Will you be my bridesmaid?: A guest post from Laurie at Madeleine's Daughter

Dachowski Photography is pleased to introduce you to two guest bloggers while we're away on vacation . . . enjoy and we'll be back in the studio on July 5th!

. . .

"We know and the task of asking your friends and family to be your attendants in your wedding can be a little daunting. We don’t think it should be a task that has you biting your nails, so we did a little research and asked around to see how creative brides have asked their their girls to share in their special day.

Here is what we found out:

1- Wrap up a “How to be the best Bridesmaid ever” book and mail it to them or hand deliver it. Place a sentimental note inside the book, explaining how dear and treasured they are . . . you can also be blunt, sneaky or silly with a note that simply says “hint, hint”.

2- Create a scrapbook or small booklet featuring the two of you throughout your friendship. Include a personal note on the last page, “Will you be my bridesmaid?” with the date of your wedding. This is sure to get you both a little teary eyed!

3- Want something that they can wear? Have T-shirts made that say “bridesmaid." You can include the wedding date (or your name with your groom!). There are plenty of places that do screen printing and will customize to your specifications. Be creative or be simple; it’s all up to you.

4- Planning to purchase jewelry for them to wear? You could pre-purchase the trinkets- a necklace, bracelet, earrings, etc. and wrap it beautifully. Include a “Save the Date” on the tag or card and inside with the gift, sneak in a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” note.

5- Do your research:, if they don’t live nearby, seek out a florists in their area and send sweet smelling flowers with a personal note. Have them delivered, because all girls love to have flowers delivered to them! It will make the occasion even more special for them.

6- Get down and crafty! Build a bridesmaid's paper doll chain- write each bridesmaid's name on a doll and then fold it up accordion-style. Use pretty paper in your wedding colors! Hand deliver them or mail them in cute envelopes.

7- Graphically inclined? Go a little more bold and create a movie poster…starring, of course, you! Use a wedding themed movie as inspiration. Add your special request to the poster.

8- Our most simple suggestion yet- have a good old fashioned BBQ cookout! Invite all of the friends and family that you wish to ask and the surprise them by "popping the question." Just make sure that any non-bridal party guests don’t get the wrong impression…you don’t want more attendants than you intended (whoops)!

All in all, just have fun with it; think of fun and memorable ways to ask them and you won't regret it.

. . .

Laurie writes the blog for Madeleine's Daughter, a full service bridal salon in Portsmouth, NH.

(All bridesmaid images provided by Dachowski Photography)

Shedding camera shyness: A guest post by Garrie Madison Stoutimore

Dachowski Photography is pleased to introduce you to two guest bloggers while we're away on vacation . . . enjoy and we'll be back in the studio on July 5th!

. . .

I don’t usually categorize myself as an old dog, but I’m thinking it’s time to learn a new trick.

I’m one of those people who hates to be photographed. In snapshots, I always seem to be caught at the exact moment I look my worst. When I look at them later, I always cringe. I focus on the bags under my eyes, or the way my chin looks like it has doubled, or how much heavier I seem than when I last looked in the mirror. Consequently, at family outings I am the person who is nowhere to be found when the cameras come out. I was okay with this until last winter when my mother died.

After the funeral I sifted through piles of photographs- black and whites from the fifties, colored ones that had yellowed with age, even faded Polaroids from the seventies.

Images of my mother smiled back at me from all stages of her life- Mom swollen with pregnancy. Mom dressed in a black lace party dress and red lipstick. Mom disguised as Elvis for Halloween. Mom digging in her garden.

Some of the pictures are flattering. Some are not. In most of them, she is surrounded by her family. There she is with Dad. Here is one with my siblings. And in this one she is with all of her grandchildren. However, there were no images of my mother and me together. There are no reminders of how close we were, of how we laughed together, and worked together, and loved each other.

I realize that this is because I avoided having my picture taken, and now it is too late. I wonder if I will remember, and if my children will remember. And I wonder how their children will know.

When I look at photographs of my mother, I don’t see the lines on her face or that her chin had doubled. I see the love in her eyes, and the laughter in her heart. For me, looking at her images is comforting, and uplifting, and precious. Her images warm me and make me smile.

They remind me of how capable she was, and how she enveloped me in her long arms and how she was strong and gentle at the same time. I look at the gray eyes in her photographs- eyes that were stern when I was disrespectful, and steady when I was afraid, and soft when I was sad. I have the same gray eyes. Someday, my children will need to look at my picture and remember my eyes. But just as I cheated myself out of photographs with my mother, I have cheated my children out of the same thing.

So I’m rethinking this camera shy thing I’ve had going on. Maybe I’ll consider sitting in front of a camera- especially if the photographer can disguise my double chin and baggy eyes. After all, even Momma G can learn a new trick or two.

. . .

Garrie Madison Stoutimore is the author of the blog, A Cup of Tea with Momma G and a mother to three grown children.

(All mother and daughter images provided by Dachowski Photography.)

Bon Voyage!

We're leaving for vacation tonight!

Many of you have heard that Carolle's brother was recently named Archbishop of Quebec. Well, Jeff, Carolle, their girls and the whole family are headed to Rome for an audience with the Pope and an incredible vacation in one of the most amazing cities in the world (are you jealous yet?).

"But where is Abby?" The answer is: not at the studio.

Though I usually hold down the fort when Jeff and Carolle are away, I'm skipping off to Nashville for my own little excursion. Couldn't let the bosses have ALL the fun, could I?

While we're gone, we are pleased to welcome two guest bloggers who will keep up the blog in our absence . . . we hope you enjoy reading their work!

The studio will reopen on Tuesday July 5th, after the long holiday weekend. If you need to get in touch with us, leave us a voicemail at the studio (603.626.7300).

The Not So Plain Jane's new Plain Jane!

The secret is finally out! We've been teasing for months that we knew the identity of the new Plain Jane for Not So Plain Jane's . . . and here she is!

Long time client of NSPJ's, Wendy, was selected months ago and we helped them create some gorgeous images after Wendy was pampered at the salon.f We think she looks amazing, don't you think?

You can check out all the images from our session with Wendy and the NSPJ's ladies by visiting the NSPJ's Facebook page.

7 tips to fabulous baby portraits.

We simple ADORE baby portraits. We can't help it . . . they're just so sweet. That said, Jeff and Carolle have photographed . . . well, a lot of babies. We've seen it all- from the wide-eyed giggly to big grins covered in birthday cake (great picture, isn't it?). We've caught spit-up with our bare hands and performed monkey sounds with the best of them. We're pretty sure there's nothing that surprises us at this point (but that's not saying we can't be surprised . . .). After all of this, what is the best formula for superb baby portraits? Read on.

1. Naps- When is your baby freshest? First thing in the morning or later in the day? Most, if not all, infants are alert and photograph best after they're rested. Let us know what works best for your baby so that we can schedule a session time that fits his or her rhythm.

2. Feedings- No one (including adults) likes to be photographed on an empty stomach! Make sure your baby isn't hungry before his/her portrait session, but not so full that we have a spit-up issue (Abby the Baby Handler will thank you, we promise) . . . we guarantee you'll have fewer (or no) meltdowns if tummies aren't grumbling.

3. Stranger danger- Jeff and Carolle are the parents of two daughters and well remember the ages when their girls were most clingy. This stage can come and go at any time for any infant. In order to increase the smiles and decrease the tears (they make everyone oh-so sad!), let your baby or toddler get used to the staff by interacting and chatting with them before the session. We also keep the studio relatively baby proof, so if little hands wish to wander, they're welcome to explore under a watchful eye.

4. Comfort objects- Bring a few special blankets, noise makers and toys to your session. Sometimes the wave of a familiar object is just the ticket to a wide, beautiful smile. If all else fails, we have a special stuffed member of our staff named Flash the Puppy who makes surprise appearances at sessions. He's been with the studio for just as long as Jeff and Carolle and is very experienced with photographing little ones.

5. Illness- We have had a few sessions with sick babies that turned out beautifully . . . but let's face it, most babies don't do well with ear infections, colds and sometimes even teething. If your baby is having a tough week (fever, runny nose, drowsy, etc.), call us a day or two ahead to discuss his or her session. We may encourage your to keep your appointment, but we may suggest finding another time to photograph your infant.

6. Wardrobe- We highly suggest bringing 2-3 outfits per session with your infant. We may not get to all the ensembles, but it's always nice to have variety (and a back-up in case of an accident!). If you have special items (such as a christening outfit or family heirloom, for example) you want your baby photographed in, please bring them and make sure you point them out to us. We will always attend to your specific requests.

7. Mom and Dad- If the parents are relaxed, baby will be more at ease. Please let us know if we can help you feel more comfortable during your portrait session. Sometimes Mom and Dad need some TLC too!

A little about our studio-

Many families choose our Bebe Collection to document the first year of their children's lives . . . most of the lovely images you find on our website are from these sessions. If you're not familiar with our Bebe Collection, give us a call and we'll tell you all about it! We're available at (603.626.7300) if you have questions about this and other portrait sessions for your family.

Check out other Bebe session posts:

Landon, Mason & Tyler

A fresh family portrait session.

We thought you'd love a glimpse of our latest extended family session . . . we're delighted with how well these portraits came out for the Bouchard family. So cheerful! Extended family sessions hold a special place in our hearts- it's not often whole families gather for portraits and helping our clients create those memories is a job we take very seriously.

(And if you think it's tough to get a group of little ones to pose together for a portrait, think again- it can be done!)

Thanks to the entire family for paying us a visit the other day- Jeff had a terrific time creating your portraits!

Wildflowers inspiration

Carolle recently discovered a beautiful wildflower field in Manchester just begging for a sweet portrait session. We're itching to set up shop to create some summery images like these from sessions back. We keep thinking of words like "frolicking" and "twirling" . . . okay, maybe not, but you get the idea!

If you're catching the vision with us, call the studio (603.626.7300) to set up a time to be photographed . . . it won't be long be before (gasp) we've got snow again!

What To Wear: Coastal Edition!

It's amazing to me that beach portrait season is here! Can you believe it? We've already been out to the coast for one family session and are really excited about all that is in store for this summer.

One of the most frequent questions I address regarding beach portraits is, "What do we wear?" Coordinating a portrait wardrobe for several people (all with varying opinions as to what looks good) can be more challenging that getting a ten month old and a puppy to pose together during a hurricane for a great image. But fear not!

Our goal is to make it easy for you to know what looks good, what is weather appropriate and what will make you and you and your loved-ones happy. Here are a couple tips and inspiration boards of beautiful things that are tickling our fancies as we enter beach portrait season.

1. Keep it natural.

Stay within a color palette that reflects the coastal scenery. Doing so will help you achieve the tranquil, classic New England seaside atmosphere so often desired from beach portraits. Think variations of cream, turquoise or heather grey and even explore more tropical tones. Whichever you choose, focus on a unified palette for the whole family.

2. Coordinate; don't match.

When I was fifteen, there was no way I would smile for a camera wearing the same white polo as my twelve year old brother . . . in front of a camera . . . in public.

I often suggest to clients to pick one color for the entire family, but vary the shades and textures that people wear. No one has to match exactly. For instance, if white is the main chosen color, mix in a few ivory, light taupe and vanilla tones. Avoid using dark colors amongst a majority of light, or light in a dark majority.

Layering pieces (cardigans, vests, shawls, hats, etc.) is also a great way avoid a 'uniform' without disrupting the group's cohesion.

3. Dress for the weather.

At Dachowski Photography, we prefer to photograph beach portraits in the early hours of the morning whenever possible. Why? The light is best. The sand is clean and clear of crowds. That said, morning temperatures in late July are very different from early October! Sundresses are beautiful and very appropriate for summer months, but Irish sweaters and hats are better bets once the air cools in fall. Keep this in mind when preparing for sessions, giving special consideration to little ones!

4. You might get wet!

Be prepared to roll up pant legs and dip those toes into the salty water . . . some of our favorite beach portraits are of families strolling hand-in-hand down the shore or sitting together on rocks. Beach sessions are interactive and a little messy at times, so come with extra sets of socks, shoes and maybe a small towel to brush off with after all is said and done.

5. Outside the box suggestions:

Everyone wears wellies! It's a fun New England look and will keep you dry.

Or try out formal wear. Think you missed out because your wedding wasn't on a sandy beach? Think again- families in formal wear is a unique and incredibly classy way to make a big statement.

Still stumped? Spark your imaginations with these inspiration boards that we think are oh-so-beach-lovely.

And as always, feel free to call us at the studio to ask questions (603.626.7300). We love to help!

(Inspiration boards via Creature Comforts)

Business portrait event for cancer research.

Please join us in support of NHPCC by attending our very special Business Portrait event on June 16th.

With a minimum donation of $50, you will receive one licensed image created by Dachowski Photography, with hair and make-up services provided by Chill Day Spa. Delicious snacks will be provided, compliments of Cotton and Crispie Sweets.

100% of your donation will be given to NHPCC. Call Chill Day Spa at (603) 622-3722 to reserve your time!

Our People's Choice Winners!

We're thrilled to finally share the images of our People's Choice winners receiving their prizes . . . it just so happens that each recipient represents a different aspect of the studio's portraiture. How awesome is that?

First prize went to Shannon, a senior photographed last season. The Olsen family won second with their image of their two children from their 2010 family session and Melissa and her husband claimed third (Jeff and Carolle photographed their wedding just last summer!). Congrats, everyone!

Learn more about our gift sponsors:

Not So Plain Jane's

Twins Smoke Shop & 7.20.4 Cigars

Cotton Restaurant

The Palace Theatre

Alapage

LaBelle Winery

Pochito's

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the People's Choice and congrats to our winners . . . we had a great time reading all of the comments and watching you campaign for your favorites. Remember to vote next year for 2011!

Support the Palace Theatre youth programs!

One of the many great community resources that we enjoy supporting is the Palace Theatre Youth Programs. A few months ago, we participated in Table Talks, a wonderful fundraiser to support the Palace Youth Theatre and other youth programs.

The up-and-coming 7th Annual Kitchen Tour is another way you can get involved in supporting the Palace this year! The June 5th event was named the Best Kitchen Tour in NH by "NH Magazine" in 2008. This year's stops include the Charlie Howard Dream House on Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, NH. We encourage you to enjoy a great afternoon with the Palace while supporting a worthy cause!

Behind the scenes: Coastal portrait day.

For those of you reading our blog from NH, you know all too well that we've been debating building an ark . . . so much rain!

As luck had it, the skies cleared just in time last Friday for a day of shooting in Portsmouth for a young client's up-and-coming Bat Mitzvah. We were so happy to spend the morning creating portraits with Noa, her sister and parents at their temple and around town. What a gorgeous day!

Here are some images that Noa's mom took to illustrate our day . . . you can see Noa posing like a pro and her sister, Zoe, getting in on the action. She held that panel like she had been working with us for years!

We can't wait to show you the finished portraits from this session- so many beautiful images. In the meantime, we've got a post scheduled for next week that is sure to satisfy all of you beach lovers: What to Wear for Beach Portraits!