Family & Children Portraits
Stage 1… Babyhood
Babyhood is so special, yet one that passes quickly. Feedings, interruptions in the middle of the night, bottles, and mountains of laundry seem to be overwhelming. Every day is a first: a first smile, first tooth, first words, and first faltering steps. Be sure to take the time to capture each of these four ages under the Babyhood Stage, thus completing the first stage in this journey through time.
Age: newborn-3 months: There is a pure and total enjoyment to just sit, hold, and watch your sleeping baby at this age. When awake, your baby prefers to see your face rather than anything else, and will begin to grasp onto your finger while gazing into your face. This is a perfect age to begin our Fine Art Black and White Relationship Portraiture, enabling us to showcase the intimate relationship developing between mom, dad, and baby. A wonderful story of life unfolds as tiny hands and feet are securely held in mom and dad’s hands; soft skin contrasting rough, tiny contrasting big, innocence contrasting wisdom and experience.
Age: 6 months: Halfway through the first year of life is certainly a time to celebrate. Portraits hold time still, though babies do not at this age! Now, exploring their own hands and feet grows into exploring the world around them. Strong enough to sit up, they continue to develop their unique personality and are usually outgoing. Parents should still be included in portraits at this age, even if only as a "prop" in our Fine Art Black and White Relationship Portraiture.
Age: 9 months: At almost a year old, babies at this age are increasingly aware of their surroundings. Portraits done at this age can start to incorporate a favorite chair, stuffed animal or blanket. Although they need no help if seated, standing babies at this age usually need to hold onto something. This may be the best time to incorporate a classical color portrait of mother and baby together.
Age: 12 months: Active could best describe this age! Crawling, walking, or climbing are the challenges. Personalities are becoming more developed and now, baby can throw kisses, wave bye-bye and mimic sounds and gestures. Because of the volatility of this age, a candid approach to a portrait may be the best plan. Either color or black and white portraits would be suitable for this milestone portrait, and should include a family portrait
Stage 2… The Toddler
Having a toddler is probably the most challenging and rewarding times in your child’s early life. Many changes take place during these years in language, motor skills and moods. Often, another sibling is born into the family during these years, presenting another challenge both for the toddler and the parents. What a precious time this becomes as the prospect of Kindergarten looms in the near future, and you realize that your baby has now graduated to the next stage of development; Toddler.
Age 18 months: On the way to becoming a completely independent little person, a toddler of 18 months is still grasping onto mom with one hand while reaching for the future with the other. Playing with anything and everything is the fun of this age including digging into mom’s purse and emptying out the contents. A "clingy" personality at this age is the perfect subject for another installment of a Fine Art Black and White Relationship portrait. Allowing the toddler to be comforted in dad’s lap while being photographed in our unique abbreviation style is a most wonderful way to capture this special father/child relationship.
Age two years: This landmark age is truly the bridge that marks the halfway mark of early toddler to mature toddler. This is an age of uncertainty, mood swings, and never ending energy. Depending on the personality of the two-year-old toddler, we might suggest a color portrait if they are on the mature side of two and will feel comfortable being alone on the "set". If they need the reassurance of a parent’s arms, we would suggest the Fine Art Black and White Relationship portraits, which naturally incorporates one or both parents into the portrait in elusive ways while highlighting the child.
Age three years: This time in a child’s life is the beginning of a learning adventure that is so fun to watch. Information is absorbed at an incredible rate, and children this age love make-believe and games. Portraits at this age can be planned in a certain style, but there is still that element of unpredictability that keeps everyone on their toes. A Color Study would be great at this age, as a sense of independence has evolved and the child is able to take directions.
Stage 3… Childhood
Childhood encompasses a time of intense change as school now comes into play. These are some of the most enjoyable times as we see our children learn the fundamentals of reading, writing and social skills. We can now communicate on a more mature level, and mood swings become less frequent.
Age five years: If you have followed our Stage and Age Timeline, it has been two years since your last visit. Many changes have taken place between three and five years of age. Your child will be losing teeth soon, one of the most major structural changes that happen to their faces. Chubby, round faces now take on a more mature sculptured look that matches their new personalities. This age is the perfect time for a rare milestone portrait that we recommend only two to three times in a lifetime…an oil painting. Because of this new maturity, a portrait can be planned and carried out with a level of perfection not attainable during the earlier years. This perfection lends itself perfectly to an exquisite oil painting, capturing this milestone in a stable art form to enjoy for many years to come and to pass down at a later date.
Age seven years: We recommend a portrait at this age to bridge the gap between childhood and the next stage--youth. Landing in the early elementary school years, by this age, many children have developed a passion about music, art or sports. A Color Portrait would be a great way to show their interests at this point in their lives as well as catch up on a family portrait if it has been awhile. Remember also, that our classic black and white Relationship Portrait, is a wonderful way to highlight an individual child or siblings together.
Stage 4… Youth
Youth can also be termed the pre-teen years when everything in the household can seem like it has been turned upside down. These years are the beginning of the breaking away from the family to establish an identity, but at the core, they still need hugs, kisses and praise. Often, because of busy schedules and shifted priorities, portraits at this age are not taken at all. What a shame to miss these special times.
Age ten years: Because this is an in-between age of elementary and middle school, this would be a good time to catch up on sibling portraits, then break down into individual portraits. Kids at this age may see portraits as unappealing, so to keep it hassle free and casual may be the route to take. This is a perfect time to do a Lifestyle Portrait at your home or farm.
Age twelve years: This will be the final portrait before the teen years, and should be planned to reflect the major changes on the way. Perhaps this would be a good time to celebrate with a formal, Color Portrait, which includes the entire family and will be enjoyed for many years to come.
Stage 5… Young Adult
Young Adult is the final stage before your child leaves home. Statistics show that parents take less candid photographs at these ages making it even more important to capture these special moments with a portrait.
Age sixteen years: Definitely a milestone in life, it seems many things change at this age. Our "children" start driving, become more independent, talk nonstop on cell phones, start dating and stop asking our opinion! Adulthood is looming on the horizon, and to most parents, it is now becoming reality that their child will soon be an adult. What an exciting time to reflect on this young adult. A Color Studies portrait, done at our window with natural light, will emphasis this is an age when a young adult sees "the window to the world" and is challenged to find their own path in life!
Age eighteen years: For most families, this age is an age of both triumphs and trials in your young adult’s life. Reality hits home as parents realize their "child" will be starting college soon and making their own way in the world. Scary yet thrilling describes the feelings of both parents and their high school senior. This is a time when sports and hobbies or a passion for music, art or drama have become a part of who they are and perhaps even what they will become and is best highlighted with a Color Study.
Because graduation is just around the corner, don’t miss this opportunity to also show the growing friendship that exist between mother and daughter or father and son as adults with a black and white Relationship Portrait.
Sacramento Wedding, Family and High School Senior Photography.
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High School Senior Portraits and Wedding Photography in the Rocklin, Roseville and Sacramento area. Family and Wedding Photography by Santees.
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Call 916.630.1616 to speak with one of the best Northern California Family, Wedding and Senior Portrait Photographer.
Serving Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Loomis, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Sacramento, Auburn, Grass Valley, Lake Tahoe, Napa, Wine Country, San Francisco and Bay Area, Monterey, and Northern California.
An award winning maternity photographer, baby photographer, children photographer, families photographer, Seniors photographer, and Bridals photographer Sacramento, California photographer, Granite Bay photographer, Rocklin photographer, El Dorado Hills photographer, Placerville photographer, Roseville photographer, Laguna photographer, Elk Grove photographer, Folsom photographer, Auburn photographer, Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Randy Santee of Santees Designer Portriats is a contemporary, custom, photographer specializing in
maternity, babies, children, families, Seniors, and Bridals in the Sacramento, California and surrounding areas, including Granite Bay, Rocklin, Lincoln El Dorado Hills, Placerville, Roseville, Laguna, Elk Grove, Folsom, Auburn, Grass Valley and Tahoe.
