Meet Alli and Edgar! This sweet beautiful couple were a delight to photograph, they brought along Edgar’s son Christian. From the moment I saw this little guy, I knew he wasn’t to happy about having his pictures taken. So I decided to do what I always do when children are involved and that is getting to know them first and showing them first hand how to take a picture with a DSLR camera.
Creating your perfect portrait session is very personalized and I love making your session fun. Choosing a portrait location is an important part of the experience and I want to make this a relaxed and memorable journey for you. Finding just the right location for portrait needs is one of my favorite things to do. From the moment my clients send in there inquiry, I really get a head start in knowing what my clients like and then help choose a location that works with their personality.
Personally, I gravitate to outdoor, natural locations that offer scenic and simple beauty but yet I also love urban area that showcase a fun and bold statement. What ever it is that you choose, I will most certainly adapt. My goal is to make my clients comfortable in there portrait location as much as helping them choose what colors to wear. I’m all about using my experience and eye for perfection to make your photos something you will enjoy and cherish for a lifetime.
While I enjoy when my clients have there own personal ideas for portrait locations, I would love to share some of my own favorite spots. Below I have put together a list, I hope that it helps you narrow your search but if you already have one set in stone, no problem, I can work with that! ♥ Please keep in mind, these are only a few locations listed, feel free to contact me at this link for additional locations not listed.
Arbor Hill Nature Preserve
Harry Myers
Prairie Creek
Palos Verdes
Turtle Creek
Flippen
Lakeside
Quorum
Celestial
White Rock Lake
Dallas Arboretum
Deep Ellum
Bishop Arts District
Winspear Opera House
Historic Downtown Plano
Historic Downtown Wylie
Historic Downtown McKinney
Trinity River Corridor
Harbor at Rockwall
Highland Park village
Congratulations Bride and Groom to be!
Trying to figure out your wedding day timeline is nothing short of challenging. There is a million things to consider, hundreds of people to please, your own wants and dreams, and only one day to do it all. Luckily, we’ve seen the wedding day timeline plenty of times and can help lead you on your very own perfect wedding day itinerary.
I have decide to share a sample wedding day timeline to future brides to kick start your wedding day planning. Whether you choose Lily Hayes as your exclusive wedding day photographer (which I hope you do ♥), it’s important to keep in mind giving your photographer the adequate time for optimum wedding coverage. This itinerary gives you an idea of photography times needed, when planning your wedding day schedule. Since every bride, couple and wedding is unique in telling there own personal story, shooting times and order, will vary. In case you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me by clicking on this link.
Preparation/Details- 30 Minutes
Getting in Dress/Accessories- 20 Minutes
Bridal & Bride & Bridesmaids- 30 Minutes
Groom & Groom & Groomsmen-30 Minutes
Hint: Don’t forget to count travel times between each location.
*Private Portraits are with photographer and couple only.
Depending on ceremony time, private portraits can be done earlier or
saved for later in the evening for optimum lighting and time saving, following
the ceremony.
Please consult Lily for advice on the BEST light- it makes all the difference!
(EACH) Family Grouping- 2-3 Minutes
Full Bridal Party with Bride & Groom- 30 Minutes
PRIVATE PORTRAITS: Bride & Groom- 45 Minutes
Can’t seem to figure out what to wear for your photo shoot? Have no worries, Lily Hayes is here help!
I know it can be challenging and at times overwhelming trying to pair coordinating outfits for either yourself or your family. So first and foremost, you want to start by deciding your preferred dominant or “pop” of color, of your preferred taste and style. I personally love pops of color, they add such an inviting vibrance to your images when paired with the accordingly to there coordinating colors. Once you find your pop of color, you can now begin narrowing what compliments that color. In no time, you’ll have your picture perfect outfits nailed.
Please keep in mine, when choosing your dominate color, it’s also important to follow the season and what compliments the weather. Bright, vibrant colors in the spring/summer and rich/warm solid colors in the fall/winter.
Accessories can also create unique and special focal points. I myself don’t have the slightest clue how to incorporate or choose accessories so wouldn’t know where to begin in pointing you in the right direction so if your like me, just adding some nice, classy earrings will do..lol.
I hope you found this article helpful and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at this link.
Newborn Session Prep Guide!!
The first few days of a baby’s life are so magical and incredible! Being able to freeze those moments for you is such an honor for Dallas, Newborn Photographer, Lily Hayes so I thought it might be helpful to write down how parents play a important role to a successful, pleasant and enjoyable experience for the successful newborn shoot.
So…. lets get started!
Let’s Pencil You In!
I highly recommend booking your newborn session 4 weeks prior to your approximate delivery date. This ensures your newborn scheduled date for that week so that no once else will be booked. I only take a limited amount of newborn shoots a week in the so that every parent is giving my full creativity and attention to there little bundle of joy.
Birth Day!
Yay!! I know you are just excited as I am to capture those little tiny fingers and toes while it last! Once you and baby have been giving the green light to go home, please contact me right away to schedule a date and time for your newborn session. Typically newborn sessions have to be done within the first 10 days of birth. After the 10 day mark, newborns have discovered the art of stretching! Once that happens…they won’t let us curl them up in the cute little newborn poses, without a fight! But even after 7 days there are some newborns reach that milestone a little to early, than we have expected (as my two young boys did) so I would recommend the earlier, the better!
Location, Location, Location!
Newborn sessions, take place in mind home in my. Studio solely designated for a newborn and toddler sessions only.
Sleepy, Hungry!
Babies do very well in the studio for posing when they are in deep sleep. To encourage this I highly recommend, stimulating the baby at least two hours before your scheduled arrival, a warm bath always does the trick. We need your bundle of joy to be exhausted, tired and a bit hungry. I know it will be hard, atop of your own sleep deprivation but I promise you, it will be well worth the effort!
Once you arrive, you will feed/nurse right away and now we have a (“milk drunk”) baby!! A well feed baby is a happy baby! Also please feel free to take as many breaks as needed for baby to refuel. It’s tough being a model!
Poop Whisperer!
That I have been called many times (no lie) but no worries, it happens! This is completely natural for babies to use blankets or props as there own personal potty. Please don’t feel embarrassed, I reassure you it happens more times that I can remember. Know, I have two young boys on my own so not long ago, it was there never ending mission to make mommy there own personal potty! Have a concern about sanitation? Don’t worry I wash all used props and blankets after each newborn session with non-scented detergent.
Shhh!
Please do whatever you can to keep the noise to a minimum during our session. Maintaing a calm environment is also a big key to a successful newborn shoot. I do have a white noise app that I will keep close to baby during the session to help soothe him or her. Babies love strong and rhythmic sound. Amazingly! that’s the sound the heard 24/7 in the uterus!
Regulate the Temp!
Since babies are usually photographed naked, the studio will be set at a temperature of 80F to ensure baby is warm and comfortable. If we’re not sweating, it’s probably not warm enough for baby! Parent’s please make sure to wear comfortable loose clothing. I will provide water and your more than welcome to bring snacks.
Safety!
Safety is my upmost number one top priority when handling your baby, so either mom or dad will be my spotter/assistant. All eyes and hands are to be kept around baby during posing. During the session I will be handling and posing baby, but don’t worry I have plenty of experience handling a newborn (don’t know if I mentioned I have three boys of my own!) I will hold and care for him or her as if they were my own, I promise!
Newborn Session Prep Guide!!
Mom, Dad I know this can be a very exciting and stressful time for you, especially when adding sleep deprivation in the mix! As much as my goal is for baby to be comfortable, I also want you to be comfortable and at ease! Having me photograph this precious moments for you, means a lot to me so anything I can do to make it a smooth journey for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know!
Again thank you for giving Dallas, Ft Worth based Wedding, Portrait and Newborn Photographer, Lily Hayes…the opportunity to capture these unforgettable memories for a long time to come!
Newborn and Child Photography-oh how I love!! Where to begin, I absolutely love these little human beings!! Newborns, I hold dear to my heart. For one, they make the best models. Second, they are just full of untamed love, innocence and purity. Purity, that is so hard to come by and witness in this world. Anyway don’t want to get carried away. I can make this paragraph really long, if I don’t stop myself..lol.
Joining The NAPCP
After photographing little angels for some time now and submitting my application to the NAPCP. Waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I was accepted to be a member of the prestigious National Association of Professional Child Photographers…yay!! As a Dallas Wedding, Newborn and Portrait Photographer, before being accepted as being a member, my photography of newborns and children was reviewed by their team to determine whether my work is held to the high standard that is required to be accepted as a member. Being accepted by NAPCP shows my existing and potential clients that when you chose to have Lily Hayes Photography capture your little ones, you are dealing with someone that is professional and capable of demonstrating the art and craft of newborn and child photography. I’m just so honored and humbled, now I’m off to do my happy dance!! ♥
