Hope you’re having a super happy, relaxing, joy-filled Holiday Season.

I subscribe to a lady who creates these Gap/OldNavy/Piperlime inspiration boards specifically for photographers. They are really clever and so terribly useful! However, I think it’s awesome to dress it up with unique pieces that fit your style. I love recommending Etsy for purchasing handmade. This month I thought it would be fun to throw out a few ideas for actually making some clothing or accessories yourself! Maybe you can pick one of the tutorials I’ve listed and try something that suits your skill level and interest. Fashion something special by hand that will help make your Family Photo or Children’s Photos even more memorable. This may appeal to some of you more than others, but here it goes…

1.) For Mom’s Outfit, consider “re-purposing” an old t-shirt and pairing it with jeans and a cardigan. This one comes with an awesome tutorial. I’ve yet to try it myself (Okay, I’m a little intimidated!), but honestly you can do very simple tricks to get a different ruffle look. This technique could be done to decorate one of your shirts! Momma’s gotta have fun too, right?

2.) I believe the tutorial for this dress & ruffle cardigan combo (love the ruffle!) says “Intermediate” level. Basically, it is waay out of my league, but it really, really makes me smile, so I’ve included it here. I think you could find some similar styles out and about. (Check out the darling striped leggings!) IF you happen to be savvy with the sewing machine, you should really check this tutorial out. And this whole blog altogether. This crafting sister-duo is truly inspiring.

3.) I really enjoy this lady’s tutorial for rosette headbands. I used it when making the headband for my Sister’s Baby Shower, as well as for a Bride-to-Be in an Engagement Session (photos not posted yet). It is so straight forward and simple! If you have a daughter, and want to accessorize, I urge you to check it out! AND if you sew, she has some very clever ideas for repurposing your shirts into dresses for your little girl.

4.) I fell a bit behind on the guys’ ideas because all of my ideas today, for some reason, are centered around bowties or neckties (not that they’re intended to go with these particular shirt + shorts combos of course). There are so many great tutorials on the web for them. I think MAYBE I will try to make my husband a tie at some point. I laugh already thinking about how wonky it might be, and imagining him wearing it any way because he’s so sweet like that. Anyway, these ties would be so fun for little boys too.

Lastly I want to feature a quick shot of handmade sister/brother sets I came across on Etsy the other day. These are by etsy seller, Little Boats. This would be quite cute for a family portrait, or just a portrait of the kids together…There seem to be several etsy shops making sets like this, and they might even take special requests!

Schedule your Children’s/Family Photo early, in order to have photos in time for Holiday Cards!

{Have a Great Day!}