As you may have seen from my website home page copy, my Instagram, and in a general sense, I believe in creating elegant, refined portraiture that mothers can treasure and pass down for generations. Part of that approach requires a sense of elegance and sophistication in wardrobe.
I was raised in a family that had a strict sense of propriety, having a great grandmother who went to finishing school and raised in a church that focused very heavily on appearance. At church we wore our “sunday best” – modest business casual for the most part, skirts and dresses only, pantsuits were a faux pas. At the ballet we wore our best suit and tie or cocktail dresses or better if we had them. We kept my parents wedding china in a special hutch, and lived and breathed by Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, Nancy Meyers and Ralph Lauren. I would say those are my current influences now that I’m a mother too. Intentional wardrobe styling, putting in the effort to host and come together, and putting in the effort to water the garden of my friendships. It might just be my autistic brain, but I like the thought that there’s a time and place for all things. Certainly, while sailing our boat on the Puget Sound, we may need more practical attire, but it can still be tasteful and stylish.
While Seattle may normally be a casual city where hiking and rain gear are worn everywhere, there are certain times it’s appropriate to put down the Gore-tex.
– Mercae
Your portraits are designed to become part of your family’s story, displayed proudly in your home and enjoyed for years to come. When an image is destined for a place of honor above the mantel or in your living room, thoughtful wardrobe choices and a little extra pampering can make all the difference. That’s why I provide styling guidance for the whole family and include professional makeup artistry in your sitting fee. Together, we’ll create timeless, polished portraits that feel beautiful today and just as meaningful decades from now.
When you dress up, you feel a sense of pride, you feel comfortable showing off those images, and you feel more confident in your appearance. Sloppy attire, last-minute hair styling, and dirty faces might be okay in the grocery store (lord knows I AM that mom at QFC), but not at your photoshoot. You deserve to have a moment where you are the star and feel so confident about the final result of your photoshoot. I help you create that with a client closet, makeup artist, and styling tips for children and husbands. I also chat with you about it during our inquiry call, and emphasize the importance of “when in doubt, dress up”. If you’re debating a running shoe or a dress shoe, select the dress shoe. If you’re thinking of doing a special blowout for your photoshoot, by all means, you’ll look stunning! It’s all about what you’ll feel proud of or confident sharing in your living room, with either a large framed print or a beautiful heirloom album.
There are so few events in modern life in which we intentionally dress up, the ballet, a fundraiser, our high school proms, college graduations, and at weddings. Let’s add our annual photoshoot to the mix, give yourself the joy of looking your very best, and have it documented beautifully.
