Client Spotlight: Vivian turns ONE!

I was honored to do Vivian's newborn pictures and now so thrilled to see how much she's grown over this past year and to take her 1st birthday pictures. Thank you to Jennifer and her mom for making this session so much fun!

Playing dress-up and eating your cake too... what more could a girl want!

First birthday sessions are so much fun and they take away that stress from the birthday party plus do them early enough and you will have images to use for their invitations and thank you cards.

Book your 1st Birthday Session today!

Here are the infant boys and girls 'style inspiration' for this spring. Everything is available now at GAP. They are having a sale on a lot of these items until 3/2.

Style Inspiration: Toddler Boys & Girls

Here is the first 'style inspiration' of many to come this spring. These are all for toddler boys and girls, ages 1-5. Everything is available now at GAP. They are having a sale on almost all of these items until 3/2.

Spring Mini Sessions Inspiration

I have received several questions about colors that will be used for the studio mini sessions. So I have put together a little inspiration graphic and also started a board on Pinterest. I will continually be updating it with images, outfit ideas, etc. >> Follow my board to stay updated.

Baby CLAIRE! • Newborn Session • Memphis, TN

Seriously, can you get any cuter?! Claire was exactly 1 week old when we had her session and I don't think she cried once!! Although, her mom is a pro and relaxed as could be (which babies read into more than any of us will ever understand).

Thank you Tina for giving me the opportunity to capture all of your babies (even the bigger ones =)

-D

Automate with Actions

Photoshop actions are a routine part of my photo processing. They can save a ridiculous amount of time if you seem to be doing the same steps over and over in photoshop, why not automate it. Then make it even easier and faster by assigning your favorites to your F-keys (you can set up to 3 actions per F-key).

There are endless amounts of actions available out there but many of them are just ok at best. One of the best sources for really good actions is MCP Actions. Their Fusion actions are the ones I use most frequently and rely on the most. Kevin Kabota has some descent ones too. 

One issue I have had is finding an action that works well on fixing skin. A lot of them would take away too much detail or leave halos around the edges. That is why I just ended up creating my own. Now it is one of my most used actions and I want to share it with you.

Photo from Improve Photography • www.improvephotography.com

 
Download the free DC Skin Fix action here.

The first time you run it messages will pop up to tell you how to use it and the best settings to use. Please let me know if you have any questions about it.

Thanks!
D

Lingerie Trousseau

Bridal Bustier from Lingerie Diva

In honor of Valentines Day I thought that I would start a series on lingerie. I get questions all the time when it comes to boudoir shoots and thought I might shine some light on the subject. BUT before getting to the really helpful part I wanted to share something interesting that I came across while researching.

I love perusing vintage books and came across this book from the 1950's, Wedding Etiquette Complete by Marguerite Bentley. She talks about 'lingerie trousseau' (pronounced troo • so) which is bridal lingerie for the wedding night and honeymoon. Traditionally, a trousseau was collected in anticipation of her marriage and kept in her hope chest. It included bridal accessories, jewelry, lingerie, clothing for the honeymoon, linens, and toiletries. Some included family heirlooms and handmade items crafted by the bride-to-be or her female relatives.

Today, most women do not prepare such an elaborate trousseau although the idea of a trousseau is making a comeback. Many brides these days do compile a collection of wedding and honeymoon lingerie. These pieces are sometimes purchased by the bride, but often are given as gifts at a bridal shower.

Here is a modern checklist for a bridal lingerie trousseau (from Lace Silhouettes Lingerie):

1920's Silk Robe from Etsy.com

Wedding Day Lingerie and Accessories

• Corset/Bustier or Longline Bra
• Shapewear
• Garter (one to keep and one to throw)
• Panties (lace thong in a nude color is safe)

Wedding Night Lingerie

• Modern short peignoir (gown and robe)
• Choose something that you feel sexy, beautiful and comfortable in 

 Bridal Loungewear

• Robe or jog set for hair and makeup on wedding day
• “Bride” top or tank for honeymoon
• “Bride” swimsuit cover

Honeymoon Lingerie

• Sexy chemise or babydoll with matching panty
• Camisole and bottom set
• Bra and panty set
• Dressing gown or robe

Accessories

• Bridal handkerchief
• Marabou shoes
• Wedding Day Emergency Kit
• Do Not Disturb door hanger

Marabou shoes by Fredrick's of Hollywood

What's your style? Here are a few resources:

• Sophisticated & Preppy ~ Neiman Marcus Honeymoon Shop
• Seductive & Sweet ~ Fredricks Bridal Collection
• Wild (Oh yea, they have a sexy wolf outfit!) ~ Yandy.com
• True Vintage ~ Etsy
• Nice to Naughty ~ Lingerie Diva
  

Product Spotlight: Silhouettes

Left: My beautiful niece's picture on an 11x14 standout. 
Right: Bag that I made about three years ago and it's still holding strong
(I have plans to do a tutorial on this bag in the not-so-distant future).

 I love to create silhouettes and hardly anybody knows that I even make them. So this is my silhouette-coming-out-party =) Seriously, you can do so many things with them and it's another way of capturing and saving your child's sweet profile.

Silhouette art has been around since the 1700's and still holds its old world charm today. Bringing them in to your decor instantly adds a traditional elegance to the room. There are so many ways to use them. Not only in the conventional way of being framed but also on stationary, transferred on to any kind of fabric like tote bags, clothing or pillows, jewelry, birthday or wedding decor and invitations. Even used in the traditional manner the silhouette itself or the background can consist of a pattern or print to match exactly your taste and the space it is adorning. 

Here are some perfect examples of how you can incorporate this vintage art into your own style:

 

1. Apartment Therapy has a ton of ideas (and 'a ton' is an understatement).
2. Turn thrift store art into your favorite silhouette done by The Bee & the Bobbin.
3. Sweet Paul Magazine gives an array of ways to use them in unexpected ways.
4. Alkemie shows several different grouping ideas as well as different applications.
5. I had saved this picture from West Elm a while back, although it is no longer on their site, I love the pillow idea.

Speaking of unexpected ways to use silhouettes... what about your pet? And what about cookies for your special occasion? Martha Stewart gives some great ideas on how to utilize these fancy profiles...

• How cute would your pet's outline be on a onsie or a bib? Here is the guide on Martha's site.
• Either for a wedding or a girl's birthday party, creating food in their likeness would be very impressive. There are companies that will make custom cookie cutters or you can make your own (Roots & Wings has one of the best tutorials). 

Let me know if you want a custom silhouette made. You can definitely do them yourself if you have  time but if not, I can take care of it. Then you will have the digital files to use wherever your imagination takes you. 

>>Email me to get your own custom silhouettes<<

Digital Couture Blog

OK here we go! Along with the new Digital Couture website (that will be unveiled soon!) I am starting a new blog in hopes that I can more easily post resent shoots. I'm sure a lot of you out there know exactly what I'm saying when although you have the best intentions to keep something organized and up to date it always seems that kids, home, work projects and just the daily grind seem to gobble up any extra time you thought you were going to have. So instead of relying on my website for posting pictures I'm going to give the blog world a go. I'm also anticipating that it will motivate me to keep up with all the many creative projects I am constantly doing. Wish me luck! =)

Thanks bunches!
Donnis