Kicking It Up A Notch

One of my favorite things to do is bring my visions to life. The hard part? They take a lot of research, planning, time, help, etc. I often have people tell me that they want to do a shoot “just like that one” or ask me to bring crazy items to shoots (like a bed and farm animals! -haha). The reality is that the clients from those shoots helped me out with my visions. For instance, the family from this shoot owns all of those animals (and then some!) and when I told them my crazy idea, they were ALL for it. Dad disassembled their guest room bed and reassembled it in their front yard for me. So all of the key elements of this shoot (yard, bed, truck and farm animals) were theirs. I just had the idea and they helped execute it. I always have people say they want to be my guinea pigs and want to do something different. What most don’t understand is that I don’t have access to everything and everything. Locations are tricky to find, certain props aren’t easy to find, and other things like ideal wardrobes, etc can’t always be guaranteed. If you are a client, brainstorm and see if maybe one of your relatives, friends, etc has an awesome home or property we can shoot at. Maybe you have a cool bed that you could bring to a shoot? See if you have any elements to add to a different and unique shoot :)

Anyway, I rambled a bit, but that was my precursor for my upcoming disclaimer. This shoot was pretty much a one time thing. Thanks to a wonderful friend, I was able to get approval to not only photograph a family here, but also to bring in a sofa (and yes, it was confirmed that it was a first! haha), so no, I will not be doing this same shoot again. If it were an easy feat, then yes, I wouldn’t mind doing it, but it entailed weeks of approval, hauling a sofa down and carrying it quite some way (my arms are still hurting! lol. Keep in mind that my brother in law (who was helping me carry it) is 6’5″ and i’m only 5’6″ – haha!), being escorted in and out by security, etc. Needless to say, it was a good amount of work. I just wanted to mention this before people start asking for the same shoot.

So let’s get back to the main point of this post! My sister and I brainstorm for her annual (every January) family shoot pretty much after each shoot we do. Last year we did a little “Glamour Meets Grunge and Nature” theme. This time I knew that I wanted to try out one of my visions on them. When I told my sister about it, she was ALL for it (like she always is with anything I mention). After that, our wonderful friend, Jeff, helped us out tremendously by getting permission for us. Thank you Jeff! We love you!

Without further adieu, here is a little peek of my gorgeous sister and her boys……

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Category: Family, Kids, My Life     Tagged:

22 Comments on “Kicking It Up A Notch”

  3. Oh WOW! Your sister is a lucky girl! I LOVE the one of the boys on the couch with your sister standing beside it. Beautiful composition! Amazing location and gorgeous styling, Julie.

  6. Love it Julie!!! Your sister has a beautiful family and the couch is yummy!!! Loved your story about the things photographers do for a shoot too…:) I think it’s great for the public to hear that it’s important for clients and photogs to work together to make a unique, one-of-a-kind shoot happen…:)

  7. OH EM GEE!!!!!!!!!! i’m actually speechless, breathless, and numb….. (well, not really- but close!)
    THE BEST FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT I’VE EVER SEEN!!!!!

  9. SO FRICKIN’ FABULOUS! I am over the moon in love, love, love with everything about these photos! Thank you, Julie, for always making us look so good; for being so amazingly talented; and for letting us be the lucky guinea pigs for your creative genius! I didn’t know how we were going to top last year’s shoot, but seriously Sis…you’ve done it again! P.S. – sorry I couldn’t help move the couch, that dress was too short and too tight! ;) xoxo

  10. Beautiful artistry, Julie!! I have always loved the architecture there, although many people who don’t get it, don’t appreciate it. I’m glad you “got it” & were able to get in to work your magic. It is such a big space to deal with and you were able to capture it and those beautiful / handsome subjects of yours so well! :-) Congratulations on such a beautiful shoot. I still have chills…you are amazing!

  11. So I guess I was a little excited at this one…I almost had as many lines written as your sister! Ha ha

  12. Almost, but not nearly as wordy as “Chatty Katie”. Haha! (this might be the shortest sentence or comment I’ve ever made)

  13. Awesome work! Can’t wait to see the rest. Feel blessed we will have these amazing pics to look back upon and show our grandkids. Beautiful vision!

  16. Hawt! That’s all I can say! They’re all hawt!
    Okay, I can also say AMAZING! You’re amazing, Booey! These shots are so creative and beautiful! I can’t choose a favorite. I was going to say the first one, but that one of Mom & Dad kissing with the li’l fellas turning to look is so awesome too! I love Katie’s style!

  17. “ditto” the above comments!!! These look SUPER dope!! Can’t believe this is the same place that I work at daily…

  18. Amazing and soo creative! Seriously, you need to submit this to a magazine. You are beyond talented, Julie!

  19. Beautiful subjects, beautiful work and what a fantastic location. Can’t wait to see the cards – they just continue to get better each year.

  21. Beautiful as always. The photography and the family. Love the silhouette pic at the end. Kinda superheroish.