Christi & Scott | Northern Wisconsin Cabin Wedding
North Central Wisconsin Senior & Portrait Photographers James & Katie Stokes Located in Medford, Wisconsin // Wisconsin
We get it, dressing your children on a daily basis is hard enough, but then trying to coordinate outfits for family photos. Forget it! Unless you’re like us and you head to Target just about everytime we need to take a family photo. Here are a few quick tips from The Stokes on how to get the best results when it comes to planning for your family photos.
Nothing is worse than wearing clothes that make you feel uncomfortable and there is no better way to get your four-year-old daughter madder than a hatter than to make her wear something she hates. We recommend for families with children who are still of napping age, to schedule their session after nap time to avoid those “witching hours” we know so well in our home.
For us, we love all things grey and blue. I also happen to really love black and neutral whites and creams. While our home may be loud, we want our clothing to feel understated and classic for years to come. When choosing neutrals, opt for a brown tone for a warm color palette, or a gray tone for a cool color palate. Avoid wearing bright white because it will act as a light reflector and will draw the eye to whoever is wearing it.
Personally, I like a hint of patterns, especially when it is used as an accent piece. But be careful, patterns can add too much texture and distract. We like classic plads and simple elegant florals. Avoid trendy shapes that quickly will date your photo. Just think of your own cringe-worthy photos from 1990 when mom made you wear that hideous turtleneck and you had bleach blonde bangs. Maybe that was just us…When kept in moderation, patterns can add interesting texture to an image and can bring out the personality of the person wearing it. Avoid matchy matchy outfits like the trend of everyone wearing jeans and white t-shirts. Also, a rule in the Stokhaus is that we do not wear overly branded clothes, this should apply for your family shoot too. We don’t want to distract from your face. and the Nike Swoosh does not need to be in your family portraits. We can talk about it when you’re a senior and you want to do sports photos. Maybe.
Since we’re located in Medford, many of our family portrait sessions take place with a Northwoods background, thus we recommend not wearing green. We want you to stand out from the background. We like to contrast the environment. One of the best ways to choose your color palette is to first determine if your photo shoot environment has cool or warm tones. For example, an orchard in the fall has yellow, orange, and red warm tones; a beach in the spring has blue, green, and white cool tones.
Furthermore, what are your plans for your photos? Hopefully, you print them and have them hung in your home for years to come. Our walls are very neutral and most of our prints are black and white, but if you want some color in your home make sure the end result fits the decor and color theme of your home. For more simple Do’s & Don’t check out the link below. Also, check out our Pinterest Page for more suggestions.
Valentine’s Day. Very few know the reason for the Holiday, so being the history buff I am, I looked it up only to find several conflicting stories all deeply shrouded in mystery from antiquity. Thanks to some surviving hagiographical records, we’re able to compile the various records of a man or men named Valentine and combine them into one identity and merged with a pagan fertility festival which we celebrate today in the form of pink and red hearts and roses, chocolates, and possibly engagement rings!
I like to think that there is always a bit of truth in legends. In short, we celebrate a day named after St. Valentine who allegedly married young Christian couples in secret due Emperor Claudius II outlawing marriage because he thought that married men made poor soldiers. Accounts state that Valentine broke the law and also attempted to convert the Emperor to Christianity. This ultimately culminated in his demise outside the Flaminian Gate.
In later years, the Roman Catholic church would turn the story of a priest & a bishop into a patron Saint for bookkeepers and lovers alike. In an interesting personal twist, a common ancestor of both Katie and myself, poet Geoffrey Chaucer (16th great grandfather), may have single-handedly created the romantic tradition we know today with his work “Parlement of Foules,” in which he stated that birds and human find a mate on Seynt Valentine’s Day.
For whatever reason, we like to remind those closest to us that we love, care, and are thinking of them on this special day in February. I always look forward to the vintage cards my grandmother sends my children, a tradition she started with me and has kept over the last 30 years. I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have been loved by so many throughout my life. This is a gift I have often taken for granted. Not everyone is so fortunate and blessed to love and be loved in return.
My wife, Katie, knows wholeheartedly that I am not the biggest fan of this American Holiday, but maybe that was because I never understood the story behind and the personal attachment to its origins. As a believer, we embrace the very real possibility that our faith will have negative earthly ramifications for following Jesus. We’re blessed to live in a country where we’re able to worship how we like and marry whom we love.
Special thanks to all of our 32 Couples from 2016 for reminding us why we love what we do so much and Happy Valentine’s Day! – The Stokes
Photographer: James Stokes Photography | Florist: Wedding Gallery | Ceremony Venue: Munson Bridge Winery | Reception Venue: Munson Bridge Winery | DJ/Entertainment Services: Todd Norrel | Cake: Kim Wojnik – Creative Crumbs | Catering: B&S Bar