Documentary Family: After completing a brief questionnaire we can choose from a fun family adventure or a simple in home shoot to document your every day life.
Lifestyle Family: You should be choosing a place that is meaningful to you. Somewhere you like to go together, where you first met, or doing an activity that you all enjoy. Common places in and around the Kenosha area: Petrifying Springs park, Hawthorn Hallow (a permit fee is required), Lincoln Park, Kenosha Sand Dunes, Lake Andrea, Southport Beach House, Simmons Island, Downtown Kenosha.
Studio Portrait: Shannon Z Photography's home studio with multiple backdrop options, lighting scenes and a small wardrobe to choose from if needed.
Clothing
Family: You want to coordinate, but not too matchy-matchy. Neutral colors are preferred (try to avoid white) but black usually looks good on anyone. Pinterest is amazing for coordinating outfit ideas & colors, so definitely check it out! I have a link HERE to a styling board. Here you can get started shopping on Amazon with some ideas I've already saved.
Studio Portrait: For family portraits - I love neutral and muted tones - grey, dark red, blue, greens & black. These photos will be elegant and timeless, and don't necessarily need to match with the season.
Day of Prep.
Documentary Family: Easy peasy - you don't need to do much! I am there to capture real life as it unfolds. Unscripted, undirected. Real, raw beautiful.
Lifestyle Family: Shoots should be scheduled to allow for a nap time for younger kids so they're happy at the time of the shoot. Bring snacks or treats to help keep them happy & occupied (or for me to use as bribery!!) Outfit changes, baby wipes & a blanket is useful for young ones in case they get messy - and for car-seat infants who sometimes spit up should be changed into their outfits upon arrival - just to avoid a wardrobe mishap in the car. :) Bring a comb to tame hair and get ready to have fun with your family!!
Location Ideas
Petrifying Springs Park
Petrifying Springs Park is swarming with photographers throughout the month of October. Between senior sessions and family sessions, the park is full of families trying to get that perfect moment for their Holiday card. The park definitely does not lack in beautiful scenery and several perfect areas for your portrait. With multiple bridges, staircases, and gorgeous trees… You are sure to find the perfect backdrop.
I love to try and find a new and different area in Petrifying Springs Park every time I have a client there. Going off the beaten path to find an unused area gives my clients something unique and different from other people who typically have their photos taken at Pets park.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln park located on 22nd Ave. in Kenosha Wisconsin is another great place for photos. With a river, two bridges, multiple gorgeous weeping willow trees, the pergola, a beautiful garden, and the rock staircase… There are so many options for some great portraits. I love bringing clients to this park to give them something different by way of family portraits.
Hawthorn Hollow
Hawthorne Hollow nature preserve is a beautiful venue in Kenosha for family portraits. They do require a permit, and their hours are limited, but if you are willing to invest in the permit…your portraits there would be gorgeous. With the original Pike Creek school house, A re-created Tee-pee, a river and more. Even if you don’t have your family portraits down there it’s definitely worth a visit. And the visit is free!
Southport Beach House
Southport beach house on Kenosha's lakefront is another great spot for portraits. Families can get a wide variety of backdrops including the beautiful lake Michigan, a sandy beach, a gritty, chippy-paint wall, brick walls, concrete stairs, and a woodsy area just down the shore near Kenosha Sandune’s. It’s a short walk but definitely worth it!
SZP Studio
Finally, my home studio. I love photographing families from my home. Needless to say it requires very little travel on my part! But that’s not why I love it. My backyard faces west, providing gorgeous golden hour sunset opportunities for family photos. My home studio is located in my three season room. 300 ft.² of nothing but natural light, three walls of windows diffused with white sheer curtains provide soft gorgeous light for a more formal portrait.
No matter what you choose for location for your family photo shoot, I would be honored to be the photographer that makes that memory for you.
