It's nearly Spring and Mom of the Year has already booked her South Alabama Spring Session. Dad is ecstatic. Now what? We plan. Planning takes the mystery out of Spring portraits. Spring colors are everywhere but those babies grow so fast - they certainly need something new. This guide will inspire you.

If you are shopping for just one baby - the world is your oyster. At every turn there is something that would look amazing on your baby. And...There are tons of wonderful stores that have stunning Easter wear that will not break the bank. First stop...hit the Mall. The Gymboree in the mall just got it's Easter Dresses.  The sequins bunny top at H&M is to die for.

Am I right or what!?! You can't go wrong with gold. And Bow Tied deliciousness is back at Target for boys. 

Shopping for more than one kiddo or the entire family is where you get to use all your shopping skills. Mom, You have trained for this moment your entire life. And I have some great tips to help along the way.

Tip #1: Every store with departments for the entire family, has color-dyed matching color pops that will mix and mingle in every department by brand. So BAM - that gives you the opportunity to pop one or two colors on everyone just a little. Photo above popped the spring orangey pink with blues. You could easily pop yellows or pinks or purples. Think pastel and you can't go wrong.

Tip #2: Got an Easter basket? or a favorite stuffed bunny? Bring it along. Anything you have that makes the Easter Season a tradition can easily be incorporated into your session.

Tip #3: Shoes are optional. There is nothing cuter than baby toes and if you haven't sprung for golden bunny eared shoes yet, you can save a little if you want. And almost no family portrait has started with, "Be sure you photograph my feet." It just doesn't happen. Period.  I run around bare footed at the studio, you can too.

Tip #4 When in doubt, khaki is king. Khaki is the ultimate coordinate to your pastel masterpieces. If you bring your girls in dress and your guys in Khakis - they will mix perfectly with any spring portrait adventure we will have set up for you.

Tip #5: Don't bring your kids dressed in your Easter best gear. Change them here at our cozy studio. Stuff happens on the way to the studio. Babies spit. The backseat can become a snack time war zone. Don't risk it - just dress here. And Bring more than one outfit. The bunny sessions have plenty of time for outfit changes along the way.

Tip #6: Relax. When you book in, we will schedule you in for a consult. We will take all the nervousness out of your session with one magic word: Planning. We will talk about what you want to create and we will Wow you with masterpieces of the people who love you the most. Consults come with a studio tour and product sample viewings. Skip the mystery and keep the Fun in your family portraits.

Share with a Friend.

Spring has sprung and that means warmer weather, longer days and green is back - everywhere. Spring is my favorite time of the year. There is something magical about watching everything grow and bloom around you. It's hard to resist the urge to open every window and door and suck in all that delicious spring air - if only all that pesky Pollen didn't try to ruin a good thing. Pollen is that yellow cloud of dust on your car. It is wafting through the air everywhere. It's attacking all the little people. Suddenly everyone has red eyes and a runny nose. It's no fun, but you don't have to hide from the beautiful spring adventures.

South Alabama photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, knows all too well the woes of spring for the children and families she photographs. Ellenburg Photography offers a full outdoor while indoor set ups in the studio for our smallest babies and the families who suffer from spring time allergies. We can bring the beautifulness of Spring to the great indoors for you at any studio session in our Saraland Alabama portrait studio. 

From your window, the flowers are so beautiful and every thing is so deliciously green. It can be hard to resist the magic of Springtime. If the call of the great outdoors is too strong for you to ignore for your portraits and you know you'll be fighting your yellow enemy - POLLEN - never fear, Alabama photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, has some great tips for you to make your time outside for portraits the most enjoyable.

This might not be a no brainer - but did you know that you can check the pollen count every day just like the weather? Ratings are things like minimal, high and VERY high.  If the count is too high - DO NOT schedule your outdoor portrait shoot for that day. This count is out a week in advance, just like the weather. If you or someone you love suffers from pollen allergies, make sure to share that with your photographer. I promise not to ask you to roll around in the flowers if it's going to make you cry. Guaranteed. 

Yellow pollen is at it's highest disruption to you each day from 5am to 10am. This means, early Saturday mornings are a solid NO for you. Don't do it to yourself. Consider later afternoon outdoor sessions where you can enjoy the glorious evening sunshine. The evening sunshine is the most flattering anyway. It's a win win for you. High five yourself.

After your outdoor portrait session, Alabama family photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, recommends changing your clothes immediately after your session. This will help you not to transfer the outdoor pollen around your home and onto your favorite things. Also - wash your hair that night. This might be a no brainer, but you don't want that dirty pollen on your pillow. Yuck.

The garage is a great place for pollen covered shoes. The last think you want to do after frolicking in the flowers with Ellenburg Photography is to track that pollen all over your floor that your kids will no doubt roll around in. It's a good tip, if you can get your kids to actually remember to do it. I'm still fighting with my own over it.

Many families bring the family pet along for outdoor portrait adventures. Little people and a big dog rolling around in a field of yellow flowers will tug at your heart strings every time. Don't deprive yourself of this joy. Just bathe the dog after your adventure. Easy Breezy.

With a little help from South Alabama Children and Family Photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, YOU really can enjoy gorgeous outdoor spring portraits again. The yellow flowers are everywhere this week and I've got a gorgeous NEW forest to play in. Let's plan for the pollen and play in the sunshine this Spring. Seriously, how gorgeous is this NEW forest? We're going to make so much magic here this season.

Daphne Ellenburg is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants 2000 sq ft studio in the heart of Saraland, Alabama. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
We love to read your comments.

Having a new toddler in the studio for portraits is an extra fun adventure. Introducing Baby Abel. Able is a new 19 months and he came ready for bunny portrait adventure. 

He was ready to explore adventure around every corner and was determined to leave no mystery unturned as we moved from one shooting bay to the next. Everyone was on hand to create beautiful smiles, Mom, Dad, both Grandparents - but no one brought the cheese like "The Wheels on the Bus" That song was number one today. Thank you Team Abel for a wonderful afternoon in the Saraland studio.

Abel was photographed with all the Ellenburg Bunnies today, but he liked Bluebell the most. Bluebell is a 1.5 year old blue-gray Lops.

Have you ever thought about being photographed with live bunnies? These bunnies are not temporary spring bunnies that live in my portrait studio - these are my pets. They are used to be held and cuddled. Our bunnies like to sit on things like cozy benches and chairs or hang around in baskets. First timers to bunnies get to learn how to pet and hold the bunnies, and if that's too much - they just sit in baskets. They are super sweet and extra loving. Bunny Sessions are booking now in our Saraland Portrait Studio. To learn more, click the link.

Did you know that for a limited time ALL sessions are buy one get one free? That includes the bunny Sessions! You can book one for your spring family portraits and then give one to your sister, your BFF, your kid's BFF. The possibilities are endless. Don't miss the fun during our BIGGEST Sale of the Year.

Tell a friend.

Daphne Ellenburg is the owner of a bustling Portrait photography business called Ellenburg Photography located in Southern Alabama. Daphne has a supportive family and a fancy-pants 2000 sq ft studio in the heart of Saraland, Alabama. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Apple. She also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Daphne is a proud member of PPA, WPPI, and the local chamber. Catch up with her at EllenburgPhotography.com or email her at daphne@ellenburgphotography.com. 
We love to read your comments.