My blog is moving!!

My blog will now be hosted on my website and can be found HERE!  Please head on over and check out the new space :-)

Of course, most of my portraits and weddings from the summer season of 2013 can be found on this blog, so it will stay up for quite some time.  Feel free to take a look around.

Keira

Natalia + Mike - Our friends get married!

This past Autumn our friends, Natalia & Mike, tied the knot at a very intimate park ceremony and celebrated with an at home, champagne & cake reception.  It was a beautiful day!  The weather was unseasonably warm, Natalia & Mike looked adorable in their wedding attire and it was such a simple (yet elegant) wedding (which I really love)!  

I had the dual role of guest & photographer that day!  Above are some of my personal favorites. 

It was an honor to photograph Natalia & Mike's big day and I wish them a lifetime of happiness!!

2014 Valentine's Day Engagement Session GIVEAWAY!!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and since my job pretty much revolves around love, I like to celebrate this day by giving away an engagement session to one lucky, in love,  engaged couple!
It's easy to enter, so get to it and good luck!

The Rules & Regs -

1.  You must be engaged.

2.  You must Like Keira Lemonis Photography on Facebook - find us HERE!

3.  You must take an Instagram photo of something that represents you as the fabulous couple that you are!  This can be as simple as a photo of a CD you listened to on your first date or feel free to get more creative with it!  You get the idea :-)  Add the hashtag #klpvdaygiveaway2014 so that we can see all the entries in one location HERE!

4.  Lastly, comment on this post letting us know that you completed the above and please include a link to your Instagram photo.

**BONUS**  Share this contest post, on Facebook, from my Facebook page and be entered to win for second time!

The winner will be chosen at random and  announced on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2014!  The prize is one engagement session (lasting about an hour), that must take place within NY's Capital Region or else travel charges may apply.

What to wear to your portrait session

One of the questions that I get asked most often is “what should I wear to my portrait session”?  There is truly no correct answer to this question because everyone has a unique style all their own, but I can give you some pointers that you will hopefully find helpful when deciding how to put together your look!

1.  Most importantly, wear what makes you feel awesome!!  Wear what you are comfortable in!  And, wear what says “ this is who I am! ” to the world… like what you might wear when trying to make an impactful first impression.  Think ‘first date’. 

2.  Try to avoid wearing anything that you would wear to your corporate job (unless that is truly what you feel most comfortable in) or anything that is too formal (unless you are specifically planning an evening wear shoot or something similar).  Being too formal or “corporate” can make you feel and look uncomfortable, stiff or too serious.  This will come across in your photos.

3.  Don’t forget about your shoes!  Shoes are very important and complete an outfit.  I suggest steering away from bulky athletic shoes or work boots and casual sandals, like flip flops (unless you are doing a beach session). 

4.  Whatever you do, don’t match one another!  In my opinion, matching one another in a photo, everyone wearing all white shirts, for example, can make you disappear in to one another.  This also takes away your individuality! 

5.  You don’t have to match, but you should go.  This goes for your overall look in comparison to others in a photograph.  In an engagement shoot, for example, it is best for a couple to dress similarly in style.  It would look really strange if one was in a suit and tie and the other in jeans and a t-shirt, or if one dressed modern casual and the other dressed in a 50’s rockabilly style.  I recommend deciding what kind of look you’d like to go for, at least a week prior to your session, and then work on pulling pieces that will help you to accomplish that look.

6. Don’t be afraid of color or pattern, but do try and break up solid colors with a belt, necklace or other accessory and if you wear a pattern on top, try and go solid on the bottom and vice versa.  To much pattern can be distracting.  And, the whole point of the session is to capture you and your fabulous personality!

7.  Accessories!  Belts, shoes, jewelry, cool hats, sunglasses… it’s all good :-)

8.  A session in the snow or cold weather can be really quite beautiful but can make choosing something to wear a bit challenging.  You need to stay warm and look great at the same time.  Try and choose outerwear pieces with color and / or personality.

9.  For children’s portraits I encourage anything fun that represents your unique child at this specific moment in time.  Costume pieces, such as capes, floppy hats, masks and big necklaces are always welcome and encouraged. 

10.  The best way to complete your look is with hair and / or make up and personal grooming.  DIY or, if you are able, hiring a pro is always the best way to go.  Sit back, relax and get your  hair and make up done prior to your big shoot.  Don’t forget the manicure!  Your hands will be visible in many photos.  Guys this goes for you as well… trim & clean those fingernails! 

Overall the most important thing is to be yourself, just a little bit of a polished version of who you are on an everyday basis.  Ultimately, the photo session is about your personality and not about the clothes you are wearing.  Just have fun and let that charisma out!
 


*The above is copyright of Keira Lemonis Photography*

Styled Shoot - Apple Orchard Wedding Inspiration

This shoot was awesome!  It was beautiful and so much fun to work on!  

Here are the details - 

Styled by - Styled By Melissa

Hair & Make up - Erin Marzilli

Invitation & all print design - The Pink Orange

Floral Design - The Flower Girl

Location - Lindsey's Orchard

Dessert for dessert table - Lindsey's Orchard & Country Store

Vintage Rentals - Vintage Chic Furniture

Models - Kaleigh & Sean 

 Above are some of my favorite shots from this wedding inspiration shoot ♥

Welcome 2014 - Our New Year's Day

Happy 2014!  

For the past couple of NYE's my husband, Sam, and I have celebrated quietly, at home.  We have a special dinner, get a bottle of champagne and are in bed (or dozing off on the couch) pretty much right around the time the the ball drops.  This shift from 'going out on the town' to staying in & staying cozy, took place with the birth of our daughter, Vivi, fourteen months ago.  Since we knew we'd be getting a good night sleep on NYE, we decided to celebrate the first day of the new year with a fun, family activity.  We took Vivi to one of my favorite area museums, Mass MoCA.  For those of you who have never been, I highly recommend it!  Vivi loved it!  She had a ball looking at all the colors, running lose through some of the exhibitions (the ones where it didn't appear that she could do much harm to anything) and most of all, just hanging with me and Sam, spending quality time as a family.  They even have a fun, little kid's area for older children!

It was a fabulous way to begin the new year :-)

I hope that you had the opportunity to celebrate the first day of the new year in any way that made you happy!

I don't really have a set resolution to speak of, but I do have some things I'd like to focus on this coming year.

1. Bring my pro camera on more personal outings!  As a photographer, people assume that I always have my pro camera with me where ever I go.  It's true that I often have it with me, but sometimes I just don't feel like carrying it (it is heavy!) and I find myself relying on taking Instagram photos... which I love, but of course, they do not give me options and quality that I am used to.  The post above is my first attempt at being more mindful of bringing my camera along.  I'd also love to share more personal work on my blog this year.

2.  Work on a project of my own.  I love, love, love taking photos for others!  Weddings, portraits.. I love it all.  However, I would be so happy to find the time to work on some personal projects this year.  I feel like personal projects get my creative juices flowing, which in return gives me more energy and inspiration when working with clients.  Personal work also allows me to experiment and grow as a photographer.

3.  This is more of a personal goal, rather than a professional one - try to be more healthy overall!  I know that many people share this goal with me.  - try and find more time for me - exercise regularly - eat healthier - reduce stress levels.

4.  Read more!

A new year always brings hope and endless possibilities of what may be. 

What are some of your goals this year?

Best Wishes in the new year!

Keira