Set Styling- More Than a Backdrop!

I have to tell you.  I OBSESS over sets.  I mean, I browse the inter-webs for ideas.  I comb through pretty things on Pinterest.  I think about trends and seasons and details.  I LOVE details.  After several years and thousands of photographs, I can tell you that traditional backdrops rarely come into play around here.  In the MMP world, a backdrop might be a sunset, a mountain view, a nature trail, or a rolling creek.  A set might consist of simply what nature designed, or it could include some fabulous handpicked vintage furniture and accessories.  Set styling is ever changing and I never get bored of trying new combinations to make your photo sessions, not only include great results, but also unique and fun memories! 
Photographers all have a niche or form that they prefer to work within.  Some love landscapes & nature, some love animals.  Some photographers feel fulfilled creating works of art from photographing cityscapes and architecture while others like to bring us closer than we ever thought we could be to tiny little creatures and details found with the macro lens.  Some of us like photographing people.  I'm one of those!  My clients are what make me want to pick up my camera and get down to business.  We get to work selecting places and spaces that will enhance a photo AND represent the personality of the person in it!  

It never gets old.

I have to admit... I get bored, kind of easily.  It's to everyone's advantage though!  My character flaw is an advantage because I am always brainstorming.  For you, that means I'm searching for something new for your next photo op!  Each year for the holiday season I host at least two, sometimes three mini session opportunities as well as Exclusive Mini Sessions.  Of course, the ever popular Tree Farm Mini is usually on the menu, but in recent years minis have been hosted at local businesses like The Grand Bank and Boxes & Bows Gifts & More with sets styled by their owners helping me to be able to offer more one of a kind options for those holiday portraits. This also gives us all the chance to get out of the cold for an indoor option that still exemplifies the idea of getting festive for the season.  

No matter the season, or the event, clients have entrusted me to bring together an idea that they'll love!  From visiting parks that offer various settings to towns like Jim Thorpe that provide seemingly endless sources of color, texture, and motion, I am always happy to get out there with my clients and get creative.  When we are working together in studio or in home, it is an honor to be able to bring a perfect combination of sets and props to choose from.  

My favorites?  

The Greenhouse - A hairbrained idea came into fruition one day while browsing the marketplace.  There it was.  The exact thing I had been looking for... I just had to go get it, take it apart, get it home and reassemble all the pieces.  No problem.  (yes, that was sarcasm.) An hour ride, my little guy getting stung by a bee, and a sweat filled summer evening spent taking the structure apart, finally got me my future set.  For weeks it sat in pieces on the ground and then over the course of a couple of days I managed to piece it back together- mostly on my own!  Now to fill it with color.... I forgot to mention that I have had a brown thumb for most of my life.... I'm working on this.  
In the end, it produced some awesome portraits unique to each season throughout the year.  From simple & summery to filled with fall color and then even followed up with holiday greens, the greenhouse has been a fun set to bring some of my ideas to life.

The Settee - Seriously.  How can you not love a cute settee?!  I've picked up cute country style as well as vintage victorian style pieces.  There have been sets that I've used exclusively for holidays and others that I've changed up and made available in any season.  There is just something about the perfect seating for a family photo or a really cool chair matched with an outdoor setting that makes my heart flutter!  (I know. I'm weird. We're all used to this by now.) 

The Area Rug - So simple, yet it brings so much to the table.  Damp ground?  Problem solved. Kinda boring setting?  Get that pop of color to kick it up a notch. Seems like something's missing?  You guessed it.  The perfect area rug often helps bring the set together, warming the space or providing a little more emphasis on your subject.

As we move into a new season of outdoor photoshoots, I look forward to hunting for new pieces and preparing for some future offerings that I know you will love through MMP!  Stay tuned for some crazy fun upcoming announcements that I'm excited about bringing you!!! 

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