.
I would like to share with you some suggestions on what to wear and bring to your next photo session.

• #1  - be comfortable!
• Clothing choices should be based on your session location and you or your child's personality.
• Keep it simple - solids or simple patterns.
• As a family avoid wearing the same thing, ie white polo shirt and jeans. But rather choose outfits that compliment each other. Color co-ordination lends harmony to a portrait.
• Avoid solid black and white - the camera doesn't usually enjoy these extreme on the color spectrum.
• Extra clothing is a must for kids and there is a good chance they will get messy before or at the session.
• Bright colors are best in my opinion and always photograph nicely especially on kids.
• Avoid graphics/logos, cartoon characters and shiny fabric on clothing as it can be distracting.
• Check your clothing for any stains and get the iron out if you have wrinkles!
• Choose clothes that are flattering to your body shape.
• Check that your child's feet, hands and face are clean.
• Accessories always make a session more interesting. So bring along a hat, scarf, head band, your child's favorite teddy bear or even a cool chair. Props are always welcomed. Bring something that reflects or connects you and your family, perhaps a guitar, books, a fun umbrella. I also have a selection of props and accessories which I can share with you.
• Make sure your shoes coordinate with your outfit. Bare feet always looks good too.
• Well behaved four legged friends are more than welcome to join you in your photo session.
• Don't over do the make up - natural is best!
• Layering always looks nice as well as the use of texture.

If you aren't sure, feel free to bring a few different things and we can decide together.
The most important thing to remember is that your clothing should be a reflection of you and your family.
If you need some inspiration check out the many websites such as:
Old Navy, Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, J Crew, Gap.

Don't hesitate to call or email me for assistance.
I want you to feel comfortable and be yourself at your photo session so I can capture your soul!

Seattle family photo session in Bend Oregon.

This week I had the pleasure of capturing my first Seattle family. They were down for a vacation at the Sunriver Resort. They spent the day in Bend. Their day began with coffee with me and then off to a picturesque location to capture these photos.

Thanks Clark family, it was fun meeting you and capturing your beauty. 
All the best with the move!


Jill

A story of two special brothers...

When I am invited to photograph a family I try to meet with them before the actual photo session. I so enjoy getting a feel for each family member in the comfort of their home environment. A person's home can tell you a lot about a person and especially their personality.
During this visit it is always fun connecting with the children through playing and chatting. This is really a benefit on the day of the photo session. Kids have to be comfortable with a new person, especially one hiding their face with a big black camera, to enable them to be at ease and be themselves on the other side of my lens.
This week I finally got the pleasure of photographing a very special family. We meet 4 weeks ago and weekly we kept having to delay the photo session because of the abnormally cold weather here in Bend OR.
During my visit to their home I was instantly drawn to two little smiley boys, Boone who is almost 2 years old and Chance who is 9 months old. Their liveliness and energy was uplifting.
Boone and Chance's parents, Carolyn and Jeff shared with me their story of how they adopted Boone at birth. Finally they were parents to a beautiful boy. Their world even became more perfect when Boone's birth mother called months later to say she was pregnant and would they adopt Boone's brother. Today both boys have each other, a beautiful home environment and even more special, a Mom and Dad who are so in love with them.

The photos below are just some of what I got to capture this week at their home.

Thanks Jeff, Carolyn, Boone and Chance for showing me your beautiful souls!

Photographing Little People...

It is such a precious thing to have beautiful photos of your beautiful children.
This week I photographed a little brother and sister. They were so excited to be in nature and were perfect little people for me to capture.

The highlight was a field of dandelions  - so many to be blown! Growing up in New Zealand we called them fairy blowers.

Thank you
Ethan and Erica

Monica - through my lens.

Every town has their familiar faces. In the 10 years I have lived in Bend Oregon there has been one person who always catches my eye on the streets of Bend.
Frank was his name and has many stories to share - who knows what is true or not. He is known for his beaten up convertible, his dogs and cat, his performing on the streets with his guitar and his willingness to chat with you.
Some would say why did you photograph him, how could you....

Well it so happened I recently walked out of a coffee shop and there was Frank - well actually no longer Frank dressed in baggy mens discolored clothes but now Monica dressed in a bright seductive outfit. Of course I had to ask him what happened.. He gave me his story which I shall not dive into.

While chatting with him I started to imagine what I could capture with my camera. It wasn't until last week that I did actually capture Monica early on a sunny morning outside the same coffee shop. It was not the easiest photo shoot but you do get a good sense of his soul.
Monica is certainly turning heads in Bend Oregon and she truly is one of a kind.
Fortunately Bend is a pretty safe town for such a character to be on the streets.
I look at her/he as being a lost soul in many ways, I could truly feel this through my lens.
One might say he is looking for attention.  I am sure he is doing just that but the question is why is he?
What I love about photography is through my camera I get to see different individuals who are having their own experience here on this earth. Everyones experience is unique and perfect for that person. I choose not to judge others because they are different or do things differently.
Capturing Monica through my lens reminded me the importance of that.

Jill

The importance of having 'photos' from the most difficult times imaginable...

I want to be able to make a difference in peoples lives through my photography. One calling I have is to 'give' my services to someone who is facing the biggest milestone in their life and who would like to remember it as a time of growth and strength.  Also to those who have been diagnosed as terminal and would like to leave to their loved one photos of strength and love. 

If you know someone in one of these situations and you feel it could be something that would resonate with them I would be grateful if you could share with them what I wish to do.

Recently I asked a dear friend Sandy who is a cancer survivor to write something for my blog. I didn't know exactly what to tell her to write. I wanted her to share with me what it would have been like to look back had she had someone capture her in the most difficult and challenging period of her life.  

Below is what she wrote for me to share here on my blog.


Last fall I captured a friend's father who was was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. This friend Matt Gaddow kindly wrote his feelings below also.


Thank You Sandy, Matt and Miles xx


Jill


          -----------------------------------------------------


In 2003, I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.  Diagnosed on a
Tuesday, I started chemo that Friday.  Not much time to think.  I remember
them telling me not everyone lost their hair, but most people on the course
I was taking, did.  I decided I would be one of the ones that didn't. Ha!
They said it usually started around Day 12.  I got to Day 14.  I remember it
hurt when my hair fell out (and hurt even more when it grew back!).
Cancer was a very private experience for me.  I got through it on pure and
utter stubbornness, and by being uncharacteristically insular.  I took one
self-timed photo of myself after I lost all my hair.  My bald self wasn't so
bad.  It was the drawn on eyebrows that used to drive me nuts.  Now, seven
years later (yay!) I wish someone had taken a great photo of me during that
journey.  It's a milestone, a landmark.  As such it should be honored and,
catalogued.  Jill Rosell is a dear friend of mine who takes photos from the
heart.   I wish she had been with me in Australia to capture that part of my
journey.  You don't think of it when you're in it.  Now, on the other side,
it's a loss I regret.  Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a beautiful
sitting with Jill.  It will be a light to enjoy during the darkest of times.

Sandy Henderson,
Bend, Oregon

                     --------------------------------------------------------------------




"When I first heard the news about my Dad's cancer diagnosis, the first
thing I thought of was having some photos done, and I immediately thought of
Jill Rosell, and her new love of photography.  Her ability to capture my
father, and our family was priceless.  I asked her to come and do a photo
shoot at our house, and we rushed to schedule something as soon as possible.
My father was a little reluctant at first, and the weather didn't look like
it would be cooperating, but Jill urged us to keep the appointment, and at
least try and get some shots.   I'm so glad we did, as Jill managed to
bring perfect weather and lighting, and my Dad rallied to her unique
shooting style, and we ended up with a GREAT set of pictures.  As my Dad got
sicker, and we went through some tough times, those pictures were able to
remind me of the many happy times that our family had with my father.  Now
that he's gone, I am so grateful to Jill for providing some memories of our
family that will be with us forever...

Thanks to Jill, from the Gadow family.."

From one beautiful dog to another...

Last year I photographed a good friends dog called Bella ( means beautiful). Bella was terminally ill with cancer at the time and ended up living just two days after our photo shoot. This session was very special to me as it enabled and taught me how to feel peoples energy through the lens. That may sound a little strange to some, but during this photo session because of the circumstances there was so much love being displayed. I believe what I am capturing during these emotional moments are peoples souls. I can even feel it when I am sitting behind the computer editing such photos. These moments are very dear to me and are truly rewarding and what I want to be able to capture for my clients. When someone who looks at a photo I have created and truly feels something in their heart, I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do.

(Bella is cropped in this photo due to a tumor on her font leg.)

The happy news I want to share is this same family now has a new family member. Her name is Callie, which also means beautiful in Greek. She is a golden retriever and is just 9 weeks old.
I got to meet Callie on Saturday and she won my heart in the first second. Of course I grabbed my camera and got a few shots. It was the end stage of my son Jack's birthday party so I was multi tasking. I am planning on a private photo session with just Callie and her Mommy over the next week so come back for a peek.
Can't wait to capture Callie's Soul again.