It has been way too long since I wrote a blog post, but there are three very good reasons why.

1) Changing the Website

Do not get me wrong, I do love this dark wood and black theme going on here! However, I realize when I set it up the site, I just tried to find the most professional looking free backgrounds, made my own logo, and put it up as fast as I could. I didn’t really put a lot of time into making my site look more like the service I provide. So this month, I have been searching for something a little more me. Although I do LOVE the color black and a part of me will miss this dark black background, I  think I found something that I like even more! (It will be a HUGE difference)

2) Complicated name change. 

So about a year ago I married the love of my life and it has taken me about a year to officially change my name. Getting married is fun, changing the name is not. I postponed it and kept saying I would do it next month etc. Well, a year later- I am now “Breanna McKendrick”.

What does this have to do with Photography? Well, when setting up my first logo- I was in the limbo stage of the names change. I didn’t know when/if I was ever going to do it. So… I didn’t know what I should call my business. I know this should seem simple and obvious, but I couldn’t make a decision. Should it be Breanna Meldrum Photography? Breanna McKendrick Photography? Well, I wimped out and just went with Breanna Photography avoiding the whole last name situation. However, I have embraced the McKendrick and want it in the business name now.

3) I got a new camera! 

And I have been too busy loving it. I mean really. I feel like I just gave birth to a darling 1.8 pound, 21.1 megapixel full-frame Canon 5D Mark II!  I have been shooting with a Mark II for a while via renting. But now I am a proud owner(mother). I know Canon just released the 5d Mark III, which made the Mark II a little more affordable for me. Great deals always make me happy.

 

So when are these website changes going to happen?? SOON! I think my time researching sites and re-designing will be well worth the effort (even if I have sacrificed a few blog posts this month!)

In the mean time, here are a few pictures of our fun Christmas Tree that we set up this last Monday. I am sewing a Tree skirt and our christmas stockings soon! I will show those to you too when they are finished.

Did I mention this is the first year I have had a REAL tree?? It was a riot to see my husband and I try and pick one out AND get it strapped down to our Hyundai Elantra. But I must say, it is a perfectly shaped tree.


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I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I have enjoyed living in Salt Lake City. Although it is the biggest city in Utah, It still is not a HUGE city that creates so many stresses (ie. parking, traffic, crime, etc). We live just a 7 minute drive from downtown and  one of the gems of this city is the beautiful capitol building. Yes. I know that might sound strange, but I have a weird affinity to those neo-classical columns and that greenish-gray dome that is nicked-named “Copper Top”.  While we are on a semi-political reference, don’t forget to  go out there are vote this week. After all, it isn’t every day you get to vote for the President of the United States.

 The Utah State Capitol building really is a gorgeous building.

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You made the call, scheduled the day, and now are faced with the dilemma. What are you going to wear to your photo session??? If you are like my family growing up, it seemed that the “what to wear” question was always a bigger stress than actually trying to find a day that worked for everyone in the family to even have the photo session.  Styles have changed and although it is fun to look back and laugh at those fantastic 80’s shoulder pads in your pant suit, wouldn’t it be great if you were not too embarrassed by your choice of outfits 20 years down the road?

So here 5 tips to help you find the answer to that age old question: WHAT DO I WEAR FOR MY PICTURES?

 

Number 1: Dress to bring out the best. 
There are reasons your mother never let you wear your pajamas to the family pictures. Find those outfits that make you feel confident and amazing. It shines through in your images.

 

Number 2: Look at textures and patterns!
You have seen those pictures. The ones where everyone is wearing the exact same thing.  You can all wear the same color scheme, but add a little variety with some subtle texture and patterns. It creates a level of depth and intrest for a picture.

Number 3: Layers are fantastic. 
When I have clients show up to a shoot with layers, it makes my heart sing. It creates so many possibilities. Take some pictures with a jacket on, take the jacket off, show off a cool vest, etc. One outfit can turn into three at the snap of a finger.

 

Number 4: Accessories and other details.
Just like textures and layers, accessories add intrest to an image. Add some fun earrings, a cute scarf, those fantastic shoes, bracelets or a simple roll of long pant cuffs. All of these details gives the opportunity to show more personality and color.

 

Number 5: Be yourself.  
Choose outfits that you feel comfortable in. If you never in a million years would wear a skirt, dont wear a skirt for your family pictures. If you are not a fan of high heels, do not feel the pressure to wear high heels just to make your legs look longer. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing it shows. (Exception: your wedding day… you might just have to smile through that tuxedo)

 

It can be a balancing game to find the right mix and blend for your particular shoot, whether it is a family shoot, maternity shoot, or engagement session. But lay out your options, try them on and check ourself out in the mirror, grab a friend and turn it into a fun fashion show. Who said this has to be stressful?

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Craig and Marianne are a wonderful couple, and I feel like my husband and I have a lot in common with them. Wedding wise that is. Share the same wedding month and the same wedding venue. It makes me want to go back and be engaged all over again. For me at least, it was an exciting time and I really did love planning my wedding. Marianne and Craig are such cute lovebirds. It was no trouble at all asking them to snuggle together shot after shot. It was great to have Marianne’s older sister, Elisa, there with us to help out for the day. She saved us a couple times while watching for those thing like flyaway hairs or awkward arms. If you ever consider bringing a friend or family member to a shoot, trust me, I can always find things for them to do.  Congratulations you two! I am so excited for your wedding this December.

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Logan, Utah in the beginning of October is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The sun was out and shinning, the leaves were starting to turn colors, and Sarah and Derek got married. Could you ask for a more perfect day?

One of the things that I loved most about this wedding was all the thought that went into the details. Sarah wore her mother’s pearl earrings, together they helped to make her wedding cake, the red flowers at the reception was grown by her Grandfather who lives at Bear Lake, the cake was placed on a tree ring also from her Grandfather, and Derek’s ring is inscribed with a phrase that means so much to them.

The reception was held at the Blue Bird Inn, one of the most darling Bed and Breakfast Inns I have seen with such a great view of the lake. Burlap ribbons were tied around mason jars with assorted yellow flowers that Sarah aunt, had put together, along with Sarah’s bouquet and Derek’s boutonniere.

What a wonderful day and such wonderful families. Congratulations Derek and Sarah!

 

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