What to dress DD in for photo shoot?

[Gigi]

hi,

my child is 2 in November, and on October 18th, we are FINALLY getting some photos taken of her. (i feel upset that it's taken this long - it's been a rough two years).

anyhoo, now a client of dh's, is going to take professional photos of our girl (in return for dh doing work for her) and i'm freaking out about what to put DD in.

i've been wanting good photos taken of her for sooooo long, and now i'm so anxious about it really going to happen (October 18th), i'm too anxious to even work out what to put her in.

the photographer suggested white and demin - exactly what we don't have.

she has nice grounds around her house, that she's suggested using as the backdrop - if weather is ok on the day (3pm).

My DD has some lovely nappies, and i had always wanted to have shots taken of her in say purple tee and purple nappy - one colour so emphasis is on her face - not the clothing. Now i wonder, she's nearly two, is that too old for her to be photographed in nappies?

Her "best" clothes would have to be her woollen longies - none of which are a single colour.

i looked quickly thru Pumpkin Patch tonight, normally somewhere i would only look if they were having a sale, and i didn't see anything that grabbed me, but i never look at denim and white stuff anyhow.

this must sound very trivial - but i ahve PND and NOT having any early proper photos of DD has been a long time concern of mine. Feeling like the bad mum cos everyone else seems to have gotten it done so early and i didn't.

i'm even thinking of having my own makeup and hair done for the shoot, cos i would love one of her and me together. Dh and i are still not married, unlikely to be, so my DD will not have photos of us looking gorgeous on our wedding day, to look back at.

i feel so anxious about this whole thing - i want it so badly, but am so scared i will not make the most of the opportunity, - be too anxious for it to work. i'm scared i will burst into tears on the day, with being anxious.

Have no idea if DD will happily play when the photographer wants to shoot, or will be grumpy.

argh!

[alioops]

Can I suggest buying or borrowing a denim nappy with matching huggalugs? You will be able to find cheap white Tshirts everywhere now. You could even try a dark dress.

[Karina]

WE had some professional photos done for Claire recently and the photographer suggested simple looking clothing, with not too many colours so the clothing doesnt end up being the main thing in the picture. We ended up dressing Claire in a little pink flowy dress with small flowers on it. Its pale pink and it was good because it didnt take the eye away from Claire. We also brought another outfit for her - little dark jeans and a dark red and pink top/dress thing. The top/dress was like a long top or short dress and without her pants on it shows off her nappy. Anyway, it all worked well for the pictures.

If youre having the pictures outdoors and want her nappy to be shown, maybe try a little dress if you have one? I suppose it depends on what style of picture you want.

[Lulu]

I found a lovely little white gathered top at JK kids gear for DDs photos this weekend. Not to exxy and very sweet.

Try not to worry about how she will be with the photographer - I arrived just on time to my shoot (I wanted to get there to warm up Mr4 who can be very grumpy) and Mr 4 was a little grumpy but Chrissy can handle kids really well and the best shots taken were the ones where I got right out of the way and let her do her thang.

If a photographer shoots kids for a living, they learn how to get the best out of them no matter what, so put a little trust in the chick behind the camera

Why don't you check out ChrissyT's link in her sig - there are a stack of shots of BB kids she just did so you can get the feel of how various clothes come up in the photos.

It will be lovely and I think you should get yourself done too xoxoxoxo

[~Raven~]

I was going to suggest white and denim too. It won't detract from the child at all and won't clash with the background (whether it be studio or outside somewhere). If you want to use a colour then a similar shade to her eyes will make them stand out beautifully.

Stay right away from patterns!

[suse]

Yay hon, this is really exciting! Um, Mr Chirpy is attempting to eat the curtains, so I'll be back later with something sensible!!

[Visitor7]

When we had professional photos of Nina done at 12 months, the photographer we used said either white & denim, or single colour clothing. In some of the photos, Nina is wearing a pale pink dress, and in others she is wearing a white shirt with denim dress. All of which I bought from Target and didn't cost too much.
I don't think I can put the link up here, but the site of the photographer we used has heaps of examples of what they've done, and Nina is in one of the pictures. PM me if you would like the link, you'll get a good idea for ideas for clothing then.
Also, I did my hair and makeup and DH & I wore nice clothes in the photos too. It just depends on what look you want for the photos.

[mbear]

We just got all the grandkids done for mums 60th birthdya. All kids (aged 1-8yrs) wore white tops and denim pants - no shoes. Looked fantastic.

We got pro photos done in Dec last year too. My girls wore fushia pink tops, me and DH wore blue. The colours in the photos look fantastic, people always comment on them.

[Willow]

Gigi - I agree you can't go wrong with denim and white and it doesn't have to be something expensive. You can get white t's just about anywhere really cheap and just get her some cheap jeans or shorts. Try Big W, Best & Less, Cotton on Kids...

Knowing you though babe, I'd say definitely get some shots in her cutest nappy - it doesn't matter that she's nearly two, they'll still be cute and I think you'll kick yourself later if you don't.

Most of all, don't get too caught up in the details, just relax and enjoy it...the photos will be great!

[smiles4u]

Hey GIGI,

... I have a cute WHITE singlet (wide shoulder straps, not spaghetti straps) with three Silver BUTTERFLIES on the left shoulder going down to the top left side chest area with some Silver sequins sitting on the same shoulder, it's tagged size 3 but is more like a size 2 ... It's Brand-New with Tags ... It would look sweet with anything denim - shorts, nappy cover, pants

I had purchased it for my daughter but it's too small for her now & I have been looking for a new home for this top ... YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR NOTHING

... INFACT I CAN POST IT TO YOU FREE$$ OF CHARGE ... It would make me HAPPY to help you out (& don't worry when it arrives & you happen to not like it or it's not suitable for the photo shoot ... just keep it for whenever or give it away

Just PM me if you are interested, with a name & postal address ... and I will post it as soon as I hear from you

Cheers from Lorelle & lil lady Cendrine

[Lucy]

Gigi.........where are you hon? Please don;t be anxious about it all!!

I agree that white and denim look fantastic. My Christmas photo last year of my 3 was done with all 3 in white and denim and it really seems to enhance their beauty, LOL!

I have a stack of girls white t-shirts and denim jeans in a size 2 (Lexie is just aged 2) that I am MORE than happy to frop off to you if you are local-ish? PM me and let me know your suburb?

And maybe do a couple of different outfits? White and denim and ALSO the nappy thing as well?

[suse]

Hon, a good kids photographer will blend into the background, they will spend time just letting the kids (and the parents) become comfortable with the surroundings, and then they will just follow them unobtrusively around with a camera. So if you just think of it as a snapshot of your day to day lives, then it becomes a lot easier to cope with. You and bilby are beautiful when you do what you do every day, and all the photographer does is capture that which already exists in a professional photographic format. After a while, you'll forget that the camera is even there.

So, with that in mind, it is often suggested to dress comfortably and in clothes that reflect your personalities and everyday lives. So if that is a nappy and a purple t-shirt for bilby, then you'll be more comfortable and able to feel more natural in front of the camera. Or, if you do want a more formal look, choose something comfortable that doesn't restrict movement.

One of the reasons that photographers like white and denim is that they are flattering to most people (especially little ones), they are neutral and work with any background and with most lighting. It just gives the photographer greater flexibility in what they shoot. Paler colours are easier to photograph than dark (it is hard to get shadow definition with black), and patterns can look overly busy. Having said that, some of my favourite shots of E are in black, stripes, Hawaiian prints, all of the things that aren't recommended. In one of the most beautiful shots of a child that I have seen, the subject, a little blonde girl of toddler age, was wearing a very dark navy, almost black dress. In another, her slightly younger brother, who was just walking, was in a terry flat nappy.

If you aren't really comfortable with having bilby in white or denim, can you speak with the photographer before hand and tell her what you would like to wear (and have bilby wear), and see what she thinks? She will probably be most accommodating if she knows in advance what you would like and what look you'd like to achieve.

[Gigi]

to see what bilbs looks like, go to the homepage of Dragonflymagik, she is this fortnight's "cover" baby. in the blue nappy.

i am amazed so many of you read and responded to my post, thank you so much! i do feel less anxious, for feeling like i "talked it out" with all of you. And no-one told me to stop being silly, which i wouldn't have blamed you for saying, if you had!

Dependent on the weather, i will prepare a few different "looks" for her, and let the photographer decide which she thinks will photograph the best. I have never met the photographer before, but she told dh that she had PND herself, so has some understanding of why i am so anxious about the photos.

i am really grateful for you all listening and telling me what you think.

thank you all so much.

i realise it's not just "having photos" for me.
THis photo shoot represents:
- the hurt of being proposed to, engaged but not married
- never having nice photos taken of me and dh pre-bilbs (or any other time)
- bilbs being illegitimate (which really matters to me)
- missing out on having her photographed (with a good camera, by a photographer) at earlier ages, that time will never come again
- being very aware of my age, and worried how old i am to have a young baby, i desperately need the soft focus lens but bilbs of course does not. Only a few years ago my face was full, now my features have gone all angular, the skin is not plump anymore. I feel like WitchyPoo and my health has been terrible the last two years (shows in my skin).
- not having any interested grandparents to show the photos to afterwards
- scared of having a panic attack on the day, and being unable to play with bilbs at the right time
so it's alot more (emotionally) than JUST the actual photos

but she is my beautiful bilby and i love her more than i can say. i know i will treasure the photos of her.

[smiles4u]

Hey GIGI, if it helps any my DP hasn't proposed to me at all

The only few photo's we have together pre-baby days is us in a snap shot taken by a tired friend at the end of a night at a restaurant after having eaten dinner with dirty plates everywhere in sight.

We too have the worst camera on the planet & feel the pics we have of DD are not of the best quality.

As for the age thing, I had DD at 40 (my 1st bub) & at many a times I wish I had the energy & stamina I did when I was in my 20's.

The last time DD's Grandparents came to visit her was on her 1st birthday ... and that was 18mths ago next month.

Not a relative has come to visit her at all in all that time. She gets so excited to see a stranger knock on the front door. I feel so sad for her as she would dearly love to show 'any' of her relatives her sweet bedroom & toys, etc ... as any nearly 2.5year old child would

(I too come from a violent childhood, ... I give all the love, kindness & compassion in me that I can to see her thrive & glow with happiness )

BY THE WAY, the lil top will be posted to you either tomorrow or Wed

Cheers for now, ... from Lorelle

[Junglemum]

Gigi

Proffesional pics are always lovely. But the truth is that they are a bit of a luxury. We havn't had any done, although i would love to. I just can't justify the cash at the moment. sSo dont worry that the ony pics you have are ones you have taken, alot of people are in the same boat. And fo the record, i have seen awsome pics you have taken of Bilby.

I know it is easier said than done for you, but if you just aim to have a fun day and let the photographer do his thing, then perhaps the anxiety wont build up and you might enjoy your day. We are very critical of ourselves, i bet you look alot better than you imagine. So chin up and be excited because the pics are going to be great, no matter what Bilbs is wearing.

Have emailed you, have some bits you can have if you want them.

[smiles4u]

Hey GIGI, ... have posted the little top to you this morning (Wed) ... also have popped in a tiny surprise for you to have too - hopefully it will give you a bit of a chuckle

Cheers from Lorelle xox

[Gigi]

wow i feel spoilt

thank you all for your kind thoughts

i AM feeling much better about October 18th now

thank you all so much

[Lucy]

i AM feeling much better about October 18th now

Good. I am passing your way today, so look out for me........