It’s that time of year again, and everyone is scheduling their holiday family photo sessions. When setting up these shoots, clients often ask for your advice on what to wear. It can be tricky to determine how to coordinate outfits throughout an entire family, without just wearing the obvious white shirt and jeans. Here are some great lay-downs with inspiration and ideas on how to perfectly execute a family outfit.

First things first, it’s really important everyone wears something they feel comfortable in and like themselves. The whole purpose of a photo session is to capture the individuality of your subjects, so they should remain true to their own style. In theses examples, you’ll notice there aren’t any outrageous, distracting patterns or logos that would take away from the subjects. There are pops of color strung throughout, tying each outfit together. 

If they’d like to remain more muted and neutral, adding texture and subtle pattern can help amp up the overall look. Adding a few subtle accessories can finish the look nicely, and bring out a little personality too.

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at photog@sweetgraphixphotography.com or give me a call at (423) 503-7683.

Once your art and memorabilia has been framed, it needs to be displayed. Although it is popular today to lean pictures here and there, the most common home for frames is still on the wall. The two main things to focus on will be visual placement and making sure they are hung securely, for you safety as well as the safety of the framing itself and anything it might damage if it falls.

It is important to hang frames securely, using appropriate supplies and techniques. There are different methods you can use depending on the application. Read on for specific examples.

To Hold Heavy Mirrors

Avoid the use of picture wire. Hang directly from strap hangers (a loop over a flat plate that screws into the frame). Rather than traditional wall hooks, use wall anchors such as Molly Bolts, that go through the sheet rock and lock into it.

To Prevent Theft

Security Hangers are available that firmly hold all sides of the frame in place on the wall. A special key tool is needed to lock it and again to unlock it. These are generally used in public places but are also good where the frame may easily be bumped.

To Protect Kids

In a kid’s room where things are thrown around, use Security Hangers. If you don’t have access to them, try strap hangers on each side of the frame and heavy duty hooks in the wall for the hanger to sit into. Do not rely on just nails in the wall as they can fall out of the wall or the frame can jump off the nail if something is thrown at it.

To Avoid Crooked Frames on the Wall

When frames are hung from a single point, they usually shift on the wall over time. Both for safety and also to keep frames straight, always hang everything from two points. On heavier pieces this also helps distribute the weight.

To Keep Frames Flush to the Wall

Screw eyes that are often used to attach wire to the frame tend to make the frames lean out from the wall more than they need to. Also, excess slack in the wire can cause the top to lean out. By switching to strap hangers, you can overcome both problems. These hangers are flatter and give you the option of hanging directly from the hanger versus using wire.

Even the most beautiful pieces of framed art can still look awkward if they are not hung logically. Some of the key considerations are:

1. Choosing framed art that fits the space where it will hang
2. Hang frames in reasonably close proximity to the furniture below it to create unison
3. Hang frames at eye level for maximum viewing pleasure, keeping in mind people stand in foyers and halls and sit in many other spaces so that height can vary

Single Pieces

Single pieces offer a lot of flexibility, but there are still general guidelines that will help your presentations. Typically the frame should not be longer than the furniture piece below it, although this is not a firm rule. Avoid heavy frames over dainty furniture or petite framing over massive furniture to create balance. In small spaces avoid overly dramatic art that is best viewed from a distance and in a large space choose a piece that can be seen and enjoyed from across the room.

Pairs

Pairs can be hung side by side or one over the other. Consider the wall space when making your decision. In rooms with long walls and low ceilings, hang them beside each other. In a two story room to fill some of the vertical space, hang one on top of the other. Pairs do not have to be placed immediately adjacent to one another. You can hang one piece on each side of a mirror or tall piece of furniture. Pairs can also be split to become the outermost pieces of a grouping.

Matched Sets

Matched sets of framed art are usually framed identically and hung in an organized fashion on the wall. These types of groupings often end up in a grid with perfect spacing. Stairway walls are wonderful for displaying sets. Simply shift your rows so they progress up the wall at the same angle as the stairs. You can also divide sets. For example, hang half on each side of an armoire.

Random Collections

Unlike matched sets of art, this might be something like a collection of landscape paintings, family photos, etc. In this case, frame them to suit each piece of art and hang them in a less structured way. If you may want to add to your collection, this type of arrangement makes it easier to add pieces in the future. Whether you prefer symmetry or choose an asymmetrical arrangement, it pays to create a pleasing balance of colors, sizes, styles, and textures so one side doesn’t overpower the other.

Leaning

  It has become highly fashionable to lean framed art. This can be done for functional or purely aesthetic reasons. If you are downsizing and have more framed art than wall space, you can lean one piece in front of another to consolidate your collection. Overlapping framed art adds dimension and interest, as well as bringing a new look to the art itself.

Tip

When hanging art you can get a good idea of how it will look by cutting out a piece of paper the same size as the outer edge of the frame and taping it to the wall. It is much easier to move the paper around than to change the positioning of the actual frame. On that same paper, you can make marks where you want to place your wall hooks. Then install the hooks over the paper and then tear the paper away.

Thanks,

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at 423.771.6380.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks,

 

 

 

 

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at 423.771.6380.

I have had the privilege of working with the Schmitt/Higgins Families for a few years now. I have never met a family that treats you like one of their own from the moment they meet you. Today’s session is a bit bittersweet for Sweet Graphix Design & Photography because the youngest little girl in these pictures is the infamous face on my logo, Miss Ella. I photographed her almost 2 years ago and she is definitely has grown…and talking. I swear I think she is like a old soul. She talks like a little old woman, no lie.  Today, Miss Emily is playing softball and basketball and attends Soddy Daisy Elementary School. This is one smart kid!

 

Both girls have great personalities and are so much fun to work with.

 

 

 

More pictures to come so stay tuned…

 

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I thought it would be cute for my daughter’s birthday tea party to make this cake. It was a huge hit and before getting home I got 2 phone calls from friends on Facebook, wanting to know how they could get one of these cakes. I thought about it, checked with a couple of my local bakers for suggestions. Low and behold, I am now selling these cakes. They can be customized by party theme, boy or girl and by holiday. A cake this size will sell for $65. I will give you a custom quote if you want something more detailed and/or larger in scale. Just send me am email to sweetgraphix@live.com with your idea’s and requirements and I will send you a quote within 24 hours.

 

Happy Eating,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at 423.771.6380.

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

 

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at 423.771.6380.

Submit your cutest Halloween photo of your kid(s) in their Halloween costume to my email sweetgraphix@live.com. They will be uploaded to an album where you can have your friends and family vote (like). The winner will receive a free children's Christmas session! (prints not included)

Giveaway starts NOW and ends Sunday at midnight :)

Thanks,

 

Sweet Graphix Design & Photography would like to announce the 2011 Cutest Kid Contest. The rules are below. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me at sweetgraphix@live.com 

RULES:

Child must be between 0-5 years old to participate.

Family must not have won a free session from SGDP before

Must live in the greater Chattanooga, TN area

Session is for winning child only

PRIZE:

2 Mini-Session’s with SGDP, one in January and one in July

1 – 8x10, 2 – 5x7, and a set of wallets for each session

For every new client session completed and referred from the cutest kid both new client and cutest kid get a $25 print credit.

HOW:

Send a recent photo of your child (non-professional) to sweetgraphix@live.com from now until August 31, 2011 at 11:30 EST. Voting will take place on Facebook September 1-15, 2011. You and your family and friends will have to LIKE Sweet Graphix Design & Photography on Facebook and LIKE the particular photo you want to vote for. Liking the photo will count as your entry into the contest.

Please include your child’s name and age.

The winner will be announced September 25, 2011.

Thanks,

COPYRIGHT | PLEASE READ

All images photographed by Brooke Ragsdale on this blog, website, and/or on Facebook are copyright Sweet Graphix Design & Photography unless otherwise stated or linked to. Please do not screen-grab, right-click, or copy and post these to any website, social media site, etc. By doing so, you are violating copyright laws and will be asked to remove them immediately. Only Sweet Graphix Design & Photography may post these images online. When referencing your proofs, please link to this site unless we specifically post them on Facebook and grant permission to tag yourself. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you for visiting our site.