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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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The Ring Fits and She said YES!!

This is the story of a very special engagement photography session. It took place on August 31, 2012 – the day of the beautiful Blue Moon. Most guys that I speak with about photographing their wedding proposal have an idea in mind of how they want it to be orchestrated. This case was no different:

The Idea
This young man had grown up riding horses in the Hamptons and had a special location in mind – a giant field lined by beautiful trees and near a large pond that he used to ride by. This was easily arranged.

The Ruse
So how did he get his soon to be finance to the spot? He told her: “There is a photographer in the Hamptons who needs a model to photograph at this location. It has to be when light is best (at 7am!). Can you help her out and be the model?” Thankfully, she agreed.

The Moment
I arrived at the location with the attractive young couple and proceeded to set-up “the shot.” After a few exposures, the young man turned to his lady, spoke softly, dropped to one knee, and presented the ring.

Engagement Photography

The “Phew!”
She was surprised and elated. They embraced and laughed. I asked if she was caught off guard and her reply, “I was planning to spend the rest of my life with him anyway.”

Secret Engagement Photography

The Big Difference
This engagement photography session was unique: it was my son proposing to his girlfriend! I knew the backstory, which started months before in search of a ring. It turned out that my brother had the family heirloom rings: a platinum band surrounded by square cut diamonds from my son’s great, great grandmother and a platinum wedding band with diamonds from his grandmother. The big question was: would it fit?  We had discussed several scenarios for finding out what size ring she wears, but all were vetoed acknowledging she was too smart and would figure it out.

Engagement Portraits

In the end, the ring fit perfectly and she said, “Yes”.

Click here to read: The Hidden Camera Wedding Proposal.
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As a portrait photographer in the Hamptons, I have spent year after year surrounded by breathtaking seascapes; the bay, the ocean, beaches, and ponds of the Hamptons. My familiarity with this scenery has allowed me to become more adventurous over the years with my portraiture and explore secret places of the Hamptons.

My earliest boating memories were as a child in Margate, New Jersey, sailing with my Dad. I think we spent more time bailing water out of the leaky wooden boat and getting towed off sandbars than actually sailing. As a child, all of this was exceedingly embarrassing but not completely discouraging. In fact, over the years I have acquired a fleet of wooden boats, none of which need bailing or towing.  I incorporate the entire fleet into my portrait sessions in the Hamptons. These unique portrait photography props add depth and character to the magic moments that can be captured on camera.

The tiniest of our boat props, also known as our baby boat, is perfect for infants up to about 9 months.  The white and navy color scheme of the boat allows my subjects to stand out brilliantly against beach dunes, ocean settings, and other favorite Hamptons’ locales. Don’t forget – our tiny boat is also great for pet portraits of your family’s favorite animals.

Boating Photography in the Hamptons

 

“Fairweather” – the second in our series of boat portrait props – is best suited for the little guys and girls who are fast becoming toddlers. One year olds who still need to hang onto a sturdy object and toddlers who like getting in and out of the boat over and over or filling the boat with sand or seashells will find themselves at home for their beach portraits in “Fairweather.”

 

“Buttercup” is a serious sailing dingy that can really enhance a photo-session for your “big kids” or kids about 4 years and older. Since “Buttercup” is a sailable vessel, new options for beach portraits in the Hamptons arise: on and in the water.  Check out below how a family pet, Applejack, has used “Buttercup” to make quite the splash!

 

Pet Photography in the Hamptons

Our final and most exquisite boat prop for beach portraits in the Hamptons is the “Eastern Star,” a classic 18-foot Marshall catboat. This fully operating sailboat helps me voyage families to the most remote and pristine locations in and around the Hamptons, of which, some of my favorites are Three Mile Harbor and Gardner’s Bay.


Whether you are looking to have portraits taken of your newborn, a family pet, or take your family portrait out to sea – at Deborah Kalas Studios we have the perfect boat for any type of portrait!

To learn more about my portrait photography in the Hamptons click the links below:

Secret Places For Portraits In The Hamptons
Unique Hamptons Photography Sessions On The Water