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The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and fall family portraits can be just as lovely as summer photographs. There are still the same approaches to family portraits in the months of September and October, with a few changes to keep in mind.

Location: This may be a state park with hills, trails, logs and tall grasses, a pumpkin farm with all of its activities, your own backyard and somewhere to include the colorful fall leaves.

Dress: Something warm. Sweaters with natural colors: ivory, tans, browns, deep reds, burgundy, greens, and dark blues. A hat or scarf can add touch of color. Jeans or Khakis give a family portrait a presentable casual appearance.

Time of Day: To take advantage of the best light, fall portraits happen in the late afternoon.Typically I like to start an hour and a half before sunset.

Pets: If you are thinking of making a photograph suitable for a holiday card, bring your pet or pets! They are part of your family too! It helps to have a friend or relative come along to care for your pets when we are making other photographs.

Once all of the above has been decided upon, come to your session relaxed and ready to have fun. I prefer keeping the children active so their smiles happen naturally. My team and I will take care of everything else.

Family portraits in the fall

Family portraits in the Fall.

Book your session soon while the temperatures are still comfortable.

 

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For all those who have had the good fortune to own a horse knows there is great value in having equestrian portraits taken throughout their horse’s career. Important moments could include a portrait at the farm, in the pasture, competing in a horse show, a championship ribbon pinning and more. Besides being a horse photographer, I am also a horse owner and understand the connection between the horse and rider very well.

My show jumper Adam had a tremendously successful career from 2001-2007. He stopped show jumping in 2008 and in 2011, at the age of 23, he had an injury and could no longer be ridden. My son and I recently took a trip to visit him in Virginia at a beautiful retirement farm. Also at the farm is my former horse, Unique. Below are some photographs of both of my horses; Adam and Unique.

Equestrian Portraits
Unique

 

Equestrian Portraits
Adam

You and your horse can be photographed anywhere, anytime in any location. The photographs are treasured memories of times spent together with “the love of your life”, your horse. Please check out my other blog pieces on equestrian photography http://blog.deborahkalasphotography.com/horse-photography-a-guide-to-exquisite-equestrian-portraits/.

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Many of my clients want to include their pet in their family portrait. It’s a treat for me because of my love for animals. Sometimes I am fortunate enough to photograph a pet as it matures over the years and that was the case with Boomer.

I met Boomer in 1998. My clients brought him to the beach as a very young pup to be included in their yearly family portraits. That first year, he sat looking at me very inquisitively and then proceeded to lick one of the children’s faces.

In some respect, through the years, he remained the most patient with the whole process of creating a beautiful family portrait for the family’s home and holiday card. The three boys would wiggle and squirm, make the occasional face, and push one another. Boomer was content to remain in their midst, often napping contentedly.

portraits with a family pet

As the boys got older, and spent more time in and on the water at the East Hampton ocean beaches, Boomer enjoyed the surf and happily stuck close by.

portraits with a family pet

With one son in college, another on his way, a third nearing the end of high school years, the photo shoot this year was probably going to be Boomer’s last. His gait had slowed; he needed a lot of help being moved into position. Each of the boys had individual portraits made with their trusty lifelong companion.

portraits with a family pet

September, Boomer passed away peacefully in his sleep September 4, 2012.

I feel privileged to have photographed Boomer over the span of his lifetime.

 

 

 

 

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