West Side Phoenix, AZ

adorable rainy day photoshoot Avondale, az

July 8 2024

Capturing Rainy Day Magic: Mini Umbrella Photoshoot in Avondale, AZ

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Couples, Family, Kids, West Side Phoenix, AZ childhood memories, Couples Photography, rainy day photos, umbrella photography

Discover the Magic a Rainy Day Photoshoot

I was so excited when I came across a Pinterest post about a “rainy” day photoshoot that explained how they did it. I thought they just lived in rainy cities and were making the best of it. (I was a bit jealous.) But guess what? After reading a blog I realized I can create a “rainy” day umbrella photoshoot!

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Capturing Rainy Day Magic: Mini Umbrella Photoshoot in Avondale, AZ

Picture This:

a clear umbrella, laughter echoing in the air, and the joy of capturing precious moments amidst the simulated rainfall.

Why You Should Book

You’ll get stunning photographs to cherish forever, there’s an extra incentive if you are signed up for my newsletter. You’ll unlock a special rate of ONLY $15 – a fantastic deal for an unforgettable experience.

What To Expect

Perfect for parents seeking to capture playful moments with their little ones, couples desiring a romantic and unique photoshoot, or teen girls ready to create whimsical rainy day photos in my backyard. 15-minute sessions.

Creating the Magic

This “rainy” day effect is achieved using a hose to gently sprinkle water droplets over you, creating the illusion of a refreshing rainfall.

How to Book Your Spot

Spaces for this exclusive mini session are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot now. Simply click the contact me button above or reach out to me directly ([email protected]) to secure your preferred time slot. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add a splash of creativity to your photo album! I can’t wait to embark on this rainy day adventure with you. Until then, keep smiling, stay cool and let’s make memories together.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Photographer

Kim

May 12 2024

Flaunt Your Fabulous: How to Feel Confident Before the Family Photoshoot

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Family, Family shots, Photography Tips and Tricks, West Side Phoenix, AZ Documentary Family Photography, family photos, Feeling Confident in a Photoshoot, Love yourself

This Is For All The Beautiful Momma's Out There Before Their Photoshoot

Hey there, pretty lady!

First since we are posting this a day early on Mother’s Day….Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Let’s talk about something that’s as nerve-wracking as it is exciting: family photoshoots. What to do when you are ready to capture beautiful memories with your loved ones, but you end up stressing over every little detail, especially how you are going to look in the photos.

So, you’ve got a photoshoot coming up, and you’re feeling a bit jittery? Totally normal! But let me tell you, there are some lesser-known tips and tricks that can help you rock that session with confidence.

Embracing Change

First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: our changing bodies. As we sail through our 40s, our bodies go through some pretty wild transformations. I feel this to my very bones since I’ve already gone through menopause. But you know what? Those changes are what make us uniquely beautiful. Let’s learn to embrace them! Instead of focusing on what you perceive as flaws, celebrate what makes you, well, YOU. Isn’t that what we want our daughters to do?

Navigating Wardrobe Choices for a Photoshoot

Next up, wardrobe woes. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest fashion trends or worry about what others might think of our outfit choices. But here’s the secret: wear what makes you feel like a million bucks. Whether it’s that killer dress you’ve been saving for a special occasion or your favorite jeans and tee combo, wear it with confidence.

Embracing the Chaos and Charm of Family Photoshoots with Kids

Now, let’s talk about the kiddos. They’re adorable, sure, but they can also be a handful during a photoshoot (yes, I’m also talking about our teenagers). Instead of stressing over getting the perfect shot, embrace the chaos. Candid moments often make for the best photos, so let your kiddos be themselves and enjoy the ride. (Even the pouty teenager who doesn’t want to be there.)

Embracing Relaxation and Joy in Family Photoshoots

And finally, remember to relax and have fun! Photoshoots are all about capturing precious moments with your family, so don’t let stress steal the spotlight. Take a deep breath, smile, and trust that your photographer will work their magic.

So, there you have it, gorgeous. With a little self-love, a killer outfit, and a whole lot of laughter, you’ll be feeling like the confident queen you are at your next family photoshoot. Cheers to making memories that will last a lifetime!

Big hugs Momma!

Kim VanOs

February 19 2024

Childhood Memories Photoshoot

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Kids, Photography Props, Photography Tips and Tricks, West Side Phoenix, AZ avondale, childhood memories, kid photoshoot, stuffed toys

Childhood Photoshoot with Stuffed Toys

I loved this childhood memories photoshoot because this cutie really came out of his shell once we started chatting about each of his stuffies. Robby LOVES stuffies and I mean really loves stuffies. I knew the moment his mom booked the shoot that we would incorporate as many of those stuffies as possible. To get your child to really have fun and give real smiles in a photo bringing in the things that s/he is passionate about will almost always do the trick.

Making children smile during a photoshoot

Once Robby started telling me about all the names of each and every stuffie in his collection. He then told me different stories about each one and how they interact with each other. With each story his smile got bigger, and he relaxed more allowing his personality to come out. These are the photos he will look back on remember all the fun he had with his beloved “stuffies”.

Taking your own childhood memories photos

The biggest things when taking your own child’s photos is….

Making sure they are happy to be there.
Making sure you have really good lighting.

But if you want someone else to capture those precious memories….

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November 6 2023

Family Photo Session Checklist

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Family, Family shots, West Side Phoenix, AZ 85392photographer, avondale az photographer, family photos, photography checklist

This checklist was created to help you feel confident and not like you are missing something before your next photo session. It is not meant to be fully comprehensive though because each family is a beautiful mix of different personalities. Encompassing all of these would be impossible and would take away the uniqueness of each family.

Plan AND try on outfits a week in advance. (If you want more on how to pick out family outfits for a photoshoot you’ll want to check out this blog it talks about the why, where and how to pick outfits out for your family.)

Choosing An Outfit For Your Next Family Photoshoot

Decide on must any poses and/or props. Communicate this to the photographer. You don’t have to come with poses in mind but sometimes you already know you want to be dipped for a romantic kiss. Props, aren’t necessary, but some families like to bring their favorite teams jerseys for a photo to represent. Whatever prop you bring will be unique to your family.

Check nail polish. And don’t forget your toes if you are wearing open toed shoes. You don’t want chipped Halloween orange with your flowy neutral dress.
Roots of your hair. If you plan to do a touch, up remember that many times we end up with a little color around our faces before we wash it a few times.

Find your anti-reflective glasses and at the minimum make sure you don’t have your transitional glasses with you. Unless of course you want to have sunglasses on in every photo.
Get a good night’s sleep. I know this sounds obvious but staying up picking out just the right outfit isn’t going to matter if you look tired in every photo.

Pack accessories, a brush, chap stick, lipstick, Kleenex, water, comfy shoes, hair spray & props if desired.
Make sure to feed everyone and keep everyone hydrated. No one likes to smile if they are hangry. Living in AZ hydration is important.

Empty pockets and remove hair ties. These will be the little things that will stand out later.

Double check directions and how much time you need to get to the location. It’s always good to check the driving directions at the time frame you will be leaving on a different day to see if traffic is an issue. Remember some photoshoots occur at rush hour traffic.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ANY PHOTOSHOOT....

IS TO RELAX AND BE IN THE MOMENT WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE.

THE BEST SMILES ARE THE REAL ONES!

I am so excited to capture your family! To schedule your next family photo session click the button below:

Click Here

Stay awesome!

Kim

October 20 2023

How to look amazing at YOUR senior photoshoot!

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Graduation, Senior, West Side Phoenix, AZ avondale az photographer, graduate photographer, high school senior photographer, picking outfits for a grad photoshoot

Senior year is filled with so many lifelong memories…homecoming, college applications, prom, senior trips, football games, senior pranks, and so much more. It is a time that ends one chapter in your life and starts another. This is what your senior photos can capture with a little thought ahead of time. Your photos are all about telling your story. The most important thing I want you to know is that you DO NOT have to be a model. And truth be told I don’t want you to be a model because our goal is to capture YOU. Your senior photos are all about YOU and no one knows you better.

If you are ready to book your senior grad session, you can reach me at [email protected].

As you think about your upcoming session, write down the answers to the following questions.

1. What your hobbies are, how you spend your free time or where you volunteer.

2. Ask a few friends or family members to describe you in one word.

3. What is your favorite…. article of clothing, color, movie, food, etc.

4. What you want to do after school.

5. Any fancy dresses or outfits that you wore to homecoming or a wedding recently.

6. If you like wearing hats, chunky necklaces, big rings, scarves, fun shoes, etc.

7. Any afterschool activities like sports, academic clubs, etc. If you have a letterman jacket or something specific, you wear when participating in that activity.

As you write out the answers a few things will jump out at you that will help you pick out your outfits.

Here are a few examples to help get your juices flowing:

Buckeye, AZ Sunflower Field

Kendall loves art! But she really loves to paint and when she is not painting, you find her at Michaels buying more canvas or paints. She also loves sunflowers! This love of sunflowers came from her mother. She doesn’t wear any shoe if it’s not comfy and so has a variety of different tennis shoes. She used to play volleyball, but quick years ago and never took up another sport. She likes sleeping in and hanging out with her friends. Her personality is pretty chill. She decides she want’s photos that will incorporate her love of art, and sunflowers as well as her favorite pair of shoes.

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How to look amazing at YOUR senior photoshoot!

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Laveen, AZ

Jeneyah went to her uncle’s casual wedding in September and wore a cute striped jump suit that she loves. She is a part of the guitar club at school and her friends nicknamed her sunshine because she is always happy. She has decided she is bringing denim back and has lots of cute denim dresses that she wears. Jeneyah decides to use the cute jump suit from the wedding, a denim dress that work with her cap and gown and a pair of black dress pants and top for a more sophisticated look. She plans to bring her guitar to the shoot. She loves the park down the street from her house and it holds lots of childhood memories there for her.

Litchfield Park, AZ

Bailey doesn’t really participate in any afterschool activities, but she loves jeans and big bows. She loves nature and being up north at her family’s cabin. She loves the simple things in life like her family and her dog. But what truly defines her is the big bows she wears. Bailey brings along ripped jeans with a leopard print shirt and a matching bow. She also brings her favorite jacket and a red shirt to wear underneath with one of her big red bows. For her last outfit she chooses a long black sleeved shirt and keeps her signature red bow.

Now it’s time for you to answer the questions above and pick out some outfits that really embody you. And don’t worry I got your back when it comes to the day of your shoot, but if you have ideas for posing, please let me know. After all, this photoshoot is all about YOU!

If you are ready to plan out your senior photoshoot, click below to contact me. I can’t wait to help you capture who you are at this moment in time.

Stay awesome!

Kim

Click Here It's all about YOU!

September 12 2023

Choosing An Outfit For Your Next Family Photoshoot

kimvanos Avondale, AZ, Family, Kids, West Side Phoenix, AZ Choosing An Outfit For A Photoshoot, Family Photography, Family Portraits

THE WHY, WHERE AND HOW OF A FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT

Family photos can be so much fun but many times the prospect of picking outfits can be overwhelming and daunting. So rather than dread this part of the process I hope these three tips will allow you to enjoy it. For my personal family photos I ask the following…

1. WHY: Why are we having family photos done? Is it for Christmas cards? If this is the purpose you can pull up Shutterfly or whatever company you use to print them and find the layout you want to use. Will it be red and black? Or may red, green and black? Maybe use cute matching PJ’s with just the right amount of red in them. Or a combination of dressy clothes in all the Christmas colors. Or is it the future center piece in your living room with beautiful taupe walls accented in deep wine red living room? You could use tip number 2 below to find just the right fall colors for your outfits to allow it to be the perfect piece in your home.

2. WHERE: The location you choose can also help determine your clothing. By location I mean not only the location of the actual photoshoot itself but also the location it will hang in your house. Pinterest is a great resource for “photoshoot color scheme.” Just type it in and you will have so many options at your finger tips: https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=photoshoot%20color%20scheme&rs=typed Some even have links to Amazon with the exact clothing for you to purchase. I’m not sure it could get any easier than that.

3. HOW: Find just one outfit for one person in your family that you LOVE and then coordinate everyone else’s around that one outfit. For example, let’s say you start with your daughter’s cream, orange and turquoise dress. Then you can wear a cream dress, put your son in an orange shirt with khaki pants and your hubby in a turquoise shirt and jeans.

Photo credit: Pamela Arnaud Photography

I can’t wait to see what you pick out to wear for your next photoshoot. If you are interested in booking your family photo session contact me to reserve your date.

https://kimvanosphotography.com/contact-us/

August 28 2023

Picking an Outdoor Phoenix, AZ Photoshoot Location

kimvanos Couples, Family, Graduation, Locations, Teen, West Side Phoenix, AZ Arizona Photography Locations, avondale az photographer, Couples Photography, Graduate Photos

As a photographer I see various locations as I go about my day to day life and think I want to do a photoshoot there….and there….and there too. So I understand that deciding on where to go for a photoshoot can be a hard choice but here is a bit about what different locations in the greater Phoenix area can offer. If you already have a location in mind and want to schedule your photoshoot today email me at [email protected].

DESERT
Living in AZ we live in a desert and are surrounded daily by it’s beauty. It took me moving to MI for a decade to return and realize the stunning artistry that the desert provides. There are a lot of different locations that offer the exquisiteness of this backdrop so if you want a photoshoot that brings with it mountains in the background and the elegance of the variety of cacti and succulents then a desert location might be perfect for you.

DOWNTOWN/RURUL
Phoenix has an impressive downtown area with graffiti and various walls, buildings and structures that can be used to create a gorgeous array of photos for a gallery. If you want a more modern backdrop and a rural feel with an edgy look then I would recommend a downtown location. Keep in mind there are other spots that offer the downtown feel besides downtown Phoenix.

HISTORIC FEEL
There are a few places that offer a historic feel to them with older buildings that can be used to create a more hometown feel to a photoshoot. If you love older buildings and shops that give your photos a more tranquil setting then you may want to consider using a historic sight and there are a few around the Phoenix area that are perfect.

GREENERY/NATURE
If you are looking for green grass and trees or flowers then we have a few options. Trees and grass are so different from what we normally see here that you may want something that stands out from the typical desert scenery. Flowers are a different story though. There is a local sunflower field that is open for 2 weeks in October so you will need to book early to ensure your spot. (There is an entrance fee that you will need pay per person besides the session fee.) Flowers here bloom usually in March but there is no set time for the beauty of the desert flowers that bloom so you will need to be flexible about the date.

SCHOOL
If you are a high school senior or a college graduate you may want to consider a photoshoot at your school. Are you an athlete? Maybe some photos on one of your schools ball fields? Are you proud of your alma mater? Maybe photos in front of Old Main? So if the school spirit strikes you let me know.

Sometimes locations that you may not even consider produce beautiful images so trusting your photographer to pick out your location is also an option. Picking out a location can be a fun and exciting process! Pick a place the makes you smile and brings your heart joy and you it will show in the photos.

If you are ready to book your photo session contact me at [email protected]